G'day folks, I want to buy a brand new bandsaw and I'm hoping to get some ideas from people who own already own one.
I carve, mainly in-the-round, and mainly in 3" jelutong, so I need a saw that I can cut blanks with. The blanks can be fairly intricate at times (saves a bit of chisel work), so it would need to take a reasonably fine band (1/4" is ok but smaller is always better). Blade deflection has been one of my biggest problems in the past, and drives me nuts when one side of the blank is always a different size to the other.
I've looked at the Carbatek 14" and a Metabo about the same size. There are a lot of brands out there that I've never heard of and that makes it hard. I don't need the best of the best as I'm a hobby carver, but I don't want a cheapy either. From what I've seen, about $600 to $700 will get me a pretty decent unit.
I'd appreciate some personal experience, as the marketing divisions of the companies all tell me that their machine is the best for me - you know what I mean.
Anyway, here's hoping that some of you fine bandsawing ladies and gentlemen can ease my suffering.
Thanks folks. Take care and watch your fingers.