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Northfield's smallest bandsaw, a 20" 2hp, belt drive machine is $9500 + shipping. Is it worth it? IMO, yes and I'd buy one if I had the need for such a production machine.
But going from there in answer to your question, a well made US sourced 14" bandsaw with the build quality of a 50's to 60's Delta or Powermatic- I'd go $3000 knowing I'd not have to ever worry about it breaking down or wearing out.
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Probably not and the issue would come down to price. Too many vintage Made in USA machines in the used market for pennies on the dollar.
In addition, unlike others I do NOT have the fear of import machines as most of my WW tools are mid level or above imports. When I say mid level I don't mean brand but I mean within a product line. I rarely if ever purchase the bottom rung tool instead I opt up to at least a mid level. I can't say that I have avoided all problems but being willing to step up in a product line avoids some of the buyers remorse that sets in wanting to upgrade.
A 14" bandsaw isn't worth much to me no matter the era or where it was made.
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American consumers have demonstrated time and again that most buying decisions are based on price, secondly on quality, with country of origin way down the list. American manufacturers have to compete on a global basis if they want to be successful over the long haul. As far as I know, no Americian manufacturer makes a bandsaw that can even compete price wise with the European ones, and those aren't cheap. By the time you get down to a 14" machine I just don't see how they could do it. Very few people will spend double the money just to buy something made in America, even if the quality were clearly far better than the Asian saws. There already are some very good quality 14" saws out there, you have only to look at some of Laguna's offerings, which top out at about $1800 for the 14SUV. That's probably the upper end of what a US consumer is going to spend on one - otherwise they would be charging even more. I don't know how many 14SUV's Laguna sells, but I doubt it's very many. I doubt an American manufacturer could tool up to make a competitive saw with so little volume. Competitive holes are usually filled by someone. The fact that no American manufacturer competes in that market sort of proves they don't see an opportunity.
John
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It would have to be a WHOLE lot better than what I could get now. I would not be willing to pay more than 25% over existing Chinese/Taiwanese BS's. One of the problems is a 10 year warranty doesn't mean much unless you have a long term reputation. Also, unless they sell something totally unique, it's not likely there's a real attraction to most businesses whose main concern is the bottom line and not patriotism. I'd venture to say most bandsaw sales are to commercial users, not hobbyists.
Still Learning,
Allan Hill
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Arlin,
Unfortunately very few and they don't employee many workers Robust included.
Tim