Thread: Bandsaw Identification

Carbatec and Gasweld were two of the sellers that rebranded these saws. There's heaps of them around with more brands on them than you can poke a stick at. I'd be surprised if someone on here can't supply you with a manual. They all used the SW-1401 model designation.
These are still available today and have changed very little over the years - OAV SW 1401A Bandsaw - Prowood Machinery Ltd

Looks like mine.
See http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ewoodworkforums%2Ecom%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Fp%3D1906950&share_tid=199961&share_fid=10646&share_type=t&share_pid=1906950

Or search this forum for 'new to me bandsaw'
I think I paid about $250.
Mine has the same tap handles. There should be a guard on the back. Mine may be older, it just has a simple on/off switch.


Russ

Thanks, I can see the similarities with other bandsaws. Unfortunately the asking price was damn near retail ($800), and the machine looks to be 30 years old so they are dreaming. I low balled at what should be a reasonable price ($300), but they wanted me to double my offer. Recon I'll just grab something new instead. This one has twice the horse for only $850 - https://www.carbatec.com.au/machiner...m-blade-length and I'm hoping Carbatec have an end of financial year sale on...

Yeah totally dreaming, I think the offer you made is about the most I'd pay for a band saw of that size and vintage. Perth second hand market is funny like that, machines are either absurdly overpriced or so cheap they're sold within minutes. Very little middle ground.

I'd definitely expect to see some sort of EOFY year sale out of Carbatec, I'd hold off and see what happens.

In the time between my first post and now, a $300 Hafco BP305 has been listed. Tempted, but holding off for more power. Had my eye on either a Hafco BP355 or a Carbatec BS-345 for a while.

That's a good deal for the BP305 at that price but yeah probably better to wait for the EOFY sales.

I've got one of those, though the motor is marked as 1hp, paid $100 for it so $600 would seem to be a stretch,
in your position I would definately be looking at a new machine, hopefully a bit better equipped.

Bandsaws are a very versatile machine, so don't hesitate to spend a few more bucks!

Hope this helps, Jeff

The beauty of those old cast-iron machines is that they could be fitted with a "riser block" between the base and the upright arm. You needed a longer blade but any saw shop can make one of those in about 10 minutes. This gave an increased depth of cut which was great for ripping thicker boards. The original motor was a bit down on power but as it sits under the machine you can fit one with increased HP fairly easily. I had one for a few years, it was simple and reliable, worked well with the "riser block". It would have been 30 years old and still going strong when I sold it. I rekon it was more rigid than the fabricated steel machines that are in vogue today.

I've had one of these for at least eighteen months. I paid $300 for it and it came with a new 1HP motor, riser kit, about a dozen spare blades (including some long ones for use with the riser kit) and blade guides upgraded to bearings on the top. It's pretty basic compared to some of the modern machines I've seen but the throat and depth of cut are adequate for my needs. It doesn't have nice features like a quick release blade tension lever. In fact the knob used for tensioning the blade is too small and in an awkward spot to be effective but I just lengthened the shaft and put a large wheel on the top so that now it's very easy to use. The standard rip fence is crude but it works. With a new 1/4" blade from Henry Bros it cuts straight and I'm happy with the finish it leaves.

Would I rather have a Laguna? Sure would and I'd buy one if they were $300...