bonsainut
Member
Registered: 03/09/10
Posts: 169
Loc: Orange County, CA
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Looking at 14" bandsaws, and thinking the Grizzly may be my choice. However they offer several 14" versions and I am considering the two higher end versions - the G0555 "ultimate bandsaw" or the G0555X "extreme series bandsaw".
The standard version comes for $450 plus shipping. The extreme version comes for $695 plus shipping. So what does the extra $250 get you?
"We made the stand heavier, the table bigger, and the cast iron wheels stronger to take on your toughest jobs. We've even added a Re-saw Fence and a built-in light." Plus the motor was upgraded from 1 HP to 1.5 HP. The weight increases from 210 lbs to 262 lbs, so there is an extra 52 lbs of "stuff" in there somewhere.
Would it be worth the extra money to you? Or would you rather spend the $250 elsewhere (on other tools or accessories)?
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jinky
Member
Registered: 09/22/08
Posts: 160
Loc: Horse country, KY
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I got mine a couple years ago for around $400 when Microsoft Live was running their cash-back offer. It's a nice saw especially with the riser but I don't think I'd pay $700 for it. After all it's still a single-speed 14" bandsaw. If my budget were $700, I'd keep an eye out on the secondhand market for a 17" or 20" saw.
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Tapper
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Registered: 10/12/99
Posts: 5390
Loc: Helena, MT USA
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Welcome to the Forum! I just looked at these two saws on Grizzly's web site and there is a noticeable difference to me in the two, feature-wise. You've pointed out several of the important ones. FWIW my first bandsaw was a 14" Griz, one they had before the introduction of the Ultimate Saw. It was a good saw and served my needs. I later sold it and bought an 18" Rikon when they first came out and am happy with that purchase too.
I think it depends on what your eventual goal is in determining which model to buy. If you want a nice saw to use until you eventually upgrade to a larger saw with a more powerful motor for resawing, then I'd opt for the lower priced one. If you think you will keep the saw for a long time and it will meet all your needs in the foreseeable future, then you might want to spend the extra dough and go for the Xtreme.
Bandsaws are pretty basic machines, much like jointers. With a good guide system and at least a 1 HP motor they will do most woodworking jobs, if you take your time and have patience. The Xtreme saw has a lot of features found on some of the "higher-end" saws, for less money IMHO. The Griz G0555 line has been a favorite around here for quite a while with many members having purchased it over the last few years. Also Grizzly Customer Service gets consistently high marks.
HTH,
Doug
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MKepke
Member
Registered: 07/09/01
Posts: 5287
Loc: rural Raleigh, N.C.
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Disclaimer: I do not own these saws, but I do own two Delta 14" saws and a 'proper' resaw bandsaw.
If I had to pick between these two particular saws, I would pick the G0555 and save the $300-odd bucks because IMO the stated improvements don't justify the spend.
I would value the larger table and larger motor, but if you read the 'award' excerpts on Griz's own page for the 0555, none have found these things lacking in the 0555.
The other changes would have little value to me because again, the 0555 is not lacking in these areas (stand doesn't wobble, wheels don't break, the normal fence resaws fine, a light is <$20).
The 0555x seems to be 'gilding the lily' as they say.
-Mark
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If I had a signature, this wouldn't be it.
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Bill_de
Honored Veteran
Registered: 03/30/05
Posts: 10095
Loc: Delaware
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bonsainut said:
"We made the stand heavier, the table bigger, and the cast iron wheels stronger to take on your toughest jobs. We've even added a Re-saw Fence and a built-in light." Plus the motor was upgraded from 1 HP to 1.5 HP. The weight increases from 210 lbs to 262 lbs, so there is an extra 52 lbs of "stuff" in there somewhere.
I would go for the better one. I believe cast iron wheels are an advantage over the aluminum wheels. The closed cabinet gives you storage, since it doesn't house the motor. The light and fence are things you would probably add anyway, and of course, more power is always good 
I have a Powermatic 14" which I bought as my last bandsaw. So far that thought hasn't changed. Except for housing the motor in the enclosed cabinet, the better Grizzly is about the same.
As already stated, if this purchase is for a stepping stone to a larger saw, then the cheaper one might make sense. If this is for a permanent, or semi-permanent addition to the shop, the extra $250 over the life of the saw is minimal.
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Bill
ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION
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Mr Eddie
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Registered: 10/12/03
Posts: 149
Loc: Columbus, Ohio
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The bigger table would be nice to have. And the higher fence and light are nice additions too. That said, a well tuned basic bandsaw with 1hp is capable of doing almost anything you'll need unless you get into heavy duty resawing. The extra cash could buy you a nice plane or two. Now, just to add more angst to your decision - If you have the room (and the cash) it's nice to have two bandsaws. Buy a 14" and a larger size too! 
