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I am considering purchasing this 18 inch bandsaw, it's not that cheap compared to a Grizzly but in Taiwan Grizzly aren't available (I can't really find anyone willing to sell them and it's silly to freight them back to Taiwan, if I am going to pay that then I might as well go with a Laguna or other American/European made bandsaws). They are asking for around $1100 USD or so, shipping is like about 20 dollars more. I here are some pictures...

For the same price I can also buy a 14" bandsaw with the same welded steel frame, but a much smaller motor. Here is the spec for this bandsaw that I know:

Welded steel construction (painted white to look like Jet)
1 1/2 HP motor
What appears to be cast iron wheels with black tires
cast iron table with what appears to be a cast iron trunion (whatever that means)
about 11" resaw height (the guy said its about 28cm)
Can take up to 1" blade as far as the person said...
Weights about 100-150kg (not sure what it actually weights without really seeing it in person)

The blade guide is metal, and it isn't rack and pinion as far as I can tell. The fence is as basic as you can get, and there is no blade tension indicator as far as I can tell. Doesn't seem like such a good deal considering that you guys in the US can easily get a bandsaw at that price that includes so much more, like rack/pinion guides, roller bearing guides, a much better fence, blade tension indicator (for what it's worth), blade tension at the bottom (versus the top, which for a 18" saw is going to require a ladder to reach), and quick release blade tensioner.

Is this something I can use, or should I just bite the bullet and pay another 1000 dollars to have a Grizzly freighted over to Taiwan?

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Although not identical, that looks like it could have come out of the same factory as my 16" Chinese Laguna.

You know the old saying, you get what you pay for. 1 1/2 hp for an 18" saw seems very underpowered. For $1100 USD your money may be better spent on a nice 14". Or spend the extra money if you need an 18". Grizzly has their 3hp 19" Extreme series saw for $1450 USD. Not sure what shipping would be to you but that seems like a good deal.

Since many of these saws are made in Taiwan it seems like you could just go to the factory and pick one up.

That 14" saw I was talking about only has a 3/4 HP motor, even less power if you ask me... Selection is really poor here, not much market for a bandsaw so not many are sold here. Problem with Grizzly is that they won't tell me who the manufacturers are (lots of deals like this) so I can't even go to the factory to pick it up. Shipping will probably cost more than the saw itself.

Or am I better off getting that Steel City granite bandsaw? There's a distributor for that here and they're not much more than what they cost in the US. Problem is the Steel city 14" is basically a Delta cast iron design with a granite top/lower wheel.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

[quote="Goodin"

Since many of these saws are made in Taiwan it seems like you could just go to the factory and pick one up.[/quote]
Better yet. Have one fall off the back of the truck.......... gently.

The thing about bandsaws is that they are all basically the same, but its an accumulation of details that separate the good ones from the poor ones. And you don't really know which details are important to you until you've got more than a few hours with the machines.

You want to look over the machine for details which will ensure that it runs reliably and cuts consistently: wheels which run true, tires on the wheels which allow the tracking to be set stable, solid and easily set blade guides, good trunnions (lock the table in position), solid and adjustable fence.

The bigger motors are nice, but a sharp blade is more important.

The one in your photo looks like a pretty standard design. Many bandsaws are all built in the same factories and the different brands are distinguished by the quality control and design upgrades that they choose to include in their units, all of which has a cost.

I had to use a similar saw last summer and it was set up with a 1" blade. While the saw can handle the blade, the 14" wheels are too small for the stiffness of the blade. Too much metal fatigue and the blades kept breaking. Better choice is a 1/2" 3 tpi.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

That bandsaw is 18", which I hope it means it has an 18" wheel. I do not know if a 1" blade is too stiff for it but I don't think most 14" bandsaws on the market can properly tension a 1" blade. The only plus on this saw is that it has a large wheel which I hope it means less blade breakage. I wonder if I can tell the guy to swap for a larger motor...

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

You remind me that the saw that I was using had the 14" wheels.

A motor can be swapped out easily enough in the future if the present motor is not up to the task. I wouldn't choose against it based only on the motor supplied.

