Thread: Bandsaw Power

Yes. The Basato did have a better build quality. I did go the value for money option. If you do go a bigger unit, I would check the Carbatec models also. They did seem a little better built also. The only problem was they were only 1HP.

Good pickup on the bobbin sander. I did look it over a couple of times I must admit .

Good luck on your search.

Very few of the smaller 14" bandsaws seem to have 2hp motors......there's no denying that the BP355 you went for is good value for money.

I saw another 14" bandsaw at Major Woodworking (JET distributor) - it is their own MWE brand, nicely put together, $895, but.......again only 1hp.

Carbatec have the BAS-350....but again only 1.5hp. To get a 2hp motor from them you have to go up to a 17" machine at a considerably higher price. In terms of value and quality, I'd buy a BP355 before I'd buy a BAS-350.

If only H&F ever had the Basato4 in stock

Maybe I'll have to call them again to try and convince them I'm serious about buying one. I've called twice already over a period of 6 weeks or so; they say they will call back when they have the Basato4 in stock, but I've never heard from them. Either they never get them in, or any they get are already sold?

Re. the bobbin sander, I reviewed the Stu's Shed video on the Triton unit before deciding to pick up the (identical) Scheppach. Seemed to work fine, with reasonable dust extraction. The blue colour fits in with my other tools better as well (Festool) - don't they say "Blue and green never should be seen, with orange inbetween"...

Thinks - how bad can it be for the price??

I'll get it hooked up tomorrow for a try.

Instead of a bandsaw, for the time being I''ll have to stick with my bodgy inverted GMC jigsaw contraption plus disc/bobbin sanders. With just the jigsaw blade sticking up through a homemade plywood table at least I can make the blade follow a line fairly accurately. Not much good for resawing thick stock though....

Enjoy your BP355 !!

Cheers. Interestingly, here in Melb. they said they had the Basato 4 in stock but hadn't assembled it for the floor as yet. They had two Basato 3 though. The old model and new Vario model. They said the rep assembled the wrong one! It's a bit of a mystery.

I did the same with the Scheppach Tiger 2000 wetstone grinder. Same as Triton and works well for me. It's no Tormek but for my humble workshop it does just fine!

It is true. I did place an order for a Hafco BP-355. Somehow though I came home with a Basato 4!!! After some consideration and checking out the Scheppach gear once more I asked H&F if they had any Basato 4's in stock and they did. So decision made and it now sits proudly in the workshop. In the end, it only cost me approx. $100 more as I would have needed a mobile base for the BP-355. The Basato has wheels already. I am in the middle of a project as we speak. The Basato is going to come in very handy indeed. Incidently, this is my 40th birthday present. They say life begins and all that....What a way to begin life .

metester - I'd be very interested to hear how you go with the Basato4, as it is now top of my list.

You are right - by the time you've bought/built a mobile base for a BP355, you're up to about the same money as a Basato4.

Next stop for you should be Henry Bros to get some decent blades !

Enjoy your new toy

I only got as far as setting it up this weekend but I will post my thoughts as soon as I have used it a little. Too true about the blades. Next on the list.

Hi metester, how did you go? I too am going thru the same process. Today I went to H&F Melbourne saw and liked the BP355 and have ordered it. Delivery mid April. Couldn't see a Basato 4, there were 2 in stock, non on the floor. Now, what to do when I go to pick up the BP on the 16th. Cheers Geoff.

Hi Geoff,

I used it very quickly to resaw a piece of tassie oak to replace a section of architrave for a new lock I needed to install on the workshop door. I was quite impressed and very happy with my decision. I intend to post a review once I have used it a little more and also tried some new blades. I must admit my decision was line ball. Both the BP-355 and Basato 4 had pros and cons. I am sure both machines will provide great service.

Cheers

John

Hi John, thanks for the update. I'm thinking that when I go to pick up the BP-355 I'll get them to run it. If it is quiet and vibration free, I will go for for that machine. I'll keep you posted. Cheers Geoff.