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PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:00 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:15 pm
Posts: 209
Location: United States
First name: Ken
Last Name: Hageman
City: Statesville
State: NC
Zip/Postal Code: 28625
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Does anyone in the group use the Grizzly 17 inch Ultimate Bandsaw with the 5 HP motor for resawing. Have read one review of the saw and it sounds great!! But actual use may be another story. It is about $2,000 for this piece of equipment and that is about the my budget (really over my budget). I would appreciate any reviews.

Grizzly also has a new 19 inch Ultimate Bandsaw with a 5 HP motor. Also has a motorized upper guide. But it is out of my price range.

Thanks
Ken


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:52 am 
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Cocobolo
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Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2010 12:10 pm
Posts: 121
First name: Brendan
Last Name: Dwyer
City: tolland
State: CT
Zip/Postal Code: 06084
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
not the 17, i have the 14 with the riser block.

more than enough power for the resawing i do. I have done split hardwood billets on mine with a 3/4" blade. the only "problem" is that i don't really like the roller guides. i will probably purchase better guides in the future.

but it's easy to maintain and set up.

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:16 am 
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Cocobolo
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Joined: Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:49 am
Posts: 110
First name: Bert
Last Name: Foster
City: Gainesville
State: GA
Zip/Postal Code: 30506
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Buy a second Hand Jet bandsaw 18" and put Carter Bearings on it along with a Woodslicer 3/4" blade from Highland Hardware, Make a tall fence out of Birch plywood. You'll save as much as $1,000 and have a great resaw.

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:47 pm 
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Koa
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Joined: Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:56 am
Posts: 1271
I've got the 2hp version http://grizzly.com/products/17-2-HP-Ext ... -/G0513X2B

I've resawn a couple hundred sets with no problems. Only thing I've had a problem with was cocobolo but that was the blade gumming up.

Frame is sturdy, table was flat, guide post is adjustable for plumb, blade changes are quick. The bearings are starting to go but that doesn't seem too unreasonable after a couple years of good use.

I used to stay away from Grizzly but I've been impressed with their newer high end stuff lately.

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 2:12 pm 
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Koa
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Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:01 pm
Posts: 1655
Location: Jacksonville Florida
First name: Chris
City: Jacksonville
State: Florida
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I'm not sure 5 horse power is really necessary. Let me restate that. I'm not sure 5hp is necessary if you are an occasional sawyer for back and side sets. Occasional being somewhere around 50 sets a year. You can certainly do more than that but I needed a number here that reflected what I thought the home luthier might be after.

I own a Rikon 18 with 2.5hp and I haven't put anything through that saw yet that slowed it down...and that includes 9 inch Cocobolo. I run a 1 inch Woodmaster CT on it. Not intending to bash Grizzly here. I own 2 Grizzly machines and love them. Just a different point of view regarding intended use versus 'how much machine'.

Chris

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:14 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:01 am
Posts: 1399
Location: Houston, TX
First name: Chuck
Last Name: Hutchison
City: Houston
State: Texas
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I've got the 21" Griz and love it. 5 HP with the Woodmaster CT blade.

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PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:00 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:21 am
Posts: 4915
Location: Central PA
First name: john
Last Name: hall
City: Hegins
State: pa
Zip/Postal Code: 17938
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Professional
I have the 19 extreem series grizzly .I added ceramic guides on advice from Bob Cefalu and Bob Gleason. Best advice I ever had for a bandsaw.

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:08 am 
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Cocobolo
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Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 5:52 pm
Posts: 299
Location: United States
First name: Bobby
Last Name: Masten
City: The Woodlands
State: TX
Zip/Postal Code: 77380
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
[/quote]If I recall there is a rumor that the Rikon 18 (which is really a 19" saw given the wheel sizes) will be on sale at Woodcraft in July for $995. Was it Todd that heard this?

Probably worth doing the comparison before you pull the trigger. I'd be curious as to what you conclude.

Filippo[/quote]

I was told by the Owner of a Woodcraft store in Georgia when visiting them that the 18" Rikon was going on sale in July. I found a store that still had one and picked it up before the sale at the $999 price. There are a couple of stores out there that still have one, you just have to search them individually to find it. With that said, I LOVE my Rikon!

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PostPosted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:42 am 
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Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2010 4:15 pm
Posts: 1701
First name: Joey
Last Name: Holliday
City: Palmetto
State: Florida
Zip/Postal Code: 34221
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Not to highjack this thread but I have a couple questions.

1. How long does the Rikon sale usually last?

I am really wanting to pick one up for re-sawing. I am also considering a used bandsaw from Craig's list or something for $200 to $300, but I imagine I'd have to put a decent amount of money into one like that to get it up to snuff (able to re-saw through 10" walnut, cherry, maple or oak). Any advice?

2. I am coming back to the states in August. Any chance that the Rikon is still on sale then?

3. Is this sale something that they do regularly? I think this is the 2nd time I have heard about them dropping the price. I wouldn't mind waiting until tax time.

4. Is the Rikon able to be wired for 3 phase power?


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:34 am 
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Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:15 pm
Posts: 209
Location: United States
First name: Ken
Last Name: Hageman
City: Statesville
State: NC
Zip/Postal Code: 28625
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Thanks for all the information. I think I am going ahead and order the Grizzly Bandsaw. I have a lot of uses for it besides resawing guitar wood. Can use it in my "real" business cutting out die patterns, etc.

Ken


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