Re: which version to get
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These saws have been around since at least 1965. I think the first one was the Dayton model 3Z093A saw from Dayton Electric Mfg of Chicago Ill, then quite a few American made copies and improvements like Wilton in 70's. They were overtaken (read 'made cheaper') by Taiwanese saws in the 80's and then the move to Chinese manufacturers in 2000's,? I believe HF is Chinese made but Jet is still made in Taiwan by?Rong Fu.? Wilton, sadly, is no more (part of the Jet brand now?). I'd like to think that Taiwanese saws would be better than Chinese, certainly they've had longer to get it right. Of all the saws I've seen (admittedly most in posts/pictures from other members) I think the old US-made saws were probably better than anything from the Far East. The early Chinese saws from mid-2000's had lots of faults reported here, but they're 15yrs better now and they are quick learners. Given that you say you want a general purpose saw, not for super accuracy, I'd say you can get that from any saw regardless of price.? With the
exception of a few manufacturing defects, any saw can be made to perform.? All should be treated as a 'kit-of-parts' that you need to work on to get the best?out of. Plenty of articles in the forums Files section on what to do. This article?/g/4x6bandsaw/files/Buying%20a%20Used%204x6%20Bandsaw%20v4.pdf tells you what to look for in buying a saw.? What you need to avoid is buying a mis-manufactured saw, as wear shouldn't be a problem. Bit out -of-date in that there is now a fix for the 'vice table surface out-of parallel with the pivot shaft in front elevation' problem, but I still wouldn't buy one with this fault if you can get one that measures up.? Buying new, it comes down to whether you trust the seller and if they'll stand behind their product with replacement parts, or even replacement saws if there is a real problem (which is not unheard?of).? HF and Grizzly actually supply spare parts and from what people say on the forum, these 2 at least stand by their products. There is also the basic choice of standard 'cross-cut' style or 'swivel-base'. Swivel base does angle cutting much easier (but cost more). The standard will cut angles but its a pain to set and re-set?square again afterward. If you plan on cutting lots of thin tube (like exhaust tube) then a swivel base with hydraulic downfeed is the way to go - jv On Thu, Jan 7, 2021 at 5:39 PM <soloz210@...> wrote: Hello all, I'm looking for some help here.? I'm interested in a horizontal bandsaw for hobby use.? I would like it to be able to cut precisely, but I'm looking more just for general fab not anything that would require super precise cuts.? There are several brands and many of the ones referenced do not appear to be made anymore, and prices have definitely gone up.? I haven't had much luck sourcing a used version so I might end up getting new.? The HF version is about $300, then about $360 for Wen which appears to have a slightly better stand.? The Northern Tool Klutch or General International version are about $400 and the Klutch looks similar to Wen while the GI appears similar to HF.? Grizzly is probably a bit better, but is also $460, and then Jet is $600.? Is it really worth the added expense for a Wen, Grizzly, or Jet? Or would that money be better spent on other items or mods on the HF? |
John Vreede