Bandsaws - best of the budget?

Mike_Maple · 2024-11-13T23:50:05+0000

Hi all,
I'm looking for a benchtop bandsaw, I'll be using it to cut hardwoods and softwoods for woodworking projects, and to create blanks for my lathe. I'm looking to pay no more than £200, not a lot I know, but as a first bandsaw I think it's enough, and of course there's the option to upgrade later if necessary. I don't want to go down the road of looking for a second hand model, I know that can be great (got my lathe that way), but don't want to have to deal with an older lathe that might have issues.

I've been casually looking for a while, but today noticed that the Parkside pbs 350 B2 was available for £99.90 on what I thought was Parkside's own website (but just found out that it turns out to be mechanicoffer.shop, which looks dodgy as heck, so probably won't be buying from them). I realise Parkside is not everyone's favourite, bit of a marmite brand.

At my budget, is it really worth going for say an Axminster AW1400B, or is the build quality roughly the same as other slightly cheaper models, I hear many are made in the same factory? Are there any makes/models anyone would recommend in the price bracket?

Many thanks!

TRITON · 2024-11-14T02:01:41+0000

Usually the stuff out of Aldi or Lidl is pretty poor on build quality.

Axminster and record power are better choices. My small 10" RP is now 22 years old and still working well at and actually above the limits of its stated capacities.

The parksiide is too lightweight, the table on both RP and Ax is cast iron, whereas on the parkside it is a flimsy pressed steel From the reports I've seen. you are limited to about 1 1/2" depth before the motor cuts out. That isnt going to bode well for any sort of llongevity

Out of the 2(Ax and rP) I'd go for the RP, mainly as I've used their smallest for 22 years and its been 100% ok.

Both the RP and Ax might be double the price(Still cheap in bandsawland) but i think its always worth it getting better kit than just the cheapest you can find.

Alternatively, you could look towards a 12" or 14" 2nd hand out of ebay or gumtree

Phil Pascoe · 2024-11-14T07:33:38+0000

I bought a Record RPBS 14 for £75, sold as spares or repair. I replaced the tyres, the drive belt, the capacitor, the Bristol lever, the wheel bearings, the guide bearings, and the blade.

Total cost about £160 - it can be done, decent saws are repairable. That's basically a new £1000 saw. keep your eye on FB MP, Gumtree, Ebay etc.

robgul · 2024-11-14T08:27:56+0000

I had an Axi 1400B and quickly became frustrated by the throat size - just too small - and the settings for the blade bearings etc were really fiddly and hard to get right.

Back in May I bought a Record BS 250 and the difference in quality, operability is like night and day - OK it's £300 (I bought mine from Yandles, next day delivery well packed on a pallet) but it's worth it. In fairness I did sell the Axi for more than I paid for it to offset the purchase of the Record.

I'd splash the extra cash!

Diver Fred · 2024-11-14T08:53:38+0000

I see you are in Leicestershire - May I suggest you go and visit 'Charnwood's', the store it's self. I have one of their 10inch bandsaws. It most jobs I want it to and it is Bench top. You may find they have a second-hand machine of the size you want; or they may know that they have one coming in.
Their machines look apart from colour (and feel) similar to RP ones.

I didn't buy mine from them direct - which I regret due to issues in setting it up but I've have visited the store subsequently and found them helpful and instructive.

The tables on their machines are cast iron. The blades are a known quality.

In fact :- on the website presently https://charnwood.net/product/charnwood-used-bs410-10-bench-top-bandsaw-4-cutting-depth/

At that price I'd be happy