Awl--
Some of you responded to earlier queries about the 16" DoAll. Two are available now, asking $1250, both look in good shape, one newer than the other--one is 45xxxx, the other 46xxxx serial number. Most of the bells/whistles--hanging weight/feed, multiple table guides, blade welder, little oiler on the blade guide (!), blower, variable speed, etc. The slightly older one has a transformer, the newer one does not. Iny ideas on the purpose of this transformer? I don't think it's for the blade welder, which has its own built in xformer.
The Roll-in is a pretty neat item, also asking $1250. For those not familiar with it, picture your $199 4x6 jobby in the vertical position, make the table about 20x24"--iow, a vertical band saw w/ a twisted blade, so you can cut any length mat'l. Now imagine the blade being able to move back and forth in/out of the table. You can then *fix* material to the table, and the blade rolls into the work. It's like having your 4x6 jobby upright, on wheels, sliding back and forth into work held on a separate table. Of course, you can use it as a regular vertical band saw
And, the whole saw is on wheels, as well. Really an interesting saw, has about the same capacity as the DoAll--not as tall (table is considerably lower than the DoAll),or nearly as heavy, but it has a bigger footprint than the DoAll.
4 speed, roller guides, which are grooved to accept the kerf and a variety of blades, 1/2" and 3/4" for sure. I'm not sure if the table tilts.Also single phase, DoAll is 3 ph.The DoAll, however, has some available attachments, really wild, that some of you may not know about.
- You can twist the blade 45 OR 90 degrees!! Which makes it now sort of like the Roll-in, and with extra pulleys, probably could get the weight to do feed in the material at these angles also.
- Blade *sanding* AND *filing* attachment. Saw a file blade, but not in action--a blade w/ *dozens* of sections of 3" length files attached!! .
The Roll-in, in a small shop, seems over-all more manageable, but the DoAll has more bells/whistles, variable speed, etc. But, the Roll-in is *much* simpler, lighter, albeit w/ a bigger foot-print.
Also, keep in mind I have a big-assed Kalamazoo automatic hydraulic cut-off saw (and the 4x6 jobby), so the feed capability of either band saw is not critical.
What would you all do, and why?
-- Mr. P.V.'d formerly Droll Troll