Small bandsaws

[cisamcgu]

Hello,

I want a small/tabletop bandsaw and have found the following that fit the bill (I think)

Jet JWBS-9 http://www.axminster.co.uk/jet-jet-jwbs ... rod208702/
Axminster AWBS250N http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ax ... rod804528/
Basato 1 http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... SCHBASATO1
Metabo 260 http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... /METBAS260
Record Power 250 http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... n/RPWBS250

What I really want to know is

a) have I missed any other bandsaw for the same sort of price and quality
b) which of these is the best value/best quality/best buy
c) are any other them complete lemons
d) any other advice (I realise I will need to buy a new blade)

Thanks in advance
Andrew

 

[deserter]

I have the jet bandsaw and have to say it is great it cuts straight and true the fence is as good as any for the price range, as expected the blade supplied is not great but does the job the only thing letting it down is the mitre guide but that's no real big deal.

All in all I'm very happy with it and even when I do buy a bigger one I'll keep this one also as its easily portable.

 

[cmwatt]

I have the Jet too, it's a decent bandsaw. The main let down is the table and fences, the rip fence wobbles off vertical, the ends aren't supported so the thin aluminium flexes. The mitre gauge is useless, the slot is too big so the fence wobbles by a few degrees at least. If I had the choice again, I'd have saved a little more and got something with a cast iron table at least, probably any of the other 4 you list would be better. Also if I didn't live in the highlands, I would look at second hand machines. I've seen an Elektra Beckum BAS316G sell for £156 on ebay recently for example.

 

[cisamcgu]

Deserter : Thanks for your comments, it is good to know that the cheapest on the list isn't completely rubbish

cmwatt : Sadly, I have no knowledge of bandsaws, so buying anything second hand would be a real lottery - interesting about your comment on the cast iron table though - thanks

 

[Gromit62]

Hi cisamcgu, I have the Axminster AWBS250N and can’t find fault in it, the cast table is reassuringly firm and even though the fence is aluminium it’s sturdy and none or very little movement plus easy to set for blade run out . I have used my bandsaw for 18 month and thought none better until I tried after reading on this site about Tuffsaw bandsaw blades and now it’s not a good bandsaw if now a super bandsaw shame I don’t do it justice.
Geoff.

 

[cisamcgu]

Gromit,

thanks for your reply. I am leaning towards the Axminster, if only because there is a showroom about 20 minutes from where I live and also it has a base which, although not essential, may in the future prove very useful.

Andrew

 

[Gromit62]

Hi Andrew,
My saw came mail order as the local store had not opened so the base was flat pack and took some fiddling to fit together but it is very handy and I store all my saw blades in there, but one thing I added some castors (Bought round the corner at Toolstation) in place of the feet so I can move it around my small workshop, hope that helps.
Geoff.

 

[cisamcgu]

Gromit, thanks for that. I'm not sure I will need to move it that much, but I'll keep it in mind

Thanks
Andrew

 

[cisamcgu]

Went down to Axminster in Warrington today to have a look at the B250N, and found they were closed

Oh well, I'll pop down next weekend maybe...the search goes on