Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: trad bow on June 15, 2012, 06:35:13 pm
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What is the best size bandsaw for reducing wood to near bow working size?
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The biggest you can afford and have room for.
Del
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Just be careful and keep it lubricated. I've seen what can happen to a body should the saw be kept poorly maintained and break in motion.
It can snap out of there like a rattlesnake on crack.
I don't use them for my bows, but I know it severely cuts down on time spent roughing them out.
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I have been researching them for the last several months. I watched Craigs List for a few months, but never found what I was looking for. I've heard people that have had success with some of the 12" saws, but I decided to get one a little bigger since most of the bow wood you work with is pretty hard stuff. I settled on the Grizzly 1hp that is on sale right now for $100 off. I just got it in last week and will put it all together this weekend.
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Sweet post pics o the new bear...love my griz
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If you can afford it, a 14" with 1hp or greater motor would be great. I use an old 12" craftsman, and it is fine for most staves, but with less than 1hp, it is really limited on thickness it goes through easily. I would not recommend anything smaller than 12" though.
Mike
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I use a 12" 1hp Craigslist Craftsman saw and it does everything I ask of it. But, I would jump at the chance of getting a bigger one. More power argh argh argh ;D
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I have a 14" Grizzly and wish I would have had the change to buy a 17" monster. Reducing 1/4's is tough on a 14", even going slow as a turtle. Get a monster if you have cash and space for such.
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Thanks for the help guys. I will probably go with at least a 17".
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That is what i have 17" 2hp...love it!
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I've got a 2hp saw and it works great - I used to use a 3/4 hp....never again!
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I've got a craigslist special "Buffalo" 14 inch 3/4hp saw, 1984 model. It's as old as I am. Paid $100 for it. I replaced the guide bearings and put a brand new 3TPI blade on it, and it works... but it could be much better. Big chunks of hickory really bog it down.
I am very lucky to be an electrician, and as soon as I can salvage a bigger motor for it I plan to replace the motor with something a little more powerful, hopefully 1.5 hp or so. Should make it a brand new monster...
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Cruised Craigslist for about a year looking.
Pretty much settled on the idea that I would have to just bite the bullet the buy a new saw.
The Grizzly 14" was my choice...
But then, before I could execute on the Grizzly, I ran across a Jet 18", with a 1-3/4 horse motor on Craigslist, not five miles from mi casa.
It was dang near new!
Picked it up for 40 cents on the dollar...
If you have the time, be patient and keep looking, Asesome Used Saws Are Out There!!
If you have the funds and you're done being patient, buy new!
Either way, go as big as you can afford; in Wheel Size and Motor Horse Power.
-gus
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I have the Jet with the riser block extension. I've milled small logs in that thing and it keeps on cooking. Get the right blade and make the good jigs. Torquing a blade will break it which can sip around and brak other things.
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I have a 14" ridgid and I just broke the tilt wedge. Garbage cast iron!!!!!!!!!!!! The saw is ok but I agree with all the guys that say save your money and buy a big one. Nothing worse than fighting your bandsaw with a log on it!
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High quality blades can make a big difference with really hard wood like hickory. I use a Jet 14" with the best blades I can afford.
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there are some awesome fancy blades I CAN't afford. I use the general woodcraft blades but I use a 1/2" Resaw blade with an agressive tooth angle and raker. I think it's skip tooth. Tell them you are resawing hard woods. If you take care of it and don't do dumb stuff it will last a long time. Store brand.
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ipe shouldn't be cut on a bandsaw right? should be cut on table saw or by hand saw. trying to get a diamond blade for the table saw or something there otherwise da hand saw will be worn out by the time I get done with my pieces.
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Timberwolf makes good blades. Just tell them how many inches around and they can make it up for you. I use 144" x 3/8 3 tpi for most work. I have an old Yates-American 20" and the saw is on it's second 2hp motor.
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I use a 14in Delta 93.5 3pi blade. I think my saw is the bottom end of what should be bought. With sharp blades it works great. I went with this one because I put it on wheels so it can be moved outdoors during use. I built two bows without a saw and was shocked at how much easier it is with the bandsaw.