300 cut mm is a VERY BIG machine. If youre only hobby, do you need that much? My axminster 350 will saw up to 200 mm (if I remove the guide block ) I make bandsaw boxes and thats enough for my use.
I always cut the lids off by hand using a japanese saw which means I lose less than 1mm in total kerf. Cutting off using the BS would be slightly quicker but mistakes also happen a lot quicker. If I were buying a new saw I would draw up a list of what I wanted to do with it and then prioritise and think about other tools that can do the same job (cutting curves, ripping wany edge boards, joint cutting, cutting veneers/resawing material etc)I had a look at my project list and I could get away with a Record BS250, but I'd like to make boxes so what are your thoughts? I know a larger size would make it easier to separate the lid but I could always knock up a jig to help do those by hand.
It is surprisingly quick to set up and cut by hand. particularly with a guide batten.Try cutting a curved lid off a 1 foot long treasure chest by hand
Bandsaws rule O.K.?
I find myself in a dilemma.
I took a trip down to Yandles yesterday t look at the Laguna 14bx.....didnt have any
Im looking to spend around 1500 and was pretty much set on the 14bx...until the guy in the shop was saying the Sabre 450 although made in china has excellent aftercare which is UK based. I have always discounted record power as i thought they were in the same league as draper etc.
He was saying the laguna could be a pita if anything went wrong.......
That saw in Wantage doesn't look far from you at all.
Its got more resaw capacity than the old SCM machine.
I would ask how the guides and tires are, and if its running OK
and if it is offer 800 to 900 pounds depending on condition, as that's what it's worth if you want a saw now.
It would be nicer if it were 3 hp and that's one bargaining chip....
Three phase saws of that size are usually about 800 or 900 quid, but might be a long wait to find one in your location.
That's a bit of a rare saw, super nice size if a 600mm/24" saw is too large.
The footprint I'm referring to is from the column, say against the wall to the
table, its a noticeable change from a 20" machine to a 24" one in this regard, but a 24" machine doesn't look so big anymore to me once I got using it,
infact the extra table size on my SNA600 is lovely.
I'd hate to go back to a wee table now, got rather accustomed to being a more pleasurable distance away from the blade.
If you don't have dust collection system, a big saw seems less dusty as it contains it more, whilst that dust aint going to be quite as bad on your hands being further away from the cut.
Walnut is irritant to horses, and shavings shouldn't be used for bedding.
So I suppose it might be irritant to your hands also.
It might be hard to find tires for it though, that's another let down, might be worth asking S&S before you enquire about a machine, or mabye a better idea to ask Felder for FB540 tires if the saw needs them.
(not sure if Felder still make the 540 as they have a 510 now I believe, but that's not to say they still don't do the 540 also.
ACM still probably do, as i'd guess you can still get the SNAC saws, (identical) I'm not sure, but you might get a few more hits that would lead you to the SNAC by searching for the ACM STAR series.
but I've heard of those Italians hard to deal with directly
You have the option of a motor swap if it proves slow work, with that 16a supply you had installed...
A cheap 3 horsepower, hundred quid VFD might prove useful for another machine if its not enough... I suggest the extra 20 quid for the 3 hp version instead of the 2hp for future possible use on something else.
Those are all considerations and possible bargain chips.
That, or the other similar sized Wadkin from S&S,
would be my first choice, the SCM would be second if around a grand plus say two or three hundred what they would want for reselling it...
and the other newish but seemingly discontinued Axi, or the new Hammer machine on gumtree is a bit of a step down but would sell again easily if need be.
Unsure if the latter have the capacity or the beef you want to do long rips in deep stock.
I'd personally be looking for at or over the 200kg mark to be sure, but it would be nice to know you could run a 1" wodmaster CT if you ever wanted.
Have a look at the results from this blade,
p.s that aint no ordinary Grizzly saw, its stout as frig if you want to look up the weight spec for that specific model.
https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?280590-The-Incredible-Woodmaster-CT
That's about all I can see ATM
Best of luck with your shopping Craig
Tom
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