Grizzly swivel head bandsaw

[chub380]

I almost pulled the trigger on a ellis 1600, but just cant get my self to for the amount of cutting I do. I do realize that buy once is usually the best policy, and usually do that,but I was just wandering how one of those saws would perform with a decent blade? I think their saw is about $395 and the ellis is about $1800,I realize these saws are not really comparable; but the capacity on the grizzly would be enough for me and if the cuts were satisfactory it may be all I would need. Any opinions please. Chub

[admweld]

I,ve run mine for 4 years now on a part time bases and has never let me down.I,ve used probably 5 blades in 4 yrs.The only problem i,m having is i need a new hold down knob to hold the miter position mine is stripped but grizzly sells a replacment for 20 bucks.Not an ellis by know means, but good for the buck.

[Badd00SS]

I have the other grizzly I think the G4030. It's 6X9.5 not a swivel head but its water cooled, I think it was the best purchase I made yet as far as saving time. It was $600, but I have made soo much off it I cant complain.. Just make sure you buy the BI-Metal blades. The tool steel blade lasted 2 cuts on 4130 chrome moly, Im still on the 1st bi-metal blade after about 5-600 cuts so far on 4130, and 100 or so on mild steel channel.

[BC Iron works]

i ordered that $395 saw from grizzly and there out till the end
of sept. i found the same saw at homier .com for $299.00

[chrisgay@sbcglo]

I've bought my share of Grizzly products and have been totally disappointed and frustrated, cut them up, modified them, then sold them . :mad: BUT, I also make my living doing custom fabrication and demand a lot from my machinery. If you aren't going to be hardpressed for all the Ellis has to offer, then I would agree with Admweld and save the buck and it should do you just fine. Now you can put the saved money into other tools! Have fun.

Hey BaddOOSS, what do you think of the Barth shear? You didn't just score that on ebay recently did you? -Sorry for the hijack.

[Badd00SS]

I've bought my share of Grizzly products and have been totally disappointed and frustrated, cut them up, modified them, then sold them . :mad: BUT, I also make my living doing custom fabrication and demand a lot from my machinery. If you aren't going to be hardpressed for all the Ellis has to offer, then I would agree with Admweld and save the buck and it should do you just fine. Now you can put the saved money into other tools! Have fun.

Hey BaddOOSS, what do you think of the Barth shear? You didn't just score that on ebay recently did you? -Sorry for the hijack.

Yeah, I did in PA. It's turned out to be great, I already used it to cut some 3/16 steel plates, 4x4 for mounting plates. $139, paid for itself in one job. I did injure myself fairly bad when I picked it up though, my friend (6'3" 245 lb jacked fireman) dropped it and it crushed my pinky.... other than that it's been great.

[admweld]

i ordered that $395 saw from grizzly and there out till the end
of sept. i found the same saw at homier .com for $299.00

Did you order the homier?I was looking at that before i called grizzly but was skeptical about the lower price and went with grizzly.

[mister honey]

I bought the Homier swivel head saw in 2006.

It is good enough for my requirements.

Mike

[tasslehawf]

i ordered that $395 saw from grizzly and there out till the end
of sept. i found the same saw at homier .com for $299.00

I bought a Chinese knock-off of this saw and was sorely disappointed. It didn't even last through the project I bought it for. One of the wheel bearings got bent; plus the vise didn't even work - I had to use a clamp.

[chrisgay@sbcglo]

I bought a Chinese knock-off of this saw and was sorely disappointed. It didn't even last through the project I bought it for. One of the wheel bearings got bent; plus the vise didn't even work - I had to use a clamp.


Exactly. This has been my experience with the knock-off machines. I purchased them in a pinch to complete a job, but always fought them and ended up modifying them to get them to work properly. In short, I was using a false economy. I had only myself to blame.

I'm not saying these tools are a bad choice for everyone; I can only speak from my own experiences.