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Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
By:bayport_bob
Date: 11/29/2004, 4:10 pm
In Response To: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250? (Bob May)

Do you need a benchtop saw or do you have room for a floor standing model?

If the budget is $250, then I would seriously consider the 14" Bandsaw from Harbor Freight. It regularly is on sale for $229 and you can use a $10 off coupon to bring it down to $219.

There have been both good and bad reviews of this saw. The assembly instructions can be confusing, but there are some online resources that have the correct details. This is a no frills saw, but it performs well once it is tuned. Don't use the blade supplied with the saw. Replace the stock blade with one from Timberwolf (get it factory direct). Another stock item that is recommended to replace is the drive belt - the PowerTwist Link belt reduces vibrations significantly (The saw is perfectly functional with the stock belt);. These will bring the initial cost right around $250.

If you wait and save some extra cash, then the Grizzly Ultimate 14" is probably the highest rated bandsaw for a home shop. It's definitely the best bang for the the buck and everyone who owns one raves about them.

Just my opinion & everybody's got one - Bob

Messages In This Thread

Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Bob May -- 11/29/2004, 2:45 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250? *LINK*
Rob Macks -- 12/1/2004, 5:07 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
jim kozel -- 12/1/2004, 5:33 pm
Wow, thanks for all the feedback
Bob May -- 12/1/2004, 2:13 pm
Re: Wow, thanks for all the feedback
Will -- 12/1/2004, 8:48 pm
Here are a few suggestions:
Brian Nystrom -- 12/1/2004, 11:14 am
Re: Here are a few suggestions:
Charles Cooper -- 12/1/2004, 12:52 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Kurt Hoffman -- 12/1/2004, 9:59 am
Re: Tools: Decent band saw (rant :))
Chip Sandresky -- 12/1/2004, 2:40 am
Re: Tools: Decent band saw (rant :))
jim kozel -- 12/1/2004, 11:00 am
Re: Tools: Decent band saw (rant :))
gerald -- 12/1/2004, 11:14 am
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Daren -- 11/29/2004, 9:16 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Kurt Maurer -- 11/30/2004, 7:59 pm
One more thing... *LINK*
gerald -- 11/29/2004, 6:59 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
CFronzek -- 11/29/2004, 6:38 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Reg Lake -- 11/29/2004, 6:18 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250? *LINK*
gerald -- 11/29/2004, 4:57 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
bayport_bob -- 11/29/2004, 4:10 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Jim Kozel -- 11/29/2004, 11:16 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Ken Sutherland -- 12/2/2004, 7:28 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250? *LINK*
Glen Smith -- 12/2/2004, 9:49 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
martin lister -- 12/2/2004, 10:19 pm
Thanks!
Ken Sutherland -- 12/2/2004, 10:53 pm
Re: Thanks! Oops!
Ken Sutherland -- 12/2/2004, 11:26 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Jim Kozel -- 12/2/2004, 9:34 pm