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Post by sdb777 on May 25, 2010 10:00:42 GMT -6
In the market for a good band saw, would love the Grizzly 555 but the shipping seems to be a serious hassle.... Looking locally(okay, with 25miles), I have found Sears to have this in stock: >>>>> Link to Band Saw <<<<< Lot of good reviews.....always better then the bad reviews. Seems to come with all the accessories I would want to have on it already.....bonus, no hassling with online odering for things that should have been on the saw in the first place. Price seems to good to be true.....everyone less with the same stuff wants at least $300 more Is the blade lenght a "standard" that would be pretty easy to replace with something of better quality when I need one? Anyone here ever own this saw? Comments? Anything....good, bad, or ugly? Scott (on a budget....and like the wife I have) B |
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Post by TDHofstetter on May 25, 2010 12:53:08 GMT -6
Not having used it, I can see three drawbacks - otherwise it looks like a neat saw. First, the ball-bearing roller guides. They're nice, but they cannot physically be adjusted as near the work as solid guides can be. They Can't be readily replaced with solid guides, while saws with solid guides can usually be readily adapted to roller guides. The second drawback is the fixed resaw capacity of 8". There's noplace to mount a riser block for greater capacity... like say if you want to resaw lumber nearing 12" in width. Third is that oddball blade length. Common 93" blades won't fit it. Surely folks like Sufffolk Machinery have TimberWolf blades that size, but ya can't just drop by any ol' tool shop in a hurry & grab an emergency blade. EDIT: Could I interest you in this instead? www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xn8/R-100041658/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 |
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Post by sdb777 on May 25, 2010 14:01:59 GMT -6
I have actually read one review on that saw, and it wasn't all that good of a review. So while picking up a few more 10" table saw blades, I gave it a once over. Most of the problem revolved around the upper wheel being severely out of balance. Causing the saw to 'walk' around even when connected to a heavy homemade stand.
It sure didn't 'feel' like a good saw, especially when I had just drove in from Lowe's and had looked at it's competition(Porter-Cable 14")
Been watching Craigslist, but haven't found anything that was in my price range/driving range...for the right $$$. Thought I had found one until I saw the price was actually higher then a new one at a store. Someone will probably buy it, not knowing any better.....but it won't be me!
Scott (might have to go look at this one) B
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Post by brburns on May 25, 2010 14:02:08 GMT -6
Don't do the Ridgid BS. I did, wish I didn't
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Post by Beezlebub on May 25, 2010 16:19:50 GMT -6
Don't do the Ridgid BS. I did, wish I didn't Why? I have one and after setting it up correctly it cuts just fine. I did some 6" x 3' resaw of maple just fine, I just need to buy a good Timberwolf blade. |
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Post by brburns on May 26, 2010 6:32:53 GMT -6
The wheels were badly out of ballance, i ballanced them. The pulleys have terrible runout; I need to get new pulleys. The frame bent when I used a 3/4" Timberwolf blade. It doesn't come with a fence. I bought it new and haven't abused it, so I think that the manufacturing was very poor. I hear it's about a 50/50 shot with them wether you get a good one or a junk one. I would also prefer a larger motor for resawing.
I tend to try to avoid using it much.
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Post by sdb777 on May 26, 2010 6:51:46 GMT -6
Thanks for the input, and I agree that the Ridgid model is a hit or miss. Really wish the review(s) would get posted on the websites that sell them. After all, someone has to be buying them, or they would discontinue selling them...right?
Not as concerned with the riser block availability... The Sears saw will do 8-1/8" already. And I'd primarily be using it as a blank maker(be them either small bowl blanks, bottle stopper blanks, or pen blanks). The chainsaw mill that I have would be used to get the roughing size, and the band saw would either finish the 'roughing' or cut blanks.
The table saw I have will only cut a thickness of 3-1/8", so the other 5" that the Sears model could cut would mean the difference between night-n-day. And the table saw blades seem to wear at a really high rate, for their cost....
Did a research online for replacement blades. Seems to be quite a few offered out there(not just Sears stock).....
Might go look at it tomorrow, after the PostOffice and therapy?
Scott (just lookin' really honey) B
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monty
WoW Member
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Post by monty on May 27, 2010 20:37:47 GMT -6
I have the Grizzly G0555 and love it. Only problem I've had is the guide bearings go out, but it may be the cheap source I'm using to replace them. Shipping wasn't any problem so don't let that keep you from getting it.
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sawduster
Moderator 
The Motley Crew
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Post by sawduster on May 28, 2010 9:47:15 GMT -6
I was wondering what the shipping problems were. Griz ships so much stuff that they get a major break on prices, which they do pass on. For me it has been easiest to pick up from the local freight depot, and I would advise them when the shipment was getting close that I would pick it up at the dock. Once you have the carrier's company name you can determine what freight depot will be used.
From what I have heard from others, when the local depot knows they'll be delivering to a residence, they generally send it out in a lift gate truck whether you've paid extra for it or not. They'd rather do that (I think most all local delivery trucks will have a lift gate anyway) than hassle with maybe having to spend extra time unloading or making a second trip.
