Bandsaw problem

[sunnybob]

Not happy today. had to fit a new drive belt to my 3 month old bandsaw, after about 8 hours running time.
Any car fan belt would last 20 years (I know, my last car was 20 when the belt broke, even then it was only because the alternator had seized)

And I had to take off the lower wheel to replace it. While I had it all apart I checked the idler wheel bearings, didnt like what I saw so replaced them with SKF.
I am completely fed up with rebuilding inferior quality chinese machines.

 

[otter]

I am completely fed up with rebuilding inferior quality chinese machines.

There's an answer to that problem! :wink: :lol:

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Buy cheap buy twice

 

[Wuffles]

Wasn't this an Axminster one? Or am I thinking of someone else.

 

[Distinterior]

I have an Axminster bandsaw (AWHBS450N) that I purchased new a few years ago now & I'm pretty sure its made in China / Far East. The cast iron table & welding of the Bandsaw Frame are rough as a Badgers a-se, the mitre fence is exceptionally sloppy , the screw & bolt quality leave an awful lot to be desired, some of the screw threads have stripped already when adjusting the blade thrust / side bearings and I've needed to either re-tap them of have heli-coils fitted and the electric motor has SCREAMED like a Banshee from day 1 when the power is turned off and the Bandsaw is slowing to a stop. Good quality overall.....??? NO, but for its cutting capacity and price, it has done the jobs I've asked of it.

Given what I know now, would I buy it again....??? NO, I would spend the extra and buy a Hammer N4400 (I already have a Hammer A3 31 Planer Thicknesser) and have the piece of mind to know that I had paid for & got a quality bit of kit.

The Axminster Bandsaw came with a very poor quality blade fitted and that soon got changed to the Axcaliber blade that Axminster sent separately, but that has now tired and needs replacing. After everyone's high praises on here, I will be ordering a few new blades from Ian at Tuffsaws, so I'm hoping for better things when I eventually get round to doing so.

 

[sunnybob]

Its a 3 month old axminster 350n. It was the thick end of a grand so I dont call that cheap.

I dont have the option here of buying old second hand, because there arent any except giant 3 phase monsters.

Mostly, Its a good machine, but this has really annoyed me. I just managed to get to a shop and buy another before the island shuts down for Greek easter. Nothing will open again now till tuesday.

The tuffsaws blade far out performs the axcaliber. We wont discuss the one that came with it from the factory.