Thread: It's arrived! Thanks Woodfast!

What!! all this happiness and noise and I'm the first to say "bewdy" ?

Good one I think you will be well served by your purchase

Any Pics?
Rob...

Still trying to figure out how to do this, so bear with me.(left to right)

1. As it arrived. Crated really well and as with other machinery, a real problem to uncrate. I emailed the guys at woodfast BEFORE hacking in, just to see if there was an easy way, and there was. Screws around the base to lift off the box. Unfortunately an my own, not a good look.

2. Short top and side. The cardboard box is the optional wheel kit, which bolts on later.

3. Box, wrapping and plastic removed. I call this view "The Dark Side" You'll notice the serial number plate just under the table at the post. I like to take photos of all my gear's numbers / models just in case.

5. Hallaleuja, it's levitating. Them sky hooks are worth their weight in gold. This shoult brighten up the shop a bit.

6. Top's on. I like the cast trunnion and gear (forgot to get pic, will later).

7,8. Top wheel and tension indicator. It has a quick release lever round the back for end of the day time. When I was doing research, this saw ticked a few more nice to have boxes that some others in the same size.

9. Table top. You'll notice the slot runs towards the front of saw. I like this for blade changing time. As the great man (M.D.) says, right blade for the job. Anything that makes changing blades easier I reckon is a good thing. Not sure I like the fence yet, but I'll run it for a while and see.

10. Lower wheel. Two speed with tensioner idler pulley. Nice smooth adjustment and easy to change.

11. Brush on lower wheel. Nice idea. Might save the tyres a little.

12. Dust collection area. No I didn't have it hooked up for the first cuts.

13. Upper guides. These will take some getting used to. First bandsaw and all.

14. First cuts. All I did was set the guides, hit the tension (as you can see, a little higher than the 1/2" mark to stop a vibration of the blade inside the post. Will hunt this up later.) and go. Old treated pine. The end of the cut was a little thicker than the start, but the fence is not set square by about the same amount as the error.

All in all, very happy. I've got to talk to Henry Brothers next, and begin to work through Mark Duginske's setup guide. Looking forward to the journey a lot. Will share more along the way, if I can get myself out of the growing pile of sawdust!

Thanks to the guys at Woodfast. Great service all the way. Recommended highly. (No, this is not an advert, simply a novices opinion.)

Cheers
Jay

Your a lucky man, very nice machine, solid as, and wonderful looking table. What are your concerns about the fence?
Rob...

Jay
That is an awesome machine.
I am also in the market for a bandsaw and was considering the smaller version of the woodfast.

Is there any particular reason why you went for the larger BS-500?

Having read your post my feeling is now to save up for the larger model than regret getting the smaller one later on.

Well done mate, you'll have fun with that I'm sure

Simon

Originally Posted by Robo1

Your a lucky man, very nice machine, solid as, and wonderful looking table. What are your concerns about the fence?
Rob...

Thanks Robo. I'm comparing the fence on this with the one on my JET tablesaw. This fence looks a little light on, and isn't very tall. Having said this, it does lock down solidly. I think I'll make a taller extension for resawing and just see how solid it is.

Simon, I went to the bigger one because I'm going to try resawing to get book matched panel doors for about 6 cabinets at home. Also, I'm sick and tired of the rubbish timber from Bunny's etc, and am going to start using nice timber from AFT in Melbourne. To do this you kind of need to be able to machine it up somewhat yourself. I like to operate on the "Rolls Royce" principle when I can. ie. Get the biggest / best you can afford, and always operation it well within it's capacity.

Cheers

Totally agree Marauder, Nice machine,good value, works well and the people at Woodfast very helpful. The resaw capability is well worth the extra cost and I am certain you won't regret going along with your "Rolls Royce" mentality. Bigger really is better! I love my BS50. Kindest regards Hazard.

Great looking saw! I really like the fact that it has 2 mitre slots.