Some information needed

[kiwi]

I have been researching band saws on this site and on the net and I am having a difficult time deciding what to purchase. The sawzall hand filing to get square cuts route is getting old. If you would list what type of band saw you have or have had and why you did or did not like it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Nick

[stick man]

Ive got an old dayton its slower than crap and its older than me but she still cuts straight as an arrow, for production type work with tubing or pipe I use a carbide tipped chop saw it works slick.

[kiwi]

Thanks Stick Man!!

[Sundown]

Take a look at the jet 56M, nice saw and not too much money, I sure like mine.

[kiwi]

Thanks George

[KB Fabrications]

I have got the small Jet like Goerge has and it is good little saw. I also have an Ellis 1600 that I like very much. The Ellis replaced a larger Jet 7 X 12 that a number of companies have. I personally hated that saw as it sat too low to the ground for me. I also disliked having to angle the vice to cut miters.

[kiwi]

Thanks Kevin

[pro70z28]

I have a small jet band saw I bought at the local big box home improvement store. It cuts straight, but is hard on blades. I don't get very many cuts before the blade breaks. I have gone through 2-3 blades a day sometimes. I've tried different speeds, different tensions on the blade, nothing seems to make a difference. They don't break on the welded seam, and I've tried different blade brands., so I don't think it's a blade quality problem. I've been considering buying a different unit.

[x-ray]

Harbor Freight 4"x6", liked the price on that one, but anything to do with blades was a chore.

Grizzly G9742 4" x6", liked the vice/foot print/down-feed, but shared all the adjustment traits as HF 4"x6" all disliked.

Kama EV996, like the footprint/coolant/adjustments/speeds/kill switch/and more..
, but dislike.. err.. the fact I did not buy what I really wanted the first time.

[J hall]

I have the Ellis 1600 and it seemed kind of expensive. Until I used it a couple times

[Powerstrokinit]

Come buy my MSC saw so I can get a Ellis 1600.


Tobin

[kiwi]

Thanks again

Hey Pro, what is the model of the Jet that you are having so many problems with??
XRay, do you own a KAMA? I have never heard of this saw. Who sells them and what is the price?
Thanks,
Nick

[x-ray]

XRay, do you own a KAMA? I have never heard of this saw. Who sells them and what is the price?
Thanks,
Nick

Yes, that attachment is a picture of it.
The saw is made in Italy and this place sells them here (USA). They have other resellers but this is the homepage .

http://www.kooltools.com/kama_bandsaws.html

That link also has current retail pricing.

[hankj]

Nick,

I've had the Jet HVBS56M for three years. For the money, is has been a great tool, as have my Jet woodworking tools, which were bought in 1990, and have manufactured a few dozen kitchen cabinets, a half-dozen mantles, a several pieces of furniture.

If budget is a problem, and time isn't, try to find on old-school "power hacksaw". Porte-Cable, Dayton, Delta, and a few others made them in the '60's and they cut true, they just cut slow!

I have never expereinced the blade problems on my Jet that the Z28 pro does. Proper tooth pitch, band tension, and guide adjustment give me months of use from one bi-metal Morse band.

Hank

[kiwi]

Hey Guys,
I have gotten lots of good information. So as it stands I am going to look into the Jet, KAMA and the power hacksaw. If anyone else has any ideas they would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Nick