Benchtop Band Saw

[gMike]

My woodworking has taken a strange twist, mostly making small decor items for LOML's craft business.  I'm finding I need a small band saw, most likely a benchtop 10" saw.  I want a good quality small saw but know nothing about them.  I gave my kid my 14" Delta and haven't missed the bigger saw until now.

Price isn't my first consideration, quality is, I don't want to have to mess with the guides everytime I want to use it.  Probably looking for something up to $450 .

Any thoughts?

[Cooler]

I have a Ryobi unit:  https://www.makro.co.za/Images/Products/...v=20160306

I believe that they have remodeled this but I think the guts are the same.  It seems fine.  I rarely use it, but when I do it seems to do the job well.


This is the current version:  https://www.amazon.com/Ryobi-BS904G-9-BA...i+band+saw

[Jason28]

If it has to be a benchtop, I'd take a hard look at the 10" Rikon. It's within your budget and seems like it'd be one of the better benchtop units out there. I have no experience with it, however, or another benchtop bandsaw except a crappy 3 wheel Craftsman I bought back in the 90s - total waste of money.

[Lynden]

Another option is the Craftsman 21400 10" band saw.

http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/product/2803

[TDKPE]

I gave my son the C'man 24100 10" saw last year, and it's been good for him.  He was in an apartment, and needed a benchtop.  I debated over the 9", but the 10" was a much more solid unit, so I went with it.

I also looks like the Ryobi and Rikon, though the Rikon has the knobs for the covers on the side instead.  But other details look to be the same.  Maybe motor power rating differences, too, but I didn't look.  And for small work, who cares.  My dad's Gumby head Delta only has a 1/4 hp motor on it, and my 12" C'man from the 50's has a 1/2 hp, and for small saws, that's plenty.  IMO, of course.

[BloomingtonMike]

You around bloomington il? Ill give you one if so. Needs a motor but perfect for a 3/4hp 3ph and 120v vfd.

[frigator]

I need a bench top BS too. Have a 17in resaw machine but hate to change blades and readjust guides. I am considering the new Grizzly 9in benchtop. I like the handle on the top. I need to be able to put it on the bench and take off easily. I just need it for curved work.  What do you guys think of this  saw? 

http://www.grizzly.com/products/9-Bencht...dsaw/G0803

[EvilTwin]

If quality is the first consideration, then you may want to look used. I had one of the Gumby saws, gave it to a friend after I got a 10" Inca. But there are other small format saws out there like the small craftsmans (vintage) that would work. The difference between a benchtop and a standing saw is the stand and where the motor is mounted. Both saws had smallish stands when I got them and in the case of the Delta Gumby, I made a large mount for it out of maple and mounted the motor behind it. The Inca had the motor already mounted to it, so all I did was separate it from the base.

450 is quite a bit to spend on a small import bandsaw. Small vintage 2 wheel saws in the 10-12" range generally go for less than 100. Sure they need work, but then when you are done, the saw is well tuned and ready to go. Not for everybody, but that is my take on it.

[stav]

I too have a Delta "Gumby" saw.  That little thing is great.  I wouldn't want to try to carry it around without spending a little more time in the gym.  The thing is cast iron for the body and the motor is a 1/3 hp so there is a good deal of weight between the two parts.  It cuts really well.  I very rarely ever have to fidget with it to get a good cut.

The best part is I only spent $40 on it.

[Cooler]

Woodworkers Journal tested 10 benchtop saws and concluded that the Skillsaw was the best bet.  Just $129.00 and 30 pounds.  That light weight is a nice factor.

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/bencht...w-reviews/

https://www.amazon.com/SKIL-3386-01-2-5-...TNYFE81TXP