Best 9" Band Saw

colu41

colu41

Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Messages
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So I'm looking into getting a band saw for just simple wood cuts. Cutting blocks, and save on belts shedding some of that extra meat off. Now I'm looking into just the small 9", usually 2.5 Amp. I'm hoping these will be fine for what I need?
Only problem is, there are so many different brands, and all within the same reasonable price. $115 to $135. Theres (Harbor Freights) Central Machinery, Craftsman, Genesis, General International, Ryobi. Believe it or not the Ryobi looked to be the cheapest. But with all the same specs. Anyone have suggestions on which to get? Or will they all have about the same "China" quality. :)
 
All total crap, if you ask me. But then, "what is the best 9" bandsaw" is kind of a trick question. So, my answer is: the best 9" bandsaw is a decent second hand 14" bandsaw, probably off of Craigslist.
 
I've got the Ryobi
Is it the best... I don't know
It does my needs for cutting micarta up to 1/2" and g10
Lot of relief cuts are needed.
It keeps the dust down with a vac attachment.
For the price it does work.
I've heard of people cutting metal on it with a Bosch blade but never tried it.

If your rough cutting synthetic materials it does the job.
 
Sadly Salem is right. 9 inch bandsaws are just junk. Granted, i do a little more milling than the average knife maker, but a used 14 is really the only way to go. just set the guides right and use a good bandsaw blade. My favorite are timberwolf blades, make sure you have LESS than 3 TPI, and buy them from the website. 30 percent cheaper than anywhere else
 
I was afraid of hearing that. But that's good. Possibly save me a good deal of head aches. I'll wait it out see what I can find since I'm in no rush.
While were on the subject. Will a 14" cut steel with the right blade?
 
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Answer to second question.....
no... most wood cutting bandsaws run too fast for cutting metal.
There are variable speed and multi use bandsaws available but pretty spendy.
 
Look for an older metal/wood cutting Delta bandsaw. I have one and it works real well. Got it off of craigslist for $125 a year or so ago
 
Nah, the best 9" bandsaw is a used 12" bandsaw. I know I love mine. It's a craftsman, and I got it at the Re-Store, a habitat for humanity resale store, for $150.
 
I'll keep an eye out. What about refurbs? I see a lot of companies online selling then.
 
I had one of those ubiquitous 12" craftsman saws for a while... maybe mine was a lemon, but I sure upgraded as soon as I had the opportunity. There is some that can be done to help them run as well as possible though.
 
Yeah, I wondered about that. It's belt driven, so motor replacement looks simple, and it's got a nice 3" shop-vac attachment so it really keeps the dust down. The blade that it came with was stretched about an inch longer, but once I replaced the belt it cut easier and straighter. What I have no doubt about is that the used 12" saw is magnitudes better than any 9" saw.
 
how about a dewalt band saw , the portable ones make nice stationary saw's with stands and they are variable speed. Steel or wood they work great.
 
Atlas, you hit the nail on the head there.
Colu, it's pretty easy to fabricate a stand for yourself, particularly if you have a welder... just look at the attachment points for handles, and envision how to fit a mount to them that stands up at a right angle off a steel base plate.
 
for basic wood cutting I have the 10" craftsman and have done a lot of cutting with it , large stabilized blocks . The portable band saw I use for steel only .
 
grumpy_grinder said:
They are the gear , s.cox has a thread on here. Where he mounted his on a stand. We have one at work and made a stand on a hinge to chop with or to use as a table
Saw.
Click to expand...

That's neat! Well, onto another project. I have to go get my 100lbs propane tank filled first.
Does it seem like sometimes we are building things that will help us make knives better more than we actually make knives? Lol.
 
I find the process for setting up making knives is forever none ending ... I can list 100 other things I need from a mill to a file guide to a wife that leaves me more time in the shop lol
 
grumpy_grinder said:
I find the process for setting up making knives is forever none ending ... I can list 100 other things I need from a mill to a file guide to a wife that leaves me more time in the shop lol
Click to expand...

100% true. A mill is on my list for next year. My file guide should be in tmrw!! Lol.
 
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