Lonnie
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bonsainut
Member
Registered: 03/09/10
Posts: 169
Loc: Orange County, CA
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Mr Eddie said:
Now, just to add more angst to your decision - If you have the room (and the cash) it's nice to have two bandsaws. Buy a 14" and a larger size too!
Lonnie
LOL - you're killing me
Size is at a premium in my shop. It is actually one car of a three car garage, so I have to have everything on mobile bases so I can move tools around depending on the project. I already have the "footprint" reserved for a bandsaw, but I can't go too large because I just don't have the space. I am already getting rid of extra "stuff" in the garage just to free up a little room here and there. I feel like I work in a giant tile puzzle - where I am always moving tiles around in order to do anything
Thanks for all the suggestions! Given that this bandsaw will need to last me for a while, I am starting to lean in the direction of the upgrade.
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gsmayes
Member
Registered: 10/30/08
Posts: 257
Loc: Waterford, MI
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I say the cheaper one. All things considered, if you'll spend $700 for a 14" bandsaw, might as well add $150 for their 17" model. But sounds like you can't because of space constraints.
But, I don't have any of these saws; my 1940's Delta w/o riser and 1/4 HP GE motor work fine for it's 6" max cut.
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Cian
Maxed out Honored Member
Registered: 12/17/02
Posts: 17818
Loc: The Windy City, USA
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Not meaning to take anything away from Grizzly, but another saw to consider is the Jet 14" Deluxe bandsaw:
http://www.tools-plus.com/jet-710116k.html
- 12" resaw height
- 1-1/4hp motor
- quick blade tension release
- upper and lower ball bearing guides
- 4" dust port
- cast iron wheels (as reported by one owner on Amazon)
- rack and pinion blade guard height adjustment
- 5 year warranty
What makes this saw unique is that it comes standard with a 12" resaw capacity, but this is not achieved via a riser block (extra cost w/ Grizzly) as is the norm with 14" cast iron saws. Instead, the upper half of this saw is a new single casting with an elongated throat.
Anyway, starting tomorrow, Jet will have a promo sale through the weekend, and if you buy from www.tools-plus.com, shipping is only $6.50.
You may want to clarify, but this may not come with the fence as pictured. However, this saw would only be $778.50 shipped it seems.
Just throwing out another option.
Edited by Cian (03/10/10 12:22 PM)
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lscraig
Member
Registered: 04/02/02
Posts: 3545
Loc: Douglasville, GA
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I have had one for almost 3 years and love it. The cast iron tables and wheels are nice. Very solid saw. So far the saw has done everything I wanted it to do.
The tension spring is strong and the saw runs great. The only thing I would change would be to wire it up for 220V if you have 220 in your shop.
The only complaint is that 1/4" blades do not want to stay centered or they stretch out too quickly, so I use 3/8" or 1/2" blades most of the time.
The reason I got the 14" saw was like you, I had limited space but wanted the capability to resaw veneers if I chose to do so.
If you are strapped for cash though, I would definitely check out the used market or the display models at the local store. You may get a hidden jewel by shopping around.
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Thank You,
Shawn Craig
My Home Page
"I used to know a lot of things before I lost my mind." Sylvia Stoner 1993
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Cian
Maxed out Honored Member
Registered: 12/17/02
Posts: 17818
Loc: The Windy City, USA
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lscraig said:
If you are strapped for cash though, I would definitely check out the used market or the display models at the local store. You may get a hidden jewel by shopping around.
Yup. What he said.
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The Neanderthal Braintrust and The Power Index
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bonsainut
Member
Registered: 03/09/10
Posts: 169
Loc: Orange County, CA
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Trying to get to an apples to apples comparison. Assuming fence, miter, extension(riser) and mobile base for all saws, here is a comparison of price (commercial delivery):
Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate 14" Bandsaw: $664
Grizzly G0555X 14" Extreme Series Bandsaw: $919
Jet 708115K JWBS-14CS Closed Stand Bandsaw: $904
Jet 710116K JWBS-14DXPRO Deluxe Pro Bandsaw Kit: $1018
If I skip the extension(riser) kit, the prices are:
Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate 14" Bandsaw: $594
Grizzly G0555X 14" Extreme Series Bandsaw: $849
Jet 708115K JWBS-14CS Closed Stand Bandsaw: $804
Jet 710116K JWBS-14DXPRO Deluxe Pro Bandsaw Kit: $1018 (comes with riser, standard)
The differences here being size of motor, type of stand, and other features related to tensioning, wheel type, balancing, etc.
