I had promised to post a review of sorts following my purchase over the summer of a Startrite 403 bandsaw (it was probably one of the last ones on sale). While I haven’t intensively used it so far, I’ve set it up and tested it in my workshop. Without further due, here are my findings and initial impressions.
Overall, I think it is fairly basic, no frills, machine which has no major irremediable issue, is fairly safe and should last a long time. While it is let down by many details which could have been easily addressed, I’m still not sure that there is a better solution for a new semi-industrial machine in the £1000-2000 range.
I understand that Scott & Sargent will soon be marketing a bandsaw based on this discontinued model, but I don’t know if it will represent a real improvement (the announced iTECH BS400 specs are almost a carbon copy of the Startrite 403’s, presumably replicating some of the errors in the original materials).
PRINTED/ONLINE MATERIALS
The latest marketing information on the Startrite 403 left a lot to be desired. The blade speed stated on the company’s website (and on many resellers’ websites) was incorrect (it runs at 1100m/min rather than 1500 m/min) and the stated height of the machine was off by 60mm (it measures 1750mm from head to toe, not 1680mm!). Information on the warranty duration was vague as well. I should add that the Startrite 403 disappeared from the Record’s website weeks after I purchased it, and it doesn’t currently appear within their legacy products either (there is information there on older Startrite models though).
The owner’s manual also leaves a lot to be desired. The one supplied with my machine is obsolete, as was the one on Record’s website… fortunately some resellers are doing a better job and one can download a more current revision from them (Version 3.4 from December 2017 seems to be the latest one published). This newer version, while better, is inaccurate in a few ways, or at least doesn’t match my saw, for instance, in terms of the features and controls available on the switch panel, or the wiring diagram. Some of the issues I noticed may be due to changes in the specs and parts/features of the saw over its commercial life (the fence and control panels seem to have changed, for instance).
The part lists and drawings are moderately helpful and accurate, but should help as long as Record/Startite has the matching references in stock. If they run out of stock, it will be down to the owner/maintenance engineers to guess the specs and details of each part, including off the shelf / standard ones.
Don’t expect to find much details on initial set up, alignment of the cast iron table, or even correct advice on how to align the blades with the tyres—the manual states that “the points of the teeth should slightly protrude over the edge of the bandwheels”, which seems a recipe for disaster on crowned wheels and thin blades). Some features of the bandsaw, such as the height adjustable table insert can only be discovered by the parts list, and the table alignment mechanism in the schematics is –fortunately- incorrect.
Any experienced bandsaw user/maintenance engineer will likely be able to go over these shortcomings though, as the machine is fairly simple in its construction and workings, but this is still disappointing (I should mention that the manual is written in proper English, which is a plus)
SCOPE OF SUPPLY
The machine is supplied with a decent blade (6 tpi), which is fine for initial testing and setup. It doesn’t come with a power lead or power plug, just a plastic junction box on its frame). There are few extras or frills included besides the wrenches/allen keys needed to adjust the saw, a plastic push stick and a small screw to hold the push stick in place.
CONSTRUCTION
The machine feels fairly robust with decent thickness sheet metal construction, solid welds, good quality paint (although there are rust marks in a few places). The cast iron wheels and the table seem reasonably well made (overall good, but not perfect flatness, no vibrations in operation), and it should be fairly simple to maintain in the long run (with the possible caveat of the rubber tyres which, per the manual, are glued and can’t be replaced by the user as they require grounding in a crown form by a specialist or Record… this being said, mine look ruler flat!). Because it’s not very tall at 1750mm, and because the base is fairly large (580mm x 420mm) it is quite stable even when installed on a raised platform as in my workshop.
The cast iron table of my machine is a bit ‘agricultural’ in feel, but it is broadly flat (the front right corner does sag by a few 1/10s of mm). Contrary to some of the competition, there is no insert/key to prevent the deformation of the table around the blade change cut-out, but this doesn’t seem to be a significant issue in use.
