Smaller bandsaws

[DakotaDogman]

In my shop I have a basic Grizzly bandsaw. I tend to prefer keeping a wider blade on it to cut bigger and straighter stuff...

I also have a pack of kids who like to mess around with me in the shop. They earn their way up thru tools. Normally on the bandsaw they want to cut curvy lines and wish I had a thinner blade on it.

So I have been considering getting a little bandsaw that I could leave set up for such purposes. I see the small 3 wheel Craftsman type of bandsaws on marketplace for around $100 used.

(Yes, we have a scroll saw for them. That and a small 1" belt sander are the first tools they learn / earn.)

Thoughts / impressions / things a guy ought to know about the 3 wheel bandsaws? Wisdom or recommendations?

Thanks and God Bless, Matt S

 

[djg]

In my shop I have a basic Grizzly bandsaw. I tend to prefer keeping a wider blade on it to cut bigger and straighter stuff...

I also have a pack of kids who like to mess around with me in the shop. They earn their way up thru tools. Normally on the bandsaw they want to cut curvy lines and wish I had a thinner blade on it.

So I have been considering getting a little bandsaw that I could leave set up for such purposes. I see the small 3 wheel Craftsman type of bandsaws on marketplace for around $100 used.

(Yes, we have a scroll saw for them. That and a small 1" belt sander are the first tools they learn / earn.)

Thoughts / impressions / things a guy ought to know about the 3 wheel bandsaws? Wisdom or recommendations?

Thanks and God Bless, Matt S

Even a bench top one? What ever is the cheapest.

 

[woodtickgreg]

At one time I had a bench top 2 wheel ryobi bandsaw that was pretty decent for light craft work kinda stuff. It had no problem with 3/4" hardwood stock. Once I got my 14" delta I sold it because I wasn't using it. Cost new on it then was about $100. I think rikon has a 2 wheeled benchtop saw also. The 2 wheel saws are much better built than the 3 wheel saws, imo. Plus there will also be a better blade selection available.
Edit: Wow I just looked up the new 2 wheel saws, they are now about $200.

 

[Mike1950]

3 wheel saws sounded like good idea but in practice they have bad rep. Wen is another small saw. I have not used a benchtop

 

[GECKO]

I have a 1949 or 1950 Sears craftsman 10” three wheel band saw. Really handy for small pieces. However; it can be a pain to set up. My son has the magic touch to keep it running. If the blade pops off it can take awhile to get it back on and tensioned correctly. The hardest part is getting it to track on center. With that being said; I do like having it.

 

[trc65]

I bought the Rikon 10 inch bandsaw about 7 years ago and it has taken everything I've thrown at it and a lot of abuse. I use it primarily for cutting turning blanks and it will cut anything that will fit, wet or dry, - with the correct blade.

It sure has gone up in price, and now I see it's is mostly sold with the stand, which I don't have. Don't know how much you want to spend, but Menards has it right now for $449 (including stand) plus you get their 11% rebate ( I think through April 19).