Grizzly G0513X2 Bandsaw with Cast Iron Trunnion, 2 HP, 17-Inch

The first thing you need to know about me is that I am the guy who is actually saddened when I get a new tool running perfectly. Tinkering with the machines is at least half the fun of woodworking! I say this so you will know that at least half the stuff I talk about probably won't be an issue to most people.The delivery truck arrived on time and the driver was very courteous. He moved the saw all they way into my shop. There was no damage to the crate or exterior packing, but when I removed all the wrapping, I saw the top door was bent. Grizzly promptly sent me a replacement. (Thank you, Danielle) Note to Grizzly... I have seen at least three other reviews describing this same kind of damage. I think someone is trying to force the door closed without the latch knob being lined up with the pin.I first thought that I was missing a bag of screws and bolts and stuff. I searched through the packing three times before I realized that there just aren't that many parts required. Everything was there. Assembly was straight-forward and the directions were clear and easy to follow.I can't say yea or nay on the blade that was supplied. I immediately took it off and installed a Timberwolf 1" 2/3 blade. It took some fiddling to get everything tuned up. That set screw for the back bearing on the bottom is a real pain, as others have noted. You can do it, but it is a hassle. One thing that is not in the manual is that the top guide bearings were not tracking on the same plane as the blade. The good news is that it is adjustable. Loosen two set screws on the column and rotate the assembly as necessary. Grizzly Technical support walked me through how to do it. (Thank you, Lewis!)When I was researching band saws, I decided to save a few bucks and buy this model. Who needs a foot brake on a band saw? I can now tell you that this thing is so heavy and well balanced that it coasts for about thirty seconds when you shut it off. Sometimes it might be nice to have an easy way to stop the blade quickly. Just sayin'...Bottom line.... I just cut a piece of 6" wide seasoned maple and the difference in thickness from the top to the bottom is less than 1/128th of an inch. The quality of cut is comparable to what I get from my table saw. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that I would get this kind of performance from a band saw at this price.I could not be happier.

I do not have this EXACT saw. I bought this model saw about 2 months before they introduced the cast iron trunnion - oops. I guess that was about 2 years ago. My saw has the same model number, and the only difference that I can tell is that the trunnions on mine are stamped steel instead of cast iron.I am lucky enough to live reasonably close to the Grizzly location in Pennsylvania. The day I bought this, I drove to Grizzly to buy their old 14" model, which was out of stock. The folks at the showroom were kind enough to let me power one of these on and make a few cuts. My experience with Grizzly has been that you get what you pay for, so I had been skeptical about sinking almost $1000. I remember an old review in Fine Woodworking that mentioned that the grizzly box frame saw was a very rigid, very solid saw. I also liked the blade guides and cast iron wheels.The bad:The table is a fairly thin casting. There was a curious hole in the outside edge right where the slot is cut that allows for blade installation. You have to drive a tapered pin into the hole to hold the thin table flat. It works, but is slightly unnerving to see your cast iron table flex back to flat every time you remove that pin. It's not really a fatal negative, but the blade guides are a bit of a pain. They use metric hex head screws for adjustment, so you have to have a tool box handy for any minor adjustment to the guides. I can't speak much for the fence. I didn't like the extruded aluminum mounts, so I never use it. I installed it, but it didn't ride well on the rails. I have shopmade plywood fence that I clamp to the table after adjusting for drift if I ever need any semblance of accuracy for resawing.The good:The saw functions just as it should. I turn it on, the blade moves, and it cuts whatever I feed. I have it hard wired to a fusible switch, and the fuse did blow once, which was weird. I generally use the saw to cut up green logs for wood turning, so I have a very wide, very aggressive skip tooth blade. I have never broken a blade (I think I bought a couple timberwolf blades when I bought the saw), the blade guides stay in adjustment, and the quick release blade tension lever comes in handy. The thin table is what keeps the saw from being 5 stars.Bottom line:I can't understand how there is a better value for the money out there. Lots of competitors sell saws in this size/capacity for hundreds of dollars more. It has been reliable and easy enough to use. If you're like me and need as much capacity for as few dollars as possible, this is a winner.Disclaimer:Please keep in mind that I take very good care of the tool and am the only one that uses it. I am also very experienced with setting up machinery and am patient enough to fuss with the setup. It might not hold up in an industrial application where careless operators stress the heck out of the machines. I can't speak for it under continuous use.

I had a problem with the recommended wheel base. the lower blade change door will barley open with the saw seated. I raised the saw with 2 layers of 3/4 inch plywood and adjusted the base for 1/4th inch larger each way so that the saw is on the plywood securely. then with 3/8th X 41/2 inch carriage bolts secured the saw to the base. nothing else poses any problem. I have had the saw 3 days today I turned it on , so smooth and quiet operation. Tustin Lloyd

It breaks all saw blades over 3/4 wide, no matter this new one only lasts 5 minutes of work and breaks at the blade joint, but if I put a 1/2-inch blade it won't break it I sell it at half price because I no longer want to see it in my store

The media could not be loaded. Like most that are looking to do a major purchase like a bandsaw for their garage workshop.....a lot of research goes into this before a trigger is pulled. I am no exception to this I read and reread everything I could get my eyes on....even after deciding to go with Grizzly I still took way to long to decide between the GO555XH and G0513X2.....I am so happy with my choice so far...have not done a lot yet but have completed the nickle challenge for a stability test on a mobile stand....to perfection. Once I try resawing I will update my review...but so far my little shop has a new boss and I am very happy....also wanted to say great delivery came roughly a week earlier than expected.....I am a new Grizzly fan.

You won't be disappointed with this saw. Word to the wise tho, order a new blade when you order the machine. Then when everything arrives, take the blade that comes on the badsaw and throw it directly into a trashcan..