Trying to decide b/w Jet spindle sander and Jet bandsaw

[ear3]

I'm in a bit of a bind looking forward to the 15% sale on JET equipment starting later this week.  I was all set to pull the trigger on the benchtop Spindle Sander, JBOS-5.

But then I started thinking about the opportunity to upgrade my crappy bandsaw to the 14" JWBS-14SF:
https://www.toolnut.com/Jet_714500_JWBS_14SF_14_Steel_Frame_Bandsaw_p/714500.htm

I had originally put a new bandsaw on the back burner pending a rewiring of my shop for 220 so I could get a heftier machine.  But when I think about my needs in the future I'm wondering if I'm making the perfect the enemy of the good.  I would use it for curved parts for furniture and built-ins, and occasional resawing of boards, though probably ones under 8".  I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this bandsaw and what they think of it.  It has 1 3/4HP, basically the max you can get from a 110V machine.  It's resaw capacity is listed at 13 1/2", though I know sometimes the specs fall far short of actual performance when it comes to resawing. 

I'm assuming it can handle the things I plan to do now, but my main concern is that it doesn't leave room to grow if I start doing more substantial resawing.

 

[blaszcsj]

I have the floor model and my dad has the bench model of the sanders. Both are very nice and very handy for finishing template work. FYI there is a 3" drum available for the bench top model that aides in smoothing large curves.  I don't have a nice bandsaw yet so I use the jigsaw to cut out the base template and the sander to finish the curve. If you are getting into inlay or resale worth then that is the reason to get the band saw. If you do a lot of template work the sander would be good.

Also on bandsaws I am really looking hard at the Laguna models due to their guide system which seem to get rave reviews.

Just my two cents.

 

[Kev]

From my research I'd be hard pressed to go by the Laguna 14 SUV in that bandsaw class. I'm not knocking Jet, just my appraisal based on a lot of tyre kicking to date.

I'm also incline towards the Laguna spindle sander, by their SS24 ha a tilting spindle (not the table) which will be beneficial for things I'm planning.

If your bandsaw is REALLY CRAPPY I'd replace that first, but if it's still functional I'd go the sander and wait to replace the bandsaw.

 

[ear3]

Went with the oscillating spindle sander.  That was going to be required no matter what to clean up the curved template work I'm doing.  Will continue to mull options on bandsaw as I plan the rewiring.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I would get the Laguna SUV.  It's a great saw.  The Jet only has a 1 3/4 hp motor.  The SUV has a 3hp motor.  Also Laguna just came out with the BX thats also a great saw.

 

[ear3]

Thanks [member=40343]Tyler Ernsberger[/member] Yeah, I think that's the one I'm going to get, as anything bigger would crowd out my shop.  Just a question -- I've read a couple of reviews that complain about the Fence on the Laguna compared to what one gets on cheaper saws.  Any truth to that?  And if so, does Laguna offer a better fence option?

I would get the Laguna SUV.  It's a great saw.  The Jet only has a 1 3/4 hp motor.  The SUV has a 3hp motor.  Also Laguna just came out with the BX thats also a great saw.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Thanks [member=40343]Tyler Ernsberger[/member] Yeah, I think that's the one I'm going to get, as anything bigger would crowd out my shop.  Just a question -- I've read a couple of reviews that complain about the Fence on the Laguna compared to what one gets on cheaper saws.  Any truth to that?  And if so, does Laguna offer a better fence option?

I would get the Laguna SUV.  It's a great saw.  The Jet only has a 1 3/4 hp motor.  The SUV has a 3hp motor.  Also Laguna just came out with the BX thats also a great saw.

Everyone I have talked never mentioned any issues with the fence.  They just say it's a great saw.  Lagunas are normally best overall in Fine Wood Working.  My local Woodcraft has problems keeping them in stock.  They said they are selling about 10 of them a month. 

 

[Kev]

Carter make some interesting bandsaw upgrades/accessories.
http://www.carterproducts.com

 

[nickao]

I'm in a bit of a bind looking forward to the 15% sale on JET equipment starting later this week.  I was all set to pull the trigger on the benchtop Spindle Sander, JBOS-5.

But then I started thinking about the opportunity to upgrade my crappy bandsaw to the 14" JWBS-14SF:
https://www.toolnut.com/Jet_714500_JWBS_14SF_14_Steel_Frame_Bandsaw_p/714500.htm

I had originally put a new bandsaw on the back burner pending a rewiring of my shop for 220 so I could get a heftier machine.  But when I think about my needs in the future I'm wondering if I'm making the perfect the enemy of the good.  I would use it for curved parts for furniture and built-ins, and occasional resawing of boards, though probably ones under 8".  I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this bandsaw and what they think of it.  It has 1 3/4HP, basically the max you can get from a 110V machine.  It's resaw capacity is listed at 13 1/2", though I know sometimes the specs fall far short of actual performance when it comes to resawing. 

I'm assuming it can handle the things I plan to do now, but my main concern is that it doesn't leave room to grow if I start doing more substantial resawing.

Get the sander.

Don't even think for a second that that 1.75hp 110V band saw is near what the 220V 3 to 5hp band saws are. Resawing an 8" board with that is not fun. Resawing an 8" board on my 3HP 220V machine is like cutting through butter. If you are going to be cutting things like a 3" thick hardwood curved part, the larger bandsaw makes life so sweet, fun. You can literally design your shop around a large band saw, like may do with a table Saw.

