Author Topic: Band Saw (Read 3073 times)

Bootlegger · « **on:** June 11, 2020, 11:44:49 AM »

guy's my band saw died and I gotta get a replacement, where would to get it and what brand name would you buy and why ?
Thanks...

Dane Martin · « **Reply #1 on:** June 11, 2020, 11:59:39 AM »

I'd go with this little guy. Because it's a Grizzly

https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-9-Benchtop-Bandsaw-with-Laser-Guide/G0803Z?iparcelcountry=US&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrIf3BRD1ARIsAMuugNvDDKTKJ1FJ5wapIwM8g1fIifYkymVS13ruFhMupIYqIT11R_wD634aAvFKEALw_wcB

Dan Berry · « **Reply #2 on:** June 11, 2020, 12:07:06 PM »

What part died? would be my first response.

proparc · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2020, 12:11:59 PM »

What price range would be my first reply?

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2020, 12:33:54 PM »

My first response would be "How the hell can a band saw die?" If you liked it, fix it or replace with the same thing.
Just curious,
Dan McEntee

Randy Powell · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2020, 12:34:56 PM »

Mine is a 25 year old Delta 2 wheel for 56 1/8" blade. I love the thing. It works well. Not sure what I'd get these days. All the benchtop saws seem to be made of plastic. Might try a Grizzly.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-14-1-HP-Deluxe-Bandsaw/G0555LX

Bootlegger · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2020, 01:07:13 PM »

It will not run, and the wheels are bound up, these are the things that I know, what ever else I would have to guess.. I don't use one enough to spend a ton of money on it either, so I gotta save money where can.
Thanks for your help and advice, Bubba

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2020, 02:09:40 PM »

Gil I have had a 10" RIKON Band saw for several years and I really like it. Allan Perret came over one day and he used it to do a lot of cutting and he said he thought it was a great saw. Hope this helps.

Mike

Ara Dedekian · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2020, 03:03:38 PM »

Quote from: Bootlegger on June 11, 2020, 01:07:13 PM

the wheels are bound up,

Same deal with me. Took the wheels off, oiled them up, and it was fine.

Ara

frank mccune · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2020, 03:46:55 PM »

Hi Bootlegger:

I am with Ara on this one. Take the wheels off, CLEAN the hubs, bearings and check to determine if the wheels turn freely. If not, check for bad bearings. Replace if needed.

If you are able to change the bearings in a model airplane engine, you should be able to fix a band saw. Be alert for hidden snap rings.

Good luck,

Frank McCune

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2020, 04:07:45 PM »

I like Frank's advice.

If it were mine, I would find out WHY it doesn't work, then I would certainly give it a try fixing it.

I've repaired many "motors" (electric). More often, motors need either new bearings, brushes, or cleaning. Centrifugal switches often need cleaning.

Stuck wheels sound more like dirt or gummy oil. Ball bearings seldom rust, or quit suddenly.

Buy a new one only after all else fails.

Fredvon4 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 12, 2020, 09:37:07 AM »

And then there are plenty of old geezers with poor eyes, palsy shaky hands and a recalcitrant tool that never was very good

Gil the lil Harbor Freight 9 or 10 inch table top one is cheaper than the Grizzly I own and was made in the same China factory

edited in after thought.....Do not under any circumstance buy the MicroMark $299 9" band saw....junk with big J

Jim Carter · « **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2020, 09:55:14 AM »

Heck, if you don't use it a lot and you don't want to spend a lot of money, I suggest checking out your local pawn shops! There's always something you can strike a deal on.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #13 on:** June 12, 2020, 10:05:51 AM »

I sincerely doubt that it can't be fixed, and the wheels should be checked to see which one is at fault (and I doubt that here BOTH wheels are locked up) . But in the event that something more serious is the problem and a new one is in order, I would caution against three wheel saws, as more than one person has told me that these are harder on blades because of the small radius of the wheels. But I believe that in the time it took for all these thread responses to be typed out that the cause could have been found and remedied by now.Let us know what you find.
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

John Leidle · « **Reply #14 on:** June 12, 2020, 10:45:25 AM »

I bought a 10" W/56 1/4" blade Riyobe ( SP) for 99 American bucks 10 years ago. It's ok for my needs I use it once a month cut 3/4" fir , balsa , Aluminum & brass. I tend to discard old junk that doesn't work any more ... I'd rather spend my time building , flying , riding my motorcycle or playing Tennis & Golf.... best of luck to you.
John L.

ericrule · « **Reply #15 on:** June 12, 2020, 10:51:05 AM »

What Ara, Frank and Floyd said!

