Bandsaw advice please

[Kev]

Hi All,

I'm considering a bandsaw - I'm getting over my nervousness ... thinking that a quality bandsaw is relatively safe if you are careful !

The offerings in Oz are a bit mixed. Brands that seem common are Jet and Hammer, the rest look like they're China rebrands ... or they're crazy expensive.

Metabo band saws don't look very impressive. Aggazanni and Centauro, etc are $AU4~6K+

I really like the look of the Hammer N4400 (single phase 230V 3KW) has anyone tried anything similar?

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Kev

You should not be afraid to use a bandsaw. Follow the instructions, look at a couple of videos and take advice from FOG members and you will be fine. I could not manage without mine.

I have a very old Electra Beckum machine from Germany. They have been taken over by Metabo. Mine appears to be like their BAS 317 model but I could be wrong.

I use two blades; a 6mm blade for scroll work and tightish curves and a 18mm blade (might be 19mm) for everything else. With the larger blade I regularly re-saw timber upto 6 inches thick. I recently bought some Idigbo in a huge lump about 80mm thick by 330mm wide. My little bandsaw just ate it up with no problem at all. When you buy a cheap bandsaw throw the supplied blade away and buy the best that you can find. I do very little ripping of wood on my table saw as I prefer the bandsaw followed by the jointer/planer.

Peter

Oops - forgot the pictures...

 

[Top Knot]

I recently got a Hammer saw spindle combo, so I can vouch for the brand being of good quality. I have looked before at getting a new band saw and given a choice between the Jet and Hammer I would go Hammer but I have never had the privelidge to compare the two side by side.
Do you know what to look out for in a band saw?
Band saws are certianly of the safer of larger power tools or at least machinery. I have heard of schools that rather teach on a band saw than a circular saw or table saw for instance.

 

[Timtool]

I used the have a Elektra Beckum BAS450 (now metabo as Peter mentioned) and thought it was ok, even though it could not cut straight or very deep without wandering.
Now i have the Hammer N4400 and it's terrific, for the money it's really a great machine. I'm using it 10 times more than my previous one, it's so precise that i do all my ripping on it instead of the panelsaw. Now i am using my panel saw allot less. Changing blades is relatively quick.
The negative part would be the small size of the table, but i built a long out feed table for it. Ans also when working with wood like pine the sawdust tends to stick on the rubber of the wheels and i need to clean it with a solvent each time i change blades. Something my Elektra never did.
And this machine must also absolutely be used with DC, otherwise the wheels will blow the fine dust in your face. Again something my Elektra didn't do.

But anyway i would very much recommend it, i have a couple Jet machines and they are decent but i would take a Hammer over it anytime when in similar price category.

 

[andvari]

i need to clean it with a solvent each time i change blades.

[eek] Solvents can cause all sorts of issues with rubber or elastomers. I'd talk to Felder to make sure what you are doing won't cause deterioration of the tires.

 

[Mac]

Hi Kev,

You hear a lot of good things about the Hammer over here in the UK, and the Jet models are also seen as being pretty solid. Woodguy has got an 18 inch Jet if I recall, hopefully he'll chime in with his thoughts. I've got a big Startrite and wouldn't be without it, it's one of those tools you wonder how you did without. Go for it.

Cheers,
Rick

 

[Timtool]

i need to clean it with a solvent each time i change blades.

[eek] Solvents can cause all sorts of issues with rubber or elastomers. I'd talk to Felder to make sure what you are doing won't cause deterioration of the tires.

With solvent i meant turpentine oil or white spirit, i think the problem is that the DC port is at the bottom so it collects the dust that falls on the bottom through gravity. A part of it gets in between the blade and rubber, and the soft brush doesn't do much to remove it. Doesn't happen with hardwoods though.

 

[andvari]

With solvent i meant turpentine oil or white spirit, i think the problem is that the DC port is at the bottom so it collects the dust that falls on the bottom through gravity. A part of it gets in between the blade and rubber, and the soft brush doesn't do much to remove it. Doesn't happen with hardwoods though.

I have no idea what the tires are made of, but there are some elastomers like EPDM that would be subject to attack from these solvents. As I said it would be best to contact Felder about it.

 

[andvari]

Kev -

I am seriously looking at a new bandsaw purchase too. Here in the US the choices for a higher end hobbyist seem to be MiniMax (which I've heard is made by Centauro), Hammer/Felder, Laguna and Agazanni.

I've reluctantly eliminated Laguna from consideration because of the support horror stories floating around. It's unfortunate because they have some nice features.

MiniMax and Agazanni look very solid too, with dealers with fine reputations, however maybe a bit over the top for my needs.

The Hammer N4400 has a lot going for it. It seems sized and priced well for a hobbyist looking for a quality tool to fit into a moderately sized space. The also have a showroom in Delaware that is within driving distance for me.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I bet you could find a nice Wadkin or other english BS down under.

 

[Kev]

Kev -

I am seriously looking at a new bandsaw purchase too. Here in the US the choices for a higher end hobbyist seem to be MiniMax (which I've heard is made by Centauro), Hammer/Felder, Laguna and Agazanni.

