New bandsaw choice

[Democritus]

Hi Guys,
Some time ago I came on this forum to say that I was thinking of getting another bandsaw. I was hoping to get to the Harrogate show in November, but in the end couldn’t get there. So,I’ve resorted to t’internet.
I’ve come down to either the Record Power Sabre 350, or the Laguna 14 12. I’ve watched YouTube videos on both, but still can’t decide. The RP looks a bit fiddly, even with a RP demonstrator doing the demo. The Laguna, too, has its issues.
Has anyone got experience of these machines, particularly with their set up, and subsequent performance?

 

[Democritus]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for your response outside of this forum. You make some good points, some of which I found a bit difficult to follow. You seem to suggest that Laguna bandsaws are now not as good as they were because they are now produced in the Far East.
What is the ‘conglomerate’ that inhibits you from commenting on the UK Workshop forum. Is it something I should be aware of?
Thanks again
D.

 

[Bojam]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for your response outside of this forum. You make some good points, some of which I found a bit difficult to follow. You seem to suggest that Laguna bandsaws are now not as good as they were because they are now produced in the Far East.
What is the ‘conglomerate’ that inhibits you from commenting on the UK Workshop forum. Is it something I should be aware of?
Thanks again
D.

Without being able to see Tom's message I can't speak directly to what he said. However, my experience with a bandsaw made in the Far East (Taiwan) has been excellent. It is not a Laguna saw but from what I have seen/read on forums the vast majority of Laguna saw owners seem to be very happy with the quality of their machines. I know Tom has a preference for European - usually Italian - made bandsaws. These are typically high quality but carry a premium price unless you can find them second hand. This may not actually be difficult depending on where you are, but buying a used machine may involve some additional work to restore/refurb so it's a choice you have to make.

Generally I think there can be a bit of snobbery towards Far Eastern manufactured machinery. The truth is that quality standards have improved over the years and some really good stuff is produced in places like Taiwan and China today. But it depends on the demands of the particular company and the quality controls they put in place. With a company like Laguna who have a very solid international reputation, backed by countless positive reviews, I wouldn't worry about the origins of their machines.

If you are interested in Italian made bandsaws then check out SCM/Minimax, Centauro, etc. Scott&Sargeant sell new models and sometimes have used machines as well.

Regarding the other thing, there is another UK woodworking forum where some people prefer to post (or use as well as this). I wouldn't worry too much about it to be honest, you'll find good helpful (and free) advice here.

 

[pe2dave]

I've the smaller Record machine, 300. Faultless for DIY use over 10 years.
IMHO most bandsaws are 'fiddly' to set up properly, but do a good job once set up.
Just my view.

 

[TRITON]

I think the RP has a 5 year guarantee, and the Laguna has a 1 year(dont know if theres an extension avail')
RP has 2 blade speeds, to the Lagunas single.
RP is 11 1/2" Laguna is 13"
£250 price difference, which pays for a lot of blades
It is pretty close, though the 5 year warranty is a bonus to have. and the slower speed option for deep ripping has to be a good option

I think if it was me i'd go for the RP, for the cheaper price, extra speed and extended warranty, even if it is 1 1/2" less depth of cut.

 

[TRITON]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for your response outside of this forum. You make some good points, some of which I found a bit difficult to follow. You seem to suggest that Laguna bandsaws are now not as good as they were because they are now produced in the Far East.
What is the ‘conglomerate’ that inhibits you from commenting on the UK Workshop forum. Is it something I should be aware of?
Thanks again
D.

Sounds scammy to me

 

[Orraloon]

Record is a bit less depth of cut but a bit more horse power. Well the laguna one I looked at anyways was less HP. My thinking is the extra depth should have some extra grunt to drive it and get you'r moneys worth. My saw FWIW looks pretty much the same as as the Record power, similar specs although with a different paint job and name. Its done me pretty well for the last 17 years.

BP355 Wood Band Saw - Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
Regards
John

 

[thikone]

I've the smaller Record machine, 300. Faultless for DIY use over 10 years.
IMHO most bandsaws are 'fiddly' to set up properly, but do a good job once set up.
Just my view.

