I'm currently struggling using a cheap, used WEN 10" bandsaw that, well, sucks.
My primary reason for using a bandsaw is preparing green bowl blanks (and other turning stock - hollow forms, spindle, etc). I turn mainly on a 2436 lathe. I have a chainsaw. I don't plan on doing a lot of resawing of large material.
I need help deciding what's important for us woodturners: capacity, horsepower, ceramic vs bearing guides, etc (and obviously cost is a factor).
Questions:
What's important to you in a bandsaw?
Are ceramic guides better for green wood or woodturning in general?
Is 2HP sufficient enough or should I push for 3HP?
Is a 14" machine going to do everything I need it to do long term or would 17~18" models be much better to have?
Some candidates (all are 220v w/ brake):
Laguna 18BX, 3HP, ceramic guides, $2600
Laguna 14BX, 2HP, ceramic guides, $1600
Grizzly G0513X2BF 17", 2HP, bearing guides, $2000
Harvey C-14, 14" , 3HP, bearing guides, $1995
Rikon 10-353, 14" 3HP, bearing guides, $2000
Availability is also an issue. Laguna is backordered until October '21, by some sites. Rikon until mid/late August.
Feedback appreciated. Thanks
My primary reason for using a bandsaw is preparing green bowl blanks (and other turning stock - hollow forms, spindle, etc). I turn mainly on a 2436 lathe. I have a chainsaw. I don't plan on doing a lot of resawing of large material.
I need help deciding what's important for us woodturners: capacity, horsepower, ceramic vs bearing guides, etc (and obviously cost is a factor).
Questions:
What's important to you in a bandsaw?
Are ceramic guides better for green wood or woodturning in general?
Is 2HP sufficient enough or should I push for 3HP?
Is a 14" machine going to do everything I need it to do long term or would 17~18" models be much better to have?
Some candidates (all are 220v w/ brake):
Laguna 18BX, 3HP, ceramic guides, $2600
Laguna 14BX, 2HP, ceramic guides, $1600
Grizzly G0513X2BF 17", 2HP, bearing guides, $2000
Harvey C-14, 14" , 3HP, bearing guides, $1995
Rikon 10-353, 14" 3HP, bearing guides, $2000
Availability is also an issue. Laguna is backordered until October '21, by some sites. Rikon until mid/late August.
Feedback appreciated. Thanks