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11th July 2018, 10:06 PM #1Intermediate Member
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Considering a bandsaw for small hobby shop
Long time woodworker based in NZ - nice hand tools - various power tools of differing quality. Took the crunch and have on order ( thanks to folks around this forum ) - Sawstop Cabinet, Hammer A3 31 Jointer/Thicknesser Combo and a dusty. I have around 400 sq feet or around 33 sqm of double garage to play with. Apart from a washing machine, gun safe and fridge/freezer it's all mine to play and setup.
I'm now also tempted by a bandsaw and like most of the other stuff I have purchased am keen to get one that works fairly well for most of the time. While not having endless funds I also don't want to be looking for an upgrade within 6 months.
To date, I have been looking primarily at the Hammer N4400 which is $4100 Kiwi ( and that's with a $500 Felder promotional discount ). I've enquired about a Minimax SCM 400P and awaiting a price back and have also seen a LOT of slightly cheaper models that all look the same with slightly different paint jobs from about 4 NZ firms - carbatec, machinery house, chevron, jacks.co.nz et al. I have also started reviewing the Jet models from Carbatec - most likely the 15" model - JET-JWBS15M. Have been reading up on Laguna as well but NZ doesn't appear to have a Laguna dealer so that means importing, Shipping, GST - service etc etc if i bring in from Oz.
I can find good and bad reviews for all the models listed and appreciate a lot is down to function and user requirements. I'm thinking it would be fairly generalist with regards use - i.e I'm not planning on sawing up tree trunks but would likely use it for some resawing, bookmarking of smaller pieces of wood for boxes, some general sawing. If truth be told, while typing this I'm still not sure if I need it or if it's just a luxury buy.
Would appreciate your thoughts on the value for money for the Hammer N4400 as the Jet is also looking attractive, albeit somewhat smaller motor. Also, if anyone has experience with the generic home brands from carbatec or jacks etc that would also be helpful.
Thanks for your thoughts
GedLast edited by Gedc; 12th July 2018 at 07:52 AM. Reason: Tidied up the post
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11th July 2018 10:06 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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12th July 2018, 09:06 AM #2So that's how you change this field...
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If you're thinking the Laguna route, I believe that there's a Harvey dealer in NZ - essentially the same machines.
I bought a Laguna 14bx - it's done everything I've asked of it and would have to be the most used bit of kit in my garage (by jobs, by hours it would be the thicknesser). But, I can see a drawback or two of the bx that would make