I am currently researching 14in bandsaws. I have a few questions.
-Which is better, a steel frame or a cast iron frame? I know that with many cast iron models you can get a riser block to increase resaw capacity. Are there any other pluses or minus to each?
I think that for a 14" Saw, that cast iron is good, but there needs to be "Qualifier" there. I think that a well made, well designed cast iron saw, using good quality cast iron. Too often I see cheap quality cast iron saws, that have been "tweaked" by someone along the way, reducing the amount of steel used, and even changing things such as removing ribs etc that are supposed to be for strength. Not all of them are like that, but enough of them are to tarnish the image to some extent of cast iron as a saw making material, but I bet that Jeff would tell you that cast iron works good
A good steel framed saw will be lighter and take up less of a foot print than most cast iron saws, usually. A poorly designed steel framed saw will be just that
This is one reason, IMHO, why some of the companies that build the good steel framed saws have been doing so for a long time, they have the R&D into their saws, and they know what works and what does not.
It seems to me that the Johnny come lately guys are not nearly as deep into the R&D, but they can make some decent saws.
Which is better? Neither, a good Cast iron saw will be good, and good Steel framed saw will be good.
-Which is better, guide blocks or bearings? I would think bearings, but I have nothing to really base that on.
Again, both are very capable of doing the job well, but a poorly adjusted set of either will not work well.
-What would be a good size motor (in Hp)? I would be looking to do a little resawing, but that wouldn't be the main use of the saw.
I'd want at least one Hp, I put a 1.5 Hp on the Phoenix and have yet to make it even sort of slow down.
-Finally what model do you have and what do you like or dislike about it?
thanks!
I have the a Dungeon Tooling Phoenix Mk I
I like it, I like the price
Sean, I looked into the 14" bandsaw thing for a LONG time and did a lot of comparing and reading etc.
First, I'm going to give you some suggestions, and ask you some questions.
If you want to do a lot of resawing, making your own lumber, and doing such, forget the 14" and go for a larger 18" or so, the 14" is not going to do the job, I think you will hear from a number of guys that went the 14" route, and added a bunch of bits to it, to try to do it up, and by they time they were done, the have a SUPER 14" bandsaw, but they will have spent near the price of a good 18" bandsaw.
In a perfect world, you would have one 14" bandsaw, without the riser block, and tuned up for your scrolling needs, and a larger saw, for the resawing, but we don't live in a perfect world most of the time, do we
How about finding a good used older 14" Delta or something, it might need a bit of TLC, but, you could certainly get a good solid saw, for a lot less than a NEW well made saw.
All of that being said, the
Rikon Deluxe 14" bandsaw seems to get good marks.
I'll look forward to a good thread here, should be lots of input!