Stomana Bandsaws?

[onocoffee]

Came across a listing for a used Stomana B 35 SE 14" bandsaw made in Bulgaria. Did a Google search but nothing came up other than the company website and some listings for dealers. Wondering if anyone knows anything about these bandsaws and if it might be worth getting. Seller is asking $300.

 

[P_K]

Pics of the saw? Likely to have been imported by Laguna some years ago. From what I've heard, ZMM Stomana's parts department will ship stuff overseas if anything proprietary is broken or missing.

 

[onocoffee]

Here's some pics. Don't know why people don't like to take pics of the front of their bandsaws...

 

[P_K]

For $300 I'd probably grab it. Original listing from Laguna: https://web.archive.org/web/20040717065840/http://www.lagunatools.com/lt14.htm

 

[smorgasbord]

For $300 I'd probably grab it. Original listing from Laguna: https://web.archive.org/web/20040717065840/http://www.lagunatools.com/lt14.htm

I just noticed that the blade length in that listing doesn't match @onocoffee 's nameplate. Are you sure they're the same?

 

[onocoffee]

Thanks PK for the link. It was a good starting point.

I did find a brochure for the BS 35 SE online. Max cutting height is 12.5" - which is the main reason I'm looking for an additional bandsaw. Evidently, it's a 2.2hp motor at 220v. The 220v is not a problem since I've got a line and a panel that I can drop another line, if needed. The sheet lists a blade length of 2790/2890mm so it's a bit longer than the version they built for Laguna.

I'm mainly concerned about what I should and don't know about bandsaws such as these. It's 20 years old, but then again, both of my Delta bandsaws are older (9" benchtop and a 1934 14"). I'm going to reach out to the owner to have a look at it. What should I look for and what should I consider to guide the amount to offer or just stay at $300?

Thanks!

 

[P_K]

Bandsaws are pretty simple machines so there aren't that many things wrong with it that wouldn't immediately be obvious, there's a chance that saw has flat tires which can be a bit of a pain to replace if they're worn or cracked.

$300 seems fair, you'd have a hard time finding a comparable Delta 14" on CL at that price.

 

[onocoffee]

What do you think about if the upper door is missing? Evidently, the upper door is no longer part of the saw. It said that in the original listing, it just didn't register.

 

[luvmytoolz]

If the upper doors missing definitely make a replacement for safety and dust control, but I wouldn't let it deter me from buying it.

As PK noted though, I'd be really surprised if the tires weren't very worn, and the guide bearings might be similarly worn.

So I'd haggle it down a bit myself, old bandsaws are always available dirt cheap, and for the age I would consider that a bit of an excessive price, especially when a door went missing. Not entirely sure how that would happen?

 

[P_K]

Fabricating a steel or aluminium door really wouldn't be that difficult for a sheet metal shop. As long as the saw turns on, runs and the blade tracks correctly it'd be a worthy purchase.

Looks like the current owner has a ReSaw King blade on it? Laguna will resharpen it for you.

 

[onocoffee]

especially when a door went missing. Not entirely sure how that would happen?

I've been wondering about that myself! I replied to the seller to let him know that I am interested and to set up a time to come have a look at the bandsaw. Even went to the local Woodcraft to look at the current Laguna 14bx to see how a door might be fabricated and fitted. The 14bx, which I'm guessing is similar dimensionally to the B35SE seems much smaller than I expected.

 

[luvmytoolz]

@onocoffee The door doesn't need to be anything special, you could beat a steel sheet into shape, or even craft one out of wood, it's really only there to help with dust control and reduce potential damage/injury in case the blade breaks while running.

 

[Dr. P. Venkman]

One comment on the price:

At $300, any haggling/changes in price will be pretty minor in the grand scheme of time, transportation, and total cost of ownership, so you probably aren’t too worried about it.

But in my experience, when someone has a 200+ lb power tool that they’ve priced at $300, they’re much less concerned about getting $300 and much more concerned about finding someone who will take it off their hands and handle the transportation. To the point where the $300 is just a made up number because they decided not to admit up front that they would happily give it away for free to anyone who will deal with it.

May or may not be the case here.

 

[luvmytoolz]

@Dr. P. Venkman That's pretty much what it's like here in OZ. We see these come up all the time, and generally if they're over 10 years old most times they're given away, and even then sometimes no-one takes them.

Pretty rare to see a bandsaw here over 10 years old going for much over $200AUD.

 

[rvieceli]

@onocoffee things to look for : really only two sets of replaceable parts. Bearings and tires on the wheels. Usually two bearings on each wheel. You can mostly tell if the bearings are shot while the saw is running, may be some wobble or noise. Tires can be visually inspected. they don't have to be perfect there will be some wear but they will need to be replaced if they are badly cracked and falling apart.

Check the wheels for any cracks.

Ron

 

[onocoffee]

@Dr. P. Venkman That's pretty much what it's like here in OZ. We see these come up all the time, and generally if they're over 10 years old most times they're given away, and even then sometimes no-one takes them.

Pretty rare to see a bandsaw here over 10 years old going for much over $200AUD.

@Dr. P. Venkman - That is a perspective of reality I hadn't thought about. I'll see how it plays into the equation.

@luvmytoolz I've been trolling Marketplace for awhile now and it seems that here (USA), it's not unusual to see higher asking prices even for 10+ year old tools. That's not to say how much they actually go for, but I'll see all sorts of these types of bandsaws with asking prices of US$900+ regardless of age. One guy was asking $1100 for a 1934 Delta 14 that worked but definitely showing its age. Then, every once in awhile, you'll find the guy that is like the Dr says - just wants to move the saw, like a very nice condition 30th Anniversary Grizzly welded frame bandsaw for $500.

@rvieceli Thanks for the tips. I will be on the lookout for those potential issues when I have a look at the saw.

 

[Dr. P. Venkman]

@onocoffee If my comment read as me suggesting that it is somehow unwise to pay the $300, that’s not how I meant it. Only that the seller may not really care about the sale price at all and just wants to get rid of this big, heavy thing.

 

[onocoffee]

@onocoffee If my comment read as me suggesting that it is somehow unwise to pay the $300, that’s not how I meant it. Only that the seller may not really care about the sale price at all and just wants to get rid of this big, heavy thing.

Not to worry, I did not interpret you suggesting that $300 would be unwise. You were well articulated in your point. I just wonder how to steer the conversation in that direction. That being said, at the moment, I do think that the asking price is reasonable. Thanks!

Edit: And I just went to message the seller and he dropped the listed asking price to $250.

 

[smorgasbord]

Personally, I don’t buy project tools. A tool that needs heavy restoration, especially missing impossible to source parts just isn’t worth the time I would otherwise be using on actual woodworking projects.
Unless it’s some kind of special old tool.
But, that’s just me.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Personally, I don’t buy project tools. A tool that needs heavy restoration, especially missing impossible to source parts just isn’t worth the time I would otherwise be using on actual woodworking projects.
Unless it’s some kind of special old tool.
But, that’s just me.

Something like this spectacular 1920's Kirchner in magnificent condition that went dirt cheap on a woodwork forum recently?