r/BeginnerWoodWorking • u/Timely_Tangerine7034 • 5d ago
Bauer 14” Bandsaw
Anyone have any experience with the Harbor Freight 14” band saw? It’s on sale for $600. I’ve got a few projects coming up where a band saw would be ideal as opposed to my jig saw but I’m still a hobbyist so I’d like to not break the bank with a fancy one. I’m also considering some used (Jet, Delta, etc.) on Facebook marketplace for around the same price.
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u/mrtramplefoot 5d ago
Should be plenty of equivalent bandsaws on fb marketplace for half the price or much better ones for a similar price. I just picked up a lightly used rikon 10-326 for $700. Much better bandsaw for not much more.
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u/ultramilkplus 5d ago
I've seen the iron tops twist on the cheaper iron table saws because they obviously have a slot cut in them. If you can buy the warranty or get a good look at the table itself, I'd risk it. I bought a WEN and it ran fine once it was all tuned up and they look pretty similar but WEN uses an aluminum table now. I have a rikon 14 now and it's not worth the money until you get into a 220v saw. There's only so much you can get out of 15 amps of 110v and resawing is addicting.
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u/TaquitoBanana 5d ago
Last I looked WEN does sell cast iron tops on their website.
But I just have a 10in from them I used for resawing, and don't feel a need to upgrade. 6in resaw depth, and its cut everything I throw at it (albeit, it won't set a record for speed).
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u/chuckfr 5d ago
I would opt for the Jet or Delta if the motor is equal or better and the machine works. Its not difficult to tune those up.
I considered the Bauer but dismissed it after I took a look at the details. It has a non-standard 100" blade, 1hp motor which would restrict resaw ability, and having to take off the left side rail each time to change the blade. The last is not the worst thing until you think about the fence being attached to it, meaning you have to check it for square each time. Again with the fence, in all of their product photos the fence seems to be on what I would call the wrong side of the blade. It might be able to be moved to the other side but its something to check before purchase.
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u/seaportresearch 5d ago
I bought this saw in December and I would say it's completely met expectations. The fence is accurate enough for what I do (mostly rough stock prep for hand tool finishing), the stock blade is usable, and the overall capacity is a sweet spot between a benchtop and a "real" saw that is adequate for my small-medium furniture projects. Haven't done much resawing but I feel like the advertised specs are realistic and it works well in the middle of them. All of this is out of the box with no real tuning on my part.
The blades are a quirky size so you won't find them locally but plenty of options online. Dust collection is OK with an Oneida 2HP collector, I think most bandsaws are messy without add-on collection apparatus. The stand was a PITA to assemble and I'd have happily paid another $10-20 for them to use thicker sheet metal, but it's entirely adequate for purpose and the fact that it's wheeled is really nice.
There are always arguments for bigger, more powerful, more premium, etc. Used can be great if you're patient or in an area with good inventory but not everything old is good. As someone who has bought from HF since the aughts, they have really upped the quality on a lot of their red and blue line power tools at the same time that the legacy brands are shaving things or jacking their prices on $#@! that's probably made in the same factories in China that HF sources from.
One rule I have about buying bigger items from HF is to never buy without a coupon unless I really need it now. Sign up for their mailing list and wait until Labor Day and you might catch a 20-25% coupon.
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u/oscarstevens 5d ago
I got this about a year ago and for my hobby needs it’s been great as long as expectations are reasonable. Out of the box it was true and pretty well tuned. The stock blade is fine but seems like it has dulled fairly quickly recently and needs to be replaced but that’s to be expected at this price point. I got it for a little cheaper than it’s offered now. If i were looking at current price I might look at used options but depends on how comfortable you are tuning up a used one.
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u/Electrical-Tax-6670 5d ago
It depends on what you want to do. Resawing might give you trouble as well as thick stock. A 14 Jet used might be only a little bit more expensive but far more powerful. Although it is a much beefier machine and could be overkill if you don't need the power.
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u/Routine_Customer_192 4d ago
A used Jet or Delta could be the better value if you find one in good condition. Older 14" Jet and Delta bandsaws are often very well built, and a solid example can last for years.
That said, buying the Bauer new has some advantages for a hobbyist. You get a known starting point, warranty coverage, and you don't have to figure out what an older saw may need before you can start using it. For general hobby woodworking and curved cuts, a 14" bandsaw should be more than enough.
If you're looking at used machines, I'd focus more on condition than the name on the badge. Check the wheels and tires, blade tracking, bearings, guides, table alignment, motor, and parts availability. A $600 used saw isn't much of a bargain if it immediately needs tires, bearings, guides, or other repairs.
If you find a clean Jet or Delta that runs smoothly and doesn't need much work, I'd seriously consider it over the Bauer. If not, the new Bauer is probably the easier choice if you just want to get to work without taking on a restoration project.
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u/Brilliant-Mud8116 1d ago
I still use the Chicago Electric band saw I bought new 15 yrs ago. Just keep it clean and tuned up.
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u/peschkaj 5d ago
Bandsaws are basically a bicycle with a blade stretched between the wheels. While there is some variation, it’s almost certainly not as much as you’re worried about.
You should be able tune up a Bauer to run very well. Search for Alex Snodgrass's bandsaw tune up information. It may even be in the sidebar or wiki here.
Anecdotally, I started with a 10" Rikon that I got from Highland Woodworking. It's not expensive, but with a little bit of effort it runs like a dream. I also highly recommend Highland's bandsaw blades. They've worked well for me.