Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate 14" Bandsaw
by Grizzly
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Our Price: $525.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate 14" Bandsaw
Customer Review: Watch out for delivery problems.
Summary: 1 Stars
We had to cancel this item. We were contacted by Grizzly after purchasing and told that because the item was 198 pounds that a semi would have to have access to our home (not a problem) and that we would have to unload it (problem). The delivery driver would only push it to the back of the semi. Which meant we would have to get it to the ground. For an extra $30 we could purchase a liftgate that would lower it to the ground, but then we would have to go from there. Still problematic. We were already paying about $80 for shipping. And due to our location, we would have to get the bandsaw on a dolly, wheel it about have a block, turn a corner, wheel it another half a block, and then turn another corner and wheel it another half a block this time on a gravel alley to the garage. Had we known all of this prior to purchasing, we would not have purchased. It needs to be listed somewhere in the product description, shipping, or something that these shipping considerations need to be taken into account before buying. As for the product itself, I do not know about its quality. I will say that when ordering directly from the Grizzly site, I have had no problems. However, I have only ordered small items that could come UPS, etc. Also the quality of other items I have purchased from them has been good-excellent. I rated this as a 1 because I want others to be more likely to read this review so that they understand the shipping issues prior to buying.Customer Review: good value - but grizzly should have quit while ahead
Summary: 4 Stars
You absolutely get great value with this saw. Basically it's an old-school, Delta style, cast-iron 14" band saw. Just like my dad owns! But for 2/3 of the price, including shipping.
And it includes a nice solid, very usable rip fence - not easy to adjust for blade drift, if that's what you're into, though. Wouldn't necessarily recommend this saw if you're heavily into resawing fancy veneers.
1 hp motor is nice and powerful, no complaints there. Out of the box there was significant vibration, but after I tightened nuts on the main bolt holding the top and bottom castings together, this mostly went away. (the nuts are 24 mm, if you're lucky this is the same size as the collet wrench for your router).
As well, there's a blade tension quick-release. It's not quite as comfortable to use as an aftermarket version, but then again it's extremely desirable and, hey, didn't have to pay $150 extra for it.
Here's where grizzly should have quit. Because instead of the old reliable delta-type solid blade guides, they went with roller guides. Which sounds positive, except these are poorly made, don't roll freely, and, what's worse, if you want to install a very narrow blade where you can't use roller guides, there's no easy retrofit.
So you won't regret getting this saw, but grizzly should have quit while they were ahead.
Customer Review: Grizzly is Great!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a fantastic saw, lots of power, very accurate, but also heavy (get help lifting out of the box and up onto the stand). The first thing I used it for was resawing 6 inch wide hard maple; went like butter. Really quality made products here, I also have from Grizzly a drill press and 6 inch joiner. I would recommend mobile bases if you need to move things around due to a small shop, for the price you pay for them they are worth every penny and some.
The only gripes I have, and they are not major, if you are getting a 3/4 blade they do not tell you that the 93 1/2 blade is the easier to put on it, I got the 92 1/2 and it was very very tight to put on even after all adjustments were loosened to their max and because of this it kinked the blade a bit. The only other is their shipping department needs to get organized, I ordered 1 and received 3 bandsaws, all w/ my name on them and 1 had another customers name on it as well. Yes I was honest and had them returned, it helps keep the costs down on their products for all of us!!! Please do the same if it happens to you.
Fantastic machines, customer service, and the best is the low prices for very high quality products. Just buy it no matter what the lady of the house says, make her something when it comes to shut her up, but also remember to clean up your mess afterwards. hahahahaha Enjoy!
Customer Review: Great saw for the value
Summary: 4 Stars
For the price of this band saw you cannot go wrong. I set mine up as follows: 220V, Timberwolf blades, 6" riser kit. I can easily resaw 13" logs with a 3/4 inch TW blade without the saw bogging down. The saw does take some tweaking, once I added the 6" riser the wheels went out of coplainer. I polished all the paint off of the mating surfaces and added a few thin shims and it is close, not perfect but acceptable. the blade tension release and spring need to be upgraded. with a large blade it is hard to get the tension tight enough and when I did I bent the tension bar on the back of the saw. I called Grizzly and they sent me a new set of bars, instead of replacing them I installed both sets at the same time, this fixed that issue. As far as the spring goes, just replace it with a third party spring of your choice. no more problems. The blade guides are good and changing blades is pretty straight forward. The fence that comes with the saw is nothing special but considering most band saws don't come with one it is not bad. You don't get much adjustment for drift but if you get your wheels right you shouldn't need much. one other thing, the saw is top heavy, if you have to move it around you should bolt or strap it to the base so you don't push it over.
Buy the riser with the saw so you only have to set it up once.
Customer Review: Grizzly Ultimate 14" Hmmmm
Summary: 3 Stars
I now have three bandsaws... From 11" 12" and now the Grizzly 14".. and I must compare them all and my Jet 12" is a superior saw for general use... The Grizzly Ultimate is a close runner.. The Grizzly Ultimate 14" saw is not as smooth as I would have expected it to be.. A good product none the less and if it were my only saw I would have graded it at least 4.5 stars but since I can compare I've got to say the Jet 12" is a better, smoother, cleaner, quieter and more handsome saw.. (Just for comparative reasons alone) The Grizzly Ultimate does have some vibration and is a little more noisy.. Also, the saw is not what I call properly balanced on it's stand... Can be tilted forward (towards you) with ease.. Outstanding features on the Grizzly however... The rip fence and miter is super and works great... resawing is a breeze even at a max height of 6".. My saw arrived in perfect condition, easy to assemble and setup... Was up and running in less then an hour.. comes with a crappy blade installed but good enough for setup and general sawing I spose... No wheel brush but has a large 4" dust port.. All and all for the price and quality of the saw is super. Sorry Grizzly, you'll have to settle for Silver on this one as I have to place my JET in the Gold.... If only I hadn't compared this saw I wouldn't have known better..