Thread: Another new bandsaw

I can only comment on the Woodfast you mention. It's certainly not as refined as some of its more expensive European cousins, but it's well built, gutsy and does anything you would ask of it. Overall a good value for money machine. Only issue I've had is that the plastic table insert was rather poor quality and decided to snap in half when ripping a short, but tall piece of timber. It's a simple job to replace with an alloy or steel insert. Like most saws, the tension gauge is next to useless - so you'll be going by feel. It will take some tuning to get the most out of, but that's time well spent with any bandsaw. If there's anything you want to know in particular about the saw feel free to shoot some questions at me.

Cheers, Tom.

I like the Jet, build quality is a little better, however settled on the Hammer.
Jet has good blade guides and detensioning lever

It is really hard to decide what brand to buy. When I am in situations like this, I often listen to other people’s opinions. I go to forums, search browsers and read reviews. I go to bandsawreviews.com for reviews of different brands of band saws. This might help you decide which band saw to choose between the three.

I see that your selection does not include the Carbatec 19" 2HP version for what ever reason.
I've ended up spending the extra for the 21" version with the 3HP. This is because another Turner mate bought the 2HP version a year ago.
We both felt that the 2HP saw was underpowered when resawing larger timber, especially some of our harder woods like Black Maire and Puriri.
Now these are not as hard as some of your timbers that appear to be concrete masquerading as wood .
We both enjoy the Carbatec saws with no real complaints based on the features/benefits/price ratio.
One thing we do like is the quick release lever and the key switch. As the saw can be sitting idle for a couple of weeks at a time,
I simply de-tension the blade and hang the keys on the lever. This prevents the
ruination of the blade and my day by not turning the machine on with the blade de-tensioned.
One thing that is missing from the Carbatec saw is the blade brake. Especially on mine, the blade continues spinning for a long time after I hit the off button.
Hence why I am in the process of putting a VSD onto it so I can brake the motor electronically, not everybody's solution I know. My old 3HP motor will go onto my mates 19" machine.
Disclaimer: Don't work for Carbatec, although I can't seem to drive past the bloody place without "just popping in" for a looksee.
Hope some of this rambling helps. Cheers Ian

I have the Carbatec version of the Hare and Forbes BP-430

Carba-Tec 17" CE Bandsaw : CARBA-TEC

I prefer this one over the H&F as it has a bigger table and it has a 5 year warranty.

It has done verything I have ever asked of it.

Carbatec also has the 19" and 21" versions.

Thanks for the comments. I meant to link to the Carbatec one in the original posts (must be getting old)

Going to get as much information as I can on the short list, take into account your comments and end up with a new bandsaw on the door step.

Thanks again

Originally Posted by ozhunter;1516741

OAV-SBW-4300CE ([URL="https://www.woodworkforums.com/f27/bandsaw-would-you-buy-154076/"

like this one, post #10)[/URL] from H&F
Any comments greatly appreciated.

You can get the same saw saw from C Tec but it costs more
Cheers
Wolffie

Originally Posted by Wolffie

You can get the same saw saw from C Tec but it costs more
Cheers
Wolffie

While the base saws are the same there are some differences.
The CTec saw has
- 5 year (versus 2) warranty
- Heavier more rigid wheels
- a keyed/locking switch
- a wider table

Whether this is worth the extra $$ is debatable.

The main reason I went with CTec was the extremely poor attention I received at the time I went to to investigate the H&F saw. BTW it wasn't an H&F store it was another agent/supplier of H&F machinery and they treated me like something stuck to a dress shoe.
I do frequent the Perth H&F store and have got very good service there.

If you are prepared to watch and wait there are good buys in the second hand market. You can end up with an older but solidly built machine for less money.

Tony
Hoarder of old machines

Thanks folks.

Have to be a bit more looking and reading.

I'll let you know what I end up with.

Try a Trajan saw! It may cost you a little $$ more than some recommended brands, but it’s worth the price. I had second thoughts at first before buying my trajan saw, not until I heard recommendations from friends.

Hi all

Thought I'd let you know, I ended up with Carbatec 19" bandsaw. Wasn't intending to buy one when I walked in to the shop, but the 19' was on special for less than normal 17" price. Just had to. It's still sitting out the back in it's shipping crate. Have to make room for it

Originally Posted by ozhunter

. . . . It's still sitting out the back in it's shipping crate. Have to make room for it

Mine sat on the back veranda for 3 years before it made it into the shed.

Originally Posted by BobL

Mine sat on the back veranda for 3 years before it made it into the shed.

So much for 4 years warranty

Cheers
SAISAY