I am thinking of adding a Bandsaw to my shop. I have read some good things on the Shopsmith version but do not know if it's size has been a limitation on any projects that any of you have worked on.
I have the SS jointer and have not run into any problems with the projects I have worlked on.
In that regard have you any reservations regarding the SS Bandsaw because of size or anyother special tools for the SS.
Dave C.
Does size matter?
Moderator: admin
I have found it to work well on my projects in the past. What I think you need to do is think about what projects you'll be working on and see if the SS bandsaw will work for you. I'm betting that it will.
SS 500(09/1980), DC3300, jointer, bandsaw, belt sander, Strip Sander, drum sanders,molder, dado, biscuit joiner, universal lathe tool rest, Oneway talon chuck, router bits & chucks and a De Walt 735 planer,a #5,#6, block planes. ALL in a 100 square foot shop.
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Bob
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Bob
Dave:
Bob gave you a very specific answer and what he said was gospel. Your needs definitely dictate the saw you should purchase. I want to give you my experiences with the SS bandwaw.
I have owned mine for ten plus years now and have used it very often. It rates right up there with my favorite power tools. There is very little that it cannot do and do with extreme accuracy. Once set up according to the book and maintained as recommended, I have had absolutely no problems for the past ten years. It continues to function as flawlessly as the first day I set it up. Do not be fooled by shiny heavy cast iron and granite tops. It's the final product that counts.
The SS bandsaw has a proven record since the formation of our galaxy and has steadily improved over the years. To boot, who makes a bandsaw that has infinite variable speeds and with 1 1/8 hp available at the throttle there is no lack of power and that is a bunch for a saw of this size. You will find this once feature worth the whole thing. Shopsmith makes a bunch of attachments for the table if so desired and others like Carter, Space Age guide blocks and Kreg are well known in bandsaw circles and can provide excellent accessories. Blade selection by various firms is no problem and is directly proportional to the quality of cut.
If the table size is inadequate, you can always build your own or purchase an aftermarket unit and mount it on the trunions of course at slightly less resaw capacity. You will not be able to use riser blocks for increased resaw capacity so again you will have to evaluate your needs. I have no problem slicing paper thin veneer if need be. Like Shopsmith, its a forever saw.
Bob gave you a very specific answer and what he said was gospel. Your needs definitely dictate the saw you should purchase. I want to give you my experiences with the SS bandwaw.
I have owned mine for ten plus years now and have used it very often. It rates right up there with my favorite power tools. There is very little that it cannot do and do with extreme accuracy. Once set up according to the book and maintained as recommended, I have had absolutely no problems for the past ten years. It continues to function as flawlessly as the first day I set it up. Do not be fooled by shiny heavy cast iron and granite tops. It's the final product that counts.
The SS bandsaw has a proven record since the formation of our galaxy and has steadily improved over the years. To boot, who makes a bandsaw that has infinite variable speeds and with 1 1/8 hp available at the throttle there is no lack of power and that is a bunch for a saw of this size. You will find this once feature worth the whole thing. Shopsmith makes a bunch of attachments for the table if so desired and others like Carter, Space Age guide blocks and Kreg are well known in bandsaw circles and can provide excellent accessories. Blade selection by various firms is no problem and is directly proportional to the quality of cut.
If the table size is inadequate, you can always build your own or purchase an aftermarket unit and mount it on the trunions of course at slightly less resaw capacity. You will not be able to use riser blocks for increased resaw capacity so again you will have to evaluate your needs. I have no problem slicing paper thin veneer if need be. Like Shopsmith, its a forever saw.
Bob and Dave have covered the subject very well. My bandsaw was purchased back in '83 and has since been upgraded with everything, including the Kreg fence. I wouldn't have spent the money on the upgrades if the Bandsaw had not been a proven performer.
Looking at the 14" Jet and Powermatic bandsaws in the Woodcraft catalog, the only advantage they can offer is slightly more throat width. Only the Rikon offers resaw capacity greater than 6". These are all machines weighing well over 200 lbs and obviously require dedicated floor space. As for 13" of resaw capacity, I can tell you that resawing boards that wide is very tricky.
Perhaps a bowl turner who wrestles with huge chunks of wood, would benefit from a sawing height greater than 6", but for me the Shopsmith bandsaw has consistently done the job.
With all this said, I have purchased a variable speed power stand and now use it to power the bandsaw, strip sander, and scroll saw. I have not found this obstrusive, even in my 1/2 garage shop here in Gainesville.
