Which Bandsaw....?!

[Mr Ed]

I am teetering on the edge of a bandsaw purchase and have swung between the options so many times I think my head might explode.

Which would you go for;

this

Axminster Plus AP5300-T3

or this

Jet JWBS-18 Mk2.

Specs and prices very similar, I was planning to take advantage of the Axminster reductions before Xmas.

Cheers, Ed[/list]

 

[Waka]

Ed

The question you really need to ask yourself is, do I really need one that big,if the answer is yes then I would recommend the Axminster Plus 5300.

If the answer is no then go for the Axminster Plus 4300, this si the one a few of us have. I did a comparison before I bought mine with the Jet and both Philly and I decided on the 4300.

You might want to consider doing a comparison against the 5300 and the n4300, you could very well save yourself some money.

By the way we both think the 4300 is an excellent machine.

Hope this helps

 

[wizer]

They look near identical. Everyone knows my feeling on Jet machinery. But I reckon the Axminster has the same amount of quality. I think it comes down to price here.

 

[Mr Ed]

Right, I've definitely decided to go with Axminster. Just need to pick 4300 or 5300 now....

I think 5300 because I have the room and it can tension a wider blade.

A few more hours pondering yet I think.

Cheers, Ed

 

[ProShop]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with either machine. I had a good look at the Jet recently and it's well made, good finish etc. good price. The Axminster 4300 is also a good machine a colleague had one for cutting large architectural oak beams and was well pleased with it.
If size is the thing I'd go for the 5300 with it's bigger table. If your cutting large pieces I'd go for a large table everytime.

Hope this helps

 

[ByronBlack]

For what it's worth, the Jet bandsaw I owned was the best tool/machine I've ever bought, and with the hassles i'm having with the Basato, I'm tempted to go back to Jet. I also prefer the heavier duty fence arrangement on the Jet compared to the ali version on the axminster.

 

[newt]

Ed are the bearings the same on both. I can see some external differences like the extraction port, fence and switches.

 

[Mr Ed]

Ed are the bearings the same on both. I can see some external differences like the extraction port, fence and switches.

The bearing guides on the Axminster are at 90 degrees to the blade, rather than the type where they are parallel to the blade as on the Jet , which is better in my view. This is one of the reasons I favour the Axminster.

The Ax also has a quick tension release lever.

Cheers, Ed

 

[Mr Ed]

Its done, I went for the AP5300

Cheers, Ed

 

[ByronBlack]

A fine choice, will you give us a review of sorts when you get it?

 

[Mr Ed]

I certainly will.

Cheers, Ed

 

[Chippyjoe]

Good job you went for the one you did Ed,because you would need a ladder to use the 4300 if you check the table height!! :lol: :lol:

 

[Mr Ed]

Good job you went for the one you did Ed,because you would need a ladder to use the 4300 if you check the table height!! :lol: :lol:

Yes I noticed that... :lol:

Cheers, Ed

 

[Ironballs]

Have you had to buy a couple of extra joists then Ed, it's not light that saw

 

[Mr Ed]

Well I did some closer inspection and I have 2 steel beams running through to split the long span into 3.

My rough calculations suggest its OK, so my original weight concerns are not such an issue. The saw is 160Kg, which is 1.6kN and not an excessive load to accommodate.

Now getting it up the stairs is another matter.... :shock:

We shall see.

Cheers, Ed

 

[PaulO]

Interesting, I am faced with exactly the same decision, spurred on by the evil Axminster discount.

But my mind is swinging towards the Jet, as I prefer the idea of static guides. They provide more vertical support, and bearing guides on bandsaws seem to brinnell very quickly.

 

[Mr Ed]

Well I had to google brinnell to find out what it means, so a bit of education for me there tonight!

You might be right Paul, I've not had this type of guides before but my unscientific research shows that most higher end bandsaws have this type. Interestingly the newest Jet saws available in the US have changed from the old type to this type of bearing guide. That change must be for a reason...

I'll report back on how I get on.

Cheers, Ed

 

[PaulO]

Its done, I went for the AP5300

Cheers, Ed

Just done the opposite and ordered the Jet, "resaw at dawn" to see which is best :lol:

 

[Mr Ed]

I suspect they will be very similar. In fact I thought that at one time some of the Axminster own brand and Jet were made in the same factory, although I may be wrong on that.

Ordered mine on Monday and apart from the automatic e-mail heard nothing yet...

Cheers, Ed

 

[PaulO]

My last experience of Axminster large goods delivery was that I heard nothing for about 10 days, then I got a letter asking to call them to arrange delivery. Once I had called them they delivered a couple of days later. Delivery was very good, with them dropping it (Jet P/T) in my workshop, despite having to negotiate about 30m of gravel. Not sure they'll want to drag it up your stairs though.

Wasn't long ago (four years?) that Axminster made all their own deliveries, no matter what size. I think they very quickly decided it was more efficient to use ANC / TNT.