The Eternal Question - Besy benchtop bandsaw for newbie???

[tinybob]

Been reading all sorts of reviews and posts on the forum and getting an idea but thought I'd ask the question straight out and hope for answers.

I'm looking to buy a benchtop bandsaw for my small workshop. It will be mainly for DIY use and (I hope) starting my hobby of making wooden toys etc.
I'm looking around the £300 mark and wanted to get your views on what is a good machine to consider. I've looked at Record BS250, Ryobi 3380, Metabo 317 and the AxminsterAWBS. Do you have any opinions on these machines? Any recommendations?

Thanks a lot for any posts and I hope to become a keen contributor to the site once I get going.

Tiny Bob

 

[mjh]

Same problem as you. Lack of space.
Try Jet JWBS-12, it's well made and should see you out! Fit a decent blade and keep an eye on the guides. Don't get too ambitious with re-sawing anything too large.
Good for machine cut dovetails if you make a suitable jig as you can get the machine up at eye level on the bench.

 

[segovia]

Hi

I have spent weeks investigating bandsaws and finally came to my decsion today I bought the Metabo 317 - reasons

Its built in Europe
larger 14" bandsaws for same price but gone for quality
Good response from their technical support on pre sales
Price £270.00 delivered to my door

I'll post a review when I get it set up next week

John

 

[andycktm]

It would be nice to know where to get it that cheap!

 

[segovia]

Sorry my mistake £283.00 delivered - still a good deal

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... SI:GB:1123

 

[andycktm]

Thats still a very good deal

(Shame its ebay though as i've seen the dark side and would sooner be run over by a steam roller than give ebay/paypay a penny :evil: my personal experience)

I've got a Lurem/matabo planner/thicknesser and its top notch, i'm sure the 317 will be very good. :wink:

 

[mickthetree]

Hi Segovia

Really interested to hear what you make of this machine. I've been looking at a few bandsaws for a while (well about a year actually) but have finally got my space sorted.

Would be interested in a review once you've got it up and running.

Plenty of pics ;-)

 

[segovia]

Well it arrived in one piece.

Setting up was easy enough and the manual wasn't too bad once you found the English section. Its not as big as I imagined I would put it somewhere between a hobby and a professional saw. I made a couple of cuts out of the box and they seem OK.

I have my doubts about the fence, its too easy to get it out of true, however form my limited knowledge third party fence manufacturers make a good living out of making up for these deficiencies.

It hard to say at the moment whether it was I good buy as I need to change the blade and use it for what I bought it for. Once I have done this I'll post some pics and video and an update. John