Thread: 14" Bandsaw Comparisons

Hi All,

I am also interested to see what you think of the 17" from Carbatec. Whether its worth the extra dollars. I am especially interested to hear comparisons against the Scheppach Basato 4 and JET 14" DELUXE JWBS14D, since they are closest to the price of this one. I would consider paying this much if I can understand the advantages. Obviously there is the capacity, but what else. I can see it has Cast Iron wheels which I understand are an advantage. However

Carba-Tec 17" CE Bandsaw
http://www.carbatec.com.au/machinery...-17-ce-bandsaw
$1,795.00

Its effectively an extra $1000.00 over the top of the cheapest, but only 600 over what I was really prepared to spend ) And my understanding is that a decent bandsaw is probably one of the most versatile tools you can have after perhaps the Router table.

I figure I can find the additional $600 by selling my triton WC2K, Dust bag, and Triton 235mm circular saw, I have a 235mm GMC circular saw for rough cuts and a smaller markita 185mm saw for panel rips, so don't really need either of the tritons )

FYI - I am purchasing a new Table saw too, which is why i don't need the triton, but I had never factored in selling it into my budget for my tool purchases.

I am assuming most of you are going to suggest the 17" and I am definately open to considering it. Any other suggestions in this price range greatly appreciated. In the meantime I am searching the forums for any tidbits about each of the saws I have listed.

Hi All again,

Is it just me or is this the exact same saw as Carba-Tec 17" CE Bandsaw

Model BP-430 Wood Band Saw
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=W433

For only $2 more at Carbatec I get a 5 year warranty though!

I believe they are the same saw. I have the Hafco and a mate has the Carbatec. We can see no difference, except for the paint job and the name sticker.

Another friend and I gave mine Its first REAL workout on the weekend. Had a new Woodpecker Blade from Peacocks and it worked a charm! So I think either will be a good buy.

I did a review on small bandsaws some time back. Most of the models are still current. There were a number of followup comments correcting errors I made. Have a look in product reviews. Many you have listed are covered.

Hi,

Yep I saw that, and it was helpful. On paper I am fairly comfortable with the Carba-Tec 17" CE Bandsaw and will probably purchase that. It takes the same minimum blade size as the smaller one, but it gives me many more options for the future. Plus its manufacture uses much more of the qualities I have been looking for and that are recommended by the bandsaw book I am reading at the moment ([ame="http://www.amazon.com/Bandsaw-Book-Lonnie-Bird/dp/1561582891"]Amazon.com: The Bandsaw Book: Lonnie Bird: Books[/ame])

Its $650 more expensive than the Jet I was seriously considering, but in the long run I feel comfortable spending it.

I have not visited carbatec as yet to actually see it for real and so I may still change my mind.

Cheers
Jason

I've had the HAFCO version of the 17" for about 18 months. It's not bad for the money, & I'm happy with it so far. I've sawn a lot of wood with it, including big baulks of River Oak & Bluegum, neither of which are notable for their softness, and it took them in its stride - more than enough HP on tap. My only problem so far has been the upper blade guide bar sticking in the alloy carriage in the cold weather. It is a very close fit & presumably the alloy has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the steel bar it encloses, so with the slightest anount of dust & a cold day, it was very hard to wind it up & down. Anyway, it was no big deal, a quick dismantle & a few careful strokes with a mill file has it running smoothly again. Despite the two dust take-off points, you get a lot of sawdust buildup around the lower blade guide bearings. This doesn't seem to cause any problems with tracking during long sawing sessions, but when I think about it, I take the dust hose off & suck it away 'cos eventually it's going to work its way into the bearings.

Two aspects of it I reckon could be improved:
1. The table trunnion system is not as robust as I would like to see, especially as I like taking advantage of that 300mm depth of cut by running great chunks of wood over it. However, having looked at a lot of other bandsaws of similar size, you have to pay significantly more $$$s before you get one with a beefier system. To date, I have had no problems with it, though, so fingers crossed....

2. This may be just my machine, but the tensioning springs are positively anaemic! You can get (just) enough tension on a 1/2" blade by scewing it to the max. (the gauge on the machine is not a very good guide - it needs way more tension than the amount indicated by the gauge). Fortunately, I rarely feel the need for anything wider - a well-tensioned & sharp 1/2" does sufficiently accurate resawing for me. I've read various articles in which it is suggested the original springs can be replaced by more masculine ones, & I may get around to doing that one day - as far as I can see, the frame should be able to stand a lot more tension than my current setup is capable of developing.

Cheers,

Links to Jet bandsaws doesn't work Jason

I've a 10yo Carpatec version of the Ledacraft (SBW-1401) - almost the same 'cept my stand is a heavier cabinet, which contains the motor. After learning how to tweak it, I've been more than happy with the results; apart from when I stupidly decided to rip down railway sleepers, I've felt no urge to upgrade it.

