Axminster SBW4300 Bandsaw

[Philly]

Hi Folks,
Yes, I know what your're thinking-It's that Philly Gloating again! :roll:
Sadly-yes. :lol:
I have had a new bandsaw delivered. My previous bandsaw, a Record, has served me well but it's 8 inch depth of cut was sometimes a pain. You know how it is-every board you pick up is 1 inch wider than your machines capacity. Well my new machine (which will probably find me buying 13 inch boards) has a 12 inch depth of cut. It is an Axminster Plus SBW4300. I have placed a little review on my website here.
I have spent some time checking out the 12 inch saws on the market and was most impressed with this one (especially at the price! :shock: ) Axminster delivered the saw on time and without drama (thank you Mr Delivery Man) and it only took 30 minutes or so to de-grease it and fit the table and fence. I have some new blades on the way (should be here tomorrow) so when I can fit those I will give it a thorough testing. It came with a 1/2 inch blade which was o.k., but you know the blades they fit to the machine. :wink:

Oh, and as you can see, I have'nt moved yet. Yes, the workshop is a MESS! :lol:
Cheers
Philly

 

[Jake]

Looks nice - let's see inside the doors then!

 

[martyn2]

nice one you can play for hours now :!: :lol:

Martyn

 

[Chris Knight]

Philly,
I am going to take you off my guest list for that gloat! It's a saw I have long wanted - having looked at the various offerings on the market. Not least because of it's small footprint - so unlike Alf's first attempt at upgrading :wink:

IIRC Keith reviewed one very favourably and it certainly hit the spot with me at several shows. I shall be very interested to hear what you make of it. The only thing stopping me buying one is that my Kity 613 performs very well and I have a lifetime's supply of blades that fit it - however the depth of cut does frustrate me from time to time.

 

[Philly]

Chris
I had a play with the full "Plus" range at Axminster's shop-I was going to get the next model up until Waka kindly pointed out that this model has the same motor, same depth of cut and a smaller footprint than the larger one. Oh, and it is a coupled of hundre quid cheaper! :roll: So cheers Waka!
Martyn
Glad there's a long weekend coming up :wink:
Jake
More pictures soon-I left my camera at work and had to use the Missus' aweful old thing.
Cheers
Philly

 

[Scott]

had to use the Missus' aweful old thing.

No "Gloat" setting on it?? :lol: :wink:

Lovely bandsaw! Looking forward to the full review.

Cheers
Scott (whose workshop always looks like that!)

 

[llangatwgnedd]

Nice one Philly.

I have some new blades on the way (should be here tomorrow)

Are these blades coming from Record :wink: :lol: :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Nice gloat and a lovely saw. 12" depth of cut :shock: A few mods (out of warranty) will soon have that up to 14-15" :wink:

See here

 

[Alf]

I have some new blades on the way (should be here tomorrow)

Are these blades coming from Record :wink: :lol: :lol:

Sheesh, tell me that's not where he said he got his blades from... :shock: :roll:

Very nice, Philly, although I'm surprised you didn't wait 'til after the move. Or couldn't you bear to! :lol: I had a brief consider of that variety under the "Europac" label when I was looking, but decided it was too good to be true in the absence of a decent review to go on. Be interested to see the innards and the trunnions, when you get going with the gloatenkamera.

And that's not a mess - you can see areas of the floor... :lol:

Cheers, Alf

 

[Philly]

Alf
Blades have arrived-from Axminster this time. I was quite happy(ish) with my Record blades. They worked (although there was a lot of set) and were cheap. Thanks for being so discrete SP :lol:
Am on my way home now to fit the new blades (well the 25mm one 8) ). Report to follow. I've posted some more pics on my website
Cheers
Philly

 

[Chris Knight]

Philly,
Which mobile base are you using? Can't quite make it out on your site.

 

[Philly]

Chris
It's this one. It was a perfect fit and handles the weight really well. A thumbs up!
Tony
No way I'm taking a hacksaw to this beast. Thanks for planting the seeds though :wink:
Cheers
Philly
Who has now fitted the 25mm blade and spent some time cutting sheets of homemade veneer! \/

 

[Chris Knight]

Philly,
Thanks. It looks like the HTC but without the lifters and with a corresponding decrease in protrusion of the castors/handles -easier on the ankles!

 

[Philly]

Yes, it's similar to the HTC but features sprung pins to locate the bars on the sides. You can easily adjust for size. It also feels stiffer than the HTC.
HTH
Philly

 

[Philly]

O.k.-Had a play. I like this saw! With the 25mm blade fitted and set up I cut a pile of 2mm thick veneers off a piece of London Plane. Very smooth cut, so minimal clean will be necessary. Me happy :lol:

Cheers
Philly

 

[Waka]

Philly

Nice one, can't wait to have a play in May.

 

[Philly]

Waka
Yeah, you are going to like this! See you on your return (hopefully in the new workshop 8-[ )
Cheers
Philly

 

[CHJ]

Waka
Yeah, you are going to like this! See you on your return (hopefully in the new workshop 8-[ )
Cheers
Philly

Now I see why there were mutterings of Plus Range floating in the air from certain quarters at Yandles on the Friday.

 

[Philly]

Chas
There have been mutterings around Dorset for some time :lol:
Cheers
Philly

 

[Jake]

I've posted some more pics on my website
Cheers
Philly

That looks a good sight more sturdy inside than the Scheppach, EB or Record.