I'm new to this forum and to buying a bandsaw, though I have a fair amount of experience of using one in a school workshop. As per the title, I am considering a used, older Startrite 352 (not too heavily used, if I'm lucky) or a new Record 400. Which would you suggest I choose, please? The Record will be more expensive and apparently carries in the eyes of some a slight stigma from its Far East origins, but it has twice the power and a 5 year guarantee. The Startrite has the attraction of traditional British build quality, a lower price, and a blade speed that is 50% faster than the Record's, if that last fact matters (perhaps it is offset by the relative lack of power?) I will be using the machine for serious hobby/diy work, including sometimes the sawing of quite chunky pieces. All advice gratefully received. Apologies if this question has been asked before. Thank you all in advance.
Buy used Startrite 352 or new Record BS400?
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sneggysteve
Established Member
Cant comment on Record but I have Startrite 352 bought 2nd hand from this forum actually that was being used by a tradesman.
Brilliant solid machine, easy to set up. I recently cut some 3 mm thick, 150 mm wide oak veneers and ripped down 200 mm wide, 2 meter long beech for a workbench. As long as you use a Tuffsaw blade you should get years of use out of a Startrite
Brilliant solid machine, easy to set up. I recently cut some 3 mm thick, 150 mm wide oak veneers and ripped down 200 mm wide, 2 meter long beech for a workbench. As long as you use a Tuffsaw blade you should get years of use out of a Startrite
There is an excellent review of the Record BS400 on this forum which is well worth the read. I am biased, I bought one a year ago, it is an excellent machine. It may be made in the Far East but it is a substantial, robust machine with the benefit of Record's 5 year Guarantee
It is worth looking out for shows and events as you can get a good discount, free delivery etc. You want to aim for change out of £1k. Then buy some of Tuff saws blades and you are all set.
It is worth looking out for shows and events as you can get a good discount, free delivery etc. You want to aim for change out of £1k. Then buy some of Tuff saws blades and you are all set.
Random Orbital Bob
Established Member
Here is the review.
Having clearly demonstrated I like my 400, I have a huge amount of respect for Startrite. My decision was largely based on the need for capacity and grunt. If you don't want 12" under the guides then the Startrite sounds a pretty dam good option. They are close to bullet proof and if you already know the machine and can trust it's functional then, given its also less expensive, assuming you're OK with its capacities, it sounds a bit like a no brainer to me
Having clearly demonstrated I like my 400, I have a huge amount of respect for Startrite. My decision was largely based on the need for capacity and grunt. If you don't want 12" under the guides then the Startrite sounds a pretty dam good option. They are close to bullet proof and if you already know the machine and can trust it's functional then, given its also less expensive, assuming you're OK with its capacities, it sounds a bit like a no brainer to me
Either will probably do you but bear in mind the Record is a hobby machine, Startrite machines are designed for professional use. All machines wear but provided you can get the spares almost any used machine can be used to good effect. I'd go for a good used Startrite if I could find one but I can appreciate the fleeting attraction of new paintwork!
Random Orbital Bob
Established Member
topic78828.html
Having problems getting into the reply command for some annoying reason. Here is the review I failed to post in the one before Woodpigs!!
Having problems getting into the reply command for some annoying reason. Here is the review I failed to post in the one before Woodpigs!!
Random Orbital Bob
Established Member
The only other caveat I would mention is if the idea of ongoing maintenance bothers you then that 5 year guarantee buys a lot of peace of mind
Many thanks to those who have so kindly and helpfully responded thus far. I have discovered that though Startrite quote 1220 metres per minute for band speed this must be a theoretical maximum only, because they also quote 915 as the actual speed on the fastest pulley setting. So the difference between that and the Record's at 840 (I think) is not so great. Another factor, in case any one else is in the same dilemma, is that the Startrite is somewhat smaller in width and and depth (if I have it correctly) and certainly appreciably lighter, which is quite a point to consider when moving the machine around a workshop or transporting it down a garden path to a shed, as I shall be doing. Again, thank you all. Looks like I shall be hunting for a Startrite, at least in the first instance. I can wait a bit, but if nothing decent presents itself I can always go for the Record.
