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

[Random Orbital Bob]

You need to send it back Vinnie How bizarre, two saws in the same week with a very unusual problem. I'n guessing there's a pattern to the manufacturing here. Duff batch I reckon. Get RP to send you a new one and get them to check it before it leaves their depo.

 

[vinnie_chip]

as you can see its quite abit out...

 

[skronk]

Vinnie,

Check my pics in above posts. They are replacing mine but I'm still a wee bit miffed its 2mm (hammer) out.
Mind you they were up front in telling me.
Totally disappointed in product and company. Def. no more RP for your truly.
Will give replacement a try but feel deep down it will be for sale soon.

This is why god gave us alcohol.. =D>

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

That's totally unacceptable. Phone their tek ppl tomorrow and tell them they need to pick it up and replace which they will happily do if I know them. You might want to mention this is the 2nd saw that this has happened to and that RP's reputation is being paraded on this forum every night. I feel confident they would want to ensure their good name is preserved because this forum is quite wide ranging in the UK. Also make certain they agree to hand checking the next one they ship to you to avoid either bent table problems or a repeat of this out of true upper blade guide assembly.

 

[skronk]

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!!

I did ask for replacement guard because of my location, but they said they felt the "frame was misaligned". A replacement would be necessary. O.K. the raise / lower assembly is 2mm out, but better than 10mm. Not as good as 0mm out !!

I felt it may have taken a right good pounding in transit, but as yours is the same ????

Yours appears to be absolutely identical to mine.

 

[vinnie_chip]

I'm going to ring them in the morning. Problem is I've chucked the box it came in!

 

[vinnie_chip]

Skronk did they collect it from your location?

 

[skronk]

Skronk did they collect it from your location?

Not yet delivered / picked up. Monday is the day.

They asked if I could cover in polythene.....obviously having a laugh.....who has polythene that size ? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Then stated "If you cannot, don't worry about it"

I have, however, salvaged the box, securely packed machine and wrapped in Gaffa tape, waiting for Monday.

 

[vinnie_chip]

Ah.. ok, I'll chat with them tomorrow and see what they say. Cheers mate.

 

[vinnie_chip]

Spoke to record power earlier, explained what the problems were and they said they will send out a replacement and collect the duff one. He did go on to say the bs12 is only a standard bandsaw and that for an extra 200 quid I could get the premium bs300! Surely a 400 quid bandsaw should not have these faults?

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Vinnie and Skronk

I've had a response from RP (on your behalf) after I mailed them yesterday. Their perspective is that the transit between dealer and customer is sometimes a source of damage if they're not packaged properly. If you call a person called Lee on the regular RP phone number and tell them your woes then RP will intervene on your behalf and try to rectify any concerns. They do (as I thought they would) take customer service very seriously and take pride in their hard earned reputation so I'm sure only good can come of this. Skronk I would discuss the "is 2mm out OK" issue as well and RP will give you a definitive answer. I guess if it doesn't affect performance in any way....does it really matter? It'll be too late now on Friday afternoon but Monday would be OK.

In case anyones wondering I have no link to RP, am just a happy customer of theirs over many years and could see this all going horribly wrong which has been the opposite of my experience with them so thought I'd jump in.

 

[skronk]

Spoke to record power earlier, explained what the problems were and they said they will send out a replacement and collect the duff one. He did go on to say the bs12 is only a standard bandsaw and that for an extra 200 quid I could get the premium bs300! Surely a 400 quid bandsaw should not have these faults?

Perhaps, by RP's statement only the premium range will perform properly ! :shock:

I'm not sure that many other manufacturers have a "premium" and "standard" range. If you manufacture and sell it, it should be fit for purpose, premium or not..

How do Makita, Bosch, etc etc retail products circa £400 that appear to work ?

Glad you got some satisfaction anyway. Us poor people who can only afford standard ranges must stick together.

 

[skronk]

Vinnie and Skronk

I've had a response from RP (on your behalf) after I mailed them yesterday. Their perspective is that the transit between dealer and customer is sometimes a source of damage if they're not packaged properly. If you call a person called Lee on the regular RP phone number and tell them your woes then RP will intervene on your behalf and try to rectify any concerns. They do (as I thought they would) take customer service very seriously and take pride in their hard earned reputation so I'm sure only good can come of this. Skronk I would discuss the "is 2mm out OK" issue as well and RP will give you a definitive answer. I guess if it doesn't affect performance in any way....does it really matter? It'll be too late now on Friday afternoon but Monday would be OK.

In case anyones wondering I have no link to RP, am just a happy customer of theirs over many years and could see this all going horribly wrong which has been the opposite of my experience with them so thought I'd jump in.

Bob,

Thanks for your intervention.

The transit problem should have been addressed by RP by now. To ship something by carrier ( who basically doesn't give a fig) that weighs 84kg in a cardboard box is farcical. A crate is really required to protect the goods.

I am prepared to take them at face value with regard the 2mm, but can help thinking its just as easy to get it right first time as not. To me protecting my hard earned reputation to a customer with bent blade guard and warped table would be.....don't send one thats 2mm out, get another one that is spot on !!

As an aside, do premium machines come in a cardboard box ?

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Spoke to record power earlier, explained what the problems were and they said they will send out a replacement and collect the duff one. He did go on to say the bs12 is only a standard bandsaw and that for an extra 200 quid I could get the premium bs300! Surely a 400 quid bandsaw should not have these faults?

Perhaps, by RP's statement only the premium range will perform properly ! :shock:

I'm not sure that many other manufacturers have a "premium" and "standard" range. If you manufacture and sell it, it should be fit for purpose, premium or not..

How do Makita, Bosch, etc etc retail products circa £400 that appear to work ?

Glad you got some satisfaction anyway. Us poor people who can only afford standard ranges must stick together.

Skronk, I think that perspective isn't altogether accurate though I understand your cynicism given the circumstances. Manufacturers do usually offer a product range which rises with features, build quality and of course associated price. With woodworking machines the way Axy market that classic distinction is 3 categories which are Hobby, trade and Industrial. Bosch do it too with their green range (DIY) and blue range (pro). All the big guys do basically that same principle. With the hobby end of the ranges, the tolerances aren't as exact, the metal isn't as thick, the features aren't as robust and they are not intended for continuous use. Basically they're a compromise to achieve a certain budget level so we non commercial types can afford them. They do work and they work well as long as we don't expect too much of them. So don't have too high an expectation of a budget tool and you'll be fine. But it is of course reasonable to expect them to work as advertised, in fact you have a right in law as a customer defined by the sale of goods act to that end

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Vinnie and Skronk

I've had a response from RP (on your behalf) after I mailed them yesterday. Their perspective is that the transit between dealer and customer is sometimes a source of damage if they're not packaged properly. If you call a person called Lee on the regular RP phone number and tell them your woes then RP will intervene on your behalf and try to rectify any concerns. They do (as I thought they would) take customer service very seriously and take pride in their hard earned reputation so I'm sure only good can come of this. Skronk I would discuss the "is 2mm out OK" issue as well and RP will give you a definitive answer. I guess if it doesn't affect performance in any way....does it really matter? It'll be too late now on Friday afternoon but Monday would be OK.

In case anyones wondering I have no link to RP, am just a happy customer of theirs over many years and could see this all going horribly wrong which has been the opposite of my experience with them so thought I'd jump in.

Bob,

Thanks for your intervention.

The transit problem should have been addressed by RP by now. To ship something by carrier ( who basically doesn't give a fig) that weighs 84kg in a cardboard box is farcical. A crate is really required to protect the goods.

I am prepared to take them at face value with regard the 2mm, but can help thinking its just as easy to get it right first time as not. To me protecting my hard earned reputation to a customer with bent blade guard and warped table would be.....don't send one thats 2mm out, get another one that is spot on !!

As an aside, do premium machines come in a cardboard box ?

You make a good point my friend.....it was just plain ignorance that thwarted you and no mistake. When my 300 arrived it came in a wooden crate, palletised and it was carefully packed inside the crate too. Bolted if I recall correctly. In RP's response to me apart from suggesting you call this Lee person, they said that on occasion their dealers get the transit packing wrong. That is clearly whats happened to you and Vinnie. You would think RP would take considerable pains to fix their dealers education wouldn't you as it must be costing them a tidy sum in returned machines. Do they still charge the dealer I wonder??

 

[skronk]

Spoke to record power earlier, explained what the problems were and they said they will send out a replacement and collect the duff one. He did go on to say the bs12 is only a standard bandsaw and that for an extra 200 quid I could get the premium bs300! Surely a 400 quid bandsaw should not have these faults?

Perhaps, by RP's statement only the premium range will perform properly ! :shock:

I'm not sure that many other manufacturers have a "premium" and "standard" range. If you manufacture and sell it, it should be fit for purpose, premium or not..

How do Makita, Bosch, etc etc retail products circa £400 that appear to work ?

Glad you got some satisfaction anyway. Us poor people who can only afford standard ranges must stick together.

So don't have too high an expectation of a budget tool and you'll be fine.

Agreed Bob, but a budget tool is something akin to a NuTool router with 6 bits an plastic carrying case for 35 quid.

I have an ancient one of these that still works. I think possibly the point Vinnie and I were trying to make is that as a hobbyist, £400 is not a budget machine.

 

[vinnie_chip]

I think RP should re-write the description of the bs12 on their site to - standard bandsaw , not very well made, better off with the premium bs300. That describes it better than their over hyped description.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

LOL

 

[skronk]

I think RP should re-write the description of the bs12 on their site to - standard bandsaw , not very well made, better off with the premium bs300. That describes it better than their over hyped description.

I don't think you're far wrong there Vinnie, but I have a vested interest :lol: :lol: :lol:

Think yourself lucky you did not buy a lower model like the 250 or 10, who knows what the performance would be like !!

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Gentlemen

Not sure where you've got to in your discussions with RP but please see below my final response from them this morning. If you still have any concerns I suggest you make contact with the individual mentioned in Lee's note to me. So...we know...they do care

From leeb on 10-03-2014 09:46

Hello Mr Legge

If they ring 01246 571020 , press option 2 , for our warranty / technical department and ask for Richard . He is aware of their issue and this email thread and will be able to help and resolve.

Many thanks

Lee

By the way where he refers to "they" he of course means you two (Skronk and Vinnie) in case that isn't obvious.