My First Bandsaw - advice please, price is key here

[zowie]

I've only just starting woodworking and realised that I need a bandsaw for a few of the projects i've done so far (double side cutting wood using circular saw due to depth etc.)

So I've been thinking about spending some hard earned cash and buy one.

My constraints are mainly cost to be honest, but I don't want to goto false economy and buy a lemon.

I have been looking at the titan sf8r at screwfix which seems to offer everything I require, and just wondered if this is a safe first time buy or if there are alternatives that are better.

I am also considering 2nd hand off someone, but to be honest got lost in the wealth of varieties.

I ideally don't want to spend at this time more than 100pounds and would like to be able to cut around 50-60mm stock. Currently American ash if that makes a difference?

Any thoughts welcome please on the above and alternative suggestions much appreciated.

 

[loz]

http://craobhcuigdeag.org/html/clasifieds.html

 

[TrimTheKing]

Where are you zowie?

Have you checked out second hand machines on ebay? You can get some big, good quality, older machines on there for much less than the equivalent sized new machines.

They will probably need a bit of work but if you have the time and inclination it's a good way to go to get value for money.

HTH

 

[zowie]

Good point, i'm in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, so Dublin / Ireland is probably a little far to go.

I started to look on ebay as you suggested, but my lack of experience of ever using one before worries me a little. IE if it does require a little attention, would I be able to resolve it.
Hmm, that said, not the most complicated machine in theory, maybe a little tinkering time is all that is needed.

 

[TrimTheKing]

Good point, i'm in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, so Dublin / Ireland is probably a little far to go.

I started to look on ebay as you suggested, but my lack of experience of ever using one before worries me a little. IE if it does require a little attention, would I be able to resolve it.
Hmm, that said, not the most complicated machine in theory, maybe a little tinkering time is all that is needed.

Really depends how handy you are and whether you would be confident doing any cleanup of rust, maybe elctrical work if motor needs replacing etc?

Steve Maskery resident of these here parts does a fine DVD on tweaking and tinkering a bandsaw, but that is more for setting up and tuning rather than restoring, but still a good reference point for either type of machine.

See what you can find then post it back up here, people will then come back to you with thoughts on how much work it looks like.

You will struggle to get anything 'good' for a ton in the 'brand new' bracket, but could get very lucky second hand and old, providing you are aware of the work required. Some people have picked up machines worth 5 times that for under a ton, and when restored are fantastic.

 

[ByronBlack]

I don't think you'll be cutting 50mm+ wood adequatley in a sub £100 bandsaw any time soon - and stay well clear of that titan.

Unless you can find a bargain on ebay, I'm afraid you'll have to increase your budget considerably. I've bought the small axinster saw (£180) and that is struggling with 50mm even with a decent blade.

 

[big soft moose]

I don't think you'll be cutting 50mm+ wood adequatley in a sub £100 bandsaw any time soon - and stay well clear of that titan.

Unless you can find a bargain on ebay, I'm afraid you'll have to increase your budget considerably. I've bought the small axinster saw (£180) and that is struggling with 50mm even with a decent blade.

although saying that my baby rexon - which i bought from blister for 80 notes 3 years ago and sold recently to hanser for £45 - used to cut 3 inch bowl blanks without much bother.

it was one of these

which are about 160 quid new

the real key is to use a thin blade ( I used to use a 3/8" 3tpi skip ) and if cutting rounds also to make sure that the pivot of your round cutting jig is exactly lined up with the blade (see steve maskerys circle cutting jig on WE 5)

something like this would be okay for your needs

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELEKTRA-BECKUM-BA ... 27b1a12a1b

and you'd probably get that for not much more than a ton

 

[zowie]

WOW, thank you all for making the time to respond, some useful information, i'll certainly look into the ones listed and suggested above.

I was looking and reading some more last night and the Record Power BS250 appears to get alot of positive feedback and for around 170quid is around the top limit of what I was proposing to spend. More than ideal, but i'm starting to realise that spending much less appears to be false economy in terms of quality and bang for buck.

I see alot of positive responses to it here and elsewhere. Though a scower of ebay is not proving very fruitful with most being buy now, and one in Cambridge which is a fair distance, though not impossible distance to go for it.

 

[mickthetree]

Hey Zowie

I picked up a nice one on ebay, but it was a case of waiting a while till a good one came up near enough to me so I could collect it.

They can be pretty heavy, but I got a cast iron frame bandsaw and two people could lift it (not including its stand).

I just typed in bandsaw, selected auction only and within 50 miles from me.

Try thissearch (I've put a lemington spa postcode in but change the postcode for your own)

Might be worth a look