9” bandsaw - I know…

[Nick_]

I’d love a 12 or 14” bandsaw to do all sorts with, but after checking available space in the back of my shed, there isn’t even room for a record power 250.

I’m not really looking for anything for resawing, but I do want to make little ornaments etc - things like this

It seems I have only a couple of choices at 9”, and I’m deciding between the Axminster AW1400 and the Lumberjack 9”, which looks to be the same as a Draper and a Clarke 9”

It feels like the Cast Iron table of Axminster is the key feature, though the extra cutting height of the Lumberjack is nice. I don’t know the trade off between power and blade speed in these two either.

Keen to hear recommendations on 9” bandsaws for small free hand cuts, and I expect some shape and straight edge cutting from small 19mm boards.

Thanks

Key differences:

Table
AX Cast iron table
LJ Die cast Aluminium

Cut height
AX 80mm
LJ 90mm

Power
AX 250w
LJ 300w

Blade Speed
AX 800m/min
LJ 635m/min

Blade Size
AX 1400mm
LJ 1574mm

 

[robgul]

Can't speak for the LJ but I had the Axminster 1400 machine as a first bandsaw and found it excellent, using it for about 5 years - just slightly awkward getting at the bearings to set them up (but then a lot of machines are like that) - I now have a larger Record bandsaw - the Axi models were too expensive for me to justify the outlay.

 

[Spectric]

but after checking available space in the back of my shed, there isn’t even room for a record power 250.

Rather than put up with a small bandsaw in a cramped space I would look at the possibility of making the shed bigger, if it is just full of clutter then get some of those garden storage boxed and move the clutter.

 

[Nick_]

Rather than put up with a small bandsaw in a cramped space I would look at the possibility of making the shed bigger, if it is just full of clutter then get some of those garden storage boxed and move the clutter.

it’s a small shed, and is shared with other stuff. Definitely no room for anything bigger, nor pla

Can't speak for the LJ but I had the Axminster 1400 machine as a first bandsaw and found it excellent, using it for about 5 years - just slightly awkward getting at the bearings to set them up (but then a lot of machines are like that) - I now have a larger Record bandsaw - the Axi models were too expensive for me to justify the outlay.

thanks, good to know.

 

[Nick_]

Is the any advice on choosing power vs blade speed and table material vs extra cut height.

 

[Orraloon]

More power is good to have as well as depth of cut. I really cant say on the blade speed other than its designed in by the maker likely to get the best efficiency from the motor. My saw I can change pulleys if I wanted a slower speed for cutting metal or other materials. Never done it.
Regards
John

 

[Fergie 307]

I’d love a 12 or 14” bandsaw to do all sorts with, but after checking available space in the back of my shed, there isn’t even room for a record power 250.

I’m not really looking for anything for resawing, but I do want to make little ornaments etc - things like this

It seems I have only a couple of choices at 9”, and I’m deciding between the Axminster AW1400 and the Lumberjack 9”, which looks to be the same as a Draper and a Clarke 9”

It feels like the Cast Iron table of Axminster is the key feature, though the extra cutting height of the Lumberjack is nice. I don’t know the trade off between power and blade speed in these two either.

Keen to hear recommendations on 9” bandsaws for small free hand cuts, and I expect some shape and straight edge cutting from small 19mm boards.

Thanks

Key differences:

Table
AX Cast iron table
LJ Die cast Aluminium

Cut height
AX 80mm
LJ 90mm

Power
AX 250w
LJ 300w

Blade Speed
AX 800m/min
LJ 635m/min

Blade Size
AX 1400mm
LJ 1574mm

I wouldn't have thought the cast iron table makes a great difference on a tiny machine like this.
As mentioned on another thread I have a similar sized Clark CBS 190. Many not so good things about it but the alloy table is ok.
I would probably go for the LJ, more powerful, deeper cut and a bit cheaper too. Both appear to have roller blade guides which is good.
First thing I would do whatever you get is to replace the blade with one from tuffsaws, makes a big difference.