Thread: Carbatec 14" bandsaw and its 6" riser kit.

Hey tripper

Personally I went for doing the hard yards with the big saving effort and spent my coin on the Hammer 4400 which is an excellent Bandsaw.

HAve a yarn to Derek Cohen n check his Bandsaw threads I think he has documented his BAndsaw journey throughout the upgrades he has implemented over the years to his 14inch model (I think its that size).

I believe you'll be sorry going the 14inch models n will ultimately get more bang for your buck with a solid 18inch unit

Best a luck with you Bandsaw journey

My Hammer is quickly becoming the Heart of my workshop. I'm serriously starting to think that I'll never need to buy a Tablesaw

REGards Lou

Hi Tripper,

I have the basic 14 inch bandsaw from Carbatec - I looked at the deluxe but got this one second hand for just over $200. It runs well and I have used it to resaw the timber from E Mac/Studley.

It is not a toy but is still limited by the 14 inch wheels and 3/4 horsepower motor.

I found a great improvement in performance when I stopped buying my blades from Carbatec (standard steel) and switched to Bi-metal blads from Peacock Saws in Brisbane. This was particularly evident when resawing E Macs floorboards into thinner panels as the bandsaw did struggle with a standard steel blade. (Nearly came to a "standstill")

Don't get the riser kit, I was told (by an un-named carbatec salesman) that the saw would be underpowerd for the task if I cut any hardwood with it fitted.

I'm only a weekend warrior so it suits my needs, if you are doing this as a paid hobby or for an income I would take the advice of Newlou and buy a bigger saw.

But....14 inches is better than nothing and I can't believe I went so long without a bandsaw

Goodluck.

Hi Jake

My BS1400 is no longer available from Carba-tec. It was rebadged by them and is identical to the Ridgid (USA), which received Best Buy status in FWW mag.

This is a basic 14" machine with a 3/4 hp motor. For the money one gets a good machine that is designed for softer timber than the stuff we tend to use.

A good blade is essential - a dull blade will cause the machine to struggle, even in relatively thinner timber. I have not ventured from the Carba-tec blades, but their English imports are a different beast to the Chinese-made variety that come with the machines.

I added a 6" riser kit because I want to resaw more than 6". The riser kit provides a 12" resaw height (which is better than an 18" machine). I found that this does not alter the power, but the machine does need to be capable of high tension (which is where the BS1400 excells).

Still, I found that the machine was underpowered for hard Jarrah. It would cut, but very slowly and often stalled. I'm talking 3-4" thick! So I recently replaced the motor with a 1.5 hp version (from Carba-tec - another $200). This has made all the difference, and the machine now devours hardwoods with a laugh!

The question is whether the amount I have spent ($750 machine+$75 riser kit+$200 motor) would not he better spent on a larger machine? If I had the cash at the time, knowing what I now know, I would go for a bigger, more powerful machine. Mine was the upgrade route and it has got me there, and I think one would still struggle to find this power and finish (the BS1400 is well finished) in one machine in the $1000-1100 price range (roughly what I spent). The alternative is a bigger second-hand machine. Where I live this was not an option.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Felixe
Finally I've got someone to say something about Peacock blades. Since getting my BP16a I have been debating wheteher to order blades from Henrys or take the drive into city and see Peacocks but so far no one has been able to say anything about them till now. Was in the city on Friday but didn't have the time to get to West End. Yesterday I finished making some brackets to install an adjustable brush to run on the lower wheel to keep it clean and blade tracking straight. Am very happy with the H&F so far - just took some time setting it up. Bought the Bandsaw Handbook by Mark Duginski and it is a wealth of information. Was hoping to go and get some plywood 2400x1200x12mm this am from weekend shopper for $15/sheet but the guy wasn't home and have to get ready for work so will try again tomorrow am. Want the ply for putting on shed wall to give some purchase for hanging tools and more cupboards and intend to have a go at making a mobile router table as well. Current table is metal top on short legs and is a PITA to alter fence and height so hopefully this guy comes through with the goods in morning.
Cheers
David H

David,

Go see the guys at Peacock, they love a chinwag!!

I first met the guys (and Girls) at peacock saws at a WWW show, they were busy and probably over it so I didn't ask many questions.

So far I have bought from them a Tenon saw - very nice!
An 80 tooth blade for my table saw - cuts like a dream!
A bi metal blade for the bandsaw - which is a vast improvement over the standard metal blades I have been buying off the shelf from Carbatec.

Everytime I go in there and ask a question I get so much information my head spins. They have given me page after page of photo copied data on blades etc. We have talked about all blades including the chain on my chainsaw - I got a free sharpening demo!!

I have no doubt Henry bro's are good, but Peacock are local and you can build a good relationship with them and learn a lot just by going in there.
They make/join and sharpen their own blades so they know their products.

