Official Luthiers Forum!

Been a long time since I have been here. I've been reading the last couple of days and have missed this a lot! I have an opportunity to buy a two year old Grizzly 21" bandsaw locally here, and wanted to get some input/experiences from you on this saw. It is a 3 HP. I've been using a Delta 14" that I've upped the motor to a 2HP, but it just isn't quite the set up for great resawing for me. I would like to do some heavier resawing and general use. Please give me some input. By the way, that is a screamer BRW Hesh!
Tom Harbin

Tom, Few people that get a great bandsaw, will ever let it go. I'm wondering why it's for sale. Like you, I use a Delta for everything but resawing. I was given a new 18" Laguna with carbide blade. While I had to mod it a little it does a great job. The same model now sports ceramic guides and BobC and Steve at Colonial have that saw I believe. It now has a Baldor Motor made in Ft. Smith Arkansas.

I wish I had info on the Grizz, others will. Good luck with the decision.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Thanks Bruce: This is from a couple in Nashville that used to build guitars and are quitting for some reason. I have looked at the Lagunas and they look great, just will really have to bite the bullet if I spend that kind of money. Are there other outlets to purchase a Laguna besides the Laguna place in Calif.
Tom H

Tom....finding high quality used bandsaws can be very difficult. If the saw is in good condition and the price is right it sounds like you can't go wrong.

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Brad
Avon, OH

I have a 3-4 year old Grizzly 18" that is my all around workhorse for wood and aluminum. I have a 14 delta metal cutting saw for steel. My grizzly has a 2 hp motor and works well for resawing and such. I put a set of carter guides on it and spent some time getting the wheels to run true to the upper blade guide post and she runs very well now. I also sprung for a Kreg fence system and while its a little short for the 18" table it works very well and it's nice to be able to lay the fence down for short work.

If the saw is in good shape and the price works I would go for it.

Louis

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- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

thanks Louis.

Tom!!!  Sorry I can't help with your bandsaw question but I wanted to welcome you back my friend.  Great to see you here again.

Are you still building guitars?

Tom,

I also have the grizzly 18" saw and like it very much. If you can get the 21" at a good price go for it. You will not be disappointed.

I am sure there are better saws out there but if you are like me, price is a big factor. For the money these saws are a good value.

Cecil

Here it is in all it's glory from Grizzly Online.

Nice looking saw Tom.

Check out the additional features below:

Motor: 5 HP, 220V, single-phase
Throat capacity: 20"
Height capacity: 14"
Table size: 29 1/2" x 20 3/4" x 1 7/8" thick
Table tilt: 5 deg. left, 45 deg. Right
Standard blade length: 165"
Blade size range: 1/4" - 1 3/8"
Blade speed: 4,600 FPM
Quick change blade release/tensioner
Micro adjusting gear tilting table
Cast iron wheels with polyurethane tires
Ball bearing guides
Includes 1" blade
Approximate shipping weight: 684 lbs.
Powder coated paint for durability
Safety switch
Hinged wheel covers
Cast iron fence with fence scale
Tension scale window
Miter gauge
Precision ground cast iron table
Two 4" dust ports
Made in an ISO 9001 factory
Rack and pinion table tilting mechanism for very precise bevel setting

What's not to like. Wow.
$USD 1895 picked up at their store.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Did you get it?

Pics.....   

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

I hope to go look at it next week, if it's still there. I also spent some time this week talking to the folks at Laguna, but after hearing from all of you, I really can't see spending 3X or 4X for the Laguna. I'm still building in my head; had to stop for the last 6 months or so because of some major home improvements. Thanks to all of you and I'll post when I bring it home.
Tom Harbin

PS: I would really like to be able to saw the figured Blackwood that I bought a while back; it is nearing ready.

What would not "be ready" for resawing wood?

I do a lot of resawing on a 20 hp horizontal Baker AX conveyor belt feed saw.   The sooner you resaw sets from billets, the less tension is built up in the wood and the flatter they'll stay when cut. Do not fall under the spell of any myths regarding drying logs or billets before resawing into sets. Do it ASAP for minimum stress in the wood and maximum yield.

I have to hammer my employees on this...they have this romantic attachment to seeing large planks and billets and chunks of wood in the shop. It's very macho. It's also really stupid.   I don't want to see lumber; I want to see sets.

Tom
   Grizzly has upgraded a lot of their tools in the last few years. I am very familiar with Grizzly and spent many nice afternoons at the Muncy facility.
   The one area of weakness on their band saws was the upper wheel yoke. Take a quick look at it and if appears to be white metal avoid it. I had one , a 14 and it broke. I am a machinist and made a new one from D2.
   It is not a bad saw and the change over from white metal had been done a while ago. Ceramic guides are the killer set up for a band saw of this size. The HP is a good combo.
   Call if you need. I was there Saturday checking the new table saws.
john hall
   Guitar Builder Tool collector. If it makes dust , I got it.