Thread: Carba-tec SBW-4300 MG 17" metal/Wood Bandsaw

Welcome to the forums Gerberle. If it is only the 2 speed that is the factor have you considered the CT 14" model BS? BAS-350 - 14", 2 Speed Bandsaw $699.00
By what you describe it may well do the tasks you require.

I have the 14 inch 2 speed model and am pleased with it. I have only cut wood so far and I am not sure whether you would need a lubricant (?what lubricant) to cut aluminium, brass, or steel. I am also unsure whether the lubricant would then be a problem and contaminate the wood. No experience with the 17" unit though

regards,

James

Originally Posted by yjnb

I have the 14 inch 2 speed model and am pleased with it. I have only cut wood so far and I am not sure whether you would need a lubricant (?what lubricant) to cut aluminium, brass, or steel. I am also unsure whether the lubricant would then be a problem and contaminate the wood. No experience with the 17" unit though

As far as a lubricant for cutting ally goes, candle wax, kero and meths are common lubes. Wax is not as easy to apply evenly as kero or meths. Kero will make a bit of a mess, whereas meths will evaporate and not leave a mess. To cut steel a water soluble oil is really needed, which makes a mess and goes rancid & stinks. I reckon you are better off cutting steel another way.

More important in some ways than variable speed, is blade TPI. Using the rule of 4 teeth being inside the cut, 3 mm ally plate needs 0.75mm ~32 TPI blade.

If you were going to use a sack trolley it would have to be at least one of those big fridge moving ones. To move mine (19" 145 kg) around the back I made a wheeled base and just wheeled it around including down some stairs using a ramp.

Thanks guys for the advice. As the piece of equipment is intended to be used for small production runs, we were after something thats got variable speed (more than just 2-speed selection) to handle both sheet material and channel and tube. The larger purpose built metal bandsaws are a fair bit more expensive so this model appears good on paper. Thanks also for the tips on blades and lubricants, I'll be looking into that shortly after I get the BS.
I've decided to make a roll-around cart to get the beast in my shed and with a slab to entice the mates to come around and give me a hand.

Any recomendations for a good BS blade supplier (geelong/melbourne region)?