New tool time..... 14" bandsaw

Rickett Customs · #1 10-04-2009, 10:36 AM

Bought a Ridgid 14" bandsaw last week, and had a chance to use it a little bit since then. At first it was a bit shaky, but once I put a little weight, to balance it out (Used small adhesive weights on the wheels) the vibration was reduced alot. Anyone else own one of these? I'm planning on getting a 6" riser kit and a resaw fence for it. So far, it seems the one grizzly makes will work, although I'm also told that the 3/4hp motor may not be the most powerful, for resawing hardwoods (then again, I'm mot intending to use this strictly for resawing tops, so I may be able to get by for now).

singlemalt · #2 10-04-2009, 10:46 AM

I bought the riser kit for my Delta. I've never put it on, or needed it. Not the best $$ I every spent. Still new in the box ten years later.

DSB1 · #3 10-04-2009, 12:12 PM

PasdaBeer · #4 10-05-2009, 09:01 PM

im between this and a grizzly to be honest. But then again, its gonna be a while before i can buy anymore tools : P

Rickett Customs · #5 10-05-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PasdaBeer

im between this and a grizzly to be honest. But then again, its gonna be a while before i can buy anymore tools : P

I think they're generally the same design (the 14" that is...) except that the Ridgid's motor (3/4 hp) is attached to the opposite side, on top of the base. The grizzly has the motor (1 hp) located under the base.

blendermassacre · #6 10-06-2009, 09:03 PM

To me, I've had such great luck with grizzly stuff, that it's worth it to me. However, I live close enough to drive down to the springfield, mo show room and pick it up. My dad has his whole shop outfitted in grizzly, and everything has been great for 5+ years of ownership.

PasdaBeer · #7 10-07-2009, 12:07 AM

ive had 3/4 motors before, never seemed to last for me, was lookin for 1 - 1.5 next time i get one.

rgarcia26 · #8 10-08-2009, 09:06 AM

I got the same 14" ridgid band saw, I got it new on craiglist for $170, I'm being trying to get the ceramic blocks (I haven't be able to), seems like it will be a nice improvement, and I do think that the extension kit is a nice addition too... there is a way to change the motor... just for curiosity?

Rickett Customs · #9 10-08-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgarcia26

I got the same 14" ridgid band saw, I got it new on craiglist for $170, I'm being trying to get the ceramic blocks (I haven't be able to), seems like it will be a nice improvement, and I do think that the extension kit is a nice addition too... there is a way to change the motor... just for curiosity?

If it's the same, yes. The motor is bolted down to the base, with rubber grommets.You may have to find one with mounts that line up, like the existing one, but you can always modify it to hold another motor, by drilling new mount holes on the base, or have a mount made for the replacement motor.

jworrellbass · #10 10-08-2009, 09:41 AM

I've got a Craftsman 14", 1 hp motor. I can resaw all day with a 3/4" 3 tpi blade.

As far as a resaw fence goes all I did was raise the existing fence as high as it would go, it works well I can resaw up 7" stock with no problem as long as the blade is sharp.

rgarcia26 · #11 10-08-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alembicplyr

If it's the same, yes. The motor is bolted down to the base, with rubber grommets.You may have to find one with mounts that line up, like the existing one, but you can always modify it to hold another motor, by drilling new mount holes on the base, or have a mount made for the replacement motor.

Cool I dont know if a want to change the motor, but i would like to have new blocks and the Height Attachment from grizzly..!!!

Rickett Customs · #12 10-14-2009, 06:07 PM

*Update*. I am confirming that the Grizzly H3051 6" riser kit is an exact fit for this particular saw.

The riser kit from grizzly came in.

Contents of the package (riser block, 2 blade guard's, extended bolt, pole extension and a 105" blade):

Took the blade off, guard on the left, the height adjustment and unbolted the top from the frame (careful though, hold on to the top, when you take the bolt out, it'll drop):

Tapped the block into the retaining pins and re-mounted the top (original bolt is 15/16 on both sides, the replacement is 1" and 15/16) the top wasn't too heavy.

Put the blade, the guards, etc. Note: When you take off the stock height adjuster, there's a small ball and spring inside that'll fly out if you're not careful. popped out the retainer screw and put that back in when I put the new bar back on. Seriously scared the crap out of me, i though they were goners when they flew out!

Mismatched riser:

Newer blade guard (adjustable):

Riser block has new hole for the switch:

12" of height now, all I got left to get is a fence, good 105" blades and maybe later a 1hp motor.

jworrellbass · #13 10-14-2009, 07:19 PM

So, thats what a riser kit is. Have you tried resawing yet with the riser kit?

Rickett Customs · #14 10-14-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jworrellbass

So, thats what a riser kit is. Have you tried resawing yet with the riser kit?

I tested a 7" piece of Black Walnut, seemed to cut just fine. I'll definitely be buying a few "Wood Slicer" blades from highland woodworking (The blade that came with the kit isn't anything spectacular, but it'll do for now). I really want a fence for it before resawing a good piece of wood.

bassteban · #15 10-14-2009, 08:10 PM

jealous
LOVE me a good bandsaw, & I actually have a good-sized pile of walnut that I'd like to resaw into tops.
jealous

jworrellbass · #16 10-14-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alembicplyr

I tested a 7" piece of Black Walnut, seemed to cut just fine. I'll definitely be buying a few "Wood Slicer" blades from highland woodworking (The blade that came with the kit isn't anything spectacular, but it'll do for now). I really want a fence for it before resawing a good piece of wood.

With my Craftsman I have to have my blades made. It's some crazy 99 3/4" size. The guy who makes them sells them cheaper than Sears and their much better as well.

Rickett Customs · #17 10-14-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

jealous
LOVE me a good bandsaw, & I actually have a good-sized pile of walnut that I'd like to resaw into tops.
jealous

You must have some Clairo, the black walnut I have isn't very special, figure wise. Definitely can't wait to get a 3/4" blade and a fence for sure!

bassteban · #18 10-14-2009, 08:33 PM

I have a quartered section of the trunk that's about 30" long; these pieces are about 1 1/4" thick & still rough at this point.

Rickett Customs · #19 10-21-2009, 09:48 AM

Should be receiving a "wood slicer" 3/4" blade, from Highland and a Kreg fence today. (the 7" resaw guide and micro adjuster were sent for different locations, so they'll be a bit late.)

Bassteban, I'd be willing to resaw them for you (possibly ask for a 1/4 top out of one of them?

)
But i'll do many test runs before I give out that kind of service.

Rickett Customs · #20 10-21-2009, 05:23 PM

Well, I received part of the shipments. The fence and the woodslicer.

Woodslicer:

Assembled the fence and attached it to the table.

Time to adjust my favorite part of this fence, but first i need to cut on a line about halfway through a 3' piece of poplar:

Now i can adjust the fence to allow for blade drift, anyone not familiar with this? the blade on a bandsaw behaves differently in that when cutting in a straight line the blade tends to drift to one side and begin to cut crooked, if the fence was perfectly straight. Time to adjust that. keeping with the direction of the cut, I leave the wood in place.

And the adjustment is made by these 2 bolts:

Now it cuts a straight line, with no issues:

So, I adjusted it to see how thin I could cut, and this is with the blade that came with the riser kit (general purpose 1/2" blade). Measured out .0345"

So far I've spent less than $600 for the saw, 6" riser kit, the fence w/micro adjuster, 7" resaw guide and wood slicer blade.