bandsaw

[stacey1]

i am trying to decide on a new bandsaw, i would like to mill some of my own timber from som smallish ash trees i have they have a diameter of about 250mm, should i buy a bandsaw or should i look for alternatives[/b]

 

[PowerTool]

Firstly,welcome to the forum

Secondly - having a quick glance at the Axminster catalogue,to get 250mm depth of cut,you are looking at the £1,000+ price range machines.
The bigger Perform machine will give you 220mm depth of cut for about £330;although a good bandsaw is an extremely useful piece of kit to have in the workshop,unless you are prepared to do some preparation (hand-saw or chainsaw,perhaps) then it's going to be a major investment.

Hope this helps,

Andrew

 

[tigerturnings]

Hi and welcome,

You said you're trying to decide on a new bandsaw, but personally I would look at the secondhand market as well. There can be bargains to be had and a lot of older machines perform significantly better than the new machine of the same price.

In terms of the "general purpose" bandsaws, you might be able to pick up one of the smaller Wadkin-Bursgreen machines, such as the 20" BZB (fabricated in steel) or the cast iron 24" BZB. There are also the Startrite 351 and 352 machines which may be suitable. Prices could range from around £200 to £500+ depending on condition, market demand, etc.

New machines offering suitable depth of cut appear to start around the £800 mark with the Hammer N4400, and Axminster's plus series coming in a little bit dearer. It would also be worth considering the larger Jet machines and possibly the current Startrite range.

Depth of cut will be your prime consideration; the ability to track and tension a wide blade is also useful for this type of work (narrower blades will generally not create such a flat cut surface as wider blades). A sturdy and generously sized rip fence will be essential. Also consider the motor power. Around 2HP for a 10" cut seems to work well in my (limited) experience, though less power will still get the job done, just a bit slower.

If you intend to use the machine only for converting logs to planks or resawing planks, you could also look at dedicated resaws, such as Wadkin's PBR or PBR/HD, which will be more expensive and larger, but offer more power and the ability to use a wider blade.

The Startrite 440R looks like an interesting compromise between the versatility of a `normal' bandsaw and the resaw ability of a dedicated unit. However it would be a significant investment!

When I've converted logs on my bandsaw, I did it using a 1.3TPI blade from Dragon Saws and was impressed with its performance.

To address your question "should i look for alternatives," I would say there are two possible alternatives. Firstly, if you have a chainsaw, you could make or buy a ripping frame for it, which will enable you to plank logs that way. The finish is not much worse than bandsawn, but the kerf, at about 10mm, will waste a significant amount of timber, plus it is noisy and tiring work.

The other alternative would be, if this is once off or occasional, see if any local sawmills would plank the logs on their industrial equipment for you. It may work out cheaper that way but of course you'd have to transport the logs, and you don't end up with a tool of your own at the end of it.

Cheers,

Neil

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Stacey

Welcome to the forum.

Cheers
Neil

 

[Scrit]

Hi Stacey and welcome.

Might I enquire what size of building you are working in? Bandsaws come in many sizes and capacities but when the wheels exceed 18 inches or so it becomes increasingly difficult to accomodate them in anything other than an industrial unit. If you'd be prepared to set a tentative budget it might help others to proffer suggestions

Scrit

 

[Escudo]

What ho stace,

I have just purchased the axminster plus sbw4300wl saw which I decided on after much research.

If you search on this site you will find some pictures and a link to a review by Philly I think.

I went for this model as it has a relatively small footprint, had good reviews and represented very good value for money, less than £800 at the moment.

The saw was delivered just before christmas and left in my garage, it is so heavy 150kg+ I have not been able to move it to my workshop.

I now need to organise a removal firm to carry it up the steps into the garden.

Cheers, Esc.

 

[Scrit]

The saw was delivered just before christmas and left in my garage, it is so heavy 150kg+ I have not been able to move it to my workshop.

I now need to organise a removal firm to carry it up the steps into the garden.

Or just two or three big mates and a few trays of beer?

Scrit

 

[Escudo]

I thought that two scrit, but 150kg + needs more than 4 blokes its approx 40kg each with the pallet .

Its the inital lift that is the problem.

my shed is up 12 steps to the garden.

The main problem is that I do not want to lift anything....because I'm a weedy baby.(and i don't want to do my back in, as it affects me golf!)

I will get one of those piano lifting firms to do it....unless you want to come round and help out. I will supply the beer my furry friend. I glass each. (two cans should do it) :wink:

Tee hee, Esc.

 

[Anonymous]

150 kg too heavy for 4 blokes?

I'd have a bash at that with just my Dad at the other end. And he's 71! :lol: :lol:

Anyway, isn't Sheringham in Norfolk?

And isn't Norfolk completely flat?

I wouldn't have thought that there were 12 steps in the whole county! :lol:

Cheers
Brad

 

[Escudo]

what ho bradders, you tinker. :wink:

Sheringham is in wet and windy Norfolk and its not so flat up here in the North.

That crate is really heavy, honest it weighs a ton (well 150kg+) I think I will leave it for the experts.

Cheers, esc.

 

[davy_owen_88]

That crate is really heavy, honest it weighs a ton (well 150kg+) I think I will leave it for the experts.

Cheers, esc.

It is a heavy bugger but it really isn't that hard to move. You can take off the table, doors, pallet, and the top wheel which helps lighten up the beast. Then get a mattress or something soft so you can topple it on its side without scrathing the hell out of it... then just get a guy on both ends and start walking.

150kg isn't that heavy when you have a good grip on it, its just hard when its upright as there nothing to grip on to. (Shame it took me 2 hours to think about toppling it on its side... )

Good luck,
Davy

 

[andys wood shed]

Reminds me of when I collected my bandsaw.
After being loaded onto the trailer with a fork truck I was driving up the motorway with a big smile on my face when it dawned on me :shock:

How the hell was I going to get it off the trailer if it took a fork truck to load it :?

Andy

 

[Philly]

As Escudo says, I bought one of Axminsters bandsaw-300mm depth of cut and less than £800. A great machine for the money!
It is heavy though Chaps! I couldn't quite get it under the garage door so the Delivery man and I had to lean it over whilst pushing it in. Wouldn't want to do THAT again!!!! :shock: :lol:
12 steps sounds a lot :lol:
Cheers
Philly
Review......