Will this bandsaw suffice for building rifles

[eagle24]

I've got to have a bandsaw, just no way to put it off any longer.  I've been engaging in some dangerous methods of cutting down stock blanks and finally got the wake-up I need to part with at least enough cash to get me by for awhile. Nuff said!  Will this get me by for a few years of building a couple of rifles a year?

http://www.grizzly.com/products/14-1-HP-Bandsaw-Polar-Bear-Series/G0555P

[fastfrankie]

That one should do nicely .Just remember to set everything up correctly. There are several books out there to show you what and not what to do.

[James]

Most importantly, keep appendages away from blade

[California Kid]

That saw should work fine. I would get Timber Wolf blades for it though they are great. I'm using a 12" Craftsman saw I got  for $250 on sale a few years ago. For slabbing blanks I'm using a 1/2" Timber Wolf blade, 6TPI and it works real good. My saw has a 3/4 horse motor and has worked fine on 3" hard maple, so you should be great with 1 HP

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Good looking saw...much ahead of my first one.  You'll love the bearing/guides.

[Bill of the 45th]

Greg, I may have a deal for you.  I have a Sears 14" saw that I may be willing to part with for $400.  It may have less than 1/2 hour of run time, it 's that new.  I just get precarves from Dave Keck now.  I've had it for three years and not used it.I may be able to deliver it in the next two weeks.  How far are you from I-75.  I'm going to play snow bird and head to Florida Keys then come back to Tennessee for the Sgt. York shoot.  Give me a PM, with a Phone Number if interested.  That patch box is fantastic, and I need to talk to you about a brass lockplate for the Lehigh  those other parts go to.  Dennis forgive me, but the less $#@* we buy from the Chinese the better.(political comment)

Bill

[Lucky R A]

   I have a Grizzly Ultimate 14", and I have been using it in full time building for the last 10 years.  Keep them set up correctly and good sharp blades (I prefer carbide tipped) and you should have not problems or regrets.

[Kermit]

That's exactly the saw I have at home. Well, mine's green. I've got a 24" Laguna at the shop, and I actually like the Griz better. Gotta have the big one for resawing veneers though, so need the capacity to rip up hardwoods that may be 18" wide. And if starting fresh, I'd buy a big Grizzly.

$500 in your door is a great price, IMHO.

Set up is critical with any bandsaw, and check it often. Use sharp blades, and carbide if you can afford them. For your use, one will probably last you years--unless you break it. I un-tension the blade every time I shut the machine off (after it runs down, of course).

Look on-line. You'll find lots of info on good set up.

[T*O*F]

If you get the Grizzly, order the optional riser block kit with it.  It increases your cutting height from 6" to 12".  Believe me, it will come in handy down the road when you're trying to slab out a log or straighten one cut out with a chain saw.

[Acer Saccharum]

If you get the riser blocks, do you have to buy custom blades?

[rickw]

If you get the bandsaw, you should get a new blade for it right away. Get a good quality blade like Lenox or Timber Wolf. Timber Wolf blades are amazingly sharp, and cut MUCH better than any blade that will be on the bandsaw when you buy it.
Rick W

[Eric Krewson]

I would move up to the 1.5 hp model G0555X, you can saw small logs with that baby.

Mine is a 1.5 horse, they have boosted the power on the same model to 2 hp since I bought mine.



Find a saw shop in your area that makes blades. I have one locally that makes the equivalent of a Wood Slicer for about $10 a blade.

[T*O*F]

If you get the riser blocks, do you have to buy custom blades?

Not custom, just longer and they are available.  The kit comes with one blade.

[Kermit]

Absolutely get the riser kit. I didn't because I have access to a bigger saw. If you think power is an issue, and you are in a hurry, you might want to spend more to get the 2hp. I can stall a 2hp saw, and so can you. Just use your head. I regularly cut 3 to 4" thick maple--and harder--with mine. And yes, Timber Wolf blades are to be recommended.

[Meteorman]

that's the very saw I have, and have had no problems yet. 
Ditto on what the others have said about blades tho' - you'll want a better one than the Griz standard.
And when you go to lifting that head unit out of the box and onto the base, get your strong neighbor to help, keep your feet clear,  and have the ibuprofen ready.
/MM