Thread: Aldi Bandsaw any good?

The 10 minute workshop on youtube reviewed it awhile back and it comes off as positive. Of course it depends on what you want to do with it. I’m thinking of getting one to cut kumiko strips in pine.

Originally Posted by RSD

8" Bandsaw 350W - ALDI Australia

or spend a few more dollars and get ?

What would you call a few extra dollars?

i don’t have room for a bandsaw so this little unit is great for small jobs as it can be stowed under a bench then whipped out when needed. Any larger jobs I use the one at the Mens’ shed.

Originally Posted by Lappa

What would you call a few extra dollars?

i don’t have room for a bandsaw so this little unit is great for small jobs as it can be stowed under a bench then whipped out when needed. Any larger jobs I use the one at the Mens’ shed.

Up to say $200. I want to use it for much the same reasons you said.

If anyone wants mine for, I don't know, $70 send me a pm. I bought it the last time Aldi had them on sale, and it works, but I've upgraded since then and I don't use it anymore. I need the bench space.

Originally Posted by RSD

Up to say $200. I want to use it for much the same reasons you said.

You won't find anything of worth for $200 (or even $300) so the Aldi is likely a good bet at $130 and probably better than the Bunnings Ozito.

Be aware that the 200mm wheels means blades are more likely to fatigue and break. Also the capacity will be limited to thin stock, the saw is not going to cope with much beyond 40mm or so thickness.

Originally Posted by Sam

.....Of course it depends on what you want to do with it. I’m thinking of getting one to cut kumiko strips in pine.

How serious are you about the kumiko, Sam, because it requires extreme precision?

I was wandering around (lost ?) in Kochi, Japan, about 18 months ago and stumbled into a kumiko workshop. They made sliding kumiko window and wall panels, down to small panels to go into cupboard doors - all contract work. Beautifully done, and surprisingly fast.

Those fiddly kumiko components were cut on a tiny saw bench with about a 50 mm blade. It seemed very high quality with a rip fence precisely adjusted by a wheel, and a sliding cross-cut sled with stops. I do not know whether the saw benches were custom made or were top of the line model-makers stuff. They were impressive.

Final fettling of kumiko pieces was done on a series of shooting boards. They worked so fast! And so precise, so incredibly precise.

I bought an Aldi one 2nd hand and that was a big mistake


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Originally Posted by RossM

You won't find anything of worth for $200 (or even $300) so the Aldi is likely a good bet at $130 and probably better than the Bunnings Ozito.

Be aware that the 200mm wheels means blades are more likely to fatigue and break. Also the capacity will be limited to thin stock, the saw is not going to cope with much beyond 40mm or so thickness.

Aldi quotes the allowable blade thickness for that size wheel, which obviously is thinner than larger units. I have bought Blades from Henry Bros. of the specified thickness although they said that thickness was getting harder to get. I have also bought from Ayao on eBay but not sure of the thickness - I’ll have to measure.

The Aldi offering looks very much like the old GMC unit I had for some time. The lower wheel is fitted directly to the motor shaft which made it spin pretty fast causing it to vibrate a fair bit. I upgraded to a Record 9 1'2" for small work and it was like chalk and cheese.
When I got some extra blades from McDiven they called them hobby blades as they are thin and flexible. The standard material is not flexible enough to conform to the radius of small wheels.

It's a toy. Save your money.

"Aldi bandsaw any good" NO!!!!!!!

@ Lappa - Despite the thinner blade, the saw is flexing the welded joint more than on a wider diameter wheel, so it more prone to breaking. I had a very old 8 inch "toy" bandsaws for a while, and this was one frustration.

I notice it has a 1 year warranty. My Ozito (same size, but $20 dearer) has a 3 year warranty so at that price I bought it. Eighteen months later it is still going well - be prepared for a few broken blades and some fiddling about to get it set up right. Mine is used every week for small jobs and has performed well for its size. Definitely not a match for my 14" bandsaw, but if I get under 3 years out of it I can claim the warranty, and if it lasts more than 3 years I can afford to throw it away. TIP - keep the receipt in a dark place (after 3 years the print might be invisible!).

Originally Posted by Gary H

TIP - keep the receipt in a dark place (after 3 years the print might be invisible!).

I photo-copy all receipts that might be needed for a warranty and staple the original to it.