Bench Top Machines

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by pufame

Does it cut straight?

This is more a function of properly setting up and adjusting the saw, as opposed to an inherent quality of the saw.

A band saw is easy enough to set up correctly, but I have rarely seen it done (outside my own shop). You cannot just put on a blade and go, all of the guides must be adjusted, and checked frequently as they do drift a bit, especially on smaller machines.

Even a small benchtop machine will perform well if adjusted and operated properly. And, like DeepWater wrote, choosing the right blade is critical for best results. Don't be afraid of changing the blade for different cuts, a band saw isn't "set it and forget it" like a table saw.

Don

[artdutra04]

Four years ago, 228 bought a benchtop Ryobi 10" drill press and 9" band saw from Home Depot when they were having a sale on them, for use in the pits at our competitions. Although [our local] Home Depot usually doesn't stock the metal blades for the band saw, we've always had good luck with finding blades at Lowe's.

We've never had any problems with the tools either for their intended [intermittent] use in the pits and during busy days in the build season when all of our other shop equipment is being used. They're pretty decent tools, but many of them contain a little too much plastic for me to recommend them for heavy (ab)use in a shop environment.

If I was going to purchase "primary" tools for a shop environment, then I'd go with the traditionally high quality/heavy duty brands like Craftsman, Delta, DeWalt, or Milwaukee to name a few. My father and I personally buy all Craftsman tools for our home shop whenever possible, as their high quality and lifetime warranty are well worth the few extra bucks.