Looking at the 14" Jet and Powermatic bandsaws in the Woodcraft catalog, the only advantage they can offer is slightly more throat width. Only the Rikon offers resaw capacity greater than 6". These are all machines weighing well over 200 lbs and obviously require dedicated floor space. As for 13" of resaw capacity, I can tell you that resawing boards that wide is very tricky.
Perhaps a bowl turner who wrestles with huge chunks of wood, would benefit from a sawing height greater than 6", but for me the Shopsmith bandsaw has consistently done the job.
With all this said, I have purchased a variable speed power stand and now use it to power the bandsaw, strip sander, and scroll saw. I have not found this obstrusive, even in my 1/2 garage shop here in Gainesville.
I have had the SS bandsaw for many years and find it to be one of my most used tools.
The 11" throat has been a drawback on a few large outdoor display projects but in those cases I just cut as much as I could on one side, then drew parts of the pattern on the reverse side and completed the cuts this way.
In the end it all comes down to the usual factors, what is the tool to be used for, and do we have the space for a stand alone tool.
Since I don't have the space, the SS has served me well for the work that I do.
Hope this helps.
John
The 11" throat has been a drawback on a few large outdoor display projects but in those cases I just cut as much as I could on one side, then drew parts of the pattern on the reverse side and completed the cuts this way.
In the end it all comes down to the usual factors, what is the tool to be used for, and do we have the space for a stand alone tool.
Since I don't have the space, the SS has served me well for the work that I do.
Hope this helps.
John
Hi,
I don't have the shopsmith bandsaw so I can not speak of it. I do have a saw that is about is just slightly larger and have had it since the early 1970's and it predates my shopsmith purchases that started in 1976. Other then tires I have had to replace nothing... I have however put some upgrades on it.
I have had times when I had thought of getting a larger saw. At the time I was looking at a 14" bandsaw and then adding the 6" riser. There have been times when I would have liked to re-saw stock taller then 6" and while it would be unlikely I would ever do 12" tall items I sure wouldn't mind having 8"-9" as the limiting height.
The 12" distance is also limiting but going to 14" is not going to solve all the problems either. I'm not sure just how much capacity would ever be enough do to the nature of how different project are. A boat builder back in my home town had a home made one that was nearly 36" for his projects but most of us will never need anything that large.
The only thing you can do is compare the shopsmith to others out there and see if you are going to be happy with that size of saw... most lists I see now say that beginners should go with an upgradeable 14" model... 30 years ago 12" was big enough...
BTW this is the one I was looking at a few years ago:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0555/reviews/
Ed
I don't have the shopsmith bandsaw so I can not speak of it. I do have a saw that is about is just slightly larger and have had it since the early 1970's and it predates my shopsmith purchases that started in 1976. Other then tires I have had to replace nothing... I have however put some upgrades on it.
I have had times when I had thought of getting a larger saw. At the time I was looking at a 14" bandsaw and then adding the 6" riser. There have been times when I would have liked to re-saw stock taller then 6" and while it would be unlikely I would ever do 12" tall items I sure wouldn't mind having 8"-9" as the limiting height.
The 12" distance is also limiting but going to 14" is not going to solve all the problems either. I'm not sure just how much capacity would ever be enough do to the nature of how different project are. A boat builder back in my home town had a home made one that was nearly 36" for his projects but most of us will never need anything that large.
The only thing you can do is compare the shopsmith to others out there and see if you are going to be happy with that size of saw... most lists I see now say that beginners should go with an upgradeable 14" model... 30 years ago 12" was big enough...
BTW this is the one I was looking at a few years ago:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0555/reviews/
Ed
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
I have had no problems what-so-ever using the Shopsmith bandsaw. Although there is an 11 inch space between the blade and the case, that has never been an issue. If you want more table space - it is almost unlimited. see this http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Tips.htm Although the tips videos are not working at this time, you can see from the text and the photo the way to make a huge table.calver wrote:I am thinking of adding a Bandsaw to my shop. I have read some good things on the Shopsmith version but do not know if it's size has been a limitation on any projects that any of you have worked on.
I have the SS jointer and have not run into any problems with the projects I have worlked on.
In that regard have you any reservations regarding the SS Bandsaw because of size or anyother special tools for the SS.
Dave C.
Note: The referred 'bandsaw table video' is the 17th down on the right side of the "Tips" page.
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Chuck in Lancaster, CA