Thread: $400 budget. Which bandsaw should I go for?

For model making, probably either will do. If your models are quite small, or your stock is thin, you may want to consider a scroll saw instead. It will allow you to make more intricate patterns and designs. Just a thought.

BTW, welcome to the madhouse.

Originally Posted by Honorary Bloke

For model making, probably either will do. If your models are quite small, or your stock is thin, you may want to consider a scroll saw instead. It will allow you to make more intricate patterns and designs. Just a thought.

BTW, welcome to the madhouse.

Thanks Yeah I've had a look at some scroll saws, but I'll be doing a fair bit of straight cutting too and figured the guide/rip fence would help a lot when it comes to doing that. Unless scroll saws have a similar sort of guide too? The materials I'll be using will be anywhere from a few mm's thick to up to possibly 60mm. I imagine a scroll saw might struggle with that somewhat?

With all due respect, and I know it isn't the question being asked, but I would put the $400 aside and add to it until you can afford a 14" from someone like Jet.

A 10" is ok, but even then you would want to be looking around the $650 mark.

I certainly haven't seen any smaller that have impressed me. None seem to run a blade as true (and that is blades down to 1/8" or 1/16" It might seem overkill, but remember the blade has to flex& bend around the wheels every pass, and the bigger wheels just do that better.

Thanks for the reply Stuart. I'm only a uni student, so I don't think I could convince myself to spend $650 on one. I also only have limited space to store it (the shed is small and jam packed with stuff). I'm not after a brilliant machine, just one that can do an OK job of things when I need it. One thing that's puzzling me though, what's the reason for the $100 price difference between the Metabo and the Carba-tec? Is it just due to the number of features, or does the price reflect some sort of difference in quality?

How about a second hand one. If you got $400 you could probably get a decent used one for that.

Originally Posted by munruben

How about a second hand one. If you got $400 you could probably get a decent used one for that.

That was my thought too

Peter

Mate
If it helps
I've decided to upgrade, so my trusty bandsaw needs to go.

It's a Delta 12" model 28-190 - looks identical to the one in the link below, except the sticker.

Resaw capacity is 150mm (same as a 14" bandsaw). Rated to take blades from 1/8" to 1/2" - though it will handle wider.

Includes a decent fence, half a dozen blades of various sizes, and an MDF cabinet base with dust extraction, lockable castors and a drawer fitted out for blades. Also includes the original metal stand.(if I can find it in the bowels of the shed)

It was bought from Carbatec probably 5 odd years ago. Usual weekend use - never abused. In good overall condition and has never given me a scrap of trouble. No rust, nothing bent, nothing broken.

Picture is available in the owners manual.
Owners manual is available at http://media.ptg-online.com/media/dm...5-05-06-98.pdf

It cost about $600 when new

Make an offer!

Thanks for the offer Caliban. That looks like the sort of thing I'm after. My only concern is that I'm not able to have a look at it before I commit to buying it (I'm a long way from Kempsey). Shipping would cost a fair bit too I imagine

Mate
If you can wait until the Sydney www show in June I could disassemble the saw from the stand, put it in the car and let you have a look. But you'd have to meet me at the show or in the carpark. Just a thought, no skin off my nose if you don't buy it. If you don't want it I suppose you could buy me a beer for the effort and we'd call it quits But you'll like it, it is like new to look at. (and less than $400 But not too much less I hope.)

I don't think I'll be able to wait until the show I'm afraid. Thanks very much for the offer though

Caliban, I can wait until the TWW show in Sydney! I'll send you a PM.