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Grizzly Cabinet and Band Saws

Grizzly Cabinet and Band Saws (post #169533)

Texglide on Sat, 12/31/2011 - 06:01

Power Tools and Machinery

Does anyone have experience using Grizzly table saws and or band saws or could you recommend another brand? I'm thinking about purchasing and would like to keep the tablesaw at around $1200 and the band saw about the same. On the tablesaw, I'll need the extended fence system and for the bandsaw I want to be able to resaw 12" material.

Thanks,

John

I have a Grizzly bandsaw 555x (post #169533, reply #1 of 8)

by dminnery in reply to Texglide [original] on Sat, 12/31/2011 - 09:33

I have a Grizzly bandsaw 555x with the riser block and also have the 1023rlw table saw. I've had the bandsaw about a year and use it frequently for resawing, it's been a great tool that has been accurate and powerful. The table saw I got just this week, so I can't comment too much other than to say that I've been impressed with the quality of the castings and I think this will be a great addition to my shop.

I was not looking at Grizzly first for these tools, but after looking at various reviews and prices I'm very pleased to have these in my shop.

I have both (post #169533, reply #2 of 8)

by bones in reply to Texglide [original] on Sat, 12/31/2011 - 16:32

I have the grizzly 17" HD BS and the 1023slx. I've had the TS going on 7 years and the Bandsaw probably 6. Both have been ok. I upgraded the bs guides and the fence and now use it with a carbide tipped blade and use it for resaw its 2hp. The 1023 is 3hp and I have the 7' rails with besmyer style fence. Together I have about 2200 in them combinded. No service issues so I can't coplain. However, knowing what I know now, I'd reccomend you do something different. Find some old american Iron and save your self a ton of $$$'s. Here's a link to a Tanowitz 20" BS for 750 in Richmond VA if your interested. You could pick up a unisaw or powermatic if you watch for less. I'll probably get pounded for suggesting it, but don't care. Experience is the best teacher and now that I have some I'm just going to pass it along. I bought a 14" 1934 delta BS for a song recently and I bought a walker turner 16" bandsaw for a hundred bucks and I'm replacing the bearings (40$) and bought a 2hp motor for less than a hundred. So I'll have a heck of a cutting machine when done.

http://www.owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=108029

In the end the grizzly will do fine, but the old stuff is better. Good luck.

...For that old machine lovers: http://vintagemachinery.org/home.aspx

old can be better (post #169533, reply #3 of 8)

by kalman in reply to bones [original] on Thu, 01/05/2012 - 20:14

I have to agree with Bones. I'm 70 yrs old and still have several of my fathers tools and machines. The Delta belt/disc sander, floor drill press, Craftsman lathe, Porter Cabel 1/4" drill, dozens of Buch chisels and gouges when they used good steel, all still doing a great job. The drill press is nothing short of amazing, quiet and without wobble. The Craftsman lathe is a piece of artful cast iron. The only new machine in my shop is the,,,, now don't get upset, a SawStop with all the bells and whistles. It was my wifes idea, says I'm not getting any wiser with time. I tend to agree. I don't do any 8/4 sawing anymore so I opted for the contractor model with the 50" fence. It is hands down the best of its kind on the market, just wish it was made in the USA. I am by no means saying you can't buy high quality today but there are bargains galore if you have the patience to look.

I have three pieces of old (post #169533, reply #8 of 8)

by MKenney in reply to bones [original] on Tue, 02/28/2012 - 09:14

I have three pieces of old iron: a 1970 Unisaw, an even older Delta 6 in. jointer (nice cast iron art deco base), and a 1980 or so 14 in. BS. All three are good tools. However, I would not recommend buying an old TS. Here's why: no riving knife. I've use a newer saw with a riving knife here at work and I really don't want to be without one again. It is a safety feature that no saw should be without (sadly, so many that were sold in the US are. gladly, new saws have them.) I'll replace my unisaw as soon as I can afford it with a new one that has a riving knife.

Another problem with old tablesaws: they tend to have no or poor dust collection. The TS produces a ton of fine dust that is harmful to your lungs. I've retro-fitted my saw with a DC port and sealed up the cabinet, but it still isn't as good as newer saws.

As for jointers, I saw get a big old one. Bandsaws? I'd love a big old one, but I think that when I do get a bigger one, it will be new (dust collection).

Just me two cents. Matt

Matt Kenney / senior editor / Fine Woodworking

Thanks for the sage words (post #169533, reply #4 of 8)

by Texglide in reply to Texglide [original] on Mon, 01/09/2012 - 18:45

I think I'll keep looking around a while. I have a working table saw so upgrading can wait a bit.

Thanks again for the advice.

Grizzly Band Saw (post #169533, reply #5 of 8)

by Oakman608 in reply to Texglide [original] on Wed, 01/11/2012 - 11:24

John, I've had the Grizzly G0513 band saw for about 6 years. I use it for resawing, and cutting up lathe blanks amoung other things. Last night I sawed up several large chunks of maple, often times maxing out the 12" sawing capcity. This saw had no problems keeping up and sawing straight.

Over the years, I've had to replace the tires on the saw, and the thrust bearing once. Outside of that, there have been no problems.

For resawing and cutting the green lathe blanks, I like to use the 1/2" blade from BC Saw with 3 teeth per inch.

Looking for a bandsaw too (post #169533, reply #6 of 8)

by WayneGilbert in reply to Texglide [original] on Sun, 02/26/2012 - 12:37

I have been looking for a bandsaw too, so far I have not found one I am 60 and on a tight budget, so I have to look a lot, found one at Harbor Freight Tools for $359.00 14" four speed, will have to go up there today and check it out, any one know amything about it? I am also going to the Woodworking show nest weekend in Fredericksburg, VA March 2-4, 2012 see what I can learn there on the direfent bandsaws. Well if anyone can help me or has one for sale, Please let me know, Wayne Gilbert in VA. Wayne1326@juno.com

804-572-3124

Price vs. quality (post #169533, reply #7 of 8)

by RalphBarker in reply to WayneGilbert [original] on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 08:10

The prices at Harbor Freight are attractive, but they aren't known for having quality tools.