Thread: Another new Bandsaw

I recently had to downsize machinery to free up some work space. I emigrated to New Zealand 3 years ago and sold off my bigger machines before leaving. I have always found the bandsaw to be really useful and soon after arriving I bought an Asian built 20 inch from a prominent retailer in Auckland and never liked it.
As part of the downsize I bought a Hammer A3-31 p/t combo (absolutely love it) I also planned to buy a N4400 and was told there was one in stock. I had a good offer on my saw and sold it, thinking the Hammer was immediately available. Bummer. I found out that it wasn't in stock, that all the next shipment was sold and that meant waiting months to get one.

Being deep into a self build house I didn't want to be without a band saw so I began looking for alternatives, first thinking Jet might be the way to go, but, ideally I had my mind set on a European made machine. I also liked everything I heard about the Laguna, but no dealer in NZ, even toyed with the idea of freighting one over. I looked at the Minimax S45 and thought it would fit the bill, so I contacted Gabbetts to get a price and found they were asking $900 more than the Hammer and instantly dismissed it. Way over what I could afford.
Trawling through the net looking for ideas I found Gabbetts Australia advertising the S45 for $1800, their spiel being that they knew from feedback that customers wanted a quality machine but couldn't afford them, they were offering the machine in its export packing, you have to clean and degrease it, do some assembly and set it up, so saving yourself some money, technicians are available to help if required, at a price!.

First thing next morning I contacted Gabbett NZ to find out if they had the same offer. No, didn't know about the offer in Australia but they had 2 single phase machines in stock in Christchurch. Greg Hamilton from their Auckland office was really helpful, I sent him details of the advert and my views on their pricing. He took it up with the HQ and came back with an offer I couldn't refuse, a fully assembled machine with wheel kit, cheaper than the Jet and way under the price of the Hammer. Decision time, weighed up the pro's and cons, the Minimax only has a 3hp motor, but I'm not cutting the super hardwoods you guys in Oz regularly get to play with, so I don't see that as a problem. Other wise the specs seem fairly similar, didn't bother with the mitre gauge, same as the Hammer, expensive for what it is and decided to go ahead with it.

The saw arrived late on Friday and only just had time to wire it in and check it over, all looks good, love the quality of the finish, I'm going to miss al those nasty sharp edges and rough castings!! What a joy to get a manual that is written in English, comprehensive and grammatically correct.
Only had time to whip some macrocarpa through, considering that normally the stock blades aren't the best, it did well. Fence is good no drift and ran off some 2 mm strips from 150mm thick stock. I can't get over how quiet it is, especially the motor, just re-enforces in my mind that you get what you pay for.

Getting good blades in my region has been difficult, last one I bought finest Swedish steel I was assured, had to ask what part of China was called Sweden. Very expensive rubbish.
I am getting some sent over from the UK, a decent blade properly welded just makes such a difference, ironically it costs less and only takes a couple of days longer than buying from Auckland.

Will try to post pictures soon.

Chris