£200 Bandsaw

[Calpol]

Thinking about getting a new bandsaw. The blade broke on t'other one I have (a freebie) but it's not powerful enough anyway so think I'll just fork out for a new one...

Anyway, a benchtop one will have to do for the now as I don't have much (actually any) space. Don't know if it'd be better with a wheel stand like the Record one or just the machine on it's own. Probably doesn't need to move about much but I'd rather wheel it than lift it all the time...

Sorry for asking this question, I know it gets asked every 10 minutes but this forum fills up quickly and it gets a lot to read!

Calum

 

[OPJ]

Calum, what exactly do you class as a "benchtop" bandsaw? Are you talking about the tiny ones with 4" capacity under the guides or something like a 12" or 14" saw, which would have a capacity of around 8"?

What work are you looking to do with the saw? Ripping? Deep-cutting your own veneers? Converting timber for turning blanks?

I own a £200 12" SIP saw which I have mounted on top of a cabinet with a wheel kit fitted to the bottom. I'm been very happy with this purchase and I use it for ripping, etc., as I don't own or have space for a table saw. There are several other members of SIP saws who are also happy with their purchases. Best price I found was on eBay, sold by West Skelton Services.

Record saws certainly aren't bad either. You get a five-year warranty and, depending on which size you go for, you may still get more for your money?

 

[Calpol]

The ones I'm talking about are the 4" versions, but really if they're no good then I'd go for a slightly bigger one...

What I need it for at the moment is template work, obviously it won't struggle with mdf but I was trimming some 30mm mahogany on t'other one when it broke and that's the kind of thing I have planned.

I don't really want to go much over say £300 if it'd be better but I really don't have a lot of space which is the main issue

 

[OPJ]

Ah, okay. I'm not too sure how more modern versions compare but the old Delta bandsaws (no longer available over here) were held in quite a high regard. Look, there's even one available on eBay, though I don't know how far it is from you...? :wink:

 

[Calpol]

Cool, thanks OPJ, I'll 'my ebay' that! Looks to be in excellent condition anyway and for £50 you can't go wrong...

 

[Tusses]

Thats the same one I have.

I've never had a 'big' one so cant compare , but it has done everything I wanted it to do so far.

 

[DaveL]

Calum,

Maybe a silly question but was the blade you broke a 'good' one?
There are lots of very poor blades supplied with bandsaws and just getting hold of a descent blade will transform the performance of the saw.

 

[Lark]

what would be a good one that cheap for veneer cutting.

 

[George_N]

what would be a good one that cheap for veneer cutting.

Contact Ian John at Dragon Saws (just Google Dragon bandsaw blades). He certainly knows his stuff and is happy to give advice and the service is great. I ordered two blades at 11am Tuesday and they were delivered 24h later. You can place the order by phone and pay with your card or use the Ebay shop and pay through PayPal.

 

[Lark]

had a look but i more ment a bandsaw not the blade as well

 

[George_N]

Sorry I misread your post and thought you just meant the saw blade.
I'm no expert but I have been doing some reading on bandsaws because I just bought an old cast iron benchtop model. For re-sawing and veneer sawing, I've read that you need as wide a blade as your saw will take at a high enough tension. For the 12" - 14" saws commonly available (wheel diameter) that is probably a 1/2" blade (3 tpi). That limits your depth of cut to around 6" but anyway the saw won't have the grunt to go much thicker in hardwood. My understanding is that the cheaper modern saws struggle to get high enough blade tension (happy to be contradicted on that one) so an older second hand saw might be better but then there are all the potential problems of second hand equipment.

 

[Lark]

ok thanks, my main problem would be more down to how much i wanted to do and how far i take this hobby guess for not i just stick to the normal way just sometimes nice to have some thicker veneer that dont cost alot when im only part time worker.


thanks for the information