Band Saw

[Jerry Gordon]

Down to the final two (I think!).  The Delta 14 in and the new Porter Cable 14 in.  Both pretty much the same saw (same company).  The Delta has the quick tension release and the PC doesn't, but the PC is 'rated' at 1.5 hp instead of 3/4 for the Delta  The Delta is going to be discontinued - at Lowes at least - so parts could be an issue.  It sells for $349 at Lowes and the new PC is $399 at the blue box too.  But neither has a fence so I'd add a Kreg to either one I bought.

I HATE 'which tool to buy' discussions - except when I'm buying!!!

[Larwyn]

I have the Delta 14" and it has always done anything I expect of it. The saw seems to have plenty of horsepower for it's size, I have never bogged it down with anything that I have cut on it. I also ended up getting the Kreg bandsaw fence which I consider to be a great addition to this saw. I'm using the Incra V27 miter gauge which which works out quite well for me on the bandsaw. I have no reservations about my this bandsaw, as equipped, and consider it one of the best tools in my shop.

I know nothing about the Porter Cable bandsaw. I have heard that Delta has dropped the "ShopMaster" name and is now badging that line as Porter Cable. I'm not so sure about that as there has never been a Delta 14" ShopMaster bandsaw (that I know of). My research on the Porter Cable saw, so far, has turned up a bunch of guesses, some of them disguised as "fact".