The Bi metal blade was around $35-40. You can get carbide tipped but the cost is prohibitive (in the $100s) and was not recommended for my use.

Carbatec are good, but not as knowledgable.

I like their (Peacock Saws) service alot!!!!

Good idea on the motor upgrade Derek, I will have to look into that.
Even with the extra $200 on the motor I would still have my saw for less than new.

If I did get the motor upgrade I would consider a riser kit, the only issue is if I could still get enough tension in the blades.

Of course if I stick with the same blades as now that may not be an issue.

Of course if I stick with the same blades as now that may not be an issue.

Keep in mind that the addition of a riser kit means that you have to buy new blades (they are longer now ). So make your decision before you lay out for blades.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Of course they are - I'll probably procrastinate for 6 months! so by then I'll need new blades

SAve your money Jake and save up for an 18" or so.

My 14" has been a nightmare, once I get the new shop sorted it'll be for sale. Not to you cause I quite like you

I've also been told the riser kit is a joke. A couple of the ww stores won't stock them anymore.

SAve your money Jake and save up for an 18" or so.

My 14" has been a nightmare, once I get the new shop sorted it'll be for sale. Not to you cause I quite like you

I've also been told the riser kit is a joke. A couple of the ww stores won't stock them anymore.

Just so there is no confusion about my comments, there is nothing wrong with a 14" bandsaw with the correct power motor. Many professionals have made there living using machines such as the Deta 14" (the architypical 14"), and have used the same machine quite happily for 20 or more years.

Secondly, a proper riser kit is a solid cast iron affair and a serious component. It is not a toy - don't equate it to things like those add-on mortice chisels for a drill press. Mine fit first time and provides a seamless service.

My motor was underpowered for the timber I use (hard, well seasoned Australian recycled stuff), but appears fine for more moderate densities. Once I upgraded the motor, it became a happy machine.

Can you buy a new 18" (or 16") bandsaw for under $1600??! If I were starting out afresh and was able to afford this much, then I would certainly have bought one. However, for those who cannot afford to go down this road, there are $600 14" machines that will work exceptionally well with an upgraded motor. You don't even have to buy one - it is possible to fit a motor from another power tool (I did consider one off my tablesaw) - but make sure that you get the speed right. The Carba-tec one I bought runs at the same speed (1420 rpm) as the old motor.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I have a lot of difficulty with what your saying Derek. I have no doubt that Pro's can ring everything they can outta 14" unit but given the choice would almost without exception lean towards an 18inch or above unit.

As usual it comes down to what your intended purpose for a BAndsaw is. IF you want to master these magnificent versatile machines and use them as the Heart n Soul of your shop then I cant see a 14inch unit cutting the mustard as well as an 18 inch unit.

If your using it a couple of times a week then a 14inch kit would do fine.

IF patient enough most of us can eventually achieve that dream purchase by putting a little more effort into saving our hard earn't coin I reckon long term the purchase of an 18inch kit or above is a much better investment.

In general the bigger the better with BAndsaws but as always hoarses for courses.......................

REgards Lou

Lou, Derek isn't saying that you don't need an 18" bandsaw.

He is saying that you should not disregard a 14" bandsaw, that a proper riser kit on an adequately powered saw will work exceptionally well.

I have found his input on modifying a 14" bandsaw to be educational
I agree with you - at the moment I am lucky to get to the shed twice a week and my (underpowered - floor stock) 14" bandsaw suits my needs.

As you said, horses for courses; the catch is not to end up under powered or to end up with a machine which has too many features/much performance for your intended application! Better to "save your coin" and purchase the right bandsaw.

The question is - Tripper just how much performance do you really need?

might as well wade in now ....
I've got a JET 14" and bought it with a riser kit. I was on holidays and bought it at Maleny (doesnt everyone buy machine tools when you are "travelling light"?) and I was advised to use it for a while without the riser to get the hang of it. After a month or 2 I fitted the riser kit (which was painted in the old JET blue) fitted longer Henry Bros blades and have used it most weeks since .... and painted the riser white!
The 14" wheels really only affect the throat width, that is the width between the pillar and blade BUT the 'bigger' bandsaws have 'bigger' motors and thats where the difference really starts.
I have never had a problem with the throat width of a 14" bandsaw but have had a lot of problems with the smaller motor. Personally, I would be perfectly happy with a bandsaw with 14' wheels but the motor from a larger one!
Fletty

Jake,

I currently have a Carba tec 14" bandsaw and it is a great machine.

It has some shortcomings which include under powered motor and the 14" is sometimes just a fraction too little.

Forget about using a straight fence because I could never get the machine to cut parallel to the fence. Use 's idea of clamping a piece of wood on an angle so that the corner is adjacent to the blade the desired distance out from the blade. This works a treat.

I thought about the riser kit but never got around to getting one.

I have on order a Hammer bandsaw which has had wonderful reviews from the magazines and people on this forum.