Thread: Hare & Forbes vs Carb-a-Tec Bandsaws

Hi Richard

I've just been through the same process and feel you should avoid the W4334. The build quality, detail and I suspect even the steel on the table is inferior. I'm not a fan of the fence mechanism either. Have a look at even H&Fs photos on line. You can see the scum all over the mechanisms and rust on the rollers and other metal components.

I was there today and went over these machines to death. If you're going to buy an Asian machine, buy Taiwanese over the Chinese machines from H&F.

Consider the wiring and amperage requirements of the 3-4hp machines. Ask you sparky, but you will approach the limit of your home's wiring perhaps.

The C-tech one you mentioned is NOT the equivalent of the W4334 ... but it is of the W433 at H&F I think with a few diffs. Same machine with some changes like the wheel construction (heavier on the CT), the table (bigger on the CT), the fence (higher on the CT), the warranty (longer on the CT) and the cost (about $200 more on the CT). The literature suggests some other minor and questionable differences in the stats. Both good obviously but I hear some niggles tensioning. Both Taiwanese I think? I think there are other posts on similar topics.

Originally Posted by Green Beetle

Hi Richard

I've just been through the same process and feel you should avoid the W4334. The build quality, detail and I suspect even the steel on the table is inferior. I'm not a fan of the fence mechanism either. Have a look at even H&Fs photos on line. You can see the scum all over the mechanisms and rust on the rollers and other metal components.

I was there today and went over these machines to death. If you're going to buy an Asian machine, buy Taiwanese over the Chinese machines from H&F.

Consider the wiring and amperage requirements of the 3-4hp machines. Ask you sparky, but you will approach the limit of your home's wiring perhaps.

The C-tech one you mentioned is NOT the equivalent of the W4334 ... but it is of the W433 at H&F I think with a few diffs. Same machine with some changes like the wheel construction (heavier on the CT), the table (bigger on the CT), the fence (higher on the CT), the warranty (longer on the CT) and the cost (about $200 more on the CT). The literature suggests some other minor and questionable differences in the stats. Both good obviously but I hear some niggles tensioning. Both Taiwanese I think? I think there are other posts on similar topics.

H&F has two lines of bandsaws, similarly-named. Look at its website, from emory the BP480 is made in Taiwan, the BP470 is not.

I understand the Taiwanese saws are made by OAV, and seem to be sold by others too, including Leda, Ronmack. And Carbatec.

When ordering the saws from the manufacturer (by the container load I suspect), one can choose between different wheels, different tables and some other options. I think Carbatec takes heavier wheels and bigger tables than standard, and other importers make other choices so that the model numbers are not directly comparable.

Mull over Band Saw (Woodworking) Manufacturer -- OAV EQUIPMENT & TOOLS, INC. is a leading supplier and exporter of Band Saw (Woodworking) in Taiwan, Asia

BP-430 is Taiwanese, BP-470 is Chinese, BP-480 is Taiwanese.
I am sure OAV is manufacturer of BP-430 and BP-480, cant remember who is manufacturer for the BP-470, would have to look it up but it is Chinese.
The Taiwanese are better build quality units and as such more expesive, often better components are used in Taiwanese machines, better castings, bearings etc.
Generally speaking, Tainwanese are built more to "industrial" spec than Chinese, not to say any of these are industrial units, as they are all 240v.