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14" woodworking band saw -Harbor freight or Porter Cable?
- Thread starter Janderso
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2018
- Messages
- 332
Check the local classified ads for a used Delta 14inch band saw with cast iron frame. There is a cult following among wood workers. All the mounting and attachment points are square and simple, great for modifying and repair/replace. no critical plastic parts, all zink cast or metal.
Neither. After 30 years of hating a cheaper band saw, I went out and bought a good quality one. I should have done that 29.9 years ago.
IMHO buying cheap tools for family is not a good way to endear yourself. Spend the money you have on something that is really high quality.
For the same money you could get a Lee Valley Block Plane.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-gb/shop/tools/hand-tools/planes/block/47881-veritas-low-angle-block-plane
That he will treasure for the rest of his life.
IMHO buying cheap tools for family is not a good way to endear yourself. Spend the money you have on something that is really high quality.
For the same money you could get a Lee Valley Block Plane.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-gb/shop/tools/hand-tools/planes/block/47881-veritas-low-angle-block-plane
That he will treasure for the rest of his life.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2015
- Messages
- 9,631
The band saw is one place that it matters. I bought an American Made Delta 14" it sucks. There were so many things wrong with it. I had to really work the saw over to get it to cut correctly, and it still lacks.
The old ones were probably better. Mines a 2001 unit. Delta was already falling apart then. There quality control was no where to be found.
If you can find a Laguna 14 not the chineese model on craigs or ebay go for it. Unlike the wood lathe, which you cut by hand, the band saw can be finicky. I re-saw a lot, so I have a riser.. A really good band saw can do wonders in a wood shop. The laguna is a quality machine that has ceramic guides and it's powered well. If you can find one used....
The euro framed saws win the battles mostly. But there are a lot of contenders that don't stack up. A lot of their reviews in years past were basically bought and paid for. I don't get magazines anymore, but I do value friends opinions, especially when I know how they work. So that where my opinion comes from.
I could write a book on this.. buy up...
And if you consider a tablesaw, buy a saw stop. For the price you save fingers. And the saw stop cabinet saw is a quality saw that reminds me of the PowerMatic which was the defacto USA style standard in home shops and small cabinet shops. I want one, and the wife keeps balking.
$3000 vs medical costs for a mistake in judgement... pretty easy... one time cost, quality saw.
The old ones were probably better. Mines a 2001 unit. Delta was already falling apart then. There quality control was no where to be found.
If you can find a Laguna 14 not the chineese model on craigs or ebay go for it. Unlike the wood lathe, which you cut by hand, the band saw can be finicky. I re-saw a lot, so I have a riser.. A really good band saw can do wonders in a wood shop. The laguna is a quality machine that has ceramic guides and it's powered well. If you can find one used....
The euro framed saws win the battles mostly. But there are a lot of contenders that don't stack up. A lot of their reviews in years past were basically bought and paid for. I don't get magazines anymore, but I do value friends opinions, especially when I know how they work. So that where my opinion comes from.
I could write a book on this.. buy up...
And if you consider a tablesaw, buy a saw stop. For the price you save fingers. And the saw stop cabinet saw is a quality saw that reminds me of the PowerMatic which was the defacto USA style standard in home shops and small cabinet shops. I want one, and the wife keeps balking.
$3000 vs medical costs for a mistake in judgement... pretty easy... one time cost, quality saw.
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2018
- Messages
- 332
For table saw, a made in Drummondville Quebec general 350 saw. Powers through anything. There is a bunch kicking around here used, I wouldn't go new.
I recommend the old delta as said above because they are reasonable on the used market for the presumed budget. At work we have a hybrid wood metal one with a 1979 inventor sticker, must be older. Runs like a dream once you put time into squaring up the guides and aligning the tracking. There are a lot good of tutorials from the wood workers online on how to do such.
I recommend the old delta as said above because they are reasonable on the used market for the presumed budget. At work we have a hybrid wood metal one with a 1979 inventor sticker, must be older. Runs like a dream once you put time into squaring up the guides and aligning the tracking. There are a lot good of tutorials from the wood workers online on how to do such.
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2018
- Messages
- 332
5 inch tall slit into 1018 steel? Not a problem for the old delta. Try that with any other entry level "wood saw".
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2015
- Messages
- 9,631
you cut that on a wood band saw? At full speed, or do you have a gearbox, or pulleys?
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2018
- Messages
- 332
Its identical to this one,
Cut was made on lowest speed. Starrett Pro-Die blade 6tpi (I think).
The saw is the same upper as the wood saw only a gear box added for metal.
Any idea what model my Delta/Rockwell wood&metal cutting 14" bandsaw is?
Picked this up recently, the tag with the model and serial # was missing. The casting on the neck says '72. I'm including a bunch of pictures, any ideas? I'd like to know what it is so I can get parts/manuals for it, as it needs some work/troubleshooting. For example, it works fine in...
www.practicalmachinist.com
Cut was made on lowest speed. Starrett Pro-Die blade 6tpi (I think).
The saw is the same upper as the wood saw only a gear box added for metal.
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2015
- Messages
- 9,631
yea, but you had me confused again, by saying you cut it with a WW saw.
the way you cut it, it was a metal saw.
Long ago someone on here was trying to use a WW saw and WW speeds to cut metal if I remember..
the way you cut it, it was a metal saw.
Long ago someone on here was trying to use a WW saw and WW speeds to cut metal if I remember..
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2014
- Messages
- 1,580
Hi Jeff
i believe the Porter Cable has a three year warranty. probably worth the extra hundred.
Is your son a hobbiest wood worker?
The old Rockwell’s are a very good saw ,especially the ones with a gear box for metal cutting. This probably won’t work for a Christmas gift unless you can find one locally.
If he is just learning either the Harbour Freight or Porter Cable will suffice . I’m sure he would be happy to have a bandsaw, especially if he doesn’t have one now.
Cheers
Martin
i believe the Porter Cable has a three year warranty. probably worth the extra hundred.
Is your son a hobbiest wood worker?
The old Rockwell’s are a very good saw ,especially the ones with a gear box for metal cutting. This probably won’t work for a Christmas gift unless you can find one locally.
If he is just learning either the Harbour Freight or Porter Cable will suffice . I’m sure he would be happy to have a bandsaw, especially if he doesn’t have one now.
Cheers
Martin