Yes, I can second that... Also have Record Power 250 and recently got Felder FB 510 with full upgrades. Fiddly for sure, especially when no prior experience.

I admit that my expectations were like of gunsmith level. But in fact the price mostly reflects how many kilogrammes it weights, e.g. transportation and handling costs. As rule of thumb each 10 kg cost about 100 EUR. And the same goes to any machine, be it a bandsaw, a thicknesser/jointer, a lathe, or a drill press. By the way, the only drill press that I like is that Voyager DVR or drill presses made by Flott. But then they cost like 200-1000 EUR per each 10 kg...

It does work out with cheap ones too in the end, once you gain some experience. And bandsaw being a rough tool that seems to be good enough for the industry somehow. But oh boy I wish they had more stainless parts at least...

 

[Democritus]

Thanks, guys. Some really useful information.
Much appreciated.
D

 

[deema]

The very best bandsaw I’ve ever come across that’s small, compact and yet has really good capacity is a Startrite 14S5 (or 14S1) they are Cala le of cutting metal as well as wood and therefore are extremely well built. Far better built in my view than most modern saws. The big bonus is that the blade change is a doddle. They are not very sought after, so prices tend to be very modest. It’s about the same size as the saws you’ve mentioned. They don’t make them anymore so it’s a trawl for a good one secondhand.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

BP355 Wood Band Saw - Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse
Regards
John

If you can get past Cloudfare you're a better man than me, Gunga Din.

 

[BC'er]

Best bandsaw? An old one.

 

[Jonzjob]

I have been very happy with my Startrite 301S for the past 30 years. A lot of schools had them so they had to be good and strong! I set mine up properly with a good blade and have not had any problems apart from having to replace the motor capacitor once. Also, contrary to most thinking, I have only ever used a ¼" 6 skip blade and I have cut all woods from 7" oak to matchsticks for the glazing bars on a dolls house without any problems.

The Men's Shad I'm in has a Axy AW1950. It's OK, but the top guide bearings have locked up, unable to drop them down due to saw dust collecting in the works. The lower guide bearings have locked up due to a small sliver of wood getting trapped between the bearing and the blade. The blade change, the blade has to be turned through 90º due to the slot in the table being at 90º to the blade and the rip fence is a cow to adjust properly. I think that Axi lost the plot a bit when they designed it.

 

[Spectric]

You seem to suggest that Laguna bandsaws are now not as good as they were because they are now produced in the Far East.

What like nearly all our woodworking machinery, even if it is not made in the far east then it will more than likely just be assembled somewhere else from parts made in the far east. You really need to see the machines and if not then do a spreadsheet comparison of the specifications taking note of weight which is a good indicator and then motor power, pay close attention to the fence and guide bearings and last look at reviews but not as gospel. I have a Record BS400 and am happy with it, the build is ok for the money and it has a nice large table. When thinking of size it is not always just depth but a larger table gives you something to support the work if doing curves and as we say often, a big saw will cut small but a small saw cannot cut large.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The Men's Shed I'm in has a Axy AW1950. It's OK, but the top guide bearings have locked up, unable to drop them down due to saw dust collecting in the works.

I had a Woodstar that did the same - I took out the rachet mechanism and just raised it and lowered it manually. The winder just solved a non existent problem.

 

[Jonzjob]

Not really possible to do that on this one Phil as it would nul the warranty. My Startrite is just moved up/down by hand and the blade guides are metal blocks that have never given me problems. It will cut veneer thin slices all day too no matter how thick the wood is. All done with that ¼" 6 skip blade.

 

[Haywoon]

I bought the Record Power Sabre 350 in summer last year. It’s a brilliant machine. I added the wheel kit which makes manoeuvring it much easier. I’ve found the build quality to be excellent. The other thing I added was an Axminster led work light to provide a better visibility when cutting. The dust extraction is pretty good and changing / aligning the fence is dead easy.

 

[Spectric]

and changing / aligning the fence is dead easy

The fence was a major upgrade on the Sabre machines over the previous BS machines and is available as an upgrade for the earlier machines.

https://www.recordpower.co.uk/produ...fence-upgrade-kit-fits-bs300ebs350s-and-bs400