Noobie to bandsaw.....struggling to set guides

[skronk]

I think its fair to say the blade guard is bent.......Bummer

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

No question. Is that a brand new saw? Its clearly been wacked in transit if it is. RP will sort you out, their after sales service is really good. If its not possible to "panel beat" it back to true they will replace it. I've a number of their machines and have done over the years and have had excellent service from them

 

[skronk]

No question. Is that a brand new saw? Its clearly been wacked in transit if it is. RP will sort you out, their after sales service is really good. If its not possible to "panel beat" it back to true they will replace it. I've a number of their machines and have done over the years and have had excellent service from them

Well Bob, they are coming back to me on Monday. I don't mind fitting a replacement part, though its disappointing as they are already sending me a replacement table to replace the warped one that came with it. Yes, the saw is brand new out the box yesterday !!!!!!

 

[Grayo]

Yep that's better. You can clearly see the guard leaning to the left on the bottom. In the up position it looked alright but now it's down there's no doubt it's either had a knock or badly installed at manufacture.

Ps I can't believe how tight that top wheel is inside the housing, it looks like the left side is touching the frame ???

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

No question. Is that a brand new saw? Its clearly been wacked in transit if it is. RP will sort you out, their after sales service is really good. If its not possible to "panel beat" it back to true they will replace it. I've a number of their machines and have done over the years and have had excellent service from them

Well Bob, they are coming back to me on Monday. I don't mind fitting a replacement part, though its disappointing as they are already sending me a replacement table to replace the warped one that came with it. Yes, the saw is brand new out the box yesterday !!!!!!

What a shame. Sounds like that machine was a Friday afternoon job - very disappointing.

 

[skronk]

Yep that's better. You can clearly see the guard leaning to the left on the bottom. In the up position it looked alright but now it's down there's no doubt it's either had a knock or badly installed at manufacture.

I would think it must be manufacture as the outer box was pristine when it arrived.

 

[Grayo]

Don't let it put you off, I'm really happy with my RP BS300 and I bought mine second hand. I also notice the upper wheel is also a tight fit it looks like it's touching the frame on the left side of the wheel housing.

 

[skronk]

Don't let it put you off, I'm really happy with my RP BS300 and I bought mine second hand. I also notice the upper wheel is also a tight fit it looks like it's touching the frame on the left side of the wheel housing.

Have to be honest and say I am a wee bit down. Delivery to here was £50 on top of cost of machine. Painful for the result !!

 

[Grayo]

Don't let it put you off, I'm really happy with my RP BS300 and I bought mine second hand. I also notice the upper wheel is also a tight fit it looks like it's touching the frame on the left side of the wheel housing.

Have to be honest and say I am a wee bit down. Delivery to here was £50 on top of cost of machine. Painful for the result !!

I bet you are as well but lets hope they sort it out pretty quick then you'll soon be getting stuck into cutting up wood.

 

[skronk]

Yep that's better. You can clearly see the guard leaning to the left on the bottom. In the up position it looked alright but now it's down there's no doubt it's either had a knock or badly installed at manufacture.

Ps I can't believe how tight that top wheel is inside the housing, it looks like the left side is touching the frame ???

Trick of the light.....You can get an index finger in the space !!

 

[skronk]

Well, after a wee bit of a struggle to get an answer from Record Power, they want to replace the machine :shock: stating they think the frame is misaligned. I thought a replacement blade guard may have done the trick to save hassle and postage, but they say no. Still, I suppose as its brand new, I may as well get it right. Disappointing all the same.

My new Tuff Saws blade still sits here boxed and unused... not a serious piece of wood cut in anger !

So, anyway, next Monday or Tuesday delivery suits me best. Hope it arrives as promised.

Watch this space !!

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

well....I have to say, though disappointing of course, the company stands by their promises and I guess in a way that's not a bad result. When I made that slightly glib remark about it being a Friday afternoon "lemon" of a machine it appears there was some truth in that.