I've reluctantly eliminated Laguna from consideration because of the support horror stories floating around. It's unfortunate because they have some nice features.

MiniMax and Agazanni look very solid too, with dealers with fine reputations, however maybe a bit over the top for my needs.

The Hammer N4400 has a lot going for it. It seems sized and priced well for a hobbyist looking for a quality tool to fit into a moderately sized space. The also have a showroom in Delaware that is within driving distance for me.

Agazanni is about double the ticket down here - can't see double the value over the Hammer. Also for me, something with more than 300mm throat is just getting way too big - so the more commercial machines are right out. The Hammer sits at about 30% more expensive than similar sized Chinese made machines that you see here with various names ... So it's priced well I think.

We get Centauro, Leda, Scheppach (?spelling) ... quite a few others too, but I want something with a long life cycle and local distributor support. Felder/Hammer have a brach in Sydney's outer western suburbs and a mobile rep that can come to my home if needed.

I suppose the big question for me in this is that if I bite the bullet on the bandsaw, I need to then look at a planer/thicknesser. This in turn means a lot of space reorganization. Plus I'd need a proper high volume extractor ...

I can see my wife rolling her eyes at the very thought  [sad]

 

[Glenn in Shailer]

...gidday Kev...
I just had a looky at the Hammer at the Brisbane WWWS... most impressed compared the Jet, Carbatec...etc.
I definitely will grab one within the next couple of months.
Watch out at the Sydney WWWS, Hammer/Felder will be there.

Glenn

 

[Kev]

...gidday Kev...
I just had a looky at the Hammer at the Brisbane WWWS... most impressed compared the Jet, Carbatec...etc.
I definitely will grab one within the next couple of months.
Watch out at the Sydney WWWS, Hammer/Felder will be there.

Glenn

How's this for bad timing ... I was out at Emu Plains yesterday morning - and I never go out there! Reading online last night and I found out I was two minutes from the Felder/Hammer showroom. DOH!
Thus far I've only watched the videos - but it does look very nice.
Tks for the heads up - I've stuck the show in my diary ... I'm normally forget about those things.

Kev.

 

[Kev]

I bet you could find a nice Wadkin or other english BS down under.

Never seen a Wadkin down here ... just checked local machinery suppliers, the only Wadkin I saw was an old monster.

I'm really warming to the Hammer ... somehow I need to conjure up about 20 sqm of planet earth to fit it in, along with a high volume chip collector and a jointer/planer & thicknesser.

 

[upscale]

I'm really warming to the Hammer ... somehow I need to conjure up about 20 sqm of planet earth to fit it in, along with a high volume chip collector and a jointer/planer & thicknesser.

I've looked at the N4400. My only concern is the minimum blade size of 1/4". I'm thinking that I may in the future want a smaller blade for tighter curves. I'm not sure all tight a radius a 1/4" blade can do.

 

[andvari]

I suppose the big question for me in this is that if I bite the bullet on the bandsaw, I need to then look at a planer/thicknesser. This in turn means a lot of space reorganization. Plus I'd need a proper high volume extractor ...

I can see my wife rolling her eyes at the very thought  [sad]

It sounds like you are going through exactly the same process I am. Including the spouse reaction. The planer/thicknesser will likely be a Hammer A3/31. It's capacity seems to match very well with the N4400. Haven't decided on a extractor yet, I don't know if I need a centrifugal or I can get away with a single stage...

I guess one thing in my favor is my wife lived on a farm in Austria for a year as an exchange student, a time she has fond memories of. The Austria angle will be a help.

 

[woodguy7]

Sorry Kev, just noticed this thread.  As Mac said, I have the Jet.  I read a lot of reviews on both & to tell you the truth the reason I went for the Jet was because of the positive reviews I read from Australia.  I can honestly not fault any of the Jet equipment I have.  Equally I don't think you will go wrong with the Hammer.

2 of the things that sold it for me was the Jet can take a 30mm blade where I think the Hammer is only 25mm & the Jet has a lever to quickly release the tension on the blade.  You should always take the tension of the blade after using & some machines can be a real pain to wind down.  The Jet you just grab the handle & pull it down.  How is the tension realeased on the Hammer ?

I think mine is the JWBS/18Q.

Can't fault mine at all.

 

[Rembo]

I have a Metabo ..
Though Germany is written, it seems to me all the same China.
I can say about this saw. all plastic handle (turn the table and lifting the rod) fell off at once. saws as well as normal, it all depends on the canvas.
I want a Powermatic.
Metabo BAS 317 PRECISION

 

[richard.selwyn]

Rembo,
I have an old metabo ( called electra beckum back then)  that really was made in germany - it's ok.
Beware, though, because, as far as I know, Powermatic get their stuff made in China. I have  a Jet / Powermatic drill press. The parent company is Swiss, but the build and finish is 100% Chinese.
The Italians seem to make good bandsaws - I have an Agazzani, but I wonder if Hammer / Felder are available in Russia as they are pretty good.
(typed on a chinese made ipad)

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Paisley White was another manufacturer that was big on importing into Australia too.

I am still on the hunt for a 36" Tannawitz.....