Hello! I have been searching for a bandsaw to recut walnut for sometime now.  I wanted to purchase new, but with all being made outside of America, I had to turn to the used market. I found this one locally at an online auction. I can go look at it on December 1st. The auction closes on December 4th. It currently is at 325.00.  It is a Grizzly GO513ANIV.  Here is a link to the auction. https://iversonauctioncompany.hibid.com/lot/271361225/grizzly-g0513anv-30th-anniversary-17--2hp-bandsaw?ref=catalog
 

A few questions for the group. 
1. Does Grizzly make good equipment? 
2. When I go look at it, what should I be looking for? (I’ve never owned a bandsaw before)

3. What is a fair price to bid for this piece? It was manufactured in 2014. The current version is available new for 1295.00 with 255.00 shipping. 
 

Thanks for your opinion, I appreciate it!

Found this review-

https://www.woodbrew.tv/blog/good-bad-and-ugly-grizzly-g0513anv-bandsaw-review

 

I would not hesitate to buy a Grizzly product. Looks like it's wired for 220v but literature says it can also be rewired for 120v. I imagine to price will go up closer to the closing time. 

 

I'm sure some of the other members will be along shortly who have more experience with bandsaws

Thanks @lew That review was pretty glowing for sure. I have purchased woodworking equipment at auction before and did VERY well with it.  So I’m not really afraid of an auction.  But I enter into an auction with a fixed price in mind. I won’t go over that amount. Something my dad taught me. I already have a 220 circuit ready for a bandsaw. I did that when I had to run a special circuit for my surface plainer I bought at an auction. It is a beast and even came with new blades.  I did put a safety switch on it and a new cord. But I have been incredibly impressed with the quality.

Hope some of our more experienced guys stop in with more thoughts.

I have a Grizzly 14 inch GO555 . It is only 1 hp and I added a riser. As long as I use a sharp blade it does not disappoint and I have pushed it beyond ripping 6 foot logs and such. I did add carter guides. Look at the tires which are on the wheels and the blade runs on. Don't worry about blades as you will probably have to change. Look for cracks in the table as cast iron can have problems. If possible plug it in and run it for a few minutes.

 

Personally If it is in good condition I would not hesitate to go as far as 700. My saw is almost 30 years old and still going strong.

Grizzly tools are at least as good as any other Asian imports, and a lot times better. Another plus is that Grizzly is fairly reliable on parts and customer service. Like Lew Said, i wouldn't hesitate to buy anything Grizzly.

I’ve owned 2 Grizzly band saws. The 1st one was a 1 hp and I had that for years, when I started turning bowls I wanted one with a taller cutting height. I offered my old one up on Facebook marketplace it sold in less than a day, and I bought the G0817, 2 hp . Mine came pre wired for 115 and I thought I’d wait to upgrade it to 220, after a year or so of using it, I really don’t see a need to. It has plenty of power and is very versatile. I also have a Grizzly surface planer. I have no qualms about recommending Grizzly, the few times over the years I’ve need parts or service they’ve been there to help. 
I think @Gerald has you covered as to what to look for. 

Good luck. 

Thank you gentlemen for the replies and advice. I am very appreciative of your time and efforts.  With it being so close, I will drive and go look at it, hopefully be allowed to run it. This would be my first bandsaw, but over the last couple of years wanted one for a variety of reasons.  There is also a drum sander that I will take a peek at.  It is also a Grizzly and made to run 240v. Closed in at 16” but if the price was right, maybe it too could be in my shop. 

So yesterday I went and had a look at the bandsaw and the drum sander. The bandsaw is a solid 8 out of 10, and the drum sander a 7 out of 10.  Both units appeared to be well taken care of and both would look good and get some good use in my workshop.  The drum sander isn’t exactly what I am looking for, much more industrial than hobby. But the price appears to be reasonable.  It would require me to add a 220v circuit to operate it, but that is reasonably easy to accomplish.  The bandsaw is set up to run on 220v, but can be switched to 110v. I have a 30 amp 120v special circuit for my surface planer already in place. 
 

Transporting them could be a challenge. Both weigh in around 350#. I have access to an open trailer with a ramp. Offloading into my shop would be the problem.  I may stop and see my neighbor who runs a machine shop and see if he could help. Or possibly contact the local tow company to see what they would charge to lift the units onto concrete.  My garage door is 8’, and it would need the height for the bandsaw. That thing is a beast for sure. 
 

Anyhow, the auction runs till Thursday evening. I have my max prices ready in my head, and the money set aside. It could be a good opportunity to greatly enhance my woodworking shop.  I’ll let you know how it goes. 

That’s a nice find. Grizzly stuff is generally solid for the money, especially for hobby shops. When you go look at it, just check that the wheels spin smoothly, the motor starts cleanly, and nothing is cracked or bent. If the guides and bearings look a little worn, that’s normal and easy to fix.

Price-wise, if it’s in good shape, anything in the $400–$600 range is pretty fair compared to buying new.

Edited December 3, 2025Dec 3 by ASteinfield

Well the auction closed, I didn’t win 😐  The bandsaw went for 775.00 and the drum sander went for 450.00. The drum sander was a “better” deal, but both were more than I wanted to spend for 10+ yr old equipment.  My search will continue.  Thanks to everyone that took their precious time to respond to my questions.  I am very grateful.  

Missed this somehow. Bummer things didn't pan out this time but you never know. Only takes two at/on an auction. Good on you for having a max limit and sticking to it.

 

If you have FB, (I don't but my wife does) search Marketplace within your local area  for bandsaws &/or Woodworking Equipment. Craiglist also has some occasionally listed too.