I am planning to purchase my first band saw and need assistance in determining which one to get. I will be using it to cut logs for bowl blanks for turning, plus wood for scroll sawing, plus whatever else appeals over time. I have been reading various articles and web sites to make an informed purchase. I plan to spend in the $1000 range or slightly more. The band saws that have popped to the top of the list include: Rikon 10-325, Powermatic PWBS-14CS, Grizzly G0457, Grizzly G0555X, and Laguna 14SUV.
The issue I want to address in this thread is the power requirements for operating these band saws, and whether they would be safe to operate on my new dedicated power lines.
The Rikon 10-325 1.5 HP manual says it needs 14/7 amps at 115/230 volts and requires a 20 amp circuit. The Powermatic manual says it requires a 30 amp circuit and breaker, but indicates the motor is 11/5.5 amps at 115/230 volts and is prewired for 115 volts which would require a different unspecified plug (appears to be either a NEMA 6-15 or 6-30). The Grizzly G0457 is prewired for 220 volts with full-load current rating of 9.5 amps at 220 volts with plug type 6-15 at 220 volts. No info for Grizzly G055X. The Laguna 14SUV requires 220 volts with 30 amp breaker, but the NEMA plug type is not identified.
I have just wired my workshop (aka garage and storage bin) to have one new dedicated 115 volt 15 amp circuit plus one new dedicated 230 volt 15 amp circuit (has two 15 amp breakers) (both are only 15 feet in length). These are in addition to an existing 15 amp 115 volt line that provides power in the garage and is shared with other things like lights, etc. The new additional 15 amp circuit will be shared by other woodworking tools and used one at a time. The 15 amp 230 volt circuit only has one receptacle and will require the plugs to be changed if I use machines which require 230 volts, like the Craftex CT128N lathe I already have.
My questions is:
Could I use the new dedicated 230 volt circuit with 15 amp breakers to safely power all of the band saws identified above? Would this be a problem with the band saws that specify higher amp breakers like the Rikon (20 amp), Powermatic (30 amp) and Laguna (30 amp)?
The issue I want to address in this thread is the power requirements for operating these band saws, and whether they would be safe to operate on my new dedicated power lines.
The Rikon 10-325 1.5 HP manual says it needs 14/7 amps at 115/230 volts and requires a 20 amp circuit. The Powermatic manual says it requires a 30 amp circuit and breaker, but indicates the motor is 11/5.5 amps at 115/230 volts and is prewired for 115 volts which would require a different unspecified plug (appears to be either a NEMA 6-15 or 6-30). The Grizzly G0457 is prewired for 220 volts with full-load current rating of 9.5 amps at 220 volts with plug type 6-15 at 220 volts. No info for Grizzly G055X. The Laguna 14SUV requires 220 volts with 30 amp breaker, but the NEMA plug type is not identified.
I have just wired my workshop (aka garage and storage bin) to have one new dedicated 115 volt 15 amp circuit plus one new dedicated 230 volt 15 amp circuit (has two 15 amp breakers) (both are only 15 feet in length). These are in addition to an existing 15 amp 115 volt line that provides power in the garage and is shared with other things like lights, etc. The new additional 15 amp circuit will be shared by other woodworking tools and used one at a time. The 15 amp 230 volt circuit only has one receptacle and will require the plugs to be changed if I use machines which require 230 volts, like the Craftex CT128N lathe I already have.
My questions is:
Could I use the new dedicated 230 volt circuit with 15 amp breakers to safely power all of the band saws identified above? Would this be a problem with the band saws that specify higher amp breakers like the Rikon (20 amp), Powermatic (30 amp) and Laguna (30 amp)?
