Shopsmith Forums

Considering buying a SS Bandsaw. Don't desire or need a heavy duty machine with a big footprint (limited space) so considering the SS brand due to size and portability but,, they are somewhat expensive compared to a stand alone bandsaw!

For the most part (for my needs) the SS Bandsaw seem to have most of the pros with just a few cons..

Cons being: Not self contained and must buy blades from Shopsmith due to the odd-ball size and Shopsmith blades and accessories or expensive.

A Sears, Delta etc. are within the same price range for me and blades are easy to find and less expensive but, cons for me is the saw will take up another perminate space in my shop.

Guess the SS saw is my best option but geezz the price has me wondering if I should buy new or buy a used one from ebay..

Any thoughts or recommendations from bandsaw owners on new or used, please feel free to advise my.. Thanks.

Most major band saw manufactures do manufacture blades for the SS bandsaw.
If you ever used a Sears blade you know that they tend to break fairly easy. I have abused my bandsaw blade and rounded the teeth on more than one yet I have never broken a blade yet. Bandsaw blades don't cost all that much and for a few dollars more I will buy a blade that I know is reliable.

As for other accessories make sure you don't get taken by salesmenship. Most of the "must have" accessories I see for bandsaws are of the type you will use them once and then they will sit for the rest of your life somewhere in your shop.

Most real 'must have' accessories for a band saw are easily made by the user, and if you do want to buy them SS does offer most bandsaw accessories.

I happen to think the SS bandsaw is a great deal. If I used a bandsaw a lot more I might justify buying a stand alone but for my usage it more than meets my needs.
Ed

doug45601 wrote: For the most part (for my needs) the SS Bandsaw seem to have most of the pros with just a few cons..

Cons being: Not self contained and must buy blades from Shopsmith due to the odd-ball size and Shopsmith blades and accessories or expensive.

Any thoughts or recommendations from bandsaw owners on new or used, please feel free to advise my.. Thanks.

My bandsaw has served me well for many years of hard use. It's easy to service and is reliable.

As far as bandsaw blades, you can get them other than at Shopsmith. Try Olsen and Woodcraft (Timber Wolf). Length is the only criteria. You need a blade that is 72" long (plus or minus 1/2").

http://www.olsonsaw.net/71ap.html

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=1971

I suggest you get yourself a Shopsmith Band Sawnd get busy making saw dust. Time is running out til' Christmas.

My last band saw was a craftsman. It lasted about four years. It always gave me trouble from day 1. Blades were junk. It was always out of alignment. When I needed parts for it Sears could deliver if I paid a kings ransom and was willing to wait until it was convenient for them.

Shopsmith can actually be self contained. Mine is set upon a Shopsmith dedicated stand with it's own motor. I buy most of my blades from shopsmith when on special. I am yet to have my first issue with my band saw and it is nearly three years old. I agree with Dusty buy the best Shopsmith. fjimp:D

I bought my bandsaw on eBay but by the time I upgraded (newer larger table, new tires, cool blocks) I should have just bought new from SS. I am proud to say mine is from the 80's and still working great. Bottom line if you can afford new buy new you wouldn't regret it and SS could use the business.

Well OK then! I'm convenced on getting a NEW Bandsaw from SS.. I was told that I just missed out on a sale.. However, after giving customer service some sobbing stories on how I was investigating the dependability from other SS owners here on their own forum they caved-in and let me have the sale price of 464.99 (such a deal) but, wouldn't give me a break on blades or anything else.. Guess I'll wait for the Christmas Sale

Trouble is: They don't have any Bandsaws to ship! Backlogged for anywhere between 4-6 weeks!

Thanks to everone who responded to my post with comments and suggestions. I feel confident with your help that I will enjoy my purchase.. Hope the "queen" doesn't come down on me!

beeg wrote:Watch the email specials, you might get lucky. Also When I'd order online, sometime after that I'd get a "thank you" special. Don't know if that's still done or not.

I had a "thank you special" that ended last Sunday.

Dick

doug...

Congratulations on your order! This difficult fall-season, quite a few Shopsmith items have been back-ordered, but that time will pass.

I had the privilege of seeing the Mark V and Bandsaw production areas at Dayton during the July-2008 Owners Weekend. They do a very tidy job. The bandsaw wheels come in as rough castings and then the hole-boring and balancing work is done by CNC machines. It's a well-made machine.

The last blades I got were from Lee Valley.com