Thread: BAS 350 vs BP 16A?

Hi Shannon,
I have the bsa350 and am happy with it. I made a new bigger blade tension knob at the top so I can release the tension when not in use. Even so it's a bit of a knack to get that right and the tracking.

If I had my time again I would get a bs with tension release lever, but that would mean a more expensive machine. I had the switch replaced by Carbatec under warranty and recently the belt..my fault cos too much saw dust in there and it folded and broke.

I have made a 1.2 metre removable outfeed table extension which is great with long pieces and logs.

For the bucks good machine. Can't comment on 16a but there is heaps on forum about that machine.

Are you sharing your santa?

cheers,
conwood

Originally Posted by conwood

Are you sharing your santa?

conwood

My Santa also goes by the name of SWMBO - not sure what you are asking conwood...

I take it you are not sharing your santa

Sadly, not many santa's by good woody pressies..you got a good santa.

cheers
conwood

Google seems to be having more success in finding listings about BP-16A's on here - any suggestions? Tried the usual suspects like upper and lower case, quotes etc....

I've got the BAS-350 and I am quite happy with it, you'll want to upgrade the fence though if you want to cut veneers. I put the Kreg fence on mine and it turned an average machine into a great machine

You're more than welcome to come and have a sticky at it and run it thru it paces if you like.

Like DJ, I have the BAS350, great machine, but like him I didn't think much of the standard fence and upgraded it.

The other thing I did was replace the bearings with sealed ones, only cost a bit more than the standard ones, but they last a lot longer (haven't replaced them since I put them in).

Thanks DJ, I had snooped that from previous posts Great to hear about the fences from both of you. The mechanism on the 16A looks good and less fiddly than the 350. Is what CT claim about the guides on the 350 true? are they really that great?

If Santa doesn't arrive early then I might have a sticky at your barbecue DJ. The way work is going though, I could do with an early distraction

I also have the 350 and am very happy with it. I have changed over to sealed bearings (the stock ones are only shielded), but am going OK with the stock fence. The saw can become bogged down with resawing, but I imagine that is the case for all in this price range.

conwood -thanks for the tip on the tension knob, I'll have to try that

Regards,

James

Originally Posted by yjnb

BS -thanks for the tip on the tension knob, I'll have to try that

Regards,

James

Not me, that was conwood, good tip for sure.

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Not me, that was conwood, good tip for sure.

oops, post corrected

Regards

James

Hmmmm DJ, I see in a post a few months back you might be looking to upgrade your 350 - hows that working out for you....? (*shifty glances around DJ's shed*)

Originally Posted by Robomanic

Hmmmm DJ, I see in a post a few months back you might be looking to upgrade your 350 - hows that working out for you....? (*shifty glances around DJ's shed*)

With all my latest purchases , it could be 6 months or more

Bu**er,

Surprised someone has not slapped me for trying to buy one just after the wwshow, and after the dollar drops and.... grrrr. Prob should look harder for a second hander.

Guess I'll stick my neck out for the 16A. It's a bit ordinary out of the box (get what you pay for I suppose). You'll need to do a bit of tinkering get the wheels coplanar, replace the drive belt, shim the guide post, and customize a set of wooden block guides. But afterwards you should have a pretty strong machine .