Does this change anyone's opinion?
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Cian
Maxed out Honored Member
Registered: 12/17/02
Posts: 17818
Loc: The Windy City, USA
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Well, if I was willing to spend that today, I'd (maybe save a little more and) get one of these instead: Grizzly G0513 for $944 shipped plus a mobile base
And then buy one of these next year for the really curvy stuff: Craftsman 10" benchtop bandsaw
Otherwise, I'd wait it out in the used market. In my observation, many of the ridiculous deals in recent years often appear in California.
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The Neanderthal Braintrust and The Power Index
Edited by Cian (03/10/10 01:08 PM)
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jinky
Member
Registered: 09/22/08
Posts: 160
Loc: Horse country, KY
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I forgot to mention earlier...
If you do choose Grizzly, I recommend you avoid their Shop-Fox mobile bases. My biggest regret with my G0555x purchase was buying the S-F base to go with it. Every time I watch the guys on the Woodsmith TV show effortlessly move their 14" Powermatic bandsaw around, I get jealous...
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guyk
Member
Registered: 11/06/05
Posts: 4270
Loc: portland or
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jinky said:
I forgot to mention earlier...
If you do choose Grizzly, I recommend you avoid their Shop-Fox mobile bases. My biggest regret with my G0555x purchase was buying the S-F base to go with it. Every time I watch the guys on the Woodsmith TV show effortlessly move their 14" Powermatic bandsaw around, I get jealous...
try upgrading the casters i did this on the sf base under my sander 800+ pounds and now it moves very nice just had to drill a couple new holes and make sure the swing of the caster clears the sides
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learning from my mistakes and at this rate i should be ready for my doctorate
jack607 said:
#1 Never, never wait till you need a tool to buy it!
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Cian
Maxed out Honored Member
Registered: 12/17/02
Posts: 17818
Loc: The Windy City, USA
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jinky said:
If you do choose Grizzly, I recommend you avoid their Shop-Fox mobile bases. My biggest regret with my G0555x purchase was buying the S-F base to go with it. Every time I watch the guys on the Woodsmith TV show effortlessly move their 14" Powermatic bandsaw around, I get jealous...
I've had the same experience with their Heavy-Duty mobile base.
The G7314Z is rated for 700lbs per the printed catalog, but, oddly, the website now says 500lbs. 
I have a G1021X2 planer on one (~530lbs) and it struggles with the weight.
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The Neanderthal Braintrust and The Power Index
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Cian
Maxed out Honored Member
Registered: 12/17/02
Posts: 17818
Loc: The Windy City, USA
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May be a stretch, but a dream saw for many. 
And in your neck of the woods. 
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The Neanderthal Braintrust and The Power Index
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bonsainut
Member
Registered: 03/09/10
Posts: 169
Loc: Orange County, CA
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A little out of my league  Plus it's 230.
It's amazing how you can start looking at something thinking $500 - $600, and end up looking at something priced $1550 I'd buy a saw like that and I'd have to buy $3000 worth of resaw hardwoods just to justify it
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Cian
Maxed out Honored Member
Registered: 12/17/02
Posts: 17818
Loc: The Windy City, USA
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bonsainut said:
It's amazing how you can start looking at something thinking $500 - $600, and end up looking at something priced $1550
Welcome to the Club, err, I mean, Forum!
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The Neanderthal Braintrust and The Power Index
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bonsainut
Member
Registered: 03/09/10
Posts: 169
Loc: Orange County, CA
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jinky said:
If you do choose Grizzly, I recommend you avoid their Shop-Fox mobile bases. My biggest regret with my G0555x purchase was buying the S-F base to go with it.
Is there another base that you would recommend? Is it just the weight or some other aspect of the stand that causes the issue (in your opinion)?
I've had saltwater aquariums on mobile stands before, so I'm used to working with heavy casters when required - 1000 lbs is nothing when you're talking water
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Cian
Maxed out Honored Member
Registered: 12/17/02
Posts: 17818
Loc: The Windy City, USA
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Grizzly does offer a "Super" Heavy Duty base rated for 1300lbs but I have no experience with it.
In comparison, my 14" Delta bandsaw is on a dedicated Delta mobile base, and it rolls around rather easily. I can get the footprint of the Delta mobile base if you'd like.
Actually, I am surprised that Jinky had a problem with his ShopFox moble base... again the bandsaw is only roughly 200 lbs. I had my Jet contractor saw (~350 lbs) on the ShopFox prior to using it for the planer, and I remember it maneuvering around easily enough. It was only when I used it for the 15" planer (~530 lbs) where it shown its limits.
