Post by ssSoon to be 65th birthday present, asked what I want.
So thinking a bandsaw.
It wont be used much and never had one before so what specs etc?
She would pay whatever but cant justify as I wont use it too much (yet)
So looking at the cheaper end for ocassional use.
I dont have a workshop just a small shed 8x6 so size important,
proabably be used outdoors when required.
Specs?
I would expect most will have an induction motor - but check to be sure
since that is what you want (quiet and smooth and power where you want
it at the top end, rather than at startup).
Post by ssTeeth per inch?
You will probably want a selection of blades. I tend to find the finer
blades are less useful that you expect unless cutting very thin stuff,
where a fine tooth lets you key more than one tooth in the material. For
general work 4 and 6 tpi are fine. Lower for resawing.
You have not said what you will be cutting primarily. Many are two speed
(typically selected by choosing one of a couple of pully positions for
the belt). These are fine for woodwork, and most composites. However
less ideal for metalwork where a slower speed might be good.
The better ones will have a variable frequency drive to do this (and
quite often a 3 phase motor and inverter to run it form a single phase
supply) - but be prepared to pay big money for those.
Peter does a comparative review of a couple of the Axminster ones here:
Depending on application I would say 6" is really the minimum (apart
from perhaps model making and signage). More is nice, especially if you
want to resaw timber.
Also check the max size of blade it will take. For much detail stuff you
will probably want a 1/4" blade, but if doing resawing then being able
to fit something larger than 1/2" is quite handy.
Note that some of the entry level ones are very small. e.g:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-hobby-series-hbs200n-bandsaw-102266
(80mm depth of cut!)
Post by ssAnd anything else that maybe relevent.
Look at the blade guide system. One with bearings tends to be better
than one with simple guide blocks.
I have a Elektra Beckum BAS315 (now branded Metabo), that came with
simple guide blocks and I used to find blade drift was a problem. I
upgraded it with a kit from Bedford saw a while back and that has made
it much better.
--
Cheers,
John.
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