Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
To buy or not to buy
Pat Evans
>Having read a number of posts and articles on bandsaws, and having looked at Delta, Jet, and Rikon... I'm ready to take the plunge. Unless someone talks me out of it, I plan to get the Jet 18" 3hp bandsaw. I have my Dad's 15" Jet planer and he has weighed in in favor of their bandsaw. Anyone out there have any "I wouldn't do that" recommendations?
Re: To buy or not to buy
Bob Moffett
>If you have a Woodcraft near you, I got a sale flyer from them yesterday and they have their 18" Rikon 2 hp bandsaw on sale for $999.99. It is on sale from 1/27/07 - 3/2/07. I have a friend who has one and is very pleased with it. I don't have any affiliation with Woodcraft. It just looked like a good buy to me. They also have 14" Poweratic on sale for $899.99 with a $100 rebate. Included are a free riser block and free Powermatic 85th anniversary Die-cast Truck. To me the Rikon looks like a better deal.
What for?
Jim Swank
>What is your primary expected use for the saw? That information could make a HUGE difference in which saw fits you better.
Re: To buy or not to buy
JL
>I like my Rikon 18". It was a good price when I bought it and is a good price now.
I like my Jet...
paul in AZ
>for whatever that's worth. What is worth something is my very favorable experience with Jet's customer service. First with a fence that they sent overnight air at no charge, then much later with replacement for a blown wheel bearing. In a world where customer service has almost disappeared, Jet is unusual.
3 HP???
Jim Rahbe
>Pat,
Not sure if this is something new or not, but the 18" Jet I have only has a one and a half HP motor. The exact reason that I would not buy one again. The only other problem I have is the lower guide is hard to adjust. In my case I just drilled a small access hole through the table to make setting it easier.. Might want to make sure the new ones come with a 3 HP motor before spending the money..
Jim R.
Re: Quite possibly 3 HP
Glenn Madsen near San Francisco
>Jet did a model refresh on this one a couple of years ago, and may be doing another one. One of the importers of nicer Euro saws had a 4.5 hp version for sale in the last year.
I was happy with my Jet 16, but a friend of my son needed one for his work, and offered me what I paid for mine. One of the Euro versions looks really nice, if I can get past my wife buying more quilting sewing machines this spring...
Re: 3 HP???
Pat Evans
>JET 18" Bandsaw, Model JWBS-18X-3 is available from several sources at $1349. Woodworking Shop may, not for sure yet, have it on sale mid February.
Re: To buy or not to buy
Knotscott
>Owner's of the new Steel City 18" BS have strong positive comments so far...might be worth a look.