As an additional note, I have an 8" jointer on a HTC manufactured mobile base and it rolls around very easily - almost too easy.
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The Neanderthal Braintrust and The Power Index
Edited by Cian (03/10/10 03:31 PM)
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MKepke
Member
Registered: 07/09/01
Posts: 5287
Loc: rural Raleigh, N.C.
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bonsainut said:
Trying to get to an apples to apples comparison. Assuming fence, miter, extension(riser) and mobile base for all saws, here is a comparison of price (commercial delivery):
Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate 14" Bandsaw: $664
Grizzly G0555X 14" Extreme Series Bandsaw: $919
Jet 708115K JWBS-14CS Closed Stand Bandsaw: $904
Jet 710116K JWBS-14DXPRO Deluxe Pro Bandsaw Kit: $1018
If I skip the extension(riser) kit, the prices are:
Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate 14" Bandsaw: $594
Grizzly G0555X 14" Extreme Series Bandsaw: $849
Jet 708115K JWBS-14CS Closed Stand Bandsaw: $804
Jet 710116K JWBS-14DXPRO Deluxe Pro Bandsaw Kit: $1018 (comes with riser, standard)
The differences here being size of motor, type of stand, and other features related to tensioning, wheel type, balancing, etc.
Does this change anyone's opinion?
Ultimately the decision is yours. But I'm still of the opinion that you haven't described your needs as anything that couldn't be fulfilled perfectly adequately with the G0555.
And here, I'll save you $40: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/8831
-Mark
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If I had a signature, this wouldn't be it.
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Bill_de
Honored Veteran
Registered: 03/30/05
Posts: 10095
Loc: Delaware
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Cian said:
Grizzly does offer a "Super" Heavy Duty base rated for 1300lbs but I have no experience with it.
In comparison, my 14" Delta bandsaw is on a dedicated Delta mobile base, and it rolls around rather easily. I can get the footprint of the Delta mobile base if you'd like.
Actually, I am surprised that Jinky had a problem with his ShopFox moble base... again the bandsaw is only roughly 200 lbs. I had my Jet contractor saw (~350 lbs) on the ShopFox prior to using it for the planer, and I remember it maneuvering around easily enough. It was only when I used it for the 15" planer (~530 lbs) where it shown its limits.
As an additional note, I have an 8" jointer on a HTC manufactured mobile base and it rolls around very easily - almost too easy.
I'm pretty sure my Powermatic base is made by HTC. It carries the weight with no problems.
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Bill
ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION
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kurt18947
Member
Registered: 04/17/05
Posts: 378
Loc: SE PA
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The Rikon 10-325 is a popular choice and was just on sale at Woodcraft. Think it was $699 and it'll go on sale again though I don't know when.
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jinky
Member
Registered: 09/22/08
Posts: 160
Loc: Horse country, KY
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I agree; I think the Shop Fox casters are the culprit and it's why I recommended avoiding them assuming my experience was par for the course. My homemade jointer base uses casters from Hartville Tool and it carries more weight yet it's easier to move around the garage. Replacing the Shop Fox casters on the bandsaw has been on my to-do list for a while now.
But in any event, if you have to spend $30-$60 to replace the casters on a new mobile base, you'd have been better off just buying a different base. Or building one (shop projects don't much simpler than building a mobile base).
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Cian
Maxed out Honored Member
Registered: 12/17/02
Posts: 17818
Loc: The Windy City, USA
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jinky said:
But in any event, if you have to spend $30-$60 to replace the casters on a new mobile base, you'd have been better off just buying a different base. Or building one (shop projects don't much simpler than building a mobile base).
I concur. Decent casters are NOT cheap. 
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The Neanderthal Braintrust and The Power Index
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bonsainut
Member
Registered: 03/09/10
Posts: 169
Loc: Orange County, CA
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MKepke said:
Ultimately the decision is yours. But I'm still of the opinion that you haven't described your needs as anything that couldn't be fulfilled perfectly adequately with the G0555.
Thanks Mark. I agree my needs are relatively simple. But I LOVE bandsaws - they are my favorite tool in the shop. I'd hate to get one and feel like I need to upgrade shortly thereafter. It may however be a little like my table saw. I used an entry-level Delta for years - and when I upgraded I was amazed by the difference. However I learned to work around the tool's capabilities so that now that I have a better saw I can really appreciate what I have. Perhaps it is the same thing with a band saw purchase - start smaller and then upgrade when I will appreciate the difference.
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