Buying a bandsaw - opinions please.

[pavliku]

So I took the plunge and placed a bid - very persuasive arguments gentleman
I hope no one following this thread will out bid me.

[woodrat]

Nice idea Rob, I hope that it works out that way.

Paul, I hope you get the saw:)....I know if I was in NZ I would buy it.

John

[woodrat]

$405 NZD good buying for that sort of quality.....Did you get it Paul?

John

[pavliku]

No unfortunately - I like the old days when you looked through the adds, rung the guy up, went to view, struck up a relationship, did a bit of negotiating and the shook hands.

[pavliku]

Can I have some oppinions on this one please http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =454574988
It looks like a good old one - anyone know this brand?
I've got more money to spend now so don't want to let this one slip by (unless someone wants to bid a really crazy amount) as it is ideal for what I want.
Please let me know your oppinions.
Thanks,
Paul.

[pavliku]

Lets try that again - the link is this http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =454574988

[woodrat]

Hi Paul, That is a fairly common or garden variety Taiwanese 14inch bandsaw. It has some features that mine has not got...mine is a 15yo Jet that I mentioned in an earlier post. It has stepped pullies is what I am referring to to regulate the speed. I have a riser block on mine too and although I have put some big chunks of wood through it I would not call it a serious resaw set up. Is it worth $300...probably....would I buy it....probably not....I would wait for what was discussed earlier a Tanner or Hyco...preferably a Tanner from what I have seen. That is just my opinion....will it do most things that a luthier would want from a bandsaw...yes...except HD resawing....by that I mean deeping blackwood for backs for example ....It would do it ...I have done it on my Jet but I had changed the motor to a 2hp for resawing to have more grunt.....A great failing of these saws is that they have allow wheels not Cast Iron....A nice early Tanner with cast iron wheels is what I would be waiting for....JMO....

Cheers

John

[J.F. Custom]

Can I have some oppinions on this one please http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =454574988
It looks like a good old one - anyone know this brand?
I've got more money to spend now so don't want to let this one slip by (unless someone wants to bid a really crazy amount) as it is ideal for what I want.
Please let me know your oppinions.
Thanks,
Paul.

Hi Paul.

OK - that is the old standard Chinese/Taiwanese made 14" bandsaw. They came out under numerous brands of which that was just one. It has remained mostly unchanged through the years but this is one of the earliest and most basic. They retailed here in Aus for as little as $380 through to 650, depending on exact specs/model, brand, year etc.

The earliest and most basic models originally came with that on/off switch located down low on the base - not the best place should you need to turn it off in a hurry and you need to look away from the blade/cutting area to do so. For this reason, later models moved that switch to the upper left frame - accessible without diverting your eyes. Something to be aware of.

They also changed the doors from those cast alloy screw knobs to plastic moulded screw knobs, then finally to hinged doors instead of those requiring the cover to be completely removed. This is mostly by the by though, not an issue per se.

However these original basic models all had a cast iron frame that was bolted together from two parts. Hence, a riser block was available adding about 6" to the height of the frame (requiring a proportionately longer blade) and therefore to the cutting height. However - be aware that this was not intended to allow you to re-saw up to 12" hardwood! This extra height did technically allow a larger piece of stock to be passed through but; you need to bear in mind you have not increased any other aspect of the machines capability. The motor is the same - no extra HP; the bearings are the same; the spring tension is the same; the guides are the same; the frames is no heavier or more robust etc.

The reality of re-sawing with this set up is extremely limited - possible, but not ideal in any real sense. A machine is designed with certain capabilities - those units were designed as they were originally constructed. That is to say the original 6" depth of cut is the upper limit of their potential. Even 6" of hardwood is going to make that machine struggle as you are pushing it to built in capacity. So going above and beyond this is pushing it even more and you may find it more frustrating than anything else. It is possible on occasion but...

Point is Paul, at that price and for what you are hoping to do with it, I honestly don't see it as a bargain. That's despite these machines being useful for many other purposes. Sorry and my opinion only of course.

Jeremy.

*edit* - Just saw John beat me to it as I was writing my rather verbose reply! Good to have various opinions.

[pavliku]

Thanks John and Jeremy, great information as I want reasonable resawing capabilities I think I'll pass on it.
Paul.

[ernie]

Hi I own 5 bandsaws all set up with different sized blades to do different tasks.It is the most versatile tool in the luthiers arsenal.Save up for a quality made bandsaw that will last for years, the cheapies are a pita.I have a tutorial on maintaining your consumer grade bandsaw good luck. www ateliertomi.com.

[brian64]

Is there an Aussie version of trademe.co.nz? (I tried trademe.com.au, and the nz site came up)

Where would you look for good second-hand equipment in Melbourne - e-bay doesn't seem to be the place that good old machines go.

[J.F. Custom]

Is there an Aussie version of trademe.co.nz? (I tried trademe.com.au, and the nz site came up)

Where would you look for good second-hand equipment in Melbourne - e-bay doesn't seem to be the place that good old machines go.

Hi Brian.

Trademe is esentially NZ's version of eBay.

That said, here in Aus for machinery, try this site -

http://www.machines4u.com.au

There are some pretty nice old machines that get listed on there - eg big old industrial bandsaws and the like. If only they would fit in my workshop...

Good luck.

Jeremy.

[brian64]

Thanks for the quick reply Jeremy, I'll check it out.

[charangohabsburg]

That said, here in Aus for machinery, try this site -

http://www.machines4u.com.au

Although not an option for me (living at the wrong place for getting shipped their stuff at a reasonable price...) I had a look at that site. They have a cute desktop-bandsaw for sale! (...although they don't advertise it as such - of course . But still impressive.)