Bandsaw Buying Advice Needed

[rjb]

Hi,

I am thinking about buying a new bandsaw and have been looking at Axminster models for around the £300 mark, in particular model AWESBS. Axminster appear to have three models at roughly the same price so I was wondering if this was a good choice and what I should be looking for.

The machine will be for light trade use in my home workshop, mainly cutting MDF and ply up to 12mm thickness. I have been using an old Clarke CBS12WV 12" bandsaw, but I find the table a little small and also very wobbly so it's difficult to work as accurately as I need to. Another problem is that the blades seem prone to breaking for no apparent reason.

I would like to get a better quality machine and I'd be grateful for any advice.

Thanks,

Richard.

 

[NickWelford]

I have the AWESBS, with which I am very pleased. It was a step up from the Rexon machine I had previously. It is a little noisy with the bearing blade guides, but bearable. The rear guide bearing runs edge on, rather than transversely - a great improvement on the Rexon.
It states single speed, however, there is a double pully mounted, so I presume it can be run at two speeds - I haven't tried it though.
The blades can be tensioned to a much higher degree than my old Rexon and give much better results. The fence is reasonable also, for the class of machine. Not too happy with the table angle adjustment, but I very rarely use it, so I can live with that.

 

[Blister]

If you can stretch your budget

Axminster are selling there £477 SBW3501B , with £50 off

down to £427

Its a nice saw , so nice that I got one for xmas

My mate came and had a :shock: and he was off to buy one as well :wink:

 

[Saintsman]

I also have the SBW 3501: it's a cracker. Excellent for re-sawing, not too noisy, pretty good fence and nice and accurate. And, as Blister says, it's £50 off at the moment.

HTH

Paul

 

[BedfordSaw]

Have you thought about a Record Power machine?

For your price range, the BS300X is a good buy. It comes with a full wheel kit and a free dvd disc.

Also a 5 year guarantee. Now thats confidence for you!

 

[woof]

Got the 350 bandsaw for xmas too - wonder if they have any left? :lol:

Seems you are in London - you might be interested that on saturday they are demonstrating this saw ... see here...just down road in Sittingbourne

http://www.axminster.co.uk/article-What ... events.htm

it's pretty good little saw and a real good offer.

 

[rjb]

Thanks for the replies ..very helpful as always.

I've been looking at the 3501 on the Axminster website and it does look good, and very tempting with the £50 off at the moment. I wasn't planning on spending that much but I think I can talk myself into it without too much difficulty. I may try to go along on Saturday for a demo if I get a chance..

Thanks again.

Richard.

 

[Blister]

Thanks for the replies ..very helpful as always.

I've been looking at the 3501 on the Axminster website and it does look good, and very tempting with the £50 off at the moment. I wasn't planning on spending that much but I think I can talk myself into it without too much difficulty. I may try to go along on Saturday for a demo if I get a chance..

Thanks again.

Richard.

I think I will go as well , may learn something new :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[andycorleone]

Today I went to see the SBW3501B in axminter kent. If I compare this one with the Record BS300-X or the BS350S
I think the record is the way to go:

1)I found the system to rise the guides better in the record (the round pull think in the size)
2)Better Fence (Just one size but stronger)
3) free whellkit
4)Max depth of cut (BS350S)
5)cheaper

if you have the chance go to see booths and make yourself an opinion

 

[wizer]

You could have popped over to Poolewood to have a look at the Record (not far from Axminster).

 

[johnnyb]

i would definitely consider the startrite range secondhand. they appear regularly on ebay and would be a superior machine to most mentioned. i was so impressed with mine i just had to put this recommendation in. they seem so common on ebay that most weeks you could buy one and pick it up in about the same time as you could order one from axminster!
the 301 and 351 are beautifully built and cut well to their capacities. the 301 in particular has toy like proportions but a closer inspection reveals the thought and build quality of an industrial machine.