Basically any saw can be upgraded, hopefully the "bones" of this saw make the bother worth it. From the sounds of it, it probably is, especially as your choices are limited.

Ensure that you get a variety of blades and employ a system to keep the blades in differing conditions separate and identified:
fresh & unused, sharp but used, too dull to trust, etc.

I find that the 1/2 3tpi is my most used blade. I'd add to that 1/4" 6tpi, and a 1/8" 10-12 tpi blade as a standard repertoire. If I had the 18" saw I'd probably add a larger coarser blade for major resaw work.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Google turned up a number of vertical bandsaw manufacturers in Taiwan:
http://www.trupro.com.tw/product.php?mode=list&cid=23
http://www.taiwanmachine.com.tw/En/Body.asp?FKindNo=F06 (> 4.Sawing machine > 4.Bandsaw)
http://www.oavequipment.com/style/frame ... &rid=25501
More googling would find more.
The Eastar 2-tone green machines are clearly General Int'l. I thought their white/gray machine was a Laguna, but the specs are different. Maybe others recognize some of the other machines.

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David Malicky

OAV Machines seems to be what you find alot here in europe.

Tai, what do you expect from your bandsaw, what does it have to be able to do?

A few more links:
http://www.holytek.com.tw/04-Band-Saw.htm#
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread. ... post970373
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread. ... t-identity
Perry might have more advice.

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David Malicky

The bandsaw pictured looks like a pretty standard design. If it looks well made (welds, wheels and tires) and runs smoothly it is probably not a bad deal. Many of the "features" (rack and pinion guides, blade tension indicator, blade tension quick release) you mentioned are options that only marginally upgrade a saw, and some people prefer to do without them. If the motor is a "real" 1 1/2 hp then it is plenty big enough for an 18 inch bandsaw. People seem fixated on running overly wide blades on less than industrial sized saws. I would run 3/4 inch wide or less on an 18 inch saw.

Just one question... is there anything wrong with the Steel City granite bandsaws (or any other tool for that matter?)

The only problem with them is I have to wait pretty much forever for them, because the stuff is drop shipped from its country of origin (which I presume is China).

Edit: I found the exact same saw in tru-pro's website that I was looking at, except its painted green. It has no information however... not a very good site if you ask me.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

The Steel City bandsaws are OK as far as I've seen and read. In a FWW review a few years back, they noted that when the alignment pin was pulled out of the cast table that the table did not remain flat. There was a bit of back and forth in letters to the editor as a result with the Steel City rep. saying that was normal and FWW sticking to their guns that it was a flaw. It rated somewhere in the middle of the pack of saws tested. With the granite table, that obviously won't be an issue. I have a Steel City drill press which I really like.

Well now I don't know, because someone is selling Steel City bandsaws in Taiwan, both deluxe and non-deluxe 14" bandsaws. They have cast iron frames, like those Delta bandsaws but I am unsure if I should spent 300 dollars more and get the 18" bandsaw instead of the steel city thing. Yea that 18" bandsaw looks fairly basic (tiny table for its size, no quick release tension, etc.) but the frame might be beefier. I am not all that concerned about throat length but resaw capacity is important. Both saws have the same resaw capacity (I am only considering to buy the deluxe version, the non-deluxe one is way too small), motor size but the Steel city has more features...

I mean I won't be resawing anywhere near as much as Herr Dalbergia, but it can save me a lot of money to buy SE Asian hardwoods in Taiwan and resawing them myself, versus buying stuff from LMI. My current Rexon 10" saw is woefully inadequate... blade keeps breaking, vibrations, frame appears to flex a bit, etc. Plus the trunion on that is too weak.

What do you think, save some money, or buy a cheaper steel city saw?

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

A bandsaw is an investment. Buy the tool that you will still be satisfied with in the future. The challenge for you right now, is that you are trying to figure out what that is. Good luck.

