12" Band Saw Question

**jba1225** · 01-24-2004, 09:21 PM

I have a small shop in my garage.
I'm looking to buy a 12" band saw. I'm sure that some of you will instantly tell me to get a 14" (like the Grizzly). However, I think a 12" is more in my price range and will do what I want to do (more curves, less resawing).

I was looking seriously at the Craftsman 12" saw (being a die-hard Craftsman guy). It has a 1HP motor (7 amps), and 5" resaw capacity. The competition is the 12" Jet. I've read lots of great things about the Jet. I haven't found a single review of the Craftsman (I guess that says something).

I'm mostly set on the Jet now (slightly cheaper, Amazon has free shipping right now!). The only real issue that's holding me up is that the Jet has a 1/2 HP motor instead of 1HP. For a 12" saw, do I care about 1/2 vs. 1 HP? Has Craftsman "cheated" on their numbers?
Do I just want the Jet?

Any suggestions either way?

Jonathan Ashbrook

**PastorPaul** · 01-24-2004, 11:52 PM

Jonathan,

I've got the Jet 12" and absolutely love it. I'm cutting with it more and more all the time. It will be even better when I get some Timberwolf blades for it.

Admittedly, the larger bandsaws can do more, but unless you have need for the added cutting depth (or width, or whatever you call it), I think you will be happy with the Jet. Just don't forget the Timberwolf blades.

Pastor Paul
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"If they don't have woodworking in heaven, I ain't going!!!"

**TDHofstetter** · 01-25-2004, 01:37 AM

I happen to own two 12" bandsaws, one an older Craftsman with a half-horse motor and a 6" resaw capacity and the other an ancient Walker-Turner with similar characteristics.

Both saws will do very nearly anything I ask them to do - I don't have trouble lugging down the half-horse motors (even in the Walker-Turner, which I use routinely to saw inch-and-a-half-thick alumin(i)um.

Still, there are those rare occasions when I really WISH I had a larger bandsaw that could actually accept a 1"-wide blade and give me a little more than 6" resaw capacity. The difference between 12" and 14" throat doesn't cause me much angst, but I really would like more height once in a while - and I'd like to run larger blades... which want bigger wheels.

It'll be a long time before I actually end up with a larger saw, though.

-- Tim --

Don't walk in front of me, I will not follow.
Don't walk behind me, I will not lead.
Walk beside me, and be my friend.

**BradTheDog** · 01-25-2004, 05:29 AM

I am reccomending a HF 14 inch 4 Speed bandsaw, regardless of what kind of work you do now, this saw, which is highly reccomended by owners, gets great reviews by others, and has a wonderful price tag, and can be expanded at some later time with a riser kit. If it wasn't for the fact that I spent big money on my delta and then added another thousand plus in accessories (that I would never get my money back on if I sold it) I would own this saw. The saw regularly (every other month or so) sells for $219. The only problems with this saw is it is a pain for a single person to put togeather and the stock blade is junk. Both of those items were also true about my very expensive delta.

**Tom Hintz** · 01-25-2004, 06:01 AM

I have the Craftsman 12" bandsaw and have used it frequently for the last four years or so. So far it has needed nothing more than blades and the occasional cleaning.
Sure, it doesn't have the capacity of a 14" (physics you know) and the motor rating may be inflated, though I have never had a plack of power problem with mine.
The one thing I can tell you is to cut the blade that comes on it off and install Timber Wolf blades. Since I installed them on my Craftsman it resaw perfect, using the simple fence, no drift, nothing. Without Timber Wolf blades, it sucks, so you decide!
Getting a bigger, higher-priced bandsaw would be nice, but if it's not in the cards, the Craftsman might be something to check out. I am happy with mine.
I have a little more info on it at the link below.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/bandsaw.html

**scottspencer** · 01-25-2004, 09:38 AM

Don't let the HP ratings fool you. They can be grossly misleading. A better, but not perfect barometer is the amp rating. I have serious doubts that a 7 amp motor is anywhere near 1hp. My Ridgid shop vac is rated at 6.25HP, but plugs into a 120v outlet! My TS motor is rated @ 2hp with a decent 15amp induction motor. Trying to estimate effeciency and power factors, it's probably closer to 1-3/4hp.

One big game is all it is!

Regards,
Scott