I think the PM is the way to go for a new saw. I was nearly ready to buy one myself. When I recently bought my used Jet knee mill they had a Taiwan made jet 7x12 they weren’t using anymore. Isn’t the prettiest, but it’s smooth and runs good. For $300 I couldn’t pass it up.
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Talk me out of the PM bandsaw
- Thread starter Jason812
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2017
- Messages
- 2,184
Seems like nobody wants to read your post. Don't worry. I got you.
Don't buy a new PM bandsaw! Don't do it! If you had that saw you'd be constantly looking for bigger pieces of metal to cut. Before you know it, you're gonna need a bigger, newer bandsaw than what you bought! It's a sick cycle that most of these guys have already fallen into! It's a trap! Just keep using a hacksaw. No matter how much you use it, you'll never out grow it. You'll never pick a job that takes more cutting than you are personally willing to labor through.
How did I do? Convinced?
FWIW, I had a horizontal bandsaw before I had a lathe or a mill. If I could make the space for a Grob vertical, I'd have one of those too. Bandsaw machining is very efficient !
Don't buy a new PM bandsaw! Don't do it! If you had that saw you'd be constantly looking for bigger pieces of metal to cut. Before you know it, you're gonna need a bigger, newer bandsaw than what you bought! It's a sick cycle that most of these guys have already fallen into! It's a trap! Just keep using a hacksaw. No matter how much you use it, you'll never out grow it. You'll never pick a job that takes more cutting than you are personally willing to labor through.
How did I do? Convinced?
FWIW, I had a horizontal bandsaw before I had a lathe or a mill. If I could make the space for a Grob vertical, I'd have one of those too. Bandsaw machining is very efficient !
Here is my modified Jet mitering bandsaw that Mark (mksj) mentioned at the beginning of this thread.
These are my modifications:
I replaced the original (a very good bi-metal German made blade) that was too coarse for my general use with a Lenox variable pitch blade (LENOX CL16031CL7750 7 ft. 9"L x 3/4"W x 10/14 TPI Bi-Metal Band Saw Blade).
Ariel
These are my modifications:
- A new rolling base with some storage for short cuts underneath
- Support for the cut piece so the cutting is completed cleanly
- A switch to turn off the coolant pump when not in use
- A better table for using the saw vertically
I replaced the original (a very good bi-metal German made blade) that was too coarse for my general use with a Lenox variable pitch blade (LENOX CL16031CL7750 7 ft. 9"L x 3/4"W x 10/14 TPI Bi-Metal Band Saw Blade).
Ariel
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2018
- Messages
- 8,707
I'm very happy with my Jet 7x12.
www.jettools.com
HVBS-712, 7" x 12" Horizontal / Vertical Bandsaw
414559 HVBS-712 7in x 12in Horizontal / Vertical Bandsaw has step pulley drive, 3/4HP, 115/230V, 1-Ph
I'm going to copy your stand/cart.
I have been reading the posts and absorbing the info, just not replying. Don't think I've been ignoring the responses.
I knew this would happen as soon as I posted my original question and it still might be a little premature but a couple used saws came up for sale locally or within 2.5 hr drive time. One is local and I look at it tomorrow but it has a 3 phase motor and there wouldn't be much of a savings over the PM saw especially if I have to convert it or run a VFD but it is a beast. DoAll C4 1.5 hp for $1500. It's at a reseller's business and I don't know the overall condition.
The other I have been in contact with the seller and if it's still for sale Saturday and I don't get the 3 phase saw, I will drive 2.5 hrs to haul it home. It's a brand new but out of box Grizzly G0561 for $900.
If I get the Grizzly (I know the dark side), that leaves extra money for PM's new collet chucks (which I was going to get anyway) and goes along way towards a bigger air compressor. If both fall thru, then I will more than likely pull the trigger on the PM saw.
I knew this would happen as soon as I posted my original question and it still might be a little premature but a couple used saws came up for sale locally or within 2.5 hr drive time. One is local and I look at it tomorrow but it has a 3 phase motor and there wouldn't be much of a savings over the PM saw especially if I have to convert it or run a VFD but it is a beast. DoAll C4 1.5 hp for $1500. It's at a reseller's business and I don't know the overall condition.
The other I have been in contact with the seller and if it's still for sale Saturday and I don't get the 3 phase saw, I will drive 2.5 hrs to haul it home. It's a brand new but out of box Grizzly G0561 for $900.
If I get the Grizzly (I know the dark side), that leaves extra money for PM's new collet chucks (which I was going to get anyway) and goes along way towards a bigger air compressor. If both fall thru, then I will more than likely pull the trigger on the PM saw.
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