In the 28 years I owned RSM Distribution I found that balsa dust was a major factor in clogging up my band saw. Clean and oil the bearings and wheels regularly and adjust the tracking wheels above and below the table.

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #16 on:** June 12, 2020, 11:17:36 AM »

Well Gil, judging by the majority of the responses here, you only got a couple of direct answers to your specific question. Do you want to try and salvage what you have or do you really want to buy a NEW bandsaw? I took your question to mean, you wanted to buy a new saw. So again, I will give you a direct answer to the question you asked. I like my Rikon, Dane and some others suggested a Grizzly. Tom Morris has/had Grizzly tools in his shop.

It amazes me that when a person asks what time it is, people want to tell them how the watch is made.

Mike

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #17 on:** June 12, 2020, 11:29:12 AM »

With all due respect Mike, if your car dies in the middle of the road, do you just abandon it and go buy a new one, would you? That was all the information that was given, was that it died. Then he offered up that the wheels wouldn't turn. Others with experience with the same symptom offered advice on a simple fix. Since I don't think Gil is exactly independently wealthy and likes to save money as much as the next guy, I would think that an hour or two working one the problem is better spent than shelling out 100 bucks or more for a new one that he might not like after the fact, especially if he really likes the old one. But, that's just me.
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Tony Drago · « **Reply #18 on:** June 12, 2020, 12:26:35 PM »

Quote from: Bootlegger on June 11, 2020, 11:44:49 AM

guy's my band saw died and I gotta get a replacement, where would to get it and what brand name would you buy and why ?
Thanks...

What brand band saw is it. Did you get in touch with the company to see if they offer replacement parts, let alone still in business.

Dane Martin · « **Reply #19 on:** June 12, 2020, 01:39:49 PM »

Quote from: Dan McEntee on June 12, 2020, 11:29:12 AM

Since I don't think Gil is exactly independently wealthy and likes to save money as much as the next guy,.....

Dan, I think you know this about me... but being in my 30's and working a lot, I'm one of those guys that usually just likes to but new tools... lol! So when someone asks what to buy, I get all excited!

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #20 on:** June 12, 2020, 02:10:45 PM »

Hey Dan, I wasn't implying you or anyone else that has contributed to this thread. However, there is a tendency on this forum to offer advice that no one has asked for. People will ask a simple question and the thread goes off in a million different directions and usually the person is so confused in the end, they dont know who to believe or what to do. I did not see Gil ask anyone about how to repair a band saw. He simply asked what brand was a good brand hoping to get some feedback. If he had stated that his band saw died for some unknown reason and he needed some input on how to repair it, that would be a different matter. I understand that all the "repair" posts were nothing but good intentions but to me, and this is just me, he did not ask for that.

This is just a pet peeve of mine and again I was just making a general statement, not singling out anyone.

Sincerely,

Mike

Peter Nevai · « **Reply #21 on:** June 12, 2020, 02:11:10 PM »

Simple really

2 questions 1. What model is the busted one?
2. What is your budget?

Depending on the answers to question 1 and two there are two possible answers

Answer 1. Try to fix the one that broke
Answer 2. Buy Brand X, Y or Z.

The cheap saws are more likely not worth fixing or break where they cannot be fixed so buy another cheap one (what I consider disposable tools)

If the one that is broke is high quality it means that the replacement is going to cost $$$ but they usually good parts support and service so it may be far less expensive to fix it your self and keep a quality product without the $$$ outlay for a new one.

Common Sense really...... unless you are completely mechanically challenged then YAH go out and buy a new one.

proparc · « **Reply #22 on:** June 12, 2020, 09:36:29 PM »

I'd go with the Rikon 10".

Howard Rush · « **Reply #23 on:** June 13, 2020, 01:21:36 AM »

I'm not going to answer your question either, but I'll tell my bandsaw story. My wife bought me a cheap Taiwanese bandsaw for my birthday 20 years or so ago. After a few years, a part broke. By then the company that sold it was gone, and the brand was extinct. I took the part to a saw dealer to see if he had something similar or would know where to get it. When I walked in the store, the replacement part was sitting on the counter. "I saw you walking in from the parking lot with the part," he said. "Those saws are all the same, and that's the part that breaks."

Fredvon4 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 13, 2020, 08:38:56 AM »

on a budget...asked for recommendations....very old geezer....probably does not need a forever cry once tool

the Better tool Grizzly is near 300 bucks with shipping
https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-9-Benchtop-Bandsaw-with-Laser-Guide/G0803Z

I suggested the 140 buck Harbor Freight tool made at same place....local pickup and coupon for 20 bucks off every day in the fliers so net around 120 bucks for an good hobby tool
https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/power-saws/13-hp-9-in-benchtop-band-saw-60500.html

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #25 on:** June 13, 2020, 12:35:40 PM »

Note that I prefaced my response with , "if it were mine, "

So, I'm not telling you the best thing to do.

