Buying a bandsaw in the UK

[cliffp]

I am interested in buying a bandsaw. I have read up on the subject and it seems that most advice is to err on the side of getting a larger and more powerful machine. I would like to be able to resaw hardwood up to say 8" and perhaps also be able to handle thin veneer thickness cuts (I am probably misusing the word veneer - I mean very thin but not veneer thin - perhaps 3mm). I get the impression that for this I would be looking at a 1.5 kW machine at least. There seems to be a definite perception that European machines such as Hammer, Felder, Startrite, ACM, Minimax etc are much higher quality than Chinese imports such as Jet, Axminster, Record etc etc. I definitely prefer to pay extra for quality (up to a point at least) and have been leaning towards buying a European machine. Is this a reasonable analysis or should I consider a cheaper Asian machine? I am aware that in a different product category; Planer thicknessers, Axminster make a couple of very highly regarded Trade rated models (the AW106PT2 and AW128). I have got the impression that their bandsaws are not so highly regarded (nor Jet) with some owners being dissatisfied (gathered through reviews, forum postings and reasons for selling in adverts) and upgrading to better machines.

On a related note, I am interested in buying secondhand as secondhand prices are typically very much lower but this seems to be because of the great difficulty of transportation. How do you transport a 150Kg or even 250Kg machine that cannot be significantly disassembled? Do you use a firm to pallet it up and pay a fortune or just accept that the high premium of a new machine is worth the saving in hassle?

I would be very interested to hear people's musings on the subject!

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

Hi Cliff,

I purchased an Axminster Bandsaw about 6 months ago. Its a floor standing model, AWHB 450N if I remember correctly.

It is not bad, but the quality of the adjustments are poor. The Blade that came in the saw was hopeless, but I soon replaced that. The instructions that came with the Bandsaw were as good as useless, so setting it up with the right feeler gauges was a bit trial and error.
Also, the Blade Tension Indicator seems to have a mind of its own. I just set it to what I think is about right, them tweak it a bit more, and it cuts ok......ish [eek]
I wanted to mill some timber into usable boards, and as I do quite a bit of Turning I also wanted to cut some material to rough size for turning blanks.
The blanks are fine but when milling rough timber into planks, it leaves a lot to be desired.

Given my time again, I would probably have spent another good few hundred £'s and brought a better machine, such as a Felder. They have such a good reputation for quality.

Hope you find a good machine for the right price Cliff!

Cheers for now, Tim.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Cliff,

My brother has a second hand Axminster machine which he uses for the thick veneers that you describe - they are called architectural veneers. I have a very cheap and cheerful machine made by Elektra Beckum donkey years ago and it does a brilliant job. With bandsaws there is a knack to getting them set up correctly and that can make a huge difference regardless of the reputation of the manufacturer.

Peter

 

[cliffp]

Tim, Peter, thanks for the replies - very helpful. I think I might go for a new Hammer N4400 though I will research Elektra Beckum as well.

Cliff

 

[Alli]

Hi Cliff,

As this is the first bandsaw I've owned and I can't comment on any other makes but I have the startrite 352E. The bandsaw blades I bought at the same time of buying the machine has been the main headache I've had. When I threw them away and bought some from Tuffsaws.co.uk it totally transformed the saw and my use of it. I have easily cut boards to 3mm which were wider than 150mm in oak.

My only gripe I had was the rear blade guide is a solid piece of steel and not a unit with a bearing, and would spark as the blade ran over it like a kiddies sparkler at bonfire night. I then read that if you file/grind a chamfer on the leading edge of the guide; this will stop the sparks. This worked a treat and I am now very happy with it.

Cheers David

 

[mikeomalley]

Cliff, Got the Hammer, about six years ago. Really pleased with it.
Mike

 

[Slappy]

yes that's a real issue with used machines is getting them home without the actual  delivery costing more than the machine is worth new .
New machines come from places that have pallets , docks , forklifts & a willing freight company .
Used machines your on your own getting them outta where they are & then getting them home  [sad]

 

[cliffp]

Alli, thanks for the info about your Startrite. I have looked into these and will consider one.

Mike, I would love a Hammer but I'm not sure I can afford the £1900 it costs in the UK now (with wheel kit and delivery). The sales guy didn't seem prepared to reduce the price at all.

Slappy, its nice to see some reassurance I'm not making a mountain out of a mole hill about bringing the machine home. I had 3 months off work with a bad back 8 years ago so I need to be careful!

 

[Slappy]

Slappy, its nice to see some reassurance I'm not making a mountain out of a mole hill about bringing the machine home. I had 3 months off work with a bad back 8 years ago so I need to be careful!

Sometimes with a used machine the seller will provide Or at least help with delivery . but some it's a "as is " thing when that is the case I explain to the seller that logistics add to the price they are asking and that added costs/price is Not going in their pocket but someone else . I've had sellers then drop the price to near nothing as they just really want it out and they realize it's true value is only there if they can provide a way to get the machine to the buyer    ,
At pennies on the dollar value then it's cost effective to hire someone to help .
But you will run into guys who are upgrading machines & they will be stubborn with price , I'm then cautious as the machine has faults or he wouldn't want to upgrade if it's a great machine  [cool] 

 

[dicktill]

Hi Cliff,

  With bandsaws there is a knack to getting them set up correctly and that can make a huge difference regardless of the reputation of the manufacturer.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Well now there's an idea for another video for you to make (please). With your current backlog, I'll look for it in the Spring.  : )

Regards, Dick

 

[cliffp]

I think Peter could have his own TV channel dedicated to woodworking! He could start a new craze on British TV and be the first celebrity woodworker! (we already have celebrity chefs over here).

 

[Stone Message]

I think Peter could have his own TV channel dedicated to woodworking! He could start a new craze on British TV and be the first celebrity woodworker! (we already have celebrity chefs over here).

I am flattered by the comment but I somehow doubt that any TV producer worth his salt would want an overweight and over aged guy like me clogging up his airtime - anyway, that would mean that I have to work for a living!

Peter

 

[cje]

I am flattered by the comment but I somehow doubt that any TV producer worth his salt would want an overweight and over aged guy like me clogging up his airtime - anyway, that would mean that I have to work for a living!

Peter

overweight? nah, I just say I'm too short at 6'5"

 

[Kev]

I think Peter could have his own TV channel dedicated to woodworking! He could start a new craze on British TV and be the first celebrity woodworker! (we already have celebrity chefs over here).

Need something competitive with Simon Cowell in it ... maybe "Britain's Got Wood" [eek] Peter can be one of the celebrity judges.