Yet more bandsaw buying advice

[Kev]

Hi there,

Has anyone got the Hammer N4400 bandsaw. Looks a good piece of kit? It is a bit pricey and wondered if others thought it was worth the extra cost in terms of performance etc compared to say the Basato 4. Actually on the B4 I have had a look at some reviews on the B4 and they seem fairy mixed. Is the B4 any good? Also any other recommendations that people have for other machines? Moving to a new house with a bigger workshop 30' x 48' and therefore upgrading a few machines!

Thanks

Kev

 

[Slim]

I think the general consensus with Scheppach is that the quality has taken a nose dive since they moved production east. I can't comment on the Hammer.

The Axminster SBW4300 seems to be highly regarded by the members who have it. (I have linked to Philly's page as I can't get the Axminster site to work)

Otherwise, you might want to consider the Jet range. I have the 16" version, and I love it.

 

[jasonB]

The hammer got a good write up in F&C a few issues back, if you have other hammer stuff then it makes sence as the extension tables fit all their machines.

Jason

 

[Woody Alan]

I saw the hammer machine at harrogate and if I didn't have an axminster 4300 clone I would have bought it in a heartbeat, a very nice looking machine well made.

Alan

 

[ProShop]

My only gripe with the Hammer is I thought the table was a bit small for a machine in that price range but everthing else pressed all the right buttons. They do some nice table extension accessories for it. FWIW imho the customer service is pants.

I have the Basato 5.4 which is a decent enough machine, but over priced imho (mines s/hand), the post is run in plastic guides which I keep constantly having to adjust and the table tilt is not the best either, so if the Basato 4 is based on this I'd give it a miss. I have a colleague who had the Axminster SBW4300 and rated it.

 

[Anonymous]

Charnwood W750 is as good as any and cheaper than most.

 

[Big John]

I've got the Hammer bandsaw. It's a well made piece of kit. Resaws 10" Oak effortlessly. I had to have a 16 amp supply fitted due to the power of the motor though. The blade tensioning is a doddle although the extraction could be better. I can never understand why they fit just one port at the bottom of the machine?

 

[Kev]

Thanks All. I think I will take a look at Axminster as you suggest. I had heard that Scheppach were not as good as they used to be so useful to hear other opinions.

 

[bob_c]

Kev, where did you see the scheppach 4 reviews ,i cant find any online?In magazines?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks All. I think I will take a look at Axminster as you suggest. I had heard that Scheppach were not as good as they used to be so useful to hear other opinions.

Kev,

the Axminster and the Charnwood are 99% the same machine and the Charnwood is quite a bit cheaper - man difference is one is white and the other blue :lol:

Charnwood has a more powerful motor

I have resawn 11.5" hardwood without effort and with very impessive finish (using a Dragon blade)

mine is here

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=19551&highlight=bandsaw

Scroll down for pictures and details

 

[pitch pine]

Minimax s45n is a good saw in this league but twice the price of the Axminster 4300. I managed to get a second-hand single phase machine. I bought a 1" ripping blade for it and was amazed at the quality of cut. I went for a trade machine as I was really dissappointed with a Scheppach bandsaw.

 

[Kev]

Bob

Sorry if I mislead. Didnt mean written reviews but there are a number of threads on here where people have commented on the B4. Think I am going to bite the bullet and buy the Hammer mainly because a) I use the bandsaw a lot and b) want something that is going to last. The Hammer seems to tick both boxes. I guess my only slight concnern is that there is not quick release for the blade change. Still, good practice at getting it set up properly.

 

[seaco]

Kev,

the Axminster and the Charnwood are 99% the same machine and the Charnwood is quite a bit cheaper - man difference is one is white and the other blue :lol:

Charnwood has a more powerful motor

I am also looking for a good band saw and have looked at the Charnwood 750 although it does appear to be virtually the same saw as the Axminster 4300 the 4300 weighs in at 145kgs where as the 750 weighs 162kgs I wonder where the extra weight is maybe just the motor but 17kgs is a fair bit more also the throat depth and cut height are slightly different, tables different sizes?

Also I can't seem to find the 750 hardly any cheaper than the 4300 maybe £50 0r so?

