Bandsaw replacement

[TomKatt]

Ok my old sears 14" bandsaw the lower bearing went out tires are bad it barely did the job in the first place. would a older grizzly 18" be worth getting 220v 2hp ? or a used 14" Powermatic ? use will be self bows. what do you use?

[Roy from Pa]

My sears 14", 1.5hp bandsaw gotta be 15 years old, cast iron main frame.

I replaced the tires and a couple bearings once, works great.

I would go for the used Grizzly 18 " 2 hp.

[Pat B]

I think I'd go for the Grizzly. They have great tech support and parts if needed. I've had a 14", 1hp Grizzly for years and it has been a great saw.

[BMorv]

Roy, you have a Sears bandsaw??? I thought you were a Grizzly rep.

[Roy from Pa]

Two of my other tools are grizzly.

I'm trying to be like Mr. McKenzie:)

[TomKatt]

sears no longer has the lower if shaft , I have looked at new and used bandsaws  and keep leaning toward a used machine to save money and try to get a machine with more features or would I be better off getting a new the entry level grizzly G0555 14 inch or a used G0513x2bf  17 inch, also looking at a used Powermatic pwbs 14 if they can find the fence and get a fair price. thanks for your opinions I feel like I am beating a dead horse .

[kennym]

LOL Roy!

On my Grizz bandsaws, which I have run miles of lumber thru, the only probs I've had are the blade guide bearings once in a while. They are about 15.00 for a full set at the machine shop.  I like Grizzly tools a lot, little probs and good parts people if needed.  The bearings from Grizz are a lot higher BTW...

[Roy from Pa]

How many bearings are in a full set, Kenny?

I need 10 to replace all of mine for the blade guides.

They are about $4.00 a piece.

$4.00 times 10 is foty, case ya didn't know:)

[skeaterbait]

I can't speak for Kenny's 17" but my 14" Grizzly has 6 guide bearings. 4 of one size and 2 of another. I get mine online from The Big Bearing Store and they run $1.08 each and $.87 each.

[Crooked Stic]

Hmm never seen a 10 bearing saw. Mine would take 6  4x6 is 20 fo beinins we on math to.

[Roy from Pa]

4 x 6 is 20? OK if ya say so:)

Mike, we are talking about the roller guide bearings for the blade.

Lonnie, I went that route once.

But those are cheap arse roller blade bearings for roller skates.

They are oiled bearings not grease packed bearings.

I put them on and some oil flew out of them when I turned on the saw.

Don't want oil on bow wood.  They didn't last for crap.

I buy sealed grease filled bearings and get a good year use out of them.

[kennym]

OK, I wasn't counting the ones behind the blade, only the guides.  And.. and.. and I checked and they are doubled on the guide bearings... 

So Roy was almost ri...  rig... righ...  Ah never mind, I can't say it.

[Roy from Pa]

So Roy was almost ri...  rig... righ...  Ah never mind, I can't say it.

Go ahead, I triple dog dare ya!

[wood carver 2]

I love my 19 inch grizz. Put a narrow blade on it and cut tight curves, then put the big blade on and slab big lumber.
Dave.

[Roy from Pa]

My old  Sears 14" cast iron 1.5hp bandsaw eats grizzly saws for lunch:)

I put dual exhaust on her and a cam and now she really smokes them tires:)

[wood carver 2]