If you pick it up yourself, once you get it home and open it up while it's still on your truck or trailer, you'll find that the pieces it is broken down into are fairly easy for one person to handle. Toughest part for me was getting the top assembly in place on top of the riser kit.
If you get the 0555, do splurge for the riser kit then if you're gonna want to add it at some time. Saves doing a couple heavy lifts twice, plus paying twice for blades.
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Post by woodmannie on May 28, 2010 19:42:18 GMT -6
Monty,
Try a true hardware store. Mine carries tractor parts, and I can get good bearings cheaply.
I second the riser block, better right away.
Tom
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Post by sdb777 on May 29, 2010 5:02:51 GMT -6
Shipping the Griz stuff here would require me driving to Little Rock, finding their terminal, loading the freight, driving home, and off loading by myself.
I would be spending $74 for shipping, to turn around and spend another $20 to go pick it up....not to mention that the surgery I'm still waiting on would keep me from actually picking it up.
The simplest definition of shipping is to deliver the product all the way to the destination. Not, the customer has to now drive 29miles to a freight depot and hope someone is providing customer service at the place(been to these places to often not to already have a bad taste in y mouth)! Or...pay an extra $30 to drive it to your neighborhood, have the driver open the back door and go sit down while you try to get 198lbs out of the back of the truck...5' to the ground!
Now if I were to order say a JET, the thing would be sitting in front of my garage door, and someone would come to my door and tell me that, "We already have it sitting in front of the garage....have a nice day!".....that is the definition of 'delivery'.
Scott (hassle = no sale) B
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sawduster
Moderator
The Motley Crew
Posts: 1,831
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Post by sawduster on May 29, 2010 8:54:39 GMT -6
Is Griz now charging extra for residential delivery? Just checked their site and no mention is made. Why would the Jet be delivered to your door and not the Griz?
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Post by sdb777 on May 31, 2010 4:02:15 GMT -6
Jet doesn't use a 'freight company'....
Grizzly does....
A lot of people have commented on the Grizzly delivery at Amazon. Some knew about the extra $$ for delivery, and some tried to say they had no idea(thought that was wierd considering the number of people that reviewed it).
Scott ($74 for delivery, but don't forget the extra $30.....uh?) B
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Post by brburns on May 31, 2010 7:01:13 GMT -6
Last summer when I got my Griz planer, they didn't charge extra for residential delivery. I did pay extra for the lift gate. It was well worth it since they lowered it on the lift gate then backed up and set it right down on my shop floor.
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Post by mcbryde on Jun 3, 2010 9:10:41 GMT -6
Just go buy it if you want it Scott, I'll be there to help you unload it when you need me. Just get it delivered on a Saturday if possible!
E
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Post by Leo Voisine on Jun 3, 2010 15:32:55 GMT -6
My Grizzly band saw was delivered directly to my house. I borrowed a pallet jack to get it into the garage.
It was an uneventful delivery. Easy. And it was a 17" saw.
For my shop, if it was me doing the buying - it would be the Grizzly.
You will deal with a little hassle ONE tine, and ONE time only.
Trust me --- any saw you buy, is going to be a hassle on delivery.
You will live with whatever saw you buy - EVERY DAY - thereafter.
Which saw do you WANT in your shop? Get that one.
I got the saw that I really WANTED - and I am glad I did. I have completely forgotten the delivery part.
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Beamer
Forum Management 
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Post by Beamer on Jun 3, 2010 18:41:18 GMT -6
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Post by woodmannie on Jun 3, 2010 18:51:55 GMT -6
My grizzly had free shipping.
Ok, I drove to Muncy and got em. BS and TS. Good to be close enough to drive there. 25 in gas is way cheaper.
Tom
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Post by sdb777 on Jun 4, 2010 4:25:05 GMT -6
You are correct about the reviews that are out there on Amazon, but with so many of them, there must be 'some' truth to them. Most all drivers that deliver goods on a liftgate truck would gladly 'help you out', but there is always the one that would bring the box to the back of the truck and go sit in the cab and watch you. Years ago....I drove over-the-road long haul and had to do a lot of driver offloads. Hated 'having to' get the product out of the truck, especially after driving all night to get to the destination on time. Scott (shoot me those positive delivery stories) B |
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Post by Leo Voisine on Jun 5, 2010 10:47:56 GMT -6
Interesting thing about reviews
If you are pissed about a product - you will surely want to make as big a fuss about it is you possibly could. Therefore - you will very likely post a bad review - even without thinking about it. In fact you will likely look for ways to post your poisen.
HOWEVER - if you are really happy with a product - you will be FAR less likely to post about it.
Soooo - for every bad review - here are likely 10 happy campers.
Read that somewhere.
Grizzly products are great products - I don't care what the reviews say.
Yes - Yes - you certainly want to read the reviews. If there is the exact same story on every review you might be able to expect a problem --- "maybe"
I got the 17 Griz 513x -- I am VERY very happy with it. In fact I am so happy with it - that it is VERY, very, likely that my next major purchase is going to be Grizzly.
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