Help me choose a bandsaw for resawing. $1,600 - $1,800 max budget (after shipping).

[Fixall]

Hello!

I'm back again for help (imagine that).

A couple years ago I was set on the Rikon closed stand, 1-3/4hp Deluxe bandsaw. It used to cost just north of $1,000. Things have changed. Now it goes for $1,850 shipped. Oof.

Because the pricing has increased so much across the board, a few more options are opening up in my new price range. I would like to keep this purchase under $1,800 maximum after shipping. I will be using this saw to cut small ~8" - 10" logs into blocks, and blocks into scales for the most part. I'm not interested in buying a used bandsaw and converting it at this time.

Right now I have four bandsaws that I'm looking at:

Grizzly 17" 2hp G0513 bandsaw - $1570 (no shipping since the showroom is a block away).

Laguna 14" 1-3/4hp 14/12 bandsaw - $1,750 shipped

Rikon 14" 1-3/4hp Deluxe bandsaw - $1,850 shipped

Jet 14" 1-3/4hp Steel Frame bandsaw - $1,850 shipped


Right now I'm really leaning towards the Grizzly.

 

[Richard338]

Sounds like a good choice.
I'm curious about the savings by not shipping. If you are moving next month you might think about having it delivered to the new address. If you are paying for movers, it adds up, by size and weight, not to mention getting bashed around. I've moved some heavy stuff three or four times and probably paid more in moving than the items are worth. Even if you do a self move it adds heavy awkward items and might make you need a bigger truck or more trips.
I'm sure you know your situation best though.

 

[Fixall]

Sounds like a good choice.
I'm curious about the savings by not shipping. If you are moving next month you might think about having it delivered to the new address. If you are paying for movers, it adds up, by size and weight, not to mention getting bashed around. I've moved some heavy stuff three or four times and probably paid more in moving than the items are worth. Even if you do a self move it adds heavy awkward items and might make you need a bigger truck or more trips.
I'm sure you know your situation best though.

Shipping is $230 on the Grizzly bandsaw. I also plan on picking up a drill press (another $179 in shipping) from them, and already picked up a hanging air filter ($52 shipping). I've gotta drive down to the house to sign the paperwork before the move anyways, so I figured I'd drop off all the Grizzly stuff when I do that... And then use the uhaul a few days later to take care of the real move. Just on those three items alone I save more than $450 on shipping.

 

[fitzo]

The Grizzly will take a 1" blade. That's a real good thing for resaw work.

 

[J. Hoffman]

I have a Grizzly G0531B and I like it. I have friends that have Laguanas and they state the lower guides are almost impossible to adjust properly.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The Rikon is also excellent. The 14" model is what I have. If resawing logs and burls, get a 2/3 tooth carbide tipped blade.

 

[weo]

Your profile says west coast. If that's anywhere within driving distance of Auburn, WA, there's a place that's the only US retailer for Grizzly's scratch and dent machines. My buddy just picked up their $6500 brand new bandsaw for $2500 that as far as we can see has only a few dents on the motor casing.

 

[Fixall]

Your profile says west coast. If that's anywhere within driving distance of Auburn, WA, there's a place that's the only US retailer for Grizzly's scratch and dent machines. My buddy just picked up their $6500 brand new bandsaw for $2500 that as far as week can see has only a few dents on the motor casing.

That’s something I didn’t think about…. Although, transporting machines that are unboxed and fully built sounds like a headache.

I don’t know about Auburn…. But the Grizzly headquarters/showroom is literally a block from where I live right now. They have this bandsaw sold “as is” for about $1,000.

14" 1-3/4 HP Extreme Series Resaw Bandsaw at Grizzly.com

<h1>G0555XH 14" 1-3/4 HP Extreme Series Resaw Bandsaw</h1> <h2>With a 1-3/4 HP motor and a full 12" resaw capacity, the G0555XH is not your average 14" bandsaw.</h2> <p>The G0555XH adds 6" of resaw capacity to Grizzly's popular line of G0555 series 14" bandsaws, which set the industry standard...

www.grizzly.com

 

[Fixall]

Alright looks like I'm actually going with the Rikon. I found one for a really good deal and the combination of cast iron (instead of aluminum), two part construction, being pre-wired for 120v, and not having to transport a 350lb saw swayed me. It looks like Rikon sells some pretty sweet upgrade kits for it too if I decide I want to go with a DVR setup in the future.

Thanks everyone!

 

[CDHumiston]

Hello!

I'm back again for help (imagine that).

A couple years ago I was set on the Rikon closed stand, 1-3/4hp Deluxe bandsaw. It used to cost just north of $1,000. Things have changed. Now it goes for $1,850 shipped. Oof.

Because the pricing has increased so much across the board, a few more options are opening up in my new price range. I would like to keep this purchase under $1,800 maximum after shipping. I will be using this saw to cut small ~8" - 10" logs into blocks, and blocks into scales for the most part. I'm not interested in buying a used bandsaw and converting it at this time.

Right now I have four bandsaws that I'm looking at:

Grizzly 17" 2hp G0513 bandsaw - $1570 (no shipping since the showroom is a block away).

Laguna 14" 1-3/4hp 14/12 bandsaw - $1,750 shipped

Rikon 14" 1-3/4hp Deluxe bandsaw - $1,850 shipped

Jet 14" 1-3/4hp Steel Frame bandsaw - $1,850 shipped


Right now I'm really leaning towards the Grizzly.

I just got the Grizzly G0640 which is the same as the G0513 but it has a VFD for variable speed so I can gut metal as well.

I love it! It's a beast and with a nice 3/4" blade it does very smooth and fast resaws!

It is big and heavy. I had to use a chain hoist to get it off the pallet and onto my dolly. Of course I was alone and had no help...

 

[Fixall]

Well back to the drawing board on the bandsaw. I got a call from Sulphur Grove Tool today telling me that not only is the Rikon on backorder until August (I knew that going in)... But they also have to greatly increase the price. Instead of the advertised $1,499 price with free shipping... They are raising the price to $1,599 and $800+ for shipping. Yea, no thanks.


Good call on the scratch and dent machines weo ! They didn't have one on the floor, but after talking to the workers, they brought me to their storage facility where they had a 14" Heavy-Duty Floor Drill Press G7944 for ~$150 off. The only thing wrong with it is a slightly dented belt cover. Heck yea!

 

[Fixall]

Found another place with free shipping on the Rikon. We'll see how it goes.

Between the air filtration, respirator, dust collection, bandsaw, drill press, Reeder 2" x 72", and various vises, I think I have all my basis covered to get started.

 

[Randydb]

I moved up to a Laguna 1412 a few years ago and it has been a great machine for resawing. It was a big step up BUT....now that I can run bigger stuff I keep getting to the edge of it's capabilities and want more. From size to hp I want more. If I was doing this again I would go with the 17" Grizzly. Personally I would go with most power and size that I could get for my $$.

 

[Fixall]

I moved up to a Laguna 1412 a few years ago and it has been a great machine for resawing. It was a big step up BUT....now that I can run bigger stuff I keep getting to the edge of it's capabilities and want more. From size to hp I want more. If I was doing this again I would go with the 17" Grizzly. Personally I would go with most power and size that I could get for my $$.

I’m going to give the Rikon one more try. I put in an order through Bear Hollow Supply this time, who was also offering free shipping. We’ll see how it goes. If they cancel on me or try to charge $800 in shipping, I’ll go with the Grizzly, lol. Transporting a 350lb bandsaw will be a hassle, but at least I can go pick it up right away.