You'll be better off not having to compromise and I'm sure you'll look back in a few weeks and be glad you took this route.

 

[skronk]

well....I have to say, though disappointing of course, the company stands by their promises and I guess in a way that's not a bad result. When I made that slightly glib remark about it being a Friday afternoon "lemon" of a machine it appears there was some truth in that.

You'll be better off not having to compromise and I'm sure you'll look back in a few weeks and be glad you took this route.

Have to be honest and say I did think I had made a mistake going for Record Power !

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

I own 6 different RP machines and have done for a few years now. I've always been impressed with 4 things about them:
1) They like cast iron and that usually helps with woodworking machinery. There is a distinct "whiff" of Sheffield about the whole company and being a Rotherham lad originally I quite like that.
2) That 5 yr warranty is pretty industry leading and very attractive in a non commercial environment.
3) I've found their after sales support to be excellent....not for the faint hearted mind. They call a spade a spade and if you've cocked something up they'll tell you and might even laugh at what a big girls blouse you are. But they're open, honest and decent in my experience.
4) They are Startrite and you can really tell that in the design of many of their machines. Their bandsaws inherit a lot of the startrite design pedigree incl cast wheels, double trunion, cast block for the fence. Their machines really are as good as budget machines get and they back them up...and they're British (national anthem starts playing in background).

You've been really unlucky, doubtless because the bandsaws are manufactured in the far East (not a bad thing because at this end of the range that keeps the price sensible). My assumption is that somewhere in the transit chain your machine has been mullered in a big way.

I would encourage you to try and avoid judging the company on the basis of one bad machine because in the round I've found them to be a very decent bunch. Usual disclaimers of course...I'm nowt to do we'em...just a happy punter. (With a possible Yorkshire bias I confess)

 

[John15]

Regarding Record Power's after sales service, I've had a good example of it this morning. The belt that drives the lower wheel on my BS250 has been repeatedly slipping off so I rang their technical team for some advise. The guy I spoke to couldn't have been more helpful - after asking if the tension on the belt was OK he knew straight away what the problem was - the hub on the driveshaft to the motor needed to be eased forward 2 - 3mm. I did as he said and it now works like a dream. He even phoned me back to check everything was OK.
Cheers,
John

 

[skronk]

Regarding Record Power's after sales service, I've had a good example of it this morning. The belt that drives the lower wheel on my BS250 has been repeatedly slipping off so I rang their technical team for some advise. The guy I spoke to couldn't have been more helpful - after asking if the tension on the belt was OK he knew straight away what the problem was - the hub on the driveshaft to the motor needed to be eased forward 2 - 3mm. I did as he said and it now works like a dream. He even phoned me back to check everything was OK.
Cheers,
John

Maybe I've been unlucky but I struggle to get an email reply. On Friday I suggested I go back to DM Tools (the retailer). RP phoned back at 4.45pm to say they will replace the machine. It has been checked today and they phoned today to say the raise lower guard..(one of the original faults) is out by 2mm....Is that O.K ? they ask. I agreed but can see it being sold soon. Not a very happy bunny.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Hi Skronk.......Ive just seen your pm and have responded.
Keep your chin up old son, these things are sent to try us I'm afraid.

 

[vinnie_chip]

Hi skronk, did record power send you a replacement blade guard? I have just noticed on mine it is the same as yours, about 10 mm out!!

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

They're sending him a completely new saw because they believe the frame itself has got bent somehow (in transit presumably). However, the replacement has the guides out by 2mm but they don't expect that to affect performance because there's plenty of adjustment in the bearings setting threads. Is yours also new Vinnie?

If so I think they have a duff batch or something.

 

[vinnie_chip]

Hi Bob, yes mine is new, mine is that far out that when the guide is at its lowest point the left hand guide bearing doesn't get anywhere near the blade ( if that makes sense).