 

[andycktm]

I think people have lost the plot a bit here :!:
The o.p is cutting 12mm mdf! and is moving from:-

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... croll-saws

Why would he need a saw capable of sawing 12" thick oak!
The original saw's he posted are more than good enough.Why not just help him choose one?

 

[Blister]

I think people have lost the plot a bit here :!:
The o.p is cutting 12mm mdf! and is moving from:-

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... croll-saws

Why would he need a saw capable of sawing 12" thick oak!
The original saw's he posted are more than good enough.Why not just help him choose one?

Err!! He asked for buying advice , I gave my opinion , this does not mean he cant buy anything else ! its just advice :?

 

[andyw]

Hi Richard,

I'm a newbie, so apologies if this is grandma sucking eggs.

I bought the Axminster EFSBB (listed at £330) a few weeks ago and I'm very happy with it.

I think the Axminster/Record machines around the £300-£400 mark will be a marked improvement from what you have, so in reality, any will do. Go for the one which has the best spec/price for you. For example, for myself it was cutting to 220mm depth. Perhaps for mdf boards it might be the largest cutting width.

I also bought a mobile base as an extra and its been really helpful to tuck the machine away when not in use.

What is really important though is taking the time to do a proper setup and the blade. Couldn't believe the difference before and after.

So get a decent blade and replace the rubbish one that comes with the machine.

My manual is lacking in setup advice and I used

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~pwguild/i-bndsaw.htm

and

http://thewoodwhisperer.com/episode-13- ... uptune-up/

for general set-up guidance.

Good luck.

 

[rjb]

Thanks again everyone for the helpful replies. Unfortunately I didn't make it to the Axminster demo due to unforseen family commitments.

I think andycktm makes a good point about me not needing a machine with the high depth or cut and high power, but I would like as large a table as possible and maximum throat depth. The problem is all the specs seem to all increase proportionally so it looks like I will probably have to buy a more powerful machine than I need if I want a large table.

I've been comparing the Axminster and Record models and I'm struggling to decide between them as they appear to have very similar features and they both have pros and cons. Having read a lot of old posts on the forum I get the impression that the Record machines are more popular than the Axminster ones. I'd be very interested to hear any further opinions before I finally take the plunge.

Thanks again,

Richard.

 

[George_N]

Another point is that although your current application is to cut 12 mm thick material, a bigger better saw would open up new possibilities. Like producing your own veneers by resawing boards etc.

 

[OPJ]

Depending on what kind of sized table you think you could get away with, if you opt for a decent saw (Axminster or Record Power seem most likely) with plenty of spare room below the guide, you could always try adding your own table made from 18mm or 25mm MDF, faced with a plastic laminate (both sides, to prevent distortion) that fits over the existing table.

You cannot increase your throat depth but you can gain extra support.

 

[asealion]

For the Record(!) I have been through the same dilemma. Whether to buy the Record or Axminster bandsaw. Dithered for weeks and sought advice from others on the forum. The "in person" viewing of the Axminster machine was out, so I had several visits to see the Record 300x in a local showroom.Looked at the 300e and reckoned that the extra £50 was well spent.A fill of Diesel these days £50 and at the rate the food is going up , a couple of loaves and a box of Cornflakes
I was still undecided and spoke to Record and got one of the sales pitch DVD's.
I believed all what the man had to say, and placed the order for the Record.
No regrets whatsoever.All what the man said made sense, and as a metal worker, appreciate the rigidity of the machine, the table size and the 1 horse motor.The wheel kit was the icing on the cake as it means I don't have to make something.My advice is go for the Record.

 

[rjb]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. Having spent lots of time comparing the bandsaws and reading through old forum posts I have finally decided to take the plunge and go for the Record Power BS350-S. All that I've read about it seems very positive and it should certainly be a big improvement on my old Clarke machine.

No doubt I'll be back with more questions when it arrives.

Thanks again,

Richard.