Bloody jigsaw blades!

**zathras** · 30th August 2002, 08:16 AM

I'm actually just (finally) putting the finishing touches to my entertainment unit that features a coupla slabs of redgum (read 8" x 2") as top front & side edges. Certainly should be able to carry the 60kg TV set without too much complaint (unlike any of the crappo MDF/chipboard jobs you buy)

Hasn't turned out too bad and I'm especially pleased as the redgum's original destiny would have been to be used as garden retainers. Just took a bit of time picking it over at the garden centre and then storing it for quite some more time to dry out some.
A bit of machining and oiling has transformed it poles apart from its original intent.

Fortunately my unit is also sitting on a slab, hell even a couple were probably consumed over the course of its construction (beer). and maybe just a couple more once it is finally moved (heaved?) into it's resting place.

Ray

**zathras** · 30th August 2002, 08:30 AM

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, just to put the thread back on track

that the front edges all have a long sweeping curve that was cut by jigsaw.

Let's just say it was a slow process ripping 40mm redgum with a jigsaw with the biggest tooth blade I had took something like 30mins to run the length of my main piece that is 2.2m long.

The beltsander was certainly my friend in cleaning up that god awful mess left behind by the jigsaw.

The worst aspect I found was that the blade being drawn up makes it damn hard to follow the line smoothly. A couple of smaller pieces I cut on my el-cheapo and now defunct from redgumitis 6" bandsaw (yes Bunnings $80 special) went a hell of a lot better, could follow line and nice smooth cut up until the death of motor.
Had to finish with the vibrator, sorry jigsaw.

Since then been considering getting something like the Carbatec Economy 14" bandsaw. Even though the $80 job was crap, It has made me aware a bandsaw is a must have unit.
Are these 14" units a good buy ?

Ray

**Robert WA** · 30th August 2002, 10:00 AM

I have a 14" bandsaw from Carbatec WA. Is that the model you are thinking of. $400, I think, and am very happy with it. I work it hard on WA hardwoods and it has met the challenge.
My biggest problem with it was putting it together. The instructions were translated from the original Chinese by a Russian into Greek and then by a Hebrew speaking Israeli into English.

**Mick4412** · 30th August 2002, 07:20 PM

I too bought a Band saw fromCarba Tec - the SW 1401 - cost me $545 at the time. I know they have them cheaper at the moment in their Melb store, and from the catalogue, the Economy model may well be cheaper again. And probably does much the same job.
I am very happy with mine, tho' the original blade lasted about 30 minutes of work, but Carba-tec have a large range of good blades for around $20 each
Mick

[This message has been edited by Mick4412 (edited 30 August 2002).]

**DarrylF** · 30th August 2002, 09:28 PM

I have a Delta 12" from Carbatec - bought it at around $400 I think when they discontinued them.

Brilliant machine, accurate, easy to tension, tracking is perfect and perfectly adjusted out of the box.

12" does 95% of what I want it to. I keep thinking that I should have bought a larger machine, but when I really look at it, the things I have to resort to the jigsaw for I couldn't do with anything less that a 20" anyway.

**philige** · 31st August 2002, 07:59 PM

I 've had the carbatec $545.00 model for three weeks now and it is doing the job, can only dream of a grown up one at the moment.

**zathras** · 31st August 2002, 11:05 PM

Thanks all for the replies re 14" bandsaw.

I didn't think I could go too far wrong as the design has been around since the ark it seems and, as somebody mentioned, carbatec have an extensive range of blades to suit.

Must do my tax return and put part of the pittance

I'll get back towards a new toy

Cheers Ray

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