Bandsaw Choice in NZ

**Gedc** · 25th November 2018, 05:50 PM

Hi folks. Further to the help in securing a tablesaw and jointer / planer I am looking to add to the garage setup with a bandsaw. Santa is being good to me this xmas. Have a few choices in NZ and think I'll be using it for a wide(r) variety of tasks. I currently have a sawstop and a hammer a3-31 to compliment it.

Some choices I've been looking at include the Hammer N4400, the Felder FB510 and the Jet 15" or 18" from Carbatec. While I enjoy tinkering with machines I'm also keen to set them up once and use them without having to constantly tweak, tune and check things that may move or drift. I appreciate they may need some love and attention over time and I'm fine with that. The current tools - sawstop and hammer thicknesser are rock solid in that respect once they are setup.

With that in mind I've stayed clear of the no-brand Carbatec models as well as the branded Jacks models such as Ascent. Maybe I'm wrong and they are solid and reliable models. I believe Jet may be made in the same factory as some others so maybe it's just in the name.

Any owners reading this - would you mind offering any pros and cons for the above models. My budget is around $3 to $4k Kiwi which generally means a bit more for extras if required.

Thanks for any pointers.

Ged

**Albert** · 25th November 2018, 08:44 PM

what about SCM? will you consider them? I had a S400P before, bought for a bit more than $4k. solid machine.

Do you have 3 phase? I have heard good things about N4400. Felder 510 is close to 5K though

**Gedc** · 25th November 2018, 08:47 PM

Hi Albert. Thx for that. Only single phase but have 15 and 20A circuits installed. Not sure yet on the Hammer/ Felder prices - have asked for a price from Jacks.co.nz.

**Albert** · 26th November 2018, 11:09 AM

I was thinking to upgrade my bandsaw to Felder when I upgrade my Spindle moulder next year.

but now seeing you maybe purchasing a FB510...

I will ask Jacks AKL to give me a price for 2 x FB510. am sure they will give us a better price than just 1.

**paul.cleary** · 27th November 2018, 06:59 PM

I have owned a Hammer N4400 for 7+ years now. My experience is:
* Never buy a bandsaw that you can't physically inspect before the purchase.
* The table is at times too small in area, particularly on the side where you feed wood into the blade
* Slot in table is non-standard so very difficult to get a 3rd party mitre gauge
* Lots of power from the 4HP motor to cut through up to 275mm of wood
* You need a 15Amp circuit and plug and cord - good thing is that these are now available in NZ
* After a while the Euro guides and backstop gum up from fine sawdust but there is no easy way to pull them apart and lubricate them
You can PM me if you want more detail
Paul

**derekcohen** · 27th November 2018, 11:42 PM

I have also had a Hammer N4400 for about 7 years. I rate it highly. It has been very reliable, built like a brick dunny, and held its settings all these years.

I run a 1" carbide Lenox blade for re-sawing, and it will tension this correctly - which is something that most Chinese-clone bandsaws cannot do. Blade changes are quick.

The table has not been "small" for me, but I have not used many others. Keep in mind that bed extensions are available if you want extra support.

I've contemplated changing the Euro guides for the new ceramic ones - which look fantastic - but it has not been a need, so it remains on the back burner. Not an issue as far as I am concerned.

4 hp is very powerful. It cuts anything. However I believe the new machines are 3.5 hp. Mine runs on 20 amps, which is recommended. That was expensive to put in (although I added a bunch of 15 am at the same time).

The fence is very solid. I would have liked a fine adjuster. There is no drift adjustment, but I have never experienced drift, so ...

My two main gripes are that the re-saw height on my version is 11 1/2", where the latest ones is about 12 3/4". Also that the bed tilts to 30 degrees, while the new ones go to 45 degrees.

At the price, I'd buy one again.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**Gedc** · 28th November 2018, 10:16 AM

Thanks all. Any Carbatec, Ascent or Jet owners here. The price I'm looking at for the N4400 including ceramic guides and base is around $5800 with the basic bandsaw being $4850 ish. While money is important, with tool purchases I tend to have the philosophy of buy once, cry once as long as the quality shines out over everything else. Does the bare bones n4400 justify the $2k to $2.5K difference over the 'generic' machines from the far east. Again. Thanks for the valuable insight from real users and owners

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