Bench top band saw

[DLJeffs]

Those who have been on here for awhile know I don't really have a shop, I work out of my garage. So almost all my power tools are on wheels so I can move them out into the driveway so I don't fill my garage with dust. I don't make many larger projects, like furniture too often but I have in the past. So my question is, if you were in my position, would you think a bench top band saw to be a good investment? Or are they so limited in what they can do, and/or the quality of a bench top band saw is so marginal they aren't worth it? Could one for example trim the excess off a guitar top or bottom? Could a bench top resaw some boards for bench size projects? If you think they're worth having, what brand(s) do you recommend? I've seen good reviews for Laguna and WEN.

 

[2feathers Creative Making]

Delta and craftsman benchtops are great scroll saws not a lot of resaw capacity on those. I own the sears, the boss owns a delta that has never seen a serious job it could handle in my 5 years at this job.
And yes I was referencing bandsaw there

 

[Mr. Peet]

I've used a few bench top models. They have shorter bands, thus heat up quicker and dull quicker. Super important to assure the wood is clean, pop bark off first is a help, be patient and let the band breath to cool, assure guides and bearing chases are in top condition. Used a 3 wheel Sears bench model once. It was to offset the band for wider cutting depth, I think...it was 35 or so years ago.

 

[trc65]

I've got a 10 inch Rikon that I use for cutting blanks for the lathe. It will cut 4" tall wet bowl blanks, albeit slowly. Also cut 8/4 plus thick dry wood all the time with it. I've not done any resawing with it, but with proper blade and tuning don't see why it wouldn't.

 

[DLJeffs]

Delta and craftsman benchtops are great scroll saws not a lot of resaw capacity on those. I own the sears, the boss owns a delta that has never seen a serious job it could handle in my 5 years at this job.
And yes I was referencing bandsaw there

Did you mean the Delta "couldn't" handle? Or are you saying it wasn't worth much as a saw?

 

[DLJeffs]

I've used a few bench top models. They have shorter bands, thus heat up quicker and dull quicker. Super important to assure the wood is clean, pop bark off first is a help, be patient and let the band breath to cool, assure guides and bearing chases are in top condition. Used a 3 wheel Sears bench model once. It was to offset the band for wider cutting depth, I think...it was 35 or so years ago.

Hadn't considered the heat-up of the blade issue. That wouldn't be too big a concern if I didn't saw large boards, though, right?

 

[2feathers Creative Making]

Did you mean the Delta "couldn't" handle? Or are you saying it wasn't worth much as a saw?

I meant it as no compliment to the little weak thing. It couldn't cut a 2 inch thick piece of hickory. That was the last try we made with it. I suspect it would do fine on Styrofoam tho...

 

[William Tanner]

I remember our bandsaw guru saying to go as big as you can. Maybe there is room in the kitchen.

 

[trc65]

Agree with Bill, go as big as you can afford and have space for. I have the little Rikon because at the time it was what I could afford. Far from ideal for my use, but like everything, you make it work. It is a good little saw.

 

[Mike1950]

I would sell a laguna if you gave it to me. They make some good stuff but their customer service is much worse than bad. I would save and get a 14"- then you could resaw

 

[Mr. Peet]

Hadn't considered the heat-up of the blade issue. That wouldn't be too big a concern if I didn't saw large boards, though, right?

Right. A big issue is twist. Lots of folks try cutting a large piece without proper support, and add twist and strain on the blade. I've seen folks use plywood to make a bigger platform to reduce such. Also seen bench units built into the bench with the bandsaw table flush with the bench.

Best was a bench unit built into a table. The unit had a square table, flush with the bigger table. Built with a hinge doors to swing down below the table so the unit could be turned 180 degrees or 90 degrees to allow the entire table as an extension of the bandsaw table. The Craftsman unit was a stock 1/2 horse that was upgraded to 3/4 HP which I'm sure was a help.

 

[barry richardson]

A 14 inch bandsaw doesn't have a very big footprint, and easy to put a mobile base on,... quite a few out there used, on any given day there are several on Craigslist and/or facebook market place around here...

 

[Mike1950]

A 14 inch bandsaw doesn't have a very big footprint, and easy to put a mobile base on,... quite a few out there used, on any given day there are several on Craigslist and/or facebook market place around here...

but Doug is in middle of nowhere Central Oregon.

 

[JerseyHighlander]

Handsaws, drawknives & spokeshaves take up very little space and don't throw much dust at all. As a bonus you could cancel any gym memberships you might have.

 

[ripjack13]

I agree with the 2 old guys. Get a 14" bandsaw. It will handle most anything you push through it. A decent one is worth a drive to look at/pick up/buy....