another bandsaw opinion thread

[stef]

I know, quite a few online already..
I have a budget of around 500 euros, and thinking of getting the metabo BAS317, which is the successor of the elektrum beckum 315.
http://www.metabo.de/index.php1/Catalog ... 5e1.0.html
sorry, its in french at my end, it may turn out in english at yours.
anyway, what would you think of this model ?
unfortunately, i doubt the ruthland SIP355 will be in my price range if you include postage to France, which is really a shame, as on paper, it looks a much better (large) saw.

 

[Triggaaar]

French at our end too. Can you find another link to the model?

 

[stef]

here:
http://www.justtools.com.au/prod3313.htm

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/det ... duct=36506

but at 310 pounds uk price.. i feel a little ripped off this side of the channel !
that's already a negativ point!

 

[stevel]

Here in Italy I also feel ripped off compared to the UK!

 

[oddsocks]

Stef, I had the BAS316 for over 5 years and it was very good. I only upgraded to a record 350 because I needed the extra depth of cut for some resawing and there was a excellent offer on at the time. The only issue I recall with the Elektra beckum was the thrust bearing had a lot of paly, bue even a new replacement wasnt much better. Like any bandsaw, put good blades in and it will be fine provided you stay in the depth of cut.


I have no regrets in buying the EB and at the time (2001/2 ish) I looked at all the other similar priced ones in the UK market. I also had no trouble selling it on ebay, there was lots of interest.

Dave

 

[hog&bodge]

Stef, I had the BAS316 for over 5 years and it was very good. I only upgraded to a record 350 because I needed the extra depth of cut for some resawing and there was a excellent offer on at the time. The only issue I recall with the Elektra beckum was the thrust bearing had a lot of paly, bue even a new replacement wasnt much better. Like any bandsaw, put good blades in and it will be fine provided you stay in the depth of cut.


I have no regrets in buying the EB and at the time (2001/2 ish) I looked at all the other similar priced ones in the UK market. I also had no trouble selling it on ebay, there was lots of interest.

Dave

I am having nightmares with my EB 315..bought new blade guides and blade
but still no luck getting it to cut straight..It was my fault I took the guys
word that the saw was ok...& it was months before I got it set up to
work with. I now feel it needs a new throat and the wheel rubbers leveled
Try before you buy..
If there is anyone near me in Manchester who could help P/m me

 

[Mike Wingate]

My mate bought the EB315. It was noisy with its ribbed alloy table. The frame bent with the blade tension, which caused the blde guides to wear. He now has it in Devon and uses it to rough cut firewood.

 

[hog&bodge]

My mate bought the EB315. It was noisy with its ribbed alloy table. The frame bent with the blade tension, which caused the blde guides to wear. He now has it in Devon and uses it to rough cut firewood.

Last week I wanted to just let my mate have it for scrap.....But have spent to
much money on it so far...
I would rather bin a bad tool than pass it on to another worker..

 

[stef]

well, some different opinion here.
to be honest, even if it is a good, decent saw, for the money, it all depends on how much money that is.
it looks like over here, it would cost me much more than what it is usually going for in the uk... this to me is a real put off. for the same price (500 euros) i can get much more bandsaw.

 

[oddsocks]

yes, there certainly is! Mind you the 316 from memory was meant to be a big improvement on the 315, but whether or not the 317 has any real new benefits or cost cutting I don't know.

 

[stef]

well,
I have found this:
http://www.leboncoin.fr/vi/77616243.htm?ca=4_s
which i negociated to 700euros.
I still havent done the deal, so i thought i'd ask around here first, in case it's a complete dog !
it looks nice, but i dont know if it is available in the uk.
it's a 400mm wheel, equivalent to this, i think:
http://www.lurem.net/en/product.php?id=14

 

[dicktimber]

I have the 316.
It is not a good machine in my opinion.
The plastic knobs are not adequate for locking the functions they control.
The tiltable table locking knob does not give enough pressure before the knob fails. ( spins in it's plastic nut) At maximum pressure on the knob the table slips and slides all over the place. You have to find a spanner to fit the locking nut after removing the plastic knob.
The fence is all over the place. It does not sit vertical to the table and saw blade, when you reposition it..that's after setting it up.
The blade bearings are not the best and the guides are a near impossibility to set when you change blades because of the poor (impossible) accessibility of the very small allan screw that locks the guides in place.
You will also find that the blades run part OFF the top wheel, for certain thicknesses of blades.
I could go on.
This machine was recommended in one of the woodworking mags at the time. I wish I had a little more experience before I purchased it.
It is a good price...but so cheaply constructed that to do anything other than rough cut is a time consuming set up nightmare.

Mikee