Shop Fox bandsaw?

heartlandbowyer · February 04, 2013, 07:39:00 PM

Thinking about getting a new band saw. Any of you guys own or worked with the 14" Shop Fox, or do ya have any suggestions for around the 550$ range

SportHunter · February 04, 2013, 07:46:00 PM

The Grizzly gets great reviews.

eagleone · February 04, 2013, 09:31:00 PM

Grizzly x2

scrub-buster · February 04, 2013, 10:00:00 PM

If I had the money I would own a grizzly

kennym · February 04, 2013, 10:27:00 PM

I've sawed miles of lams on my Griz, no trouble with it at all so far. Who makes Shop Fox?

I know Griz sells fences on their stuff with Shop Fox name on it. Great fences BTW...

heartlandbowyer · February 04, 2013, 10:44:00 PM

Kenny,
I've done a bit more review searching and I believe the same person who owns Grizzly also owns Shop Fox, they just build them at different companies.

rainman · February 04, 2013, 11:27:00 PM

Get a powermatic if you can.

Roy from Pa · February 04, 2013, 11:36:00 PM

Get a Sears 1.5 hp.

Buemaker · February 05, 2013, 05:18:00 AM

Is this a good one?
http://www.powermatic.com/

2treks · February 05, 2013, 06:28:00 AM

Yes thats a good one Bue, I looked at the new Powermatic line-up last fall at an expo. I like it alot.

I would say that any of the above saws are good. I would try to get one with bearing guides that come stock, or if you can find a used saw, you can add the carter guides.
I have an 18" Rikon that I got a great deal on and is is a very good machine. I bought the saw "used" but it was new and still in the crate. The smaller saws are just as good from what I have seen.
I had the Grizz 14" as a second saw for a little while. It was good saw but I needed the shop space so I sold it.
I also had a ragged out Delta 14" that was ruff as a cobb. I added the carter guides and learned how to set it up and I could slice paper thin veneers if I wanted to.
CTT

Buemaker · February 05, 2013, 07:48:00 AM

Here are the roller guides on my Scheppach HBS 500, 18 inch wheels. German made and a good saw.

eflanders · February 05, 2013, 07:25:00 PM

The Lagunas are nice too but beyond the OP's price point.

eflanders · February 06, 2013, 09:35:00 PM

Was told today by a Shop Fox dealer that they are the same company as Grizzly.

heartlandbowyer · February 06, 2013, 10:26:00 PM

I think Im going to go with the shop fox, there are better saws out there but Im on a bit of a budget. It's the Shop Fox 1706, comes standard with cast wheels and bearing guides the price is 549 and the dealer is near enough that I can just drive and pick it up.

Thanks for your input guys!

Cory