bandsaw opinions please

[davebrown]

i have run across a bandsaw that appears to be pro-grade, and by the photos, looks almost new. here is the text: PIONEER FLOOR BAND SAW;VERY Gently used 18" Floor Band Saw , $950.

i am going to offer half of that. does anyone know this brand? is an 18" floor bandsaw too much of a monster for amateur level boat building? i have a 14" by HFT, which is usable but not much more...it cannot be used to re-saw the way it is set up, and i don't want to deal with that anyway.

if i bought the floor model, i would probably want it to resaw, including strips for a melonseed i have been ruminating about.

watcha think?

[David G]

I don't know the PIONEER brand, so don't take my comments as gospel. I do seem to have a vague memory of the name... as an off-brand chiwanese tool. Maybe a house brand for one of the mail-order woodworking suppliers?

At any rate... I'd go into it very skeptically. 18" is not too large a bandsaw for backyard boatbuilding, esp. if you're doing traditional type construction. But this saw? Can you view it in person? Do you know what to look for? If not, then I'd hold out for a known quality brand.


"Never knock on Death's door: ring the bell and run away! Death really hates that!"

[TimmS]

I have the laguna 16 http://www.lagunatools.com/bandsaw.lt16.aspx It is a brute, plenty of saw for anything I do. I have resawed 12.5" tall oak with it. very precise and smooth running for delicate work too. If I had the space, I would get a second one to save changing blades all the time, but that has to wait. I would say be very wary of off brands....

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

A bandsaw is a kind of bow. The backbone of the bow has to be stout to be able to apply adequate tension to the blade. For something like resawing where long straight cuts are desired the more blade tension the better. It helps the blade avoid flex.
No matter what the size of the saw, or the name on it, if it doesn't have a heavy-duty backbone it will be a marginal performer because it won't support sufficient blade tension.
You can repair any mechanical problems that show up but there is no way to reinforce the frame if the design is weak.

[Gary E]

I do not know that name... but as other have said, it might be ok.. or...not
What I would do is start by getting the Model and Serial number and calling your local Granger store and ask about replacement tires for it... THEY WILL need replacing some day... and if you cant replace them, skip this saw.

Google found a lot of stuff
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us%3AIE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADBF&q=pioneer+bandsaw&btnG=Search&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g2

[James McMullen]

An 18" bandsaw is barely big enough for boatbuilding. I sometimes even run out of room on my 1908 36" shipsaw.

[davebrown]

i like the way you think james

[John Bailey]

This is the same basic imported saw that Grizzly, ShopFox and General International sells. It's a good general saw and will accomplish everything an amateur boat builder needs. It won't be as good as a Laguna or MiniMax or Aggazani, but it should be be a pretty good saw. It looks like it's the 12" resaw model. With the 2 hp. you should be good to go. Your correct in offering 1/2. That's about all it's worth on the used market.

John