Official Luthiers Forum!

We have not seen any issues with the Grizzly 513/514 saws, with routine resaw of coco, ebonies, and rosewoods down to 0.100". Most drift issues we've seen on student saws have been from running dull or damaged blades that are poorly set, running the blades either too far forward or too far back on the crown of the tire, or tired, flattened tires with out-of-alignment wheels. If the blade is sharp and evenly set, it will track where pointed, which means that with good tires, centering the band (versus the entire blade) on the tire and then aligning the table and fence provides the truest tracking.

_________________
For the times they are a changin'

- Bob Dylan

"May I just got an incurable lemon."

With Grizzly - quite possible. Some are decent and some not so good.

"If the blade is sharp and evenly set, it will track where pointed, which means that with good tires, centering the band (versus the entire blade) on the tire and then aligning the table and fence provides the truest tracking."

True enough, but how often are all those conditions met in the average cabinet shop. Usually the blades are a little dull (only changed when they break) the tires are as old as the saw (unless they fall apart) and alignment is only considered when the band won't stay on the saw.
For casual resawing I use the "nail in kerf" method using a combination of my table saw and the 1/4 inch blade I keep on my 14" bandsaw. If I was doing a lot of resawing I would "dig out" the 20 inch Rockwell that has been hemmed in by other tools the past couple of years.

We do much the same - the Woodmaster CT reserved strictly for resaw and the Morse 1/4" utility blades working until they become too dull to handle the routine tasks. I do find the two saw solution quite attractive, and band saws happily fit well in those outside corners that really cannot accommodate other tools.

_________________
For the times they are a changin'

- Bob Dylan

[quote=Clay S. "Maybe I just got an incurable lemon."

With Grizzly - quite possible. Some are decent and some not so good.]

Agreed. I don't mean to trash all Grizzly machines. My 4" oscillating drum sander and 6" jointer do their jobs. The fence that came with the jointer was warped but Grizzly willingly replaced it with a good one when asked, suggesting that part of the tradeoff for lower prices is the extent to which quality control is left to the buyer. I brought up my experience with the band saw in part to point out that if the goal is to get good results with demanding tasks, cheaper machinery may not be the most cost effective strategy.

After decades of trying to use crappy, cheap, undersized bandsaws, I finally bought a proper one. Laguna 1412. I took some time with set up up front, but love it. Resaw works very well right up to max.

The lower guides are fussy and tight quarters, but hold adjustment very well.

Don’t know how well it would hold up to a very heavy, constant work load, but for an all around machine, I’m very pleased.

Thanks everyone.
I have taken this all in and made a decision.
Likely going to purchase it this weekend. I'll leave you guessing and throw up a picture after I bring it home. : )

_________________
Wake up and smell the rosewood!

I have an 18" Jet and use blades from 1-1/2" wide down to 1/4" without any problem. But things changed on the resaw end when I bought the Laguna Resaw King. WOW! That blade cuts so easy I can see the Laguna 14SUV taking on some pretty big jobs.

_________________
Julie Moriarty
http://JulimorCreations.com

Phase 1 = Complete.
All my pennies and some non-vital organs and I'm in the game!


I can hear the cherry and walnut I have out in the garage trembling... in fear of being literally massacred! hah

_________________
Wake up and smell the rosewood!

Well, I finally got it home.
I'm going to need a hand to lift this thing up, so its going to have to lay in its bed for awhile.
Looks like a seriously nice machine.



Ill post some more when its upright and running. : )

_________________
Wake up and smell the rosewood!

Excellent choice!

Small update.
I was quite happy to find that it has an integrated mobile base.
That is to say, I thought I had to pay for it, but it came in the box. : )
Only negative comment so far is that they did not provide the bolts to attach the rear "axle" assembly.
Moves nice and easy on the concrete.


Unfortunately, I dont think it will be spinning for awhile.
I still have to wire the saw and bring 220 into the garage.
On top of that I am in Germany for the next 2 weeks for work.
Like everything else, just going to take some time.

_________________
Wake up and smell the rosewood!

Wow, you went all-in. Nice!

_________________
Pat

I keep telling myself waist-deep Pat. : )

_________________
Wake up and smell the rosewood!