It would be nice if the table was a bit larger, but it's easy enough to fix a large sheet of MDF/ply there as & when needed. In- & out-feed stands would be nice too, but what BS comes with those?

The resaw capacity is only around 6" - although I'm pretty sure I've cut 8" on mine - and if you want it to double as an accurate tool for fine scrollwork then I seriously don't recommend adding a riser. It gives you the height, sure, but the "spine" of the BS starts flexing under load and it sends the tracking right out the door. 'Tis an 'orrible, 'orrible idea.

Mine came with guide blocks, but I also bought a 3rd party set of roller guides for the 1/2" and larger blades, which made a world of difference to the tracking.

I also bought a 3rd-party fence, but wish I'd saved my pennies... to me a fence on a BS is about as practical as a laser.

Originally Posted by munruben

Links to Jet bandsaws doesn't work Jason

I just clicked both links and they work. What browser are you using. Its true the URL format of these particular links is a little peculiar what with the pipes!

Here they are again, except you can use the Product Code to do a search on the woodworkingwarehouse to see the
individual bandsaws.

BANDSAW:JET 14" DELUXE JWBS14D (Product Code: BSW964207)
http://woodworkingwarehouse.com.au/w...CM||118539||16
$1,127.50

BANDSAW: JET 14" CABINET STAND (Product Code: BSW964209)
http://woodworkingwarehouse.com.au/webshop/EWWItem.csp?ID=ECM||118539||18
$800.00

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

I've a 10yo Carpatec version of the Ledacraft (SBW-1401) - almost the same 'cept my stand is a heavier cabinet, which contains the motor. After learning how to tweak it, I've been more than happy with the results;

Hit the nail on the head Skew. At the end of the day, band saws are rather generic and it comes down to the little details and features included by the suppliers. Take a close look at the Jet Cabinet Stand and the Deluxe. Apart from the quick release tension there is nothing a lazy Sunday arvo in the shed with a few tools that cant even up the difference in quality. As Skew said, its all about tweaking, and when you tweak you learn more about your machine than someone who pays $$$$ and just turns it on to use.

Originally Posted by pellcorp

The kind of work I will be doing with a bandsaw is making small toys, cutting out patterns for decorative furniture parts, and making patterns for router work. In addition I will be looking to do some resawing of soft and hardwoods, but I don't envision having to resaw larger than 8" - 10" thick

Bingo. With what you want to do a 17’ is totally unnecessary. Get the Jet 14” Cabinet Stand, with some blades from Henry Brothers, and with the left over $$$$ get the Frontline Jig, it’s the ultimate for cutting out patterns for your decorative furniture parts and patterns for router work

What good timing. Financial controller was not quite as agreeable as I had hoped )

My confirmed budget is $5450 + whatever I can get for my Triton WC2K + Triton 235mm CS + whatever else I can flog on ebay that I don't use )

So I guess if I am lucky my budget is fixed at $6000.00 no matter what!

I have been thinking the same thing about the 17" today actually, do I really need it. And with feedback casting doubt on whether you can even properly tension a 1/2" blade I have doubts about its quality.

I sure wish StuShed would come along and provide feedback on his Jet 14"! I have seen it on his blog.

Edit - its on his blog

http://stusshed.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/my-bandsaw/

Based on Stuart's feedback I am swayed towards the 14" and maybe even get myself the 6″ extension - to give me that bit extra resaw capacity.

I kind of still like the sound of the Jet 14" Delux and the riser kit is an extra $105 so thats $1,232.50

So thats a saving of $562.50

Originally Posted by pellcorp

Based on Stuart's feedback I am swayed towards the 14" and maybe even get myself the 6″ extension - to give me that bit extra resaw capacity.

Dont bother. Unless you are a wood turner its a waste of money. 14'' bandsaws arnt rigid enough to take the extra 6" Yes it will work ok, but the stress and flex on the machine isnt worth it in the long run. Plus, how many times do you want to rip 300mm

[Edit- why dosnt anyone make 2" riser kits? ]
[Edit edit- we should get an engineer to make some and flog em off here on the forum ]

Originally Posted by Lignum

Dont bother. Unless you are a wood turner its a waste of money. 14'' bandsaws arnt rigid enough to take the extra 6" Yes it will work ok, but the stress and flex on the machine isnt worth it in the long run. Plus, how many times do you want to rip 300mm

[Edit- why dosnt anyone make 2" riser kits? ]
[Edit edit- we should get an engineer to make some and flog em off here on the forum ]

Hey - I am no expert and its probably something I don't need to decide on straight away, so it s $105 back in my pocket )