Rookie bandsaw questions!

[Mac]

Hi all,

Am looking at buying a bandsaw and wanted to ask a few embarrassingly simple questions: one of the things I like about this place is that I can ask these things and not feel bad!

I've read that for someone like me (a hobbyist who doesn't want to outgrow his kit as his skills develop) I should be looking at a 14 inch saw. Would you agree with this? I assume this means it'll be floor standing?  Also (and here's the embarrassing bit) what does the 14 inch refer to specifically? I assume it's to do with cutting size but wasn't sure how.

Finally, with a budget of about ?450 (pounds) what would be your recommendation on brand? Might be hard for you yanks to answer, possibly, bearing in mind what we can or can't get over here in the UK.

Thanks in advance for your patience and help.
Rick 'the saw' Mac

 

[ForumMFG]

Mac,

From what I know, 14" describes the distance from the throat to the blade.  So that means how wide of a piece of wood you can cut.  If i'm wrong, someone correct me.

As far as brand goes. Your going to be hard pressed to find a 14" for $450 USD.  If you can make your budget $550 USD you can buy a jet shown here

You can buy a 10" jet for $250 USD as well but everything else is going to be a lot higher from my research.  I'm sure if you really dig you can find something used for sure.  Try www.exfactory.com

I'm not sure what the currency conversion is for where you are located so I was going by 450 pounds = 450 USD

 

[Mac]

Thanks for this. Remember I'm a limey though so the 450 is in pounds, so I suppose it's more like, what, $600 or 700 of your dollars?! Having said that, I don't know what the exchange rate's doing at the moment...

You'd be happy going for Jet?

Mac

 

[Mac]

Hi,

Just reread yours and saw your comments about currency! Checked and my 450 pounds is currently worth about 750 of your dollars.

Mac

 

[ForumMFG]

If thats the case then you can open your doors to a wide selection.

From what I hear Rikon is on the rise on bandsaws.  So that would be a good selection, but I will let the pros chime in for what brand you should really go for.  Your price range is pretty good.  But some of the best 14" bandsaws go for $1200 or more like the powermatic.  Some have more bells and whistles then others so you really need to find out what you are looking for in a band saw.

Like I said, if you can feel comfortable with it, look at used.  Tools like these are made to last and the best people to buy from are the people that bought a bandsaw thinking they were going to use it often and never did.  Plus, they just want to get rid of it so they sell it cheap.

 

[Neill]

Mac,

Since you are a Festool enthusiast, I know that you really appreciate quality tools and equipment.

I agree with the 14" size unless you plan on doing large material or doing a lot of resawing of boards with a width > 12" or so.

If you don't need one right away, I would suggest you save your money and go with Laguna, assuming they are available in the UK.  I personally do not have one, but I have been doing a lot of research and they seem to consistently get a lot of awards and are very highly rated.  In the US the prices start at around $1,300.  I am not sure what they would be in the UK, if they are available.

If your budget is limited, Rikon and Jet are both good.  Apparently Delta is not what they used to be. Of course you may have access to some brands that we don't here in in NA.

Good luck with your decision.

Neill

 

[JJ Wavra]

I have the rikon 14" bandsaw.  I am very pleased with it and in addition it has 12" resaw with a 1.5 horse motor.  For the money it has quite a few features that would be extra on something like the jet 14" and that I believe has a 1 horse motor.

JJ

 

[rwdawson]

Am looking at buying a bandsaw and wanted to ask a few embarrassingly simple questions: one of the things I like about this place is that I can ask these things and not feel bad!

Mac,

One of the reasons I like this site is that, some folks, like myself, can give embarrassingly simple answers and not feel bad.

I think the first, and most obvious question to address when considering the purchase of any tool is the intended use.  Anything I can say about the relative merits of each brand has already been stated, and with more authority than I can bring to the discussion.  The problem, if this is a problem, when considering a band saw is that it is potentially the most versatile machine in the shop.  Which aspects of its versatility you wish to capitalize on should be the first consideration.  Decisions relative to size and brand will then be easier to make.

