Grizzly Industrial G0555X - 14" 1-1/2 HP Extreme Series Bandsaw

I've given the saw 5 stars, but that's because I can't split my rating. Its actually 4.5 stars, but its definitely better than 4 stars, hence the 5 stars rating.That said, I'll review the saw with the idea that someone looking to buy it will find my review useful in making their decision. The saw arrived quickly, but I am only 3 hours from the point of origin. I have definite concerns with Grizzly's shipping policies, but that isn't relivant to the quality of the saw.When unpacking the saw, be careful as its very heavy. I had the box on a furniture dolly and slid it down until the bottom of the box was sitting on the floor. I removed the top foam so the saw was exposed. Check the foam carefully because they have parts stored in cubby-holes on both sides. I put a piece of 3/4" wood under where the feet would end up, and carefully lifted the saw to a vertical position. I tilted it forward and my wife slid a second piece of wood under the middle of the feet. I was then able to remove the bottom foam portion.The saw arrived in excellent condition despite some tears in the lower sides of the box. One of the plywood inner pieces was cracked where a forklift had hit the side of the box, but everything inside was secure.Assembly was straight forward. The instruction manual is written in standard English and the pictures help to clarify any areas that might cause you concern. I had the entire saw assembled in about 2 hours, and I wasn't in any particular hurry.The reason I would give the saw 4.5 stars is because of the adjustment process. All went well until it came time to level the extension table to the main table. They used allen head cap screws and allen head set screws with lock nuts. The allens were different sizes. They did provide the allen wrenches necessary to install the table, but two different sizes became a major pain to work with. You begin by loosening the cap screws under the extension table, then screwing in the front two set screws until the front of the extension is level with the main table. Then you repeat the process for the two rear set screws.Once you get the rear of the table level, you start again on the front because its not level any more. You redo the front, then start all over with the rear. All this is done while standing on your head to work under the table top. I finally got the table level and was able to tighten the cap screws. When that was done, the extension was no longer level, so you start over again. It took about an hour to do, but I finally got it done. Its a bit exasperating, but unless you really need to remove the extension table for some reason, it should be a one time job. Once the lock nuts were secured, the extension was locked firmly in place.The rest of the adjustments were easily accomplished.The saw runs very smoothly with almost no vibration. Its relatively quiet, but compaired to my old one, its noiseless. I've only cut a couple pieces of wood for a test, but the cuts were made using the miter gauge and came out dead square. Plus, even with the package blade, I was impressed with the smoothness of the cut itself.I like the cast iron wheels and miter gauge, as well as the built in work light. I didn't use the stand supplied as I already had a rolling cabinet for my previous Grizzly band saw, and chose to reuse it. The stand is definitely stout if you want to bolt the saw to it.I would recommend the saw to anyone who wants an up grade to their current saw, or even to someone just starting out. Its spendy for a first saw, but it should last a good long time and provide a lot of excellent service.

This machine is so quiet it almost scares me. If left running in a noisey shop you may not know it is running so be cautious. It is heavy duty and heavy. Although not required the delivery person did run my machine up the driveway and into my shop. Yes It would be easier to have help to unpack and setup but I was able to do it myself and I am not a jock. I tipped the box up on end and then cut the box away from the top portion. The base comes in a separate box.Because I was going to install the riser block I took the top wheel off while the machine was still on the floor. Next I set the base onto the wheels. The base itself is heavy so it is best to get this part all adjusted and leveled before setting anything on it. Let's stop right here. The reason I gave this 4 instead of 5 stars is because after all the details the machine has like the light, dust port, tension release, enclosed base with shelf, etc. why they could not come up with a base with the wheels attached to it rather than using a separate mobile base I don't understand. I then lifted the bottom of the machine onto the base which is very heavy because of the motor, installed the riser block and top wheel.I used the H3051 Riser Block Kit which was not machined very well and needed to be shimmed. I also used the HTC 2000 Universal Base because this is the one Amazon recommended and not the one you find in the machines manual.See my separate reviews on these.After final preparation I am very satisfied with this machine. I am sure down the road I may want some improvments if I decide to do a lot of specialized cutting but right now for a residential in the garage small business type use this is all the machine I need.

Great saw. Takes patience and time to set up correctly. The tensioner system is just a guide, at best. Expell any thoughts you have of using it as your blade width to tension ratio rule book. Get close by feel and use the flutter method on every blade change and it'll work out ok. Remember to adjust your fence for drift on every change out as well or you won't be able to resaw or get square cuts. Powerful machine but I switched immediately to Timberwolf blades. The ones (I ordered the riser) that came with it are terrible. I recommend this saw.

Easy set-up and runs well I would recommend this saw to a friend. The two bolts holding the scale with magnifying window to the table was missing other than that everything was included and well packaged.

I am getting back into woodworking. After researching bandsaws and matching them to my requirements / needs current and anticipated, the G0555X wone hands down.

I fought several weeks with this saw and was very discouraged because I could not keep the thin blades on. Grizzly Tech support was no help. The kid told me to sand a groove in the top tire. Disgustef, I finally removed the tensioning mechanism and found a threaded set collar tha I was able to move enough to put proper tension on the blade and thus keep it on the saw. Now maybe I will begin to like this saw.

Worked great!

Easy set up! Haven't used it much yet, but so far works well!