For those to whom it matters, the mitre track is smaller than the ¾” standard, and there is only one track (aligning the fence and blade with it is possible by try and error, but it takes some patience).
The rip fence is fairly solid (and flat enough), as is the fence guide (a thick rod of stainless steel). Please note that the design may have changed over the commercial life of the Startrite 403 as some models do seem to have a fence system similar to the ones of Record’s Sabre line (see for instance the Startrite 403 in Paul Sellers’ videos), while others, like mine, have a different aluminium profile and a fence guide which doesn’t protrude to right of the cast iron table. The version I have is basic but works. It does have some quirks: When in its upright position, the fence can’t be extended fully if one wants to be able to remove it without completely losing its alignment setting. Presumably this is a price to pay for a long and relatively tall fence. It is also not designed for use on the right side of the blade. I would suggest adding a protective pad underneath it to avoid scraping the cast iron table when sliding the fence. At least it is possible to change blade without having to remove the rip fence guide (it’s fortunate because aligning the rip fence guide properly with the help of only 4 nuts in elongated holes on the non-square front edge of the cast iron table is time consuming).
The upper and lower guide assemblies are basic but should last a good time. They require one allen key and a 10mm wrench for adjustment, which is OK by me. Tuning the lower guides is not very convenient as the side bearings are not visible when the machine is in operation, and as moving the lower guide assembly is done by two 10mm bolts and nuts which are difficult to access. At some point in time, I will need to enlarge the elongated holes in which these bolts sit, as otherwise I won’t be able to centre blades beyond 16mm, 5/8” on the bandsaw tyres). It does seem that iTECH/Scott & Sargeant have made changes to the lower guide assembly which may address some of the issues I identified, but the proof will be in the pudding!
There is some play in the guide post adjustment mechanism (which needed a bit of realignment to move in parallel with the blade) but, once locked into position, it is fairly sturdy.
FEATURES
The Startrite 403 is fairly well endowed in terms of safety features, with a sturdy blade guard, annoying (but safe) covers over the top and bottom blade guides, micro switches in both doors, a kick stop switch and an effective brake (but no way to defeat the brake manually on the control panel of my saw). There is no pedal brake as found, for instance, on some Laguna saws, but I’m not sure it is an issue (and a cheap bicycle brake design doesn’t impress me at the £1500 price point)
While the bare necessities are covered rather well (study frame, flat table, safety), this machine has few bells and whistles or features to makes life of the user easy (say when changing belts, etc.). It has a quick release tension lever which is effective and convenient, but don’t expect to see the easier to install and adjust fence, or even the plastic tool holder of a Record Sabre! It does ship with a £1 push stick and a screw to hold the push stick while not in use, and has a belt tension indicator which is visible though the top cover panel, but there is no window to see how the blade is tracking. There is no provision for a work light as on, for instance, the Laguna saws (This being said, it’s a fairly simple DIY job to add one if desired)
Extraction (two 100mm/4” outlets) seems to work fairly well with my twin engine 4” CamVac.
There is no mobility kit available (iTECH has announced one which may be compatible), but making one would be fairly simple as the base of the saw is fairly high and has 4 holes which are conveniently located. There are a few extra holes (4x M10 and 4 x unthreaded) in the base, which can help when building a raised platform or to attach the bandsaw to the floor.
CONCLUSION
Overall, my assessment may seem harsh, as there are quite a few details (ergonomics when changing blades or for the initial setup, etc.) which could have been easily improved if Startech or Record, the parent company, had cared to do so. This being said, this bandsaw doesn’t have any major flaw which can’t be resolved from my perspective. It does the job, has above average safety features, and I expect it to last for a good long time given its construction and simple design. I am also not sure whether the competition is any better at this price point, having looked at other entry level ‘industrial’ band saws in the £1000-2000 range. I’ve learned that one shouldn’t expect perfection out of the box/pallet with most semi-industrial affordable machines, and I’m glad that this one can be made to perform well with a little bit of care and tweaking.