I have that sander, I have 4 band saws, but the band saw I use most of all are my 10" and my 19" 220V 3HP. The other two sit more often than not.

If you have the space and funds for more than one band saw and can afford the 220V machine down the line that's a different story, but if it's only one or the other, wait, wait, wait, for that larger BS.

 

[Lbob131]

The hammer N4400  is a nice band saw  with 3.5hp.

 

[Brandon]

I just got a Laguna BX 2.5H, 220v, they're currently 10% off. Really happy with it so far, and for the same price as the Jet you're looking at id say it's a substantially better saw.

 

[Kev]

The hammer N4400  is a nice band saw  with 3.5hp.

[member=15545]Lbob131[/member]

The trick is not to go and look at it in the Felder showroom or you'll see the FB510 and be ruined [sad]

 

[ear3]

Thanks.  Yeah, I think I made the right decision to hold off on the bandsaw until I'm ready to integrate the 3HP unit.

I'm in a bit of a bind looking forward to the 15% sale on JET equipment starting later this week.  I was all set to pull the trigger on the benchtop Spindle Sander, JBOS-5.

But then I started thinking about the opportunity to upgrade my crappy bandsaw to the 14" JWBS-14SF:
https://www.toolnut.com/Jet_714500_JWBS_14SF_14_Steel_Frame_Bandsaw_p/714500.htm

I had originally put a new bandsaw on the back burner pending a rewiring of my shop for 220 so I could get a heftier machine.  But when I think about my needs in the future I'm wondering if I'm making the perfect the enemy of the good.  I would use it for curved parts for furniture and built-ins, and occasional resawing of boards, though probably ones under 8".  I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this bandsaw and what they think of it.  It has 1 3/4HP, basically the max you can get from a 110V machine.  It's resaw capacity is listed at 13 1/2", though I know sometimes the specs fall far short of actual performance when it comes to resawing. 

I'm assuming it can handle the things I plan to do now, but my main concern is that it doesn't leave room to grow if I start doing more substantial resawing.

Get the sander.

Don't even think for a second that that 1.75hp 110V band saw is near what the 220V 3 to 5hp band saws are. Resawing an 8" board with that is not fun. Resawing an 8" board on my 3HP 220V machine is like cutting through butter. If you are going to be cutting things like a 3" thick hardwood curved part, the larger bandsaw makes life so sweet, fun. You can literally design your shop around a large band saw, like may do with a table Saw.

I have that sander, I have 4 band saws, but the band saw I use most of all are my 10" and my 19" 220V 3HP. The other two sit more often than not.

If you have the space and funds for more than one band saw and can afford the 220V machine down the line that's a different story, but if it's only one or the other, wait, wait, wait, for that larger BS.

 

[Tayler_mann]

Thanks.  Yeah, I think I made the right decision to hold off on the bandsaw until I'm ready to integrate the 3HP unit.

I'm in a bit of a bind looking forward to the 15% sale on JET equipment starting later this week.  I was all set to pull the trigger on the benchtop Spindle Sander, JBOS-5.

But then I started thinking about the opportunity to upgrade my crappy bandsaw to the 14" JWBS-14SF:
https://www.toolnut.com/Jet_714500_JWBS_14SF_14_Steel_Frame_Bandsaw_p/714500.htm

I had originally put a new bandsaw on the back burner pending a rewiring of my shop for 220 so I could get a heftier machine.  But when I think about my needs in the future I'm wondering if I'm making the perfect the enemy of the good.  I would use it for curved parts for furniture and built-ins, and occasional resawing of boards, though probably ones under 8".  I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this bandsaw and what they think of it.  It has 1 3/4HP, basically the max you can get from a 110V machine.  It's resaw capacity is listed at 13 1/2", though I know sometimes the specs fall far short of actual performance when it comes to resawing. 

I'm assuming it can handle the things I plan to do now, but my main concern is that it doesn't leave room to grow if I start doing more substantial resawing.

Get the sander.

Don't even think for a second that that 1.75hp 110V band saw is near what the 220V 3 to 5hp band saws are. Resawing an 8" board with that is not fun. Resawing an 8" board on my 3HP 220V machine is like cutting through butter. If you are going to be cutting things like a 3" thick hardwood curved part, the larger bandsaw makes life so sweet, fun. You can literally design your shop around a large band saw, like may do with a table Saw.

I have that sander, I have 4 band saws, but the band saw I use most of all are my 10" and my 19" 220V 3HP. The other two sit more often than not.

If you have the space and funds for more than one band saw and can afford the 220V machine down the line that's a different story, but if it's only one or the other, wait, wait, wait, for that larger BS.

I bought the 1 1/2hp jet bandsaw during the last 15% off sale and also recieved another 10% for the floor model and it was in their system as the 1 hp system so I technically got it for 50% off. I actually bought it because I was sick and tired of using jig saws for my rough curve cuts. I have now got it tuned correctly and with the correct blade I have resawn 10" boards no problem. I have to go a little slower but haven't had any major issues doing any tasks with it. I think it comes down to the right blade for the right task and also having your machine tuned properly. My mentor came over and spent a good hour explaining how things work on a bandsaw and why and how the blades are to be set and the way the machine performed after he set it up compared to my first attempt was completely different. If you wouldn't have known you would have thought it was a completely different machine.

I still one day will buy a Felders for a bigger machine is always better, however the jet had performed it's duties in my shop more than adequately for a $500 purchase.