Any Woodworkers out there? Help please

[jgln]

I agree that you shouldn't go with anything smaller than a 14" saw. The 14" Rikon is nice because it has 13" resaw capacity (as opposed to 6" for most 14" saws) and a welded frame (as opposed to cast iron which flexes more) that can properly tension a little wider blade if she wants to do much resawing.

It sounds like you both want a table saw and both Bosch and Dewalt make solid little portable table saws that definitely are not the toys that the bench-top band saws are and that are cheaper than buying a decent band saw.
She won't be able to resaw thick material or make curved cuts with a table saw and a table saw is WAY more dangerous than a band saw but if you both want one they are pretty handy...

Looks nice and probably what she needs but ouch...almost $1,000. But everyone is right, you need to get what you need to do what you want and you want a quality product. Yeah, we need to discuss this more. Thanks.

 

[Jacob_Marley]

I'd get a good used band saw rather than a harbor freight one. Nothing against harbor freight I go there pretty frequently, but when it comes to a tool like a power saw, I'd go with a better brand ... even used.

south jersey all for sale / wanted classifieds ""band saw"" - craigslist

 

[TwoWheeler]

Check out Grizzly or Porter Cable. I've bought some stuff - not power tools - and the quality is pretty good. Have a Porter Cable table saw, router and biscuit joiner and they're all pretty good.

Avoid Harbor Freight like the plague.

 

[WilliamWS]

Looks nice and probably what she needs but ouch...almost $1,000. But everyone is right, you need to get what you need to do what you want and you want a quality product. Yeah, we need to discuss this more. Thanks.

A cast iron frame 14" band saw is still a useful tool and grizzly makes decent saws at a good price. I just suggested the Rikon because you mentioned sawing logs and a most 14" saws max out at 6" of depth and can't handle a nice, wide resaw blade. FWIW, the Rikon goes on sale quite often (sale just ended at woodcraft) for around $200 off. It's still on sale at Highland ( Rikon Deluxe Bandsaw 14" 10-325 | Rikon Bandsaw Dealer ) for $799 which is a deal for what you get.

 

[jgln]

A cast iron frame 14" band saw is still a useful tool and grizzly makes decent saws at a good price. I just suggested the Rikon because you mentioned sawing logs and a most 14" saws max out at 6" of depth and can't handle a nice, wide resaw blade. FWIW, the Rikon goes on sale quite often (sale just ended at woodcraft) for around $200 off. It's still on sale at Highland ( Rikon Deluxe Bandsaw 14" 10-325 | Rikon Bandsaw Dealer ) for $799 which is a deal for what you get.

No problem, thanks, you were just suggesting what would be best for what she wants it for. Too bad the sale just ended, we planned on heading over there tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[jgln]

Went to woodcrafters this weekend. Walked around and looked at everything, cool place. Looked at bandsaws there but my thought was we talk to someone who can give recommendations on what we need and know to do what she wants. I guess she was intimidated and didn't want to talk to anyone and me not being the one wanting one would have to relied on her imput to answer questions they would ask so we just left and she decided it was too much money to spend anyway and she didn't want to buy one that wouldn't do what she wants. She also thought maybe once she cuts a few logs then what? Not like she was planning on building furniture, she just thought they would be nice to look at I suppose. Not that we won't ever get one, just that it won't be a rush purchase as a Christmas gift.

...but now I have to come up with another idea. last idea was a cement mixer for her sculptures but since she works in the basement it would be inpossible to clean it out down there and to mix it outside we would then need to transport the mixed concrete to the basement. So that is out too.

I know she would like a pottery wheel but then you need a kiln and then again we are talking a lot of $$ we don't really have, besides she has enough hobbies already.

I know she would like to do metal art too. Would a cheap cutting torch and welder work?

 

[Homercidal]

I'd recommend looking into a plasma cutter for metal art. cutting torches won't do a very fine job.

Sometimes getting decent tools for a trade sucks, but it's the only way.

 

[lex990]

What about getting a small table saw to do the length rips. And then getting a table scroll saw for the delicate cuts. If you look around you could probably get both for 200ish. Lots and lots of ideas for all types of guides and sleds for table saws online. Seems it would be More effective for milling the smaller logs

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

The smaller table top units are really only good for hobby stuff. If she wants to do any milling/resawing, she is going to need a substantially more powerful and large machine.

This is a really good deal for a saw that would give her what she needs.
G0513P 17" 2 HP Bandsaw, Polar Bear Series®

You could potentially get this one:
G0555P 14" 1 HP Bandsaw, Polar Bear Series®
but the 1HP model is not going to be as smooth or easy to use for resawing especially on non-square stock (logs).

I am not sure how much of a woodworker your fiancee is, but what does she intend to do with the logs? If she is accomplished enough to rough mill the lumber, square it, then use it in furniture or other projects, a bandsaw is not dangerous for her to use. Bandsaws are one of the safer shop tools because the teeth travel in a consistent direction and pull the workpiece into the table. The opposite is a table saw that has a tendency to spit work back at the operator and has a lot more kick-back potential.

Anyway,