I have read through the archives here, in threads where the BS350 was discussed, and it gets a lot of praise (thanks in particular to gidon for a very informative review). Many of those threads are nearly 6 months old though, and I was wondering whether people still hold a high opinion of this bandsaw after several more months of use?
I noticed that the Record site states that this bandsaw is 1.5HP, but one of the older threads here mentions that it is 2HP. I wonder whether the specification of the more recent BS350 has changed, or whether the difference is to do with Record now publishing more accurate figures for power of the saw?
Just to put this into context, I am looking around at various 14" bandsaw options at the moment, and the main contenders (here) seemed to be the Basato5-2 (really a 17" throat, but in the same price range as some of the other 14" saws at about €1,875), the Startrite 351 (about €1,750), some other 14" Record (again, sales guy wasn't sure of the model, for about €1,600) and the EB505 (at least I think it is the EB505, the salesmen on the phone was not sure, at about €1,800). These are all pricey machines, but while I was mentally adjusting to the prospect of having to pay a lot of cash for a decent (?) 14" bandsaw, one sales guy mentioned the BS350 (for about €700). I immediately assumed that the BS350 must be lacking something or other (the power of marketing and sales speak defeats me again!!), but the comments about it on this forum suggest that it is a very capable 14" bandsaw.
As yet I have only had a very brief look at both the Basato5-2 and the BS350, and while the Basato seems to be more solidly built, the BS350 seems pretty good for less than half the cost. I hope to get to see all five bandsaws, that I mention above, side by side at the weekend so that I can really compare them, but in the meantime I'd be very grateful for the latest feedback on the BS350 (and the others that I mention too).
Also, I'll be looking to put a mobile base on my choice of bandsaw, so any suggestions for mobile bases that work well with these saws would be gratefully received too.
Thanks in advance for any info.
I noticed that the Record site states that this bandsaw is 1.5HP, but one of the older threads here mentions that it is 2HP. I wonder whether the specification of the more recent BS350 has changed, or whether the difference is to do with Record now publishing more accurate figures for power of the saw?
Just to put this into context, I am looking around at various 14" bandsaw options at the moment, and the main contenders (here) seemed to be the Basato5-2 (really a 17" throat, but in the same price range as some of the other 14" saws at about €1,875), the Startrite 351 (about €1,750), some other 14" Record (again, sales guy wasn't sure of the model, for about €1,600) and the EB505 (at least I think it is the EB505, the salesmen on the phone was not sure, at about €1,800). These are all pricey machines, but while I was mentally adjusting to the prospect of having to pay a lot of cash for a decent (?) 14" bandsaw, one sales guy mentioned the BS350 (for about €700). I immediately assumed that the BS350 must be lacking something or other (the power of marketing and sales speak defeats me again!!), but the comments about it on this forum suggest that it is a very capable 14" bandsaw.
As yet I have only had a very brief look at both the Basato5-2 and the BS350, and while the Basato seems to be more solidly built, the BS350 seems pretty good for less than half the cost. I hope to get to see all five bandsaws, that I mention above, side by side at the weekend so that I can really compare them, but in the meantime I'd be very grateful for the latest feedback on the BS350 (and the others that I mention too).
Also, I'll be looking to put a mobile base on my choice of bandsaw, so any suggestions for mobile bases that work well with these saws would be gratefully received too.
Thanks in advance for any info.