Any users: Grizzly G0803Z - 9" Benchtop Bandsaw

[BelairPlayer]

I’m looking at this bandsaw. Any owners of this unit here? Looks to be the best one in this price range. Would like to hear any real user feedback.

Grizzly G0803Z - 9" Benchtop Bandsaw w/ Laser Guide & Quick Release - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>G0803Z 9" Benchtop Bandsaw with Laser Guide</h1> <h2>Portability and superior cutting performance with enough power to not bog down on hardwoods.</h2> <p>The Grizzly G0803 that was awarded as Top Value by <em>Wood Magazine</em> for its combination of features including an efficient 1/3 HP...

www.grizzly.com

 

[Peegoo]

@BelairPlayer

Two years ago I was looking for a small bandsaw and I went to all the tool places (Woodcraft, Rockler, all the usual 'pro-sumer' sellers, etc.) and did a bunch of homework. The Grizzly is the same one sold under other brand names.

I considered Rikon, Laguna and several others, and here's the surprising outcome: Skil.

WHAT? Yeah. The Skil 9" band saw rose above the competition because it had fewer plastic parts and the quality of components was beefier, and fit and finish were pretty dang good for a small benchtop saw.

It has been trouble free and I've used it a bunch. It's perfect for cutting out guitar bodies and resawing to 3.5".

I don't know about the current (2022) version of the Skil, because it has changed.

 

[BelairPlayer]

@BelairPlayer

Two years ago I was looking for a small bandsaw and I went to all the tool places (Woodcraft, Rockler, all the usual 'pro-sumer' sellers, etc.) and did a bunch of homework. The Grizzly is the same one sold under other brand names.

I considered Rikon, Laguna and several others, and here's the surprising outcome: Skil.

WHAT? Yeah. The Skil 9" band saw rose above the competition because it had fewer plastic parts and the quality of components was beefier, and fit and finish were pretty dang good for a small benchtop saw.

It has been trouble free and I've used it a bunch. It's perfect for cutting out guitar bodies and resawing to 3.5".

I don't know about the current (2022) version of the Skil, because it has changed.

Appreciate the feedback. I’ll throw that one in the research column.

 

[Vibroluxer]

@BelairPlayer

Two years ago I was looking for a small bandsaw and I went to all the tool places (Woodcraft, Rockler, all the usual 'pro-sumer' sellers, etc.) and did a bunch of homework. The Grizzly is the same one sold under other brand names.

I considered Rikon, Laguna and several others, and here's the surprising outcome: Skil.

WHAT? Yeah. The Skil 9" band saw rose above the competition because it had fewer plastic parts and the quality of components was beefier, and fit and finish were pretty dang good for a small benchtop saw.

It has been trouble free and I've used it a bunch. It's perfect for cutting out guitar bodies and resawing to 3.5".

I don't know about the current (2022) version of the Skil, because it has changed.

Just curious, does the Skil have cast iron wheels? My old Craftsman Professional ( there's that word again) had cast them and it ran very smoothly but I don't know if it makes a difference vs the cast aluminum.

 

[Peegoo]

Just curious, does the Skil have cast iron wheels? My old Craftsman Professional ( there's that word again) had cast them and it ran very smoothly but I don't know if it makes a difference vs the cast aluminum.

No, they are aluminum. Pretty beefy for what they are, with rubber tires, tire scrubber, and large bearings.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Bottom line here...what do you want to use it for? That's a pretty small machine, so use case matters.

 

[BelairPlayer]

Bottom line here...what do you want to use it for? That's a pretty small machine, so use case matters.

The use case is limited hobby use, for cuts where a jig saw just won’t quite seal the deal, etc.