Or anything about being frugal.

Just in case you hadn't thought through all the repair/buy options.

If you are uncomfortable about tearing into an appliance, you should shop for a new one.

Steve Dwyer · « **Reply #26 on:** June 13, 2020, 05:17:51 PM »

Try Craigs List

Ara Dedekian · « **Reply #27 on:** June 15, 2020, 05:25:30 AM »

Quote from: Dan McEntee on June 12, 2020, 11:29:12 AM

if your car dies in the middle of the road, do you just abandon it and go buy a new one?
Dan McEntee

. . . . . . . . . . . . . WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT!

(1984 Ford Escort, 2nd timing belt failure; left it on the side of the road where it died and went car shopping the next day)

Ara

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #28 on:** June 15, 2020, 07:20:26 PM »

Well Gil, whatcha gonna do? Inquiring minds want to know. LOL.

Mike

Kevin Muckleroy · « **Reply #29 on:** June 16, 2020, 01:46:31 AM »

Where you live? I got a 10" Craftsman you can have for free

John Leidle · « **Reply #30 on:** June 16, 2020, 10:30:13 AM »

That's the best idea yet..
John L.

Fredvon4 · « **Reply #31 on:** June 17, 2020, 08:57:09 AM »

Kevin-- brother Gil is way east of you in Louisiana

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #32 on:** June 17, 2020, 10:50:09 AM »

Quote from: Steve Dwyer on June 13, 2020, 05:17:51 PM

Try Craigs List

This, I bought two older Craftsman 10in band saws off CraigsList for cheap. New tires, checked the bearings and blade guides. Bought an assortment of quality blades then went threw a complete alignment tune up from a video I found on the internet. Use one for wood and one for aluminum. Both cut great and better than new chinajunk.

Look for something like this...

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #33 on:** June 17, 2020, 11:30:38 AM »

I have always loved Craftsman tools....until recently.

Sears is all but defunct. Their parts division is just a shadow of what it once was.

In the olden days, Craftsman repair parts were affordable.

Once you try to order a repair part for Craftsman, you will suffer sticker-shock.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #34 on:** June 17, 2020, 11:49:24 AM »

Last word. It's been my experience that newer, inexpensive tools tend to be cheaply made. I suppose it depends on your level of use and need for accuracy, but they often have a lot of plastic and poor fitment. I tend to look for older tools that can be rebuilt because they just tend to be made better. Anymore, you really do get what you pay for.

Bootlegger · « **Reply #35 on:** June 17, 2020, 01:37:25 PM »

Went to Sears in Baton Rouge today, could not find a Sears/ Craftsman brand and was told that they might not be able to get them anymore, looked and Rikon brand 10" on sale so I picked that one, want to say to all y'all THANKS...Bubba

BillP · « **Reply #36 on:** June 18, 2020, 12:01:40 PM »

The last (before Sears went down) 10" Craftsmans were rebadged Rikons. Side by side the same and not bottom feeders.

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #37 on:** June 18, 2020, 01:58:40 PM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on June 17, 2020, 11:49:24 AM

Last word. It's been my experience that newer, inexpensive tools tend to be cheaply made. I suppose it depends on your level of use and need for accuracy, but they often have a lot of plastic and poor fitment. I tend to look for older tools that can be rebuilt because they just tend to be made better. Anymore, you really do get what you pay for.

Boy Randy I agree with that. I have a old Crafsman Drill Press I picked up at a yard sale years ago and that thing could be anchor for a Norwegian cruise ship. So damn heavy I can barely pick it up.

Mike

Wayne Collier · « **Reply #38 on:** June 18, 2020, 09:18:58 PM »

Quote from: FLOYD CARTER on June 17, 2020, 11:30:38 AM

I have always loved Craftsman tools....until recently.

Sears is all but defunct. Their parts division is just a shadow of what it once was.

In the olden days, Craftsman repair parts were affordable.

Once you try to order a repair part for Craftsman, you will suffer sticker-shock.

Stanley Black and Decker (Dewalt) bought the Craftsman name from Sears. Look at some wrenches. True craftsman says made in USA on the wrench itself. Stanley B&D almost immediately offshored production. Newer craftsman wrenches don’t say made in USA. The package says made in China.

Stanley Black and Decker owns several brands and has a history of quality. It craftsman is no longer the traditional craftsman that we grew up with. Craftsman is now marketed through Lowe’s. Some Ace Hardware stores may still have craftsman?

Sorry for kinda going off on that. I’m kinda close to the tool/hardware industry.