Band saw for novice

[handmadeMI]

Hi folks, I am a brand new member and would like to tap into the knowledge base here. I am getting a basement wood shop set up and am in the market for a band saw. I'm on a bit of a budget and am new at this so I don't want to shoot for the moon in terms of price. I see a ton of 80s-90s Craftsman locally for sale, are they any good or should I look elsewhere?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

need more info...

something small to do curves? something large to do re-saw like a Laguna?

Bench top? Floor model? How deep of throat? 14? 18? 36?

What kind of cuts and woodwork will you be doing?

 

[handmadeMI]

need more info...

something small to do curves? something large to do re-saw like a Laguna?

Bench top? Floor model? How deep of throat? 14? 18? 36?

What kind of cuts and woodwork will you be doing?

Well that's the thing, I have no idea what I need. I have been looking at a lot of woodworking videos and the bandsaw seems to be a commonly used tool. I see myself starting out making boxes, stools, and a handful of other small projects for around the house.

 

[tulowd]

I too started doing woodworking again recently. My advice, don't waste your time trying to bandsaw work with something that won't be reasonably precise.

I lurked around for a bench top Rikon 305 10" and it's the most used machine in my shop. Paid $300 CAN for it, included two spare blades, was virtually new looking, but had been used. The gent I bought it from had a killer woodshop setup in his garage. His new Laguna 18" bandsaw was the replacement.

I disassembled most of it, cleaned and squared it all up and installed new bearings that i bought for $20 incl another spare set.
Works amazing, and learned a lot about setting it up. Not difficult, but it's awesome having a machine that cuts straight and true and repeatable, even with the crappy fence and mitre gage - I bought UHMW tape to tighten the slop up in the miter slot.
Use it all the time, it is large enough for most small cuts, limited to about 9" of throat.

Bought a used 14" King bandsaw with a Kreg extruded fence and 4 spare blades, real nice shape from another gent with a $50k woodshop room attached to his garage. Same thing, machine is in great shape other than it's been used, meaning new bearings and setup. That one cost $500 CAD, the fence and blades alone would be close to that new. I'm really thinking of a second Rikon tho, because they're finished so nicely and work well and look very high end, especially for the money.

Busy Bee here in Canada has a house brand also made in Taiwan called CTX which are kind of in that spirit.

https://www.busybeetools.com/categories/Woodworking/Bandsaws/Woodworking-Bandsaws/

Whatever you get, it's going to need to be squared trued and setup properly.
Lots of great bandsaw and other woodworking info on Router Forum, amazing people and knowledge on there. The Alex Snodgrass bandsaw clinic video and related info gives ya a PhD in bandsaw setup in about 30 min.

Lastly, the Sears saws will likely drive you insane because you won't be able to get it true, or at least keep it that way. Also, parts are likely not available.

 

[handmadeMI]

Wow, thanks for your in depth response. That gives me a lot to go on. I would rather spend my limited time making good cuts instead of fighting a **** saw, so Ill scratch craftsman off the list. I had seen the Rikon previously but will look into the others as well. Thanks again!

 

[RTM]

I have a Laguna 14”, and have friends over with older saws. For resawing, cutting thick slabs into thin ones, for veneer, musical instrument backs, mine blows theirs away, they say.

Most of the ones with a cast frame are better than the steel ones, less flex.

People on here are frequently looking for parts for vintage machines.

 

[BarryWells]

See if you can find a 30 or so year old delta 14 and fit it with Carter guides

 

[Indexmill]

Many of us have the older (read: USA) Milwaukee/Rockwell/Delta 14" band saws. There is a good reason this is the case... Go find one.

 

[Jland]

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with the old craftsman band saws especially if you are just starting out in wood working. The plus side is they are cheap easily available and if you learn to adjust it properly they cut very well. From that 40/50 buck machine you will learn what you want in the next, more expensive machine. I have a 12" 1hp tilthead craftsman that does absolutely everything i need a wood cutting band saw to do and I got the thing for 5 dollars

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd buy one of those older Craftsman bandsaws to get started. Once you figure out what you'll be doing, your next investment me a scroll saw for detail work.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'd buy one of those older Craftsman bandsaws to get started. Once you figure out what you'll be doing, your next investment me a scroll saw for detail work.

Minimum 10", 12" would be better. Minimum 1/2 hp. More is better.

The blade speed is much too fast for steel.

 

[FunkyYota]

What do you have for tools currently?

My most commonly used woodworking machine is without a doubt the table saw. I’d invest there first unless you’re trying to do scroll work/curves. Even then I’d recommend hand tools over a cheap band saw. It’s hard to advise without understanding what your objectives and interests are. What are you trying to make?

Fwiw: I had a craftsman 10” band saw I got for free. I couldn’t wait to get rid of that thing. It was ok for real small stuff: Pinewood derby cars, bird houses, toys and stuff. It was really hard to get the thing to cut well. Sometimes you’d get it dialed and come back after a few weeks and it’d be completely out of whack. It was a pretty poor quality machine IMO

I looked at getting a 14” bandsaw for a while. I looked at used and new. In general I didn’t think it was worth getting anything less than a 14” after my experience with the smaller saw and using some bigger ones at other peoples shops. The delta 14” is really common and could find one used I’m sure.

I ended up with a Laguna 220v 14BX. I personally am interested in furniture making so having decent power and resaw capacity were key. After I did the math on getting a used saw and upgrading everything to make a decent resaw saw, the saving was a wash.

 

[Showkey]

See if you can find a 30 or so year old delta 14 and fit it with Carter guides

Many of us have the older (read: USA) Milwaukee/Rockwell/Delta 14" band saws. There is a good reason this is the case... Go find one.