I have no idea about the Hammer N4400 but I've seen that at £879 inc vat, but I can't view one of these as no one around me has one...

I did go and see the Axminster 4300 at there shop and next to it was the Jet JWBS-16 MK2 which I liked the look of it but didn't have a quick release handle which I really fancy and I must admit it felt better made but at £999 it's a little over my budget...

 

[Anonymous]

Also I can't seem to find the 750 hardly any cheaper than the 4300 maybe £50 0r so?

Only Charwood sell the W750 directly as far as I know. I saved around £200 over the Axminster as mine was delivered for free (Axminster want £60) and it comes with a kit to move it around (Axminster charge extra for this) and it was aroud £100 cheaper than the axi

Having seen Waka's and Philly's Axminsters, there is no real difference between these saws apart from the motor and the Charnwood comes with 2 sub fences that the Axminster doesn't.

Phone Charnwood and see what deal they will do, they are a very nice company to deal with in my experience (I have purchased my Bandsaw (and old one), lathe, morticing machine, dust extractor and 12" disc sander from them and am happy with all of these piece sof kit)

 

[seaco]

Only Charwood sell the W750 directly as far as I know.

It seems maybe not just Charnwood...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CHARNWOOD-W750-18 ... dZViewItem

http://www.poolewood.co.uk/acatalog/Ban ... _W750.html

http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/sp-2 ... throat.asp

http://www.toolsnstuff.co.uk/product_in ... s_id=22433

http://www.toolsbypost.com/product.php? ... 79&id=2688

etc... There seems to be quite a few places selling it but best prices over the Axminster don't vary to much, I will pick the 4300 up if I decide on it which will save the £60 del. as Axminster tools isn't to far from me but I like the idea of the bigger motor on the Charnwood though!

Decisions decisions???

 

[Anonymous]

Decisions decisions???

Been in the same position. Charnwood has a few advantages over the Axminster and both are better than any hobbiest really needs (had no affect on my purchase decision though :wink: )

To be honest, it was an easy decision in the end as I live near Chanrwood and could play with the saw in their showroom before buying

Phone Charnwwod. They knocked an extra £50 off for me

 

[OPJ]

I had a look at the Basato 4 at Yandles yesterday and, to me inexperienced eye, I couldn't really see much wrong with it...

Then again, looking at the large Axminster machine, I'd definitely look at saving a little extra and putting it towards that one, if you can't afford a Hammer. Andy King seems to like it, as well as Philly.

I'm guessing the Charnwood also comes with a longer warranty than the standard 1 year Axminster usually provide? I was flicking through an issue of Good Woodworking from almost a year ago when Andy did a group test, including these saws and the large JET machine. The Axminster came out on top. One of Andy's criticisms of the Charnwood was that it has plastic knobs which feel a little 'cheap'.

Axminster offer excellent after sales service and Charnwood aren't bad either. They helped me when I didn't even own one of their machines!

 

[seaco]

I have been looking again and all things considered I am going for the Axminster 4300 and if it's good enough for Philly, maybe I should change my quote underneath to "All hail to PHILLY" if he uses it I want one..."... :wink:

 

[gardenshed]

Bob

Sorry if I mislead. Didnt mean written reviews but there are a number of threads on here where people have commented on the B4. Think I am going to bite the bullet and buy the Hammer mainly because a) I use the bandsaw a lot and b) want something that is going to last. The Hammer seems to tick both boxes. I guess my only slight concnern is that there is not quick release for the blade change. Still, good practice at getting it set up properly.

Felders after sales & service is IMHO extremely poor. Felder left me with a brand new machine that didn't work properly for over 3 months, I've lost count on the emails & phone calls I made. Getting them to do anything was just sheer hard work. .

..

 

[Kev]

I think I am coming round to your way of thinking Lee. I think all things considered (and I take the points about the Charnwood) I too like the look of the 4300. I am going to go to the Ally Pally show to have a good look and get a feel for a few things. It is a shame that the likes of Axminster dont seem to be there as could then compare all together (as I have mentioned in a different thread already). As a show virgin and with money put aside for new machinery I am even worrying myself let alone my wife!