dalep said:
Hello Peter
Nice stand, i am about to purchase a band saw and want something decent, its a business expense no not too worried about the cost.
How are you getting on with the BS11INV, is it s decent machine, what others did you consider?
regards
Dale
Hi Dale
I am not sure where you are based and so forgive me if this is unhelpful...
Regardless of any links I have to Axminster through the Parf Guide System, I always check what things they have to offer. Up to about 8 years ago the cheaper Axminster machines were just a bit too cheap and might be disappointing. I have discovered that they are now putting a lot more effort into product selection and are also getting more closely involved in product development and refinement - more of this later.
I had my trusty Elecktra Beckum for nearly 20 years and knew that I could sell it easily having checked out ebay. I started the thinking about a new bandsaw nearly 3 years ago. My late brother was a professional wood turner and also taught the subject. He had bought an Axminster industrial machine for making turning blanks - it was beautiful but too expensive for me. I then visited several professional woodworking friends and saw the old but classic machines that they had. So I looked at the second hand market but nothing seemed to be right and the decent machines were just too big for my workshop.
I have been visiting Axminster a lot during the 2 + year development of the Parf Guide System and they took me into their confidence and showed me the prototypes and discussed the development of the BS-11. They even sought my opinion which was very flattering as I really know so little about bandsaws other than using them and getting them adjusted right. Last year I saw the pre-production BS-11 machine and saw it in action.
If there is one key test to try with any bandsaw it is cutting thin veneers (2 - 4 mm say). My late brother's machine could produce perfect 4 mm slices up to 130 mm. I have seen the BS-11 pre-production machine cutting 3 mm veneers about 120 mm across. The secret is in the blade guides which have to be capable of fine adjustment and be man enough for the job. One professional friend has recently spent over £300 on sacrificial guides for his monster machine and he is still not happy.
Now imagine my reaction when after a Parf Guide System meeting the Axminster product development chap thanked me for my various (not very educated) suggestions for the BS-11 and said that a machine would be sent to me on a long loan. When the machine was delivered and the driver and I were getting it into the workshop I realised for the first time just how heavy the machine was. The crate had 75 Kg on the outside and I think that the machine itself is just under 70 Kg. The steel plate is far thicker than anything you would find on a lesser machine and this helps keep everything lined up once adjusted.
I think that the first reaction of anyone seeing the machine is to discount it as a serious bit of kit because of its size. When I pointed this out to Axminster 2 years ago they just nodded and said "...wait and see how it performs." I now know what they meant. Actually its capacity is not far off other very respectable machines that might not fit through my workshop door. When I analysed the capacity I needed I surprised myself. I do not do monster scroll cuts and I doubt whether I would tackle a veneer over 120 mm (the BS-11 goes up to 160 mm). So, I think this new machine will do the job needed by serious amateurs and professionals but without annexing so much real estate.
I have already produced, what I consider to be, perfect 2.5 mm veneers and will take it to the limit when I make the videos about the machine. I showed one to my professional friend and he said that the quality of cut and uniformity of thickness was superior to his monster machine.
I hope to have some videos out in about 5 weeks time.
Peter
