What bandsaw?

Seagreen

Seagreen

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Replacing the jigsaw, but as I tend to use a jigsaw clamped in a work-mate as though it was a bandsaw, perhaps life is telling me to upgrade. So which DIY or semi professional small bandsaw do others find useful? Are there any I ought to avoid?

I intend to use this for cutting blocks occasionally us to 4" thick. Does this mean I need a massive floor mounted monster, or can I get away with a smaller machine and just push the wood through much more slowly?
 
I am not very keen on small hobby bandsaws, though they no doubt have their uses for very light work.

For the sort of stuff you are looking at, you will halt a low powered model very quickly. I bought a saw similar to this about 4 or 5 years ago, it has been fine:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-awhbs310n-bandsaw-prod804564/

It is certainly not of trade grade but it has a good capacity, takes a fair size blade, has a cast table and roller bearings on the blade guides. It is not stopped easily.

I am a full on cheapskate but I think, in the case of a bandsaw, it is worth going heavy rather than light.
 
Cheap hobby bandsaws are a waste of time and money. A secondhand Startrite 352 like this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Startrite...ies_Carpentry_Woodwork_ET&hash=item4ac179c986
- make sure it is single phase (unless you have 3 phase available of course). Many are ex-school, so may have had little serious use, but best to see it running and cutting if possible.
I've had my 352 from new for 30 odd years, nearly always fitted with a 3/4" 3tpi blade, and it is fine ripping 4", and will do thicker 6" or 8" stuff with care and a sharp blade.

Whatever you buy, get a decent blade from someone like http://tuffsaws.co.uk/.
 
I agree with Doug. I bought a bandsaw from MachineMart and it just didn't do the job. I got my money back as there were defects with it anyway and went out and bought a Metabo BAS317 which is floor standing, has a cast base and is generally bullet proof. It came with 4 bands of differing sizes but I bought some decent ones which made a lot of difference. It is the fisrt time I have used a bandsaw and there was a bit of a learning curve to go through. The thing I found most important was to keep the blade tension up which stops the blade twisting and generally makes things easier.
 
I have a Record BS300. Chinese made. It's not top quality but it does the job. I got it at a good discount from an exhibitor at a woodworking show
 
doug748 said:
I am not very keen on small hobby bandsaws, though they no doubt have their uses for very light work.

For the sort of stuff you are looking at, you will halt a low powered model very quickly. I bought a saw similar to this about 4 or 5 years ago, it has been fine:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-awhbs310n-bandsaw-prod804564/

It is certainly not of trade grade but it has a good capacity, takes a fair size blade, has a cast table and roller bearings on the blade guides. It is not stopped easily.

I am a full on cheapskate but I think, in the case of a bandsaw, it is worth going heavy rather than light.
Click to expand...

I think that machine will be fine for amateur use. I am primarily a metalworker but bought a smaller and cheaper Axminster bandsaw (now discontinued) a few years ago. It has proved to be an excellent purchase. Bigger and heavier is better in bandsaws, but even a small one is very useful.
 
Seagreen

Whichever bandsaw you buy, the useability and satisfaction from using it will come down to the quality of the blade. Most bandsaws are cheap Chaiwan imports with equally cheap bandsaw blades. Whether you buy second hand or new, chuck away the blade that comes with it and buy one from Ian at http://www.tuffsaws.co.uk/ He will make a blade to fit your machine and the type of work you expect it to do.
 
RobinBirch said:
Seagreen

Whichever bandsaw you buy, the useability and satisfaction from using it will come down to the quality of the blade. Most bandsaws are cheap Chaiwan imports with equally cheap bandsaw blades. Whether you buy second hand or new, chuck away the blade that comes with it and buy one from Ian at http://www.tuffsaws.co.uk/ He will make a blade to fit your machine and the type of work you expect it to do.
Click to expand...

+1
 
RobinBirch said:
Seagreen

Whichever bandsaw you buy, the useability and satisfaction from using it will come down to the quality of the blade. Most bandsaws are cheap Chaiwan imports with equally cheap bandsaw blades. Whether you buy second hand or new, chuck away the blade that comes with it ...
Click to expand...

Good advice.
 
I bought a cheap three wheel saw years ago. It is a really naff tool, but using it within its limitations it has done a great deal of work for me. Having experienced a good one in someone else's wrokshop, I know the difference.

Tip for users of naff bandsaws. It is a real pain in the bum to get them set up properly when you put a blade on. Adjusting blade guides etc on mine is a nightmare, and just when you think you've got it right it's easy to knock it all out of kilter. A silly little tool can actually be made to work pretty well with a good blade and endless patience in setting it up. My mate's one could be set up in about two inutes! But it cost £900 more then mine.
 
I recently bought an AWHBS450N from Axminster following advice from a woodworking course. I'm no expert but it seems excellent to me.
 
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