jomobco
Well-known member
I've found a 14" Wilton metal variable speed bandsaw for sale used. I can get a comparable model of JET bandsaw new for the same price. I know Wilton quality. Not sure about JET. Thoughts?
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Wilton bandsaw thoughts 14"
- Thread starter jomobco
- Start date
I've found a 14" Wilton metal variable speed bandsaw for sale used. I can get a comparable model of JET bandsaw new for the same price. I know Wilton quality. Not sure about JET. Thoughts?
Jet tools are almost exclusively made in China. If the Wilton is dated like 30+ years ago, it could have been made here, they contracted many of their upscale drill press's from Germany years ago also. If its newer, it's a Jet with a Wilton name on it. Ask for a photo of the tag. That might be a starting point.
If you are talking about one of the 14" wilton tradesman bandsaw, I certainly wouldn't pay the ~$1K that the new jet is for a used one. If you can spend that on a vertical bandsaw, get something with a welded steel frame. Girzzly and a few of the other makers produce a 14-18" welded saws for slightly more. Or look used. Barring the wilton square wheel grinder and their rebadged drill presses, Wilton power tools were never all that great.
BTW, friend of mine has one of the jet 14" wood metal saws. He bought it at a damaged freight place cheap as the stand was damaged. It works just fine, just as fine as my old delta 14" wood metal saws. The two piece cast frame 14" bandsaws are only so capable.
BTW, friend of mine has one of the jet 14" wood metal saws. He bought it at a damaged freight place cheap as the stand was damaged. It works just fine, just as fine as my old delta 14" wood metal saws. The two piece cast frame 14" bandsaws are only so capable.
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Variable speed you say?
That might mean its meant for wood and steel, making it a more sought after model. You can not cut metal w/ a std 14" wood bandsaw.
Grab pics. 14" bandsaws are pretty standard fair, not much makes one worse or better then the others. Cast iron frame, decent motor, blade bearings etc...
I would skip Jet and Delta and go straight to Grizzly for a bandsaw if buying new. Better quality and you arent paying for the "once made in USA, but now China" markup those other two cost.
That might mean its meant for wood and steel, making it a more sought after model. You can not cut metal w/ a std 14" wood bandsaw.
Grab pics. 14" bandsaws are pretty standard fair, not much makes one worse or better then the others. Cast iron frame, decent motor, blade bearings etc...
I would skip Jet and Delta and go straight to Grizzly for a bandsaw if buying new. Better quality and you arent paying for the "once made in USA, but now China" markup those other two cost.
I just purchased a Wilton 14" tradesman variable speed saw and they are made in Taiwan.
Mine is the VS model with the slow speeds variable using a tapered pulley setup similar to what's used on a milling machine. You can disconnect the gear box and get a higher speed for wood. It has a lot of power, on a test piece of 1/2" thick steel it cut easily without bogging.
It's not a Doall but for the $800 I paid it's a big step up from the converted wood saw I've been using for the last 8-9 years.
Mine is the VS model with the slow speeds variable using a tapered pulley setup similar to what's used on a milling machine. You can disconnect the gear box and get a higher speed for wood. It has a lot of power, on a test piece of 1/2" thick steel it cut easily without bogging.
It's not a Doall but for the $800 I paid it's a big step up from the converted wood saw I've been using for the last 8-9 years.