Buying a bandsaw - opinions please.

[pavliku]

Hi guys,
I'm considering buying a new bandsaw.
There are two new models that I am considering http://machineryhouse.co.nz/W856 and http://machineryhouse.co.nz/W4224
Does anyone know these brands/models and has had deals with Machinery House nz?
They look pretty good to me - but without seeing them it's always a gamble.
Thanks,
Paul.

[kiwigeo]

They're both 14" ok machines...I wouldn't go smaller than this. Price is in $NZ I assume but looks a bit on the high side. Carbatec machines sell here for just over $Aus840.

I've got a Carbatec 14" machine which is ok for most of the work I do but I had to upgrade to a better fence as the fence that came with the machine didnt allow for much drift adjustment.

[woodrat]

Personally I would be keeping my eye on trademe.co.nz for an older machine like an old Tanner or Hyco (that might be Dyco I dont know) which I think were both built in EnZed. I say this because I have both a Jet 14 incher and an old 60s cast Iron Aussie made Woodfast. The Jet is adequate but has lots of vibrations that I dont care for and the wheels have no mass for momentum in them. I use it for the light duty stuff but resaw on the old Woodfast as the cast frame and wheels are much more robust. If I was in the market for a Bandsaw that is what I would do...old cast iron and quality manufacture from days gone by I am afraid:) JMO:)

John

[pavliku]

Thanks,
I am keeping an eye on trademe - there is a tanner on there that at first glance looked good, but only cuts at a max height of 180mm - at least thats what I am presuming from what the guy wrote .180 is what he has put down with no indication of what system of measurement he is using.
There are a few others there but every one wants so much money so I thought that I would look at a few new machines - at least there would be a two or even three year warranty.
Paul.

[pavliku]

what about this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/building-renov ... 115081.htm

[kiwigeo]

what about this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/building-renov ... 115081.htm

Alot different brand names come out of the same factories in China/Taiwan. This one is still pricey.

[woodrat]

Paul, I cant say I a fan of fabricated bandsaws....I would look for a cast one. If time is on your side keep checking trademe.co and get a good old saw. I am only stating what I would do because that is what I have done and would continue to do because I have had too many disappointments with cheap light gear and I am prepared to refurb an old machine if I see one that needs some work.Rob Brown has refurbed machines too and would agree...he has a really nice Wadkin table saw that he refurbed...despite the time that he spent on refurbishing I am sure that he would not swap it for a new far eastern one:) ...IMO that dont make them like they used to. But if a warranty is important to you then buy new but in my workshop older is better.

John

[woodrat]

Paul....I just checked trademe and here is an example of one I would buy....http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farmi ... 766583.htm

It looks to be 30 plus years old, made is NZ by a company that made good stuff...at $350 its a bargain when compared to Chinese stuff. Just look at the cast iron wheels...I would swap my Jet for this one in a heartbeat. The people will even ship it! Thats rare for heavy goods mostly people only put it on as "pick up only"

JMO...thats what the thread is about:)

John

[pavliku]

Thanks John,
Yea, thats the Tanner I was refering to above - I wouldn't have hesitated in buying this but for the fact it only cuts stock of 180mm high - I want at least 200mm. Its in my region too. Thats rare.

[woodrat]

Paul, I would still buy it...Its cheap and quality. Also if the frame comes apart like a Jet you can quite easily fabricate a riser block and get an extra 20 - 30 mm any way. But if it was close to me I would nab it!...

John

[woodrat]

I just checked the listing again and it isnt in two halves like a Jet so my previous idea is sunk...but I would still buy it at that price for sure.

[kiwigeo]

Paul....I just checked trademe and here is an example of one I would buy....http://www.trademe.co.nz/business-farmi ... 766583.htm

It looks to be 30 plus years old, made is NZ by a company that made good stuff...at $350 its a bargain when compared to Chinese stuff. Just look at the cast iron wheels...I would swap my Jet for this one in a heartbeat. The people will even ship it! Thats rare for heavy goods mostly people only put it on as "pick up only"

JMO...thats what the thread is about:)

John

It's a 14" bandie...good for everything except serious resawing. I'd buy it at $350.

[pavliku]

I hear what your saying guys, but I really want it for resawing. At the moment I'm resawing on a home made machine - I've done 200mm rips at 4 mm - its a scary job on a shaky old beast. I'd pounce on it if it could rip a little deeper. Something will turn up.

[woodrat]

Paul, could you post it across the ditch for me then?

[seeaxe]

This will probably sell for a lot more than $350, thats the starting bid, but if you got if for that you would be doing OK to buy it, even as a spare bandsaw until you get a bigger one.

Good luck!

Richard

[Mark McLean]

It looks good. Buy the bugger.

[kiwigeo]

If you dont buy it........youll be banned!!

[woodrat]

Richard is probably right that it will go for more than $350. Dont bid on it until the death...you might still get it for the starting bid.

You will not regret purchasing that even if it does not have the resaw capacity you hoped for.

John

[Kim]

Yep +1 on the Tanner, its a 14" saw that you would be very unlikely to better no matter what you paid for a new machine of today. Those flimsy pieces of crap 'need' a long warranty because they've nothing else to give the consumer confidence in their longevity...that makes the old Tanner a keeper that will most likely take pride of place in ur shed until you crark it. So even if you do have to start from scratch to save the scheckles for a larger resaw machine later on, it worth the longer wait to secure this one now IMO.

Cheers

Kim

[woodrat]

There are questions from at leas 4 different people on the Tanner saw....I suspect you will see the action in the last 5 minutes. I think it will go for twice the starting price and that would still be cheaper than a far Eastern bandsaw. I think that Kim is right ...it will still be going when you cark it...

John

[pavliku]

I see shes caused quite some salivation

[woodrat]

Thats because you can easily part with your hard earned and buy a piece of junk on any day of the week but quality machines like this are much rarer .... you usually have to wait for the previous owner to cark it or at least retire until one becomes available on the market.

Methinks you should buy it:)

John

[pavliku]

Can you take a look again at the Tanner on Trademe. I asked the seller a question about getting some more height from the saw. He posted a couple of photos of what he thought might be possable with regards to removing some material to gain a little extra height - plausable, dagerous, foolish? add your own noun.
Paul.

[auscab]

Hi Paul, the 10mm of the casting seems a bit drastic but it may work out .

One thing that could work is , get him to take a picture under the cast table, a lot of saws have a u section that is used to tilt the table. I don't know if they have it on this size saw.
I have used this to get the table 90 degrees to the blade but never for angled cuts . if it's there you could gain possibly 30 to 50mm by taking it out and fixing the table down lower.

[pavliku]

Interesting tip, thanks Rob. I thought the 10mm was a bit drastic too.