Larger bandsaw

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:38 pm

Anyone own a larger bandsaw like a Grizzly 17" or the JET 18". Looking for something to resaw with.

http://www.grizzly.com/images/pics/jpeg288/g/g0513x2.jpg

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:23 pm

We use a Delta bandsaws at work - we resaw oak with them and they are fine machines. My brother in law has a Grizzly bandsaw and he is very happy with it. In fact he has alot of their tools and has been pleased. I've not heard of him having any problems with it. I bought a large tool chest from them and the quality is great VERY heavy duty - much more so than the comparable Craftsman models and for less cost. I had a problem with one of the casters and their customer service dept. got me out a replacement at no cost, and quickly. I typically prefer to buy American made products, but Grizzly seems like a fine outfit. Alec

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 6:49 pm

Although they work well, Shopsmith's bandsaw and jointer designs are at least 50 years old, and in need of re-design.

One of my hopes is that Shopsmith will recover sufficiently to modernize these two products.

tdubnik · Post by **tdubnik** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:59 pm

I like both the Shopsmith jointer and bandsaw but I do wish I had a 6" jointer option and a 12" bandsaw.

audir10 · Post by **audir10** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:03 pm

Take a look at a Gilliom 18" bandsaw. It's a build it yourself saw. You buy the
metal parts kit and plans from Gilliom and build the cabinet out of wood.
They don't have a web site but if you look at shopsmith-tool-hunter.blog
.com there is some recent info about Gilliom. I was surprised they were still around.[INDENT][/INDENT]

iclark · Post by **iclark** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:20 am

tdubnik wrote:I like both the Shopsmith jointer and bandsaw but I do wish I had a 6" jointer option and a 12" bandsaw.

I saw in another thread that SS SPTs would work on the SuperShop.
has anyone tried the Smithy Supershop SPTs on the SS? I note that one of the access offered is a 6" jointer:

http://www.smithy.com/accessories.php?a ... =895&code=

the table for the 6" is only 5" longer than the SS 4" jointer so not much gain there compared to stand-alone 6"ers.

NB: this is _not_ a recommendation of the smithy product by me - merely a note of its existence.

Ivan

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:58 pm

You have to remember that the Shopsmith jointer and bandsaw are designed to be easily attached to, and removed from, a Mark V.

Making them any larger will add to difficulties in moving and lifting them. If they make them larger, then lighter materials will have to be used in their parts (plastic?), decreasing their overall quality and workmanship. I for one have found they work great for what they are built for.

Other companies build larger tools if you need them. I own a 18-inch JET bandsaw for cutting large woodturning blanks. The SS bandsaw does a great job of cutting smaller blanks when I need them.

A 6-inch jointer pretty much becomes a stand-alone machine when it's that large due to the need for a longer table. A 6-inch jointer with a short table does not allow you to use it to its greatest capabilities. You are better off purchasing a stand-alone jointer when you need six-inch or longer blades. You can find stand-alone 6-inch jointers for about the same price as a Shopsmith jointer, but you lose the space-saving and the portability factors in the process, which is what Shopsmith is most famous for.

I say leave them as they are.