Suppose you wanted to buy a router and the choices are a 1010, 1400, and the 2200.  If you know the intended use, it should be relatively easy to make a decision.  I think Goldy Locks went through the same sort of thought process, although it was too soft, too hard, just right, and too hot, too cold and just right.  She wasn't fortunate enough to know about bandsaws, or Festool routers.

I'm sure you will make the right choice, for you.

Richard

 

[joraft]

Mac,

I have two pieces of advice for you on bandsaws, get the biggest you can afford, and buy one that's made in Italy.

In my opinion, the Italians make some of the best bandsaws in the world. Between SCMI/Centauro and ACM, they build all the bandsaws for Minimax, Laguna, and Felder/Hammer. Agazzani builds their own. If a new one is not in your budget, look for a good deal on a used one.

The most important things to look for in a bandsaw are: powerful motor, heavy wheels, and very strong frame for holding good aligment and blade tension.

 

[Mac]

All,

Thanks for taking the time to offer so many detailed thoughts. I know that much of what I'm trying to learn must seem so obvious to many of you, so I do appreciate it.  Following your advice, I've looked at the Rikon and some of the Italian models and have been impressed by what I've seen; the Rikon, like Laguna, are apparently unavailable here in the UK. In fact, most of the brands you guys seem to rate aren't offered here which is a shame.  In terms of most likely uses, I think initially it'll be a mixture of smaller curved cuts and tenon making, and resawing timber into approximate working sizes. Am really excited about all the things I'll be able to do that I haven't even though of yet...as you say Joe, this seems to be the hardest part for me to figure out in advance.

There's a big problem with this, of course; do you find that your initial budget always seems to creep higher and higher as you do more research..?

Rick 'confused but enthused' Mac

 

[ForumMFG]

There's a big problem with this, of course; do you find that your initial budget always seems to creep higher and higher as you do more research..?

MAC,

My approach to new purchases is to allways buy the best there is to suite your needs.  There is no sense in buying it Twice.  Buying the best will also pay for itself in the long run.

 

[joraft]

There's a big problem with this, of course; do you find that your initial budget always seems to creep higher and higher as you do more research..?

Always!  ;D

But think about this, have you ever heard a woodworker say: "I wish I had bought a smaller bandsaw"?

 

[rwdawson]

But think about this, have you ever heard a woodworker say: "I wish I had bought a smaller bandsaw"?

Only if the intended use is for small work and the "bigger is better" mentality overruled intended use logic.

 

[joraft]

Only if the intended use is for small work and the "bigger is better" mentality overruled intended use logic.

So you HAVE heard a woodworker say that?  

The key phrase here is "intended use", which of course can and will change over time.

The point I was trying to make was that, space and budget considerations aside, a big bandsaw will do nearly everything a small one will, but the opposite is not so. Leave yourself more options down the road.

 

[Mac]

As Neill said earlier in this thread, I suppose the fact that we're all here means by definition that we've already bought into the idea that although there are always cheaper tools, buying really good quality is worth it. I suppose why it's worth it will be different for all of us, but the commitment to buying the best is there in all of us, for certain things at least!  

 

[richard.selwyn]

I am in the market for a new bandsaw too but that's probably irrelevant. 
If you haven't looked already, a good place to start imho is axminster's catalogue or website (or shop if you're down south.)  I won't buy one of theirs - I'm in France - but they have a wide range of sizes and models to look at together to start getting an idea about the different sizes.  My current saw is an old thing now branded as Metabo and is OK for small stuff but no good for resawing.  The problem is as others have said, depends what you want to do.  I'm too lazy to mess about changing the blade as on mine its fiddly, so for curved cuts use a jig saw (Festool) mounted in a table.  Ask the same question on UK woodworking as well - you can never gather enough opinions - to ignore!

Richard.