Wen bandsaw?

[mcooley]

Anyone either own or try one of these budget Wen bandsaws either 10" or 14"?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-3-5...103?cm_mmc=Shopping|G|Base|D25T|25-9_PORTABLE+POWER%7CNA%7CPLA%7c71700000034127218%7c58700003933021540%7c92700031755124679&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJrfBRC0ARIsANqkS_5t8G3NZZ9Zxpyf64BNrswRAMZx8SyptpyH0yJTcjxqm3QzyHPH02saAoFPEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[jtwood]

I've never owned one, but I see Amazon.com carries the 10", with 366 reviews.  You might want to look at that for ideas.  I didn't look for the 14" one on Amazon.

JT Steve

 

[mcooley]

Saw that too. Seems to get good reviews on Youtube as well. I don't do a ton of work on the bandsaw but would probably use it more than I think so debating to go budget or jump up to one of the usual suspects. I try and keep my shop somewhat mobile as well so wheels would be helpful like on the Laguna. 

 

[peter halle]

This is totally unqualified opinion post.  Wen was never known for their tools decades ago when I worked for a retailer who sold a lot of them.  Today's market is such that sometimes a name from the past will help sell tools.

My suggestion regarding a bandsaw is that if you get an under powered one. one that won't track properly, or has constant adjustability issues, you will regret your purchase and stray away from ever having one again.  That happened to me way back in 1996.  And that is why I don't have one today.

Everyone has a budget.  Rather than buying that new I would suggest looking for a used Delta or other name brand that made a reputation in part by making bandsaws of a higher quality.

Peter

 

[Cheese]

It really depends upon what you're going to use it for.

As Peter pointed out, if there are no blade tracking issues or other major problems with it (and that's a big if), because it draws only 3.5 amps, that's the equivalent to a 1/6 HP motor or slightly less. The average woodworking band saw will have a motor in the 1/2 HP to 1 3/4 HP range.

So it really is application dependent.

Saw blade availability, at 72", may also be an issue because most blades start at 80" and go up.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=32478]mcooley[/member] as mentioned, there are very few things as frustrating as a bandsaw that you can’t get adjusted properly.

In that price range you may be able to find a used 14 inch USA made Delta. The early Craftsman bandsaws also USA made are good as well.

Bandsaws generally only have a couple of bearings that you can still get for these older saws

Ron

 

[travisj]

I would watch Craigslist/Marketplace/etc...  I am in the process of upgrading a bandsaw and sold my old one through Marketplace.  I think there were 4 or 5 14” bandsaws for sale there at the time and mine was the most expensive at $350.

As previously stated, I would want to own a “name brand” saw.  You have a better chance of parts availability, better aftermarket support, and a broader range of users should you run into problems and need advice.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cochese]

For that price, if buying new, I'd go with Harbor Freight. They have a pretty good return policy, and it is based on the other Taiwanese 14" models and will accept their accessories. I currently have a Powermatic riser on mine, bolted right up.

Basically, you're buying a cheaper model in exchange for doing the QA yourself. Mine has served me fairly well, but I will be upgrading soon to a Laguna. But $300 for about seven years worth of service has been a pretty good value. I should get $100 at least by selling it, so even better.