As regards maintenance, the school workshop used to have a Startrite but despite an overhaul, including bearings, it was scrapped as no longer performing satisfactorily, but of course it would have had a very, very hard life at the hands of boys and other users, including myself.
As regards maintenance, the school workshop used to have a Startrite but despite an overhaul, including bearings, it was scrapped as no longer performing satisfactorily, but of course it would have had a very, very hard life at the hands of boys and other users, including myself.
Lons
Established Member
I have no experience of the Record but do have a 352 bought s/h last year and with Tuffsaws blades it does absolutely everything I could want from it with ease.
What I like is it's simplicity and the fact it's built like a brick s***house! I'm surprised that the school scrapped theirs and a shame as I bet you could have sorted it quite easily as most spares are available.
As an aside, I was branch manager of a company whole sold many 351 and 352 machines in the eighties and I don't remember ever having a single problem. Those sales were all to industry,
Bob
What I like is it's simplicity and the fact it's built like a brick s***house! I'm surprised that the school scrapped theirs and a shame as I bet you could have sorted it quite easily as most spares are available.
As an aside, I was branch manager of a company whole sold many 351 and 352 machines in the eighties and I don't remember ever having a single problem. Those sales were all to industry,
Bob
I've had the BS400 for about a month. Part of the upper guide assembly on mine broke within days when tightening it, but I had a new one pretty quick along with an apology from Record. That service and support is very nice to have.
Lons":1jetrwzh said:
They did the same thing with a Lathe at my mates place. They got rid of it as knackered when the only problem was that it need new bearings. In reality they had the budget and wanted a shiny new machine.
You couldn't make bandsaws like some of the older Startrite machines as no one would be able to afford to buy them. The modern versions aren't bad, just not as solid as the old ones.
beech1948
Established Member
I have had a 352 for 9 years. It was over 30 yrs old when I got it from the original owner.
I have replaced bearings as these have a life of about 15yrs due to the grease in them going waxy eventually. I have added a Kreg bandsaw fence which turned the machine from v good to excellent. My motor is OK but considering a more powerful 2hp one.
Depth of cut is just over 11 inches which has been plenty for me. I have produced home cut veneers at 11.25 inch depth without too much effort.
Best thing about my 352 is NO FUSSING at all.
I have replaced bearings as these have a life of about 15yrs due to the grease in them going waxy eventually. I have added a Kreg bandsaw fence which turned the machine from v good to excellent. My motor is OK but considering a more powerful 2hp one.
Depth of cut is just over 11 inches which has been plenty for me. I have produced home cut veneers at 11.25 inch depth without too much effort.
Best thing about my 352 is NO FUSSING at all.
misterfish
Established Member
I bought my 352 from a school - single phase and a good machine. I also use Tuffsaw blades and it does all I want.
Misterfish
Misterfish
memzey
Established Member
Another happy 352 owner. Probably the most versatile and user friendly machine I have. It's super quality meant I could put off buying a saw bench as the 352 could do most tasks I needed. I ended up getting a Wadkin dimension saw so I guess I have a preference for quality English kit. The OP should probably bear that in mind when considering my response 
Here is what has happened to me subsequently. I tried to buy a 352 off Ebay. Very few around, and often 3 phase (no use to me in my garden shed) and looking heavily used commercially. One slightly tired single phase went for £400. I placed a max. bid of £951 on a very fresh looking 352 single phase, described justifiably as in 'excellent condition'. Thought that would clear the opposition but some maniac kept on upping his bid until he finally outbid me on £971. He must have bid £1000 at least because he didn't know what I had bid and time was running out for him. What can one do with such people around? Cheap, decent condition single phase machines must be a thing of the past. There was a lot of interest in the machine I lost out on.
Now looking at the new Startrite 403, about £1380 incl delivery if you are lucky. Talked to a knowledgable guy at Record-Startrite and it would appear that the 403 is considerably superior to the 352E, now very scarce. It is much heavier by 35 kgs, bigger cast iron wheels for one thing, bigger motor, blade speed up from 1000 metres min to 1500, better bearings (I think he said that), etc. Far Eastern in origin I assume, but I understand that you can get whatever quality of product you like out of China, depending on what the European business specifies and is prepared to pay for. After all, China has imported lots of sophisticated machine tools from Germany to make what it manufactures, at least at the top end. Would it last as well as the original 352? Who knows? It appears to be good value compared to the outgoing 352E at only £120 more, incl VAT. Quite tempted despite the cost if I can't find a reasonable 352 and decide I am not prepared to wait forever. All just my 2 cents worth of opinion and information.
Now looking at the new Startrite 403, about £1380 incl delivery if you are lucky. Talked to a knowledgable guy at Record-Startrite and it would appear that the 403 is considerably superior to the 352E, now very scarce. It is much heavier by 35 kgs, bigger cast iron wheels for one thing, bigger motor, blade speed up from 1000 metres min to 1500, better bearings (I think he said that), etc. Far Eastern in origin I assume, but I understand that you can get whatever quality of product you like out of China, depending on what the European business specifies and is prepared to pay for. After all, China has imported lots of sophisticated machine tools from Germany to make what it manufactures, at least at the top end. Would it last as well as the original 352? Who knows? It appears to be good value compared to the outgoing 352E at only £120 more, incl VAT. Quite tempted despite the cost if I can't find a reasonable 352 and decide I am not prepared to wait forever. All just my 2 cents worth of opinion and information.
Thank you for the update, it is always interesting to hear what happened next. Before spending that amount have you physically looked at the BS400 to make sure it is worth spending the extra £400 plus.
Also at that price look at the Hammer N4400
Also at that price look at the Hammer N4400
Alexam
Bandsaw Boxmaker
I also have the BS400 and am delighted with it's performance for the use I have made of it. I am only a retired hobby woodworker, but having started out a couple of years ago with a small table top model, I wanted something more robust.
The Record 5 year guarantee was a big persuader and having bought it at a trade show, which had discount and free delivery (remember that when buying) there was a good saving. Couple that with the essential Tuffsaw blades and it's a real winner.
I believe that Bob tends to use his machine mainly for heavy work, whereas I tend to use mine for the finer work and have now added an adernative guide to enable me to use a 1/8" blade - from Tuffsaw of course. That blade make very tight turns and is so useful. See it on the video mentioned lower down.
Whichever machine you eventually go for, it is essential to tune it correctly to get the most from it. There are different ways to do this and one method from 'Alex Snodgrass of Carter Induistries shows his excellent video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU on a tune up method that works well. In addition if you want to get the best use of your bandsaw on an ongoing basis, then the Steve Maskery DVD's will show you far more and they are a real investment. http://www.workshopessentials.com/shop/ '.
Let us know wich way you go, but my money would be on Record BS400 with the discount and free delivery.
The Record 5 year guarantee was a big persuader and having bought it at a trade show, which had discount and free delivery (remember that when buying) there was a good saving. Couple that with the essential Tuffsaw blades and it's a real winner.
I believe that Bob tends to use his machine mainly for heavy work, whereas I tend to use mine for the finer work and have now added an adernative guide to enable me to use a 1/8" blade - from Tuffsaw of course. That blade make very tight turns and is so useful. See it on the video mentioned lower down.
Whichever machine you eventually go for, it is essential to tune it correctly to get the most from it. There are different ways to do this and one method from 'Alex Snodgrass of Carter Induistries shows his excellent video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU on a tune up method that works well. In addition if you want to get the best use of your bandsaw on an ongoing basis, then the Steve Maskery DVD's will show you far more and they are a real investment. http://www.workshopessentials.com/shop/ '.
Let us know wich way you go, but my money would be on Record BS400 with the discount and free delivery.
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