Popular Woodworking 2006-11 № 158, страница 28

Popular Woodworking 2006-11 № 158, страница 28

14" STEEL-FRAME BAND SAWS

Craftsman

General

Grizzly

Laguna

Rikon

Yorkcraft

22401

90-100

G0457

LT14SE

10-325

YC-14WBS

Price*

$479

$700

$775

$1,290 **

$749

$499

Amps

11/5.5

11/5.5

20/10

20

7

14/7

Pre-wired voltage

120v

115v

220v

220v

220v

110v

Speed (fpm)

1,620/3,340

2,300/3,250

3,000

3,350

1,445/2,950

3,177

Tension quick-release

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Blade length

993/4"

101"

106"

112"

111"

100?/8"

Blade range

V8" to 3/4"

V8" to3/4"

V8" to 3/4"

Vi6" to 1"

V8" to 3/4"

V8" to 3/4"

Rack & pinion guide

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Throat depth

135/8"

133/4"

13V2"

13V4"

135/8"

133/8"

Resaw capacity

8"

7"

10"

12"

13"

8"

Table size

203/8" x 153/4"

14" x 14"

193/4" x 143/16"

15" x15"

153/4" x 21V2"

14" x 14"

Table height

433/4"

43"

42V4"

44"

39V8"

413/4"

Table material

Cast iron

Cast iron

Cast iron

Cast iron

Cast iron

Cast iron

Table tilt

0° to 45°

-10° to 45°

-8° to 45°

-15° to 45°

-10° to 45°

-10° to 45°

Table flex

3/64"

3/64"

3/64"

V64"

V16"

3/64"

Wheel material

Cast iron

Aluminum

Cast iron

Cast iron

Cast iron

Aluminum

Dust port(s)

2V2" & 4"

2V2"

4"

4"

4"

4"

Weight (lbs)

241

210

251

242

251

215

*Prices from Amazon.com when available. ** Includes optional mobile base.

*Prices from Amazon.com when available. ** Includes optional mobile base.

A FEW GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Above are the guides on the Grizzly band saw. They are the traditional bearing style, with the side guides positioned on both sides of the blade to keep the blade from moving left or right during the cut. The Grizzly's side guides are actually two pairs of guides (four guides total) that give broader support for wider blades. The thrust bearing (behind the blade) is also a bearing, but the blade pushes against the flat of the bearing. This design has worked for many years, but the guide at right is a more efficient thrust design.

Above are the guides from the Rikon band saw. As are the guides on the Grizzly, they are all of bearing design. The side guides in this case are single guides, which will be fine, but the double bearings on the Grizzly will provide better support for wider blades. The thrust bearing on this saw is mounted so the rear of the blade rides on the edge of the bearing, using the bearing in the way it's designed. This will actually allow the blade to ride against the bearing for excellent support.

The guides on the Laguna (above) are unique in the test. They use ceramic blocks to gu ide the blade both at the sides and at the rear. Ceram ic guides are a good guide material as they pull heat away from the blade and extend the life of the blade. One drawback is that they will wear and will have to be adjusted more often than bearing-style guides. While there are other ceramic block guides on the market, this configuration is designed specifically for Laguna saws. PW — DT

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Popular Woodworking November 2006