First time Bandsaw purchase

[T4VVY]

Hi guys, I'm looking to buy my first bandsaw and have managed to narrow it down to the following:

Metabo BAS317

Scheppach Basato 3h vario

Axminster HBS10N

AXminster HBS350N

As you might gather from this info I have about £500 to spend. I need an accurate machine as i need to cut some precise bevels and also some clean curves. I'll be using the making to make drum shells.
I'm also open to reccommendatios about other bandsaws but please try to keep it below £500 where possible

Thanks in advance, Tavvy

 

[Alexam]

Record Power will give a 5 year guarantee. Possibly the 300 series worth a look?

Alex

 

[T4VVY]

Hi Alex

I've looked at the record powers but have seen a lot of negative remarks towards their rigidness and accuracy.
However I will relook at them per your recommendation

 

[paultnl]

Whichever one you go for, get a new blade from Tuff Saws

 

[T4VVY]

Does the tpi matter if I'm just cutting wood paultln?

 

[paultnl]

TPI is very much dependant on the thickness and type of the material. If you speak to Ian at Tuffsaws he will give you the best advice.

 

[marku]

Hi

I've got the Metabo band saw and I wouldn't buy one again, the height adjuster for the depth of cut broke very quickly. The table is very difficult to secure and keep square, the fence only clamps at one end and the only way to cut straight is to g clamp the other end to the table. Other than that its Ok.

Maybe all these saws are the same,

In fact the only thing I like about the saw is the blade that Ian at Tuff Saws supplied, once fitted with some fettling it does cut well.

Personally I would try and buy a used Startrite machine which is what I am going to do.

Mark

 

[Alexam]

Hi Alex

I've looked at the record powers but have seen a lot of negative remarks towards their rigidness and accuracy.
However I will relook at them per your recommendation

This may be so on some of the lower end of the Record models, although there are many good reports. Unfortunately many bandsaw machines are made abroad, as well as Record, but my understanding is that from the 300 series upwards, Record take a direct interest in the construction and the finish. The 5 year guarantee shows that they back up their products and that counts for a lot these days.

Good luck

Alex

 

[T4VVY]

Thanks Alex I'll definitely put the record power on my possible list and research it when I have access to a computer

 

[T4VVY]

And thanks Marku i'll cross the metabo off of my list

 

[RogerP]

I've had an Axminster HBS350N (or its direct equivalent) for many years. Long before the "Hobby" paint job it was listed as "light trade". Not had any problems and it's still works well, although I have a suspicion the top wheel bearing is soon due for replacement.

Any bandsaw is only as good as the blade and the one fitted new by most manufacturers rarely does justice to their machine. Don't know why they do this as it seems a silly economy. Fitting a decent blade (Tuffsaws) usually transforms a machine's performance.

Different blades are needed for different types of sawing and the failure to change to the correct blade for the job in hand is a common mistake.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

T4...with respect to blades, the rule of thumb is that a minimum of 3 teeth per inch should be in contact with the wood at any time, thus the thickness you routinely cut very much drives the choice of blade style. If you're cutting mostly regular furniture style dry timber then it will likely range from 15 to 50mm in which case a tpi of 4-6 tpi is a good general purpose blade that will support a range of function.

If you want to resaw or cut green timber then you need less teeth and more gullet and more beam strength ideally (wider blade). So a 1/2" 4 tpi is a cracking all purpose for furniture and reasonably tight radii. 3/8" for tighter radii.

The very best advice anyone will ever give you about a bandsaw is that if the blade isn't good quality and sharp, they stop working accurately on almost every level!

Re Record Power, the 300 and 350 are excellent machines on a budget because though made in the Far East, Record Power invest in the tooling in conjunction with the OEM so the bits which are unique to them (the heavy wheels, bigger tensioning spring, cast iron fence assembly etc) are all the important bits which combine to make them more accurate than the other clones.

 

[Glynne]

I have a record BS350 and am really pleased with it. Solid, rigid and with Steve Maskery's fine adjuster fence, accuracy is great.
The only negative thing I can really say is that if you have the fence to the left of the blade, it doesn't just slide off the fence rail.

 

[Spindle]

Hi

Another user recommendation for Record Power - find that bit of extra cash, you won't be disappointed - mine's been in hobby use for 15 years without issue, (and I frequently cut in the region of it's maximum capacity),

Regards Mick

 

[T4VVY]

Thanks for all the great advice I've learnt more from you than from hours of trawling the internet!