Bandsaw Upgrade - Opinions Sought Please

[Random Orbital Bob]

Currently RP BS300 which I've really found an excellent machine but due to capacity constraints for turning blank production I'm going the logical next step.

This is where I'm aiming and was wondering if anyone has one and if so opinions/thoughts would be appreciated. I am also scoping the Startrite equivalent.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-tr ... 0b-bandsaw
Many thanks

 

[marcros]

I have that model, or one of its predecessors- mine is the old axminster plus range. It looks pretty much identical though.

I dont have a great deal that I could tell you about it- I cant fault it in any way. It has always done everything I have asked of it. I bought it from woodyturner, who used it for the same purposes that you are planning, and (I believe) for the more general purposes that I use it for. I leave it with a 3/4" x 3 TPI tuffsaws M42 blade in it, unless there is a specific reason to change. Motor is powerful, fence is solid as a rock, table is flat. I have never needed to tilt it- may be useful for turning blanks?

I was probably planning to go for the 352 but this one came up at the right time, close to my parents house, so convenient, and i would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending it.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

That's useful Macros - thanks.

 

[marcros]

if there is anything specific you want to know, just ask. I just cant think of any niggles etc on the machine, or things that I would change/upgrade, other than the table insert. Woodyturner had turned a replacement from aluminium, because I think he said that the plastic one shattered, and they were pricey for a replacement- only for the same to happen again. I have had no issue when re-sawing (which is mos of what i use the saw for), so it may be more relevant to a turning use.

I am not sure what the values of used 352's are now. When I was looking, they were creeping towards £700 used- and there were some poor examples mixed in with good ones at that price.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Thanks Mark, again appreciated. How do you find the setting of the guides. Its a bit fiddly on the smaller saws so anything to speed it up is always welcome? Also is the tension setting flexible enough to give good tension of larger blades? You say you routinely use a 3/4" blade, have you tried the full capacity of 1" and if so what did you think?

 

[marcros]

the guides is easy enough- seconds to slacken them off, and a few more to adjust them back. I have a standard allen key for it. I have since bought some t handled ones, but havent used them for that task- the may not quite fit. I dont do a lot of curved cutting, although have some to do. I wouldnt like to guarantee that the guides are set up perfectly, but i dont get blade drift. I dont set mine to cigarette paper tolerances, just almost touching but not quite.

I have an inch blade, which it tensions fine. But it has a funny tooth count 6 and 10 TPI, so isnt much use for what I do. The issue with the inch blade is it is fiddly to get in and out of the slot, and between the guide. I wouldn't buy another for that reason, unless the task really needed it. The 3/4" by contrast slots in and out easily. Blade changing, and resetting everything is probably a couple of minutes, or 3 with the 1" blade. It doesn't feel long anyway. It is a shame you are not nearer or you could have a play. If you search for "axminster plus 4300" on the forum, there were a couple of other users- Mike C was one I think. Maybe one is nearby.