New bandsaw?

[Anonymous]

Hi all

I was going to buy an Axminster 4300 plus like this one at the end of September after seeing Philly's and Waka's.

However, i nipped into Charnwood last night and chatted to the owner about their W750

So, now I am not so sure. I somehow think of the Axminster as better quality, but this could just be because they labelled it as a 'plus' model. Or maybe it is because they have more than one range of bandsaws and this is their top range. the Charnwwod looked very impressive to me.

Anyone care to compare/offer a view or own one?

I would get a small discount on the W750 and delivery would be free.

 

[ike]

Not owning any Charnwood baged stuff, I can't comment on the saw.

On spec it looks better value than the 4300 what with including a wheel kit as std, 3hp motor, wider max. blade plus effectively saving £60 on delivery.

Ike

 

[ByronBlack]

I think it would come to down to a service with a machine like this, if it's damaged during transit or has some faulty components how good would each company be in providing you with the a level of service that befits such an investment.

 

[OLD]

I had a very bad time with charnwood over a faulty 1/2 router and can not recommend them

 

[Another Dave]

You may not have much choice - I see the Axminster machine is shown as "Out of stock"

How about the big SIP, but maybe not big enough?

Although not of the same size I've got the Record 350 (it replaced a Electra), and cannot say that I'm impressed with it enough to buy another, so badge engineering is sometimes a let down!

I've also had a Charnwood site saw for a while and been happy with the machine for the price and with the times I've had to contact Charnwood about bits.

 

[Woody Alan]

Tony
I can't quite see from the Charnwood picture but three things you MAY want to check out.
The axminster cast table is full width.
The wheels are cast iron not aluminium.
The guides are bearing guides not friction type.

I have a Europac which has these slightly "lower" standard components which make no odds to me at all, in fact I prefer the blade guides much less fussy, the table size simply makes no difference at all except reduce the weight a little and the wheels, well I don't really know, they seem to go round and round and the blade hasn't fell off Oh and I haven't stalled my 2hp motor yet and I don't envisage it happening.

cheers Alan

 

[Anonymous]

Tony
I can't quite see from the Charnwood picture but three things you MAY want to check out.
The axminster cast table is full width.
The wheels are cast iron not aluminium.
The guides are bearing guides not friction type.

I have a Europac which has these slightly "lower" standard components which make no odds to me at all, in fact I prefer the blade guides much less fussy, the table size simply makes no difference at all except reduce the weight a little and the wheels, well I don't really know, they seem to go round and round and the blade hasn't fell off Oh and I haven't stalled my 2hp motor yet and I don't envisage it happening.

cheers Alan

Thanks Woody

I have looked around the Charnwood before posting and seen and used Philly's 4300 and the points you raise are interesting

On the W750, the table is full width like the 4300 - and the fence clamp rails extend beyond the table (Charnwood requested ths from the manufacturer). I am not very impressed with the fence clamp on the W750 though.

W750 band wheels are aluminium

The W750 guides are 3 bearings top and botom.

After a chat with Charnwood and a bit of discount for being a regular customer, the price and the fact that they are just up the road if anything goes wrong are the deciding factors - £699 and free delivery. (Axminster would be £780 + £60 delivery + mobile base)

 

[Paul.J]

AnotherDave wrote
I've got the Record 350 (it replaced a Electra), and cannot say that I'm impressed with it enough to buy another
I have just recently bought the BS350.
Can you say what your not impressed about with it.
Paul.J.

 

[paulm]

With apologies to Tony to detouring slightly off topic briefly, I am very interested to know on a BS350 the distance from the top of the table to the centre of the mounting points for the fence rail on the front of the table ?

Was thinking of purchasing that arrangement, which is available seperately for around £50 I think, to replace the rather agricultural one on my Startrite 351.

Only thing is that I am not sure that the edge of the table on mine is tall enough to drill and mount the replacement in the right position so if any kind BS350 owners could let me know next time they are out in the workshop that would be much appreciated !

Cheers, Paul

 

[Paul.J]

Chisel wrote
I am very interested to know on a BS350 the distance from the top of the table to the centre of the mounting points for the fence rail on the front of the table ?

Paul.
I make it 23mm.to the centre of the fixing hole.
Can i ask what the fence is your talking about.

Paul.J.

 

[paulm]

Thanks Paul, I'll pop out to the workshop and check mine to see if its deep enough on the edge.

This is the one

http://www.recordpower.co.uk/index.pl?p ... 350-FC&a=i

Do you find it pretty rigid in use or does it flex a bit at the far end ?

The Startrite one is a bit of angle iron under the front table edge and a large bit of angle iron as the fence basically ! It's functional, but not the best thing about the machine which is otherwise pretty good and solid.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Paul.J]

No problem Paul.
So the upgrade is just the standard one that comes with the BS300-350.
Reason i asked Paul is that i only started to use mine the other day and had to do a 45 degree cut,but i couldn't put the fence on the right hand side because the fence rail only goes so far across.
I thought the upgrade might have been the full width of the table.

Chisel wrote
Do you find it pretty rigid in use or does it flex a bit at the far end ?
No Paul the fence ifind rigid.Good fence really apart from what i mentioned above

Paul.J.

 

[paulm]

Not sure the fence will fit my table, it's only 28mm high so wouldn't leave much "meat" below the holes on the bottom edge.

Could I ask another favour Paul any chance you could measure the distance of the two mountings from the left hand edge of the table ? Having checked mine it's a different size table (smaller) and ther's various webbings in the casting underneath for strength, so wanted to figure if I could miss those in mounting it ?

Cheers, Paul.

 

[Paul.J]

Paul.
The first hole is 34.5mm second hole 215mm,centres.
HTH.
Paul.J.

 

[devonwoody]

Tony, I looked at the Axminster 4300 a few weeks ago and decided not to pursue because the fence is not able to angle if needed, it appears only to set at 90% to the table.

OK when the blade is happy but when they want to track you need to definitely have the facility to angle the fence. IMHO.

 

[OPJ]

What about the Scheppach Basato 4 - only £600 from Rutlands with a 10" depth of cut?

 

[davy_owen_88]

Tony, I looked at the Axminster 4300 a few weeks ago and decided not to pursue because the fence is not able to angle if needed, it appears only to set at 90% to the table.

OK when the blade is happy but when they want to track you need to definitely have the facility to angle the fence. IMHO.

Devonwoody, in the thread you started regarding the 4300 I told you that there are 4 allen bolts that allow you to adjust the fence for blade drift. It certainly is not fixed at 90 degrees.

 

[Anonymous]

What about the Scheppach Basato 4 - only £600 from Rutlands with a 10" depth of cut?

Charnwwod is costing £99 more and I get 12" cut depth and 18" throat.
Also, no delivery charge

 

[devonwoody]

Davy Allen, I apologise your reply was missed at the time not all reponses come through my email notification.

Although the Axminster salesman in the showroom at the time contradicts you reply.