I would agree ........I have 37 year Delta/Rockwell 14” band made in the USA. I have a Delta/Rockwell jointer purchased the same year made in China while Rockwell was in transition some might also be made in Taiwan. Their quality was still very good and well controlled........just noting even 30 years ago manufacturing was a moving target.

The Delta 14” band saw was cloned ( copied) by several dozen or more Chinese and Taiwanese companies with a huge spread in quality.

One other point using a fence on band saw is not always the best choice.
Often a fence works a table saw might be the tool of choice.
Managing and using blade drift on even the best band saw is an art and skill.
Re-sawing on band saw also is high skill and takes and taxes even the best saws and users.



Years ago in Fine Woodworking magazine they surveyed readers.......if stranded on island which stationary power tool would you bring......the band saw won, because of its flexibility not because of its precision.

 

[ScottsGT]

I was in the same boat a few years back. I was advised to just start out with a 14” and not one of the smaller ones because I would reach it’s limits quickly. I didn’t listen, bought something like a 9” and sure enough, sold it and bought a used Jet 14”

 

[MushCreek]

I'll second a used Delta/Rockwell/Milwaukee. Parts are available, and they can be upgraded.

I have an old (1980's) 12" Craftsman, and to be honest, it's just fine for light-duty use. I recently put urethane tires on it, and that made a world of difference. All bandsaws need to be carefully adjusted and tweaked anyway, so I just keep the old cheap C'man tuned up. Good blades make a word of difference, too. You can have blades made to any size, so that's not a factor.

I keep thinking about upgrading, but haven't really had the need yet. I only use a bandsaw for curving cuts. I have a table saw and miter saw for precise, straight, square work.

 

[exmaxima1]

Hi folks, I am a brand new member and would like to tap into the knowledge base here. I am getting a basement wood shop set up and am in the market for a band saw. I'm on a bit of a budget and am new at this so I don't want to shoot for the moon in terms of price. I see a ton of 80s-90s Craftsman locally for sale, are they any good or should I look elsewhere?

If you are talking about the Craftsman 12-inch "Bandsaw-Sander", I would avoid it. The alloy frame is way too spongy and the blade wanders constantly. Look for cast iron frame or welded steel.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I ended up with a Laguna 220v 14BX. I personally am interested in furniture making so having decent power and resaw capacity were key. After I did the math on getting a used saw and upgrading everything to make a decent resaw saw, the saving was a wash.

You made the right decision there. I've had a 14" Delta for a few years and have never been happy with it, with our without the riser block installed. More work than it's been worth. I plan on selling it and getting a Laguna 14" this year.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you are talking about the Craftsman 12-inch "Bandsaw-Sander", I would avoid it. The alloy frame is way too spongy and the blade wanders constantly. Look for cast iron frame or welded steel.

That's what I have and put a finer tooth blade on it, now the blade wanders. Well, I wouldn't say wanders, the blade just bends. I need to put a different blade on it.

 

[vavet]

I had a late 90s era craftsman tabletop bandsaw from new until earlier this year. I rescued a shopsmith bandsaw attachment and set that up for my bandsaw needs. It’s a night and day difference. The power and precision of the shopsmith is amazing compared to that craftsman unit. I sold it for about $80 the same day I listed it. Maybe i underpriced it based on how fast it went, but I thought that was a bit much for the age and price of a new HF unit.

If you space constrained, you might consider a shopsmith.

 

[Benito]

If you have the space at least, it's always worth going a little larger than you expect. As soon as you buy these things you find stuff you want to cut that won't fit.

 

[Git]

I too started doing woodworking again recently. My advice, don't waste your time trying to bandsaw work with something that won't be reasonably precise.

I lurked around for a bench top Rikon 305 10" and it's the most used machine in my shop. Paid $300 CAN for it, included two spare blades, was virtually new looking, but had been used. The gent I bought it from had a killer woodshop setup in his garage. His new Laguna 18" bandsaw was the replacement.

Years ago, I bought a Rockwell 28-203 bandsaw brand new for about $750 in the early 1980's. I was never really that happy with it and when I started upgrading things a couple of years ago, it was one of the first tools to go. (just for info, that $750 would be about $1,800 in today's dollars - it was not cheap back then)

I ended up with a Laguna 18" and I could not believe how handy/accurate that bandsaw was compared to the Rockwell. It was like night and day. Using a 3/4" blade, I could actually make extremely accurate cross cuts and rip wood to precise thicknesses.

With that being said, a 3/4" blade doesn't do curves very well and I didn't want to get into having to change blades. If I was going to buy a new 14" band saw, I believe the Rikon 14" is currently the undisputed 'king of the hill'. I didn't need or want another full size bandsaw, but I started looking at what Rikon had to offer and I ended up buying their 10-3061 Deluxe bandsaw (table top) this summer and I have been very impressed with it. Now I will say I have not had a chance to use it a whole lot due to Covid 19, but so far it has served me well

One thing about a table top bandsaw is if you want to upgrade to a bigger saw later, the table top would still come in handy and you would not necessarily have to replace it.

 

[Jland]

If you are talking about the Craftsman 12-inch "Bandsaw-Sander", I would avoid it. The alloy frame is way too spongy and the blade wanders constantly. Look for cast iron frame or welded steel.

I am certainly not trying to get into a **** measuring contest here but for someone new to woodworking AND on a budget there is NOTHING wrong with that saw!! As you can see from my pics, mine is the tilt head version.. it has a huge work surface, 12" depth, tad over 6" on the height and cuts dead on, balls accurate straight. As a test I took this old dried out, been out in the weather for at least 10 years 4x4 and shaved a piece off. Now I don't do precision veneer cutting and I just eyeballed this but seriously this aint to bad for a crappy, spongey 30something craftsman saw with a 14tpi blade. To me anyway.