_________________
Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Tai,

If you can get the 14" cast iron saw with a riser, that really is workable for resawing (although I admit that I upgraded my Delta by switching to a 2 HP Baldor motor, which made a lot of difference.) You can resaw with much less than a 1 inch blade - I use a 1/2 inch Lenox Trimaster on mine.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

Sorry Tai. the one I was referring to is an 18" Steel City. I'm sure the 14" is at least as good as the Delta. Their tools certainly seem to be at least as good or better than much of the Pacific rim stuff.

The Steel City granite deluxe 14" comes with a "riser", it has a 12" resaw capacity.

According to one review I've seen (I can't seem to find it anymore) says the steel city deluxe resaws walnut fairly well...

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I would definitely pass on the SC granite deluxe bandsaw. Trust me on this one...I've actually tried to deal with two of them and they are pretty sad machines, IMHO. Poor alignment, bad vibration, etc.

Hello Tai happy Crimbo ......just quoting you ......

I mean I won't be resawing anywhere near as much as Herr Dalbergia, but it can save me a lot of money to buy SE Asian hardwoods in Taiwan and resawing them myself
Do you need any more clarification ?
On that point alone about cheaper wood I would definitely HOLD OUGT
Did ya not read filippios dissapointment about cutting some hard sthuff recently ? ya need a gud blade and sthiff backbone.

I live in ireland and id say ( in my ignorant drunkeness ) theirs probably the same type of market sale here as in localish bandsaw sales /woodwork machinery /cabinet makers workshop /woodwork, ing machines .....word it whatever ya think in the "buy and sell" over there ,
Were broke too APPARENTLY?


I got screwed over on a new machine a bit over last year ....long story about a startrite 502e misalignment
In which i could not set up the guides close enough, because of various blades wobbling
Sent it back with 450 miles too and frowing and haggling nearly on youtube kinda sthuff !
Irish seller sayin i wont find a machine with same capability and price ,Tryin to offer me half
In the end i found a older griggio sna 600 for 500 euros (a new one wood be 3000 + here)
which i was waiting a year for
Totally worth it (IF YA LIKE SANDIN AND PAINTIN )
But hey were all gluttons for punishment on this forum anyway...

Dont rule out three phase as theirs a wave of cheap newish tech vfd inverters on your side
Your into this for the long haul so its a step closer to bill pentz cycloneland which you will need
if you are into fancy wood anyway

Thats my bandsaw rant over .
must make an update on mobile base v.2 soon come to think of it ..

Good luck on your quest If anything try looking for a size or two down
whatever these olf guys say you need for tasks other than resawing
But if your a stingy b like me you will resist temptation
tOMAS

By the way... after some extensive research (both on the trupro site and on google), this saw that I am about to buy is sold as Lobo BS-0181. The image and spec looks exactly the same. In fact I think Trupro makes Jet bandsaws too, you will notice they use the exact same model number as Jet...

It seems this saw is a copy of an Italian made saw... from the limited reviews I've seen it's a pretty good saw although the price I am paying is a little on the high side. It is brand new though (they were paying 850 used)

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

My 2 cents, hold out for a really good bandsaw this can be seen as a long term investment. I have 5 bandsaws , if I were to do it over , I/d buy the most expensive best equipped BS, that I could afford.From the voice of experience.

Can you get stuff from Rikon? I bought the 10-325 and am very happy with it so far. It's 1-1/2 hp, two speed, 14" throat, 13" re-saw capacity (I've done 9" Wenge no problem), large table, small footprint, all for under $1k.

Michael

Not sure, maybe the only thing I could really do is import Italian made saws, which will be expensive, very expensive.

Honestly I don't know why I should go buy Rikon and others which are really just Taiwanese/Chinese saws by importing them from the US. I don't know who makes Rikon but with each saw there are slight differences in features (blade tension indicator, fence, foot brake, etc. but it looked as though the frames in general are of the same design. The only way (in my opinion) would be to go for something with larger wheels (20" and above, in which Rexon actually offers a pretty good one), or change the motor for a bigger one but then space becomes a limitation. Like I said if I were to go the importation route, then only good Italian saws like Laguna would make sense. But at that price point it would be a better deal (for me) to get a 26" saw, replace the motor with a bigger one, and make any necessary improvements to put it up to par, and finally invest in a blade tension gauge.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com