Tablesaw V Bandsaw - ding ding, round 300!

[ByronBlack]

Roger, there are two issues I have problems with: Thick stock and long ripping, and large panels.

Crosscuting panels is ok unless they are particularly wide, but it's when rip cutting a panel to size that is problem, they are invariably too long for the MFT, and I either have to resort to moving the guide round so it's straddling the longside, or if the panel is longer than that I have to do it off the MFT - so it really becomes an issue when I have a lot of different size panels that i'm having to change and setup etc.. with my limited time in the workshop I end up spending over half of that just setting up for a particular cut.

90 degree cuts can be a problem on larger panels due to only working from pencil lines; so when there are a number of panels to cut the same size it's difficult to be accurate enough to get them all the same and at 90.

But continuing my thinking, I'm almost sure making a larger MFT is probably the answer, and the thicker stuff can through the bandsaw.

 

[ByronBlack]

Just seen this:

http://www.scosarg.co.uk/mall/productpa ... 1332/83104

Seems to be quite a good deal. Looks like a clone of the SIP, any thoughts?

 

[Mike.C]

Hi Byron,

It is a SIP clone, but unlike the Axminster you do not get the sliding table,
which at around £300+ (for a SIP added extra) if you did not want it, you could sell for a few bob. It's got to be worth £150+ to someone who bought the table saw without it in the first place.

ebay link

Cheers

Mike

 

[Slim]

Byron and Mike,

Be aware, the Axminster sliding table does not fit the SIP saw. (Not without a few modifications anyway)

The price of that SIP clone is very good. I can definately recommend it as a good saw.

 

[Mike.C]

Thanks for info SJ. I know the rails are different on the Ax, but I did read somewhere on the forum that it is easy to convert it, but you are 100% right, it would need some playing around with. I was just trying to make sure BB thinks of everything and gets the best deal possibly. After all if he bought the Ax, sold the sliding table for £150, over all the saw would cost him around £350, and the saving could go towards his extractor, or better still bandsaw. :lol:

As for it being a good saw, I have the 12" model and can second that.

Cheers

Mike

 

[ByronBlack]

Ok, so I've finally made a decision. I've just got of the phone with a lovely (and rather attractive sounding) lady from axminster, and I have one of these on it's way to be delivered tomorrow morning:

It was only £427 with free delivery. DB Keighley wanted £50 delivery for their Jet 14" but couldn't send it out for upwards of three weeks and wanted to be paid via a cheque!! So I discounted that and went for the axminster version which is virtually identical. I also orded a mobile base and some roller stands. I've got some nice blades on their way from Dure edge.

I'll be expanding the MFT to allow me to do larger panels.

Thanks to everyone for their input and advice, it was all much appreciated. I know the concesus was for the TS and I was heading that way myself, but after thinking about the projects I want to do, I can find more uses for the BS than the TS - maybe i'll add one in the future if I really feel the need.

 

[Scrit]

Cutting panels is the Holy Grail we're after, I think.

Believe me, Roger, there's only one accurate way to rip an 8ft panel with repeatability - it's called a sliding table panel saw. Nothing else quite works, including wall saws and beam saws (been there, tried that, got the T-shirts......). The problem about trying to use a standard table saw is that they are just too small - and ripping an 8ft panel on any table saw requires about 19 or so feet length, which I don't think Byron has, so a guide rail, circular saw, trestle and an engineer's square will go a long way towards what you want in a minimal workspace.

I do know that John Elliott tried different systems also for this same purpose...moving from table saw to MFT and back to table saw again but don't know what conclusion he came to.

And he drove a few of us nuts trying to advise him that as a commercial operation there is no substitute for an industrial panel saw, even a 4ft carriage/crosscut machine, which, whilst not as accurate as a full 8 or 10ft slider is a heck of a step up from anything Elektra Beckum sell

Scrit

 

[ByronBlack]

Well, I sincerely hope i've not driven anyone mad with my post, for an amateur like me it's always such a big decision to spend this kind of money on what is just a hobby, so I really appreciate all the inputs and various views/idea's.

I would certainly be somewhat lost and financially worse off if I couldn't rely on the guidance of this forum.

 

[WellsWood]

....... and financially worse off if I couldn't rely on ...............

..........er, dunno really, without us greasing the slope for each other on occasions like this we might all be a bit better off :lol:

Although you seem to have come through relatively unscathed
this time :twisted:

MArk

 

[ByronBlack]

:lol: :lol:

Wait till I come over to your workshop mark, I'll probably come away with a burning need for a new dovetail saw!!

 

[Slim]

but I did read somewhere on the forum that it is easy to convert it

Mike,

I suspect it was me who wrote that. I bought Tony's sliding table expecting it to be the same as the SIP. The brackets on the Axminster mount to the cabinet, whereas on the SIP, they mount to the underside of the table. I welded up some simple right angle brackets, drilled and tapped them. Now it fits and works perfectly, although I must admit most of the time it sits on the floor tucked out of the way, as I hardly use it.


Byron, good choice. I'm sure it will be an excelent saw.

 

[Mike.C]

Simon, SIP must have changed the fittings on the 12" model, because mine connects to the cabinet using L brackets.

Oh well you learn something every day. :wink:

Cheers

Mike

 

[ByronBlack]

I can confirm that Axminster are the finest supplier in the country. I placed the order yesterday at 4.00pm and at 2pm today all the products were delivered safely. No damage, nothing missing, excellent.

The bandsaw itself is wonderful. At over £150 cheaper than the Jet I can see no real difference in the machines (I previously owned the Jet) The design is identical, the base is the same, the guides are the same, i'm 99% it is the same machine.

The only difference I can think of is that I think the table on the Jet was larger - this is from memory so I could be wrong. The only other difference is the fence setup.

The fence on the axminster model is a made of a lighter weight alloy whereas the Jet had a caste iron bar and and ally fence so teh whole setup was a little heavier. However, I actually prefer this axminster model as the scale seems more accurate and the fence slides along and locks without deflection which I couldn't say the same with the Jet.

The setup went extremely smoothly. And another tick for this axminster ahead of the Jet. I get no drift at all from the supplied blade (10mm) the stock comes out exactly the same thickness as is selected on the fence scale, the guides didn't even need adjusting. The tracking on the wheels is perfect, and when the table is bolted down to the zero mark, it's perfectly square with the blade!

Even though the Jet didn't require a lot of setting up. I did need to alter the tracking and setup the guides and fiddle with the fence a bit to alter a touch of drift.

This machine also comes with a motor brake which is a nice touch.

Overall, I think it's an excellent machine, cuts well even with the supplied blade very easy to setup and unbelievable value for money.

If anyone is thinking of getting the Jet - even from DB Keighey where they sell it cheaper than Axminster, I would advise to get this version from Axminster instead. You'll save over £70 and get the item next day delivered for free whereas DB K wanted £50 and three weeks to ship.

I'm officially a happy bunny and looking forward to cutting the tenons on the trestle legs so I can finally complete the base to the workbench project.

Hope that mini-review will be of some use to anyone else thinking of a 14" bandsaw.

 

[paulm]

Sounds good BB, looking forward to some more workbench pics when you give your new toy a proper workout.

Cheers, Paul.