Cheap bandsaw

[martinka]

Anyone in here have one of the little cheap bandsaws? I've been considering one to cut up some bigger pieces of timber so I can use them on the scroll saw. I am thinking of one of the cheap ones because I need something small that I can store on a shelf and lift out and pop it on the bench when I need it. I've no need for anything bigger, so if one of the cheap ones won't do, I won't bother. Any recommendations or condemnations?

 

[paultnl]

I have had cheap bandsaws in the past and found that they are OK if you are not expecting mega accuracy as long as you put a good blade on them. All of the current ones look to come out of the same chiwanese factory so I can't recommend anything particular. I wont say the name of the best blades as I am sure to be breaking some rules about advertising ;-)

 

[martinka]

I have had cheap bandsaws in the past and found that they are OK if you are not expecting mega accuracy as long as you put a good blade on them. All of the current ones look to come out of the same chiwanese factory so I can't recommend anything particular. I wont say the name of the best blades as I am sure to be breaking some rules about advertising ;-)

The saw would probably be at least as accurate as my sanding where everything ends up tapered.
Would the blades happen to rhyme with chuff, buff, nuff and tu... erm, rough?

 

[marcros]

I would go with one of those 3 wheeled ones from eBay. They would do the job and seem to go for peanuts. It depends a bit on whether you are wanting to take slices off a 6" piece for say 6x 1/4. That would be more than they would manage.

 

[RogerP]

I have had cheap bandsaws in the past and found that they are OK if you are not expecting mega accuracy as long as you put a good blade on them. All of the current ones look to come out of the same chiwanese factory so I can't recommend anything particular. I wont say the name of the best blades as I am sure to be breaking some rules about advertising ;-)

The saw would probably be at least as accurate as my sanding where everything ends up tapered.
Would the blades happen to rhyme with chuff, buff, nuff and tu... erm, rough?

... don't know why folk *****-footing around this. It's been mentioned on the board many times

TUFFSAWS speak to Ian.

website http://www.tuffsaws.co.uk/

 

[devonwoody]

Martin, the bandsaw would only be the start, you would need a P/T, dust chip collecting equipment, a larger workshop. Be warned. :twisted:

There should be some friendly forum members up your way with already installed equipment who might oblige with cutting up a lump of 6"x4" if the pieces were short. (remember a 10ft length of the stuff takes two of you to lift)

 

[jonluv]

Hi Martin,
I have one of those small table top Bandsaw got it from e-Bay for £14 , it is supposed to cut 80 mm but never got more than 50 mm from it.
Is quite good for cutting Plywood blanks and very handy for simple shaped cars, did try an 1/8 inch blade to see if it could replace scroll saw for some heavier work but blade only lasted a week before snapping.

As for re sawing it is completely useless as it is impossible to cut a straight line even though it has been serviced and ebony blocks installed

John

 

[martinka]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll keep an eye on ebay and see if I can buy one cheap enough to be disposable if it's crap.

 

[ChrisR]

Martin.

I have an Axminster Hobby Series AWHBS250N, it is ok but I would only give it five out of ten, as the blade tracking is very hit and miss.
Instead of tensioning the blade and then tracking, you have to juggle between the two, before the blade will run on track. I think the reason is, the spine of the frame is not strong/stiff enough.

I just use it to resaw thick stock/wood to a thickness suitable for the scroll saw.

Take care.

Chris R.