Bandsaw

[Alexam]

I don't have a great deal of knowledge about these, but have been advised to buy a band saw as against a table saw.

There are so many different makes and you guys probably know the good from the bad. Also, is a table top as good as floor standing for a small model?

Within about £250, with limited space, should I look at used as against new. Hobbyist use in garage at home and new to woodworking, living South Birmingham.

Thanks for looking and hope you can help me

Alex

 

[Alexam]

Anyone please?

Alex

 

[RossJarvis]

Alex, I'm afraid to say that I can't give any good advice on this, but maybe you need to think a bit about what you'll be using it for first. Band saws and Table saws are different beasts and do certain jobs better than others. If you're thinking about cutting flat bits of wood straight, then I think a table saw may be best. A band saw might be better for cutting thicker wood, plus it gives you an option of slightly curved cuts, depending on blade width. I think table saws are more useful for those doing lots of straight cuts along long lengths.

If you could be a bit more specific, maybe someone who knows what they're talking about can come along and give advice. Plus, do you already have a circular saw and/or a compound mitre saw?

 

[blackrodd]

Hello, I am surprised that you have not had a reply yet!
Several Members have had different experiences with various models. personally, I have only bought two and still have those, but learnt my trade on various industrial machines, including a 30" bandsaw.
Firstly you don't say what the main use will be for this saw, you may need a wide cutting ability or deep cutting for veneers etc.
I have a record BS250 which is ok for most jobs, in my book.
The thing most Members agree on is Never buy any blades other than Tuffsaw blades, they will make my mediochre saw cut very well indeed.
HTH Regards Rodders

 

[Alexam]

Thanks Ross and Rodders,

The use is Hobby Woodwork and has been sparked by my son wanting a router for Christmas. He has been messing about with building bird tables, meat safes and house signs for friends, but I am keen to help him with better tools than we have at present.

We have workspace in our double garage, which I am about to improve and update with a bench drill and possibly a bandsaw. With thoughts following a reply on this site that a bandsaw was possibly better than a table saw, as we would not be doing a great deal of long cutting, I thing we will get more use of a bandsaw in the hobby area with curves and veneers.

WE are not very knowlegable at present, but hope to learn quickly. I do like the look of the Record BS250 and although you say it is mediochre, it should do for us, unless we see something else. Not sure about new or second hand, provided the equipment is not too old and in good condition.

A bit disapointed that there don't seem to be many Clubs around, in this area anyway, for carpenters, as learning becomes easier when mixing with others with similar interests.

We will plod on.

Thanks again guys,

Alex

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I've a woodstar SB12 which was £265 inc delivery - it's a nice little saw if you're a bit practical and don't mind farting about with it for a couple of hours to make it useable.

 

[Alexam]

Thanks Phil,

the price seems to be about £348, but where did you get yours from?

Alex

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Kendal Machinery - the offer's probably long gone though.

 

[caroleb]

I have both bandsaw and a table saw. I find the TS remains in the corner of the shop with a sheet of MDF on it whilst the bandsaw is in use every day. If I have to make a long straight cut then I use the Festool.

I would look on e8ay and see what is available. I recently got a little Inca to go with the 352 Startrite I already have, and now leave the smaller Inca set up for mainly curved work, and the 352 for straight, deep cuts. This works very well for me. The 352 works VERY well with cuts being almost ready for glue up, and needing only a couple of swipes with a plane to be finished. The Incas are getting more attention now than they were, but can still be had for a bargain price.

I am not so far from you, I'll PM you my details and if you fancy a jolly you can come and have a play! Perhaps better to be informed.

HTH

Caz

 

[Alexam]

I have both bandsaw and a table saw. I find the TS remains in the corner of the shop with a sheet of MDF on it whilst the bandsaw is in use every day. If I have to make a long straight cut then I use the Festool.

I would look on e8ay and see what is available. I recently got a little Inca to go with the 352 Startrite I already have, and now leave the smaller Inca set up for mainly curved work, and the 352 for straight, deep cuts. This works very well for me. The 352 works VERY well with cuts being almost ready for glue up, and needing only a couple of swipes with a plane to be finished. The Incas are getting more attention now than they were, but can still be had for a bargain price.

I am not so far from you, I'll PM you my details and if you fancy a jolly you can come and have a play! Perhaps better to be informed.

HTH

Caz

Thanks Caz,

I have been searching ebay, gumtree ands pre loved for tools, just to see whats about and what the prices are like. Trying to be reasonably conservative on the spending as I am unsure how much my son will actually get involved, but hopefully he will. Therefore a few tools will help.

I am thinking the bandsaw will be a good addition to the router he will get for Chrtistmas, but thinking to limit that to say £250 ish, so a good second hand one may get me more bang for the bucks? Possibly a bench-drill and later a router table, but he could make one of those.

Very kind of you to offer a visit to play sometime, what area are you in? I have also been looking for any woodworking clubs or courses, but sadly the West |Midlands is rather lacking.

All the best

Alex

 

[morfa]

You might not have had loads of replies as this is a topic that's been discussed a lot on here. Worth doing a search in the box above. Here's some links to get you started:

recommend-me-a-budget-bandsaw-please-t65579.html

bandsaw-t63304.html

bandsaws-t55256.html

bandsaw-help-please-t70312.html

yet-more-bandsaw-questions-t59898.html

 

[Alexam]

Morfa, many thanks my friend. I have spent the last hour or so looking at various models. D like the Record quality, but I want a bigger one for less money!!!

Alex

 

[morfa]

Morfa, many thanks my friend. I have spent the last hour or so looking at various models. D like the Record quality, but I want a bigger one for less money!!!

Alex

Get on ebay and be patient in that case.

 

[condeesteso]

Tis true there are several threads on this topic, but my own thoughts (from experience with around 6 of them, maybe more) is that they are essentially quite simple machines and there are lots of very good second-hand ones around. Agree re the blades - Tuffsaws; and try and see one before buying; and check the fence is with it as it is amazing how many lose their fence.
Currently I have 2 and they are both quite old (secondhand), but my own experiences were:
Elektra Beckum 305 (I think it was 305) - new, fairly good, poor guides (crude) - an OK machine, decent value secondhand.
Scheppach (350 I think) - better - quite good, good secondhand
Record 500 - massive (I believed I needed a big one) - a bit crude, wheel balance poor... not at all great
Kity 413 - smaller bench-top - outstanding (very similar to the Inca 260) - got it secondhand, highly recommended. I suspect the bigger 613 is well worth a look too. Not available new any more (eBay etc.). Rare as teeth, but around £150, maybe less.
Inca 260 - excellent - really precise machine, quiet, smooth, well designed and made. They have many fans for good reason. Not available new anymore, some were later sub-branded Axminster. Most people who get one of these don't sell them. Aim around £100-200
Startrite 352 (Gillingham made, green colour) - excellent floor-standing machine, small footprint. For a smaller workshop it's an absolute winner. Many are 3 phase but some singles out there. Tend to go around 550 - 700 though.

One thing I learned along the way. I didn't need massive at all, just good. The Startrite will deep rip better than the bigger Record - full 10" into any hardwood. Must fit a decent Tuffsaws blade, and spend a little time setting them up... ask Steve Maskery, he'll sort you :wink:

Hope that helps!

 

[Alexam]

Thank you Douglas, that's most informative and has certainly helped.

Nice to get details like this and so many members are trying to help, which is how I thought it may be . I have tended to look at £200 ish, could stretch £50 for the right one, but am getting the feeling that if it's a 'good' make, then that amount will buy more than paying for new now.

Have already decided to have a Tuffsaws blade or two when I get something and then spend time tuning it up and keeping on top of that as regularly as needed. All good fun starting a new hobby, particularly at my old age. Anyway, my son will benefit from some good tools and we can work together.

All the best

Alex

Second thoughts ..... really need a bench top band saw and again looking at the latest ones, Record BS250 can be had for around £300. I know that would buy me more of a machine in the second hand market, but bench top ???

Alex

 

[Steve Maskery]

Bandsaws are very simple machines, but getting them to perform well is as much an art as anything. +1 for Tuffsaws, Ian's blades are the best without a stupid price tag.

Assuming that the motor is powerful enough to drive the machine (most are but some budget saws are built down to a price and it is often the motor that suffers) and the blade guides are a sensible design (we have an ancient Startrite at the Community Workshop and it is a good saw with really carp guides - I assume they are better these days).

The rest is down to good set up and technique, regardless of the quality of the machine itself.

S

 

[Alexam]

Thank you Steve,

Whilst I appreciate that oldies are goodies, if you could indicate a couple of 'reasonable' manufacturers of modern band saws, it would be most helpful. I expect I will need to outlay about £300 if that's possible.

Alex

 

[Steve Maskery]

Whilst not eager to be unhelpful, I can't really recommend anything, as I'm not in the market and don't really know what is current.
I can tell you that I have never regretted buying my big Scheppach. But if I were buying now I'd probably look out for an old Startrite and tart it up with modern guides.
S

 

[John15]

Alex,
I have a Record 250. I'm very pleased with it. It cost around £280 as far as I remember.
Regards,
John

 

[caroleb]

Shop around. Local auctions, liquidations etc. I got my Startrite 352 for under a hundred quid, which I know is almost unheard of, but I waited, and waited and waited. I did, however, already have a smaller BS to see me through. Mind you, I got that cheap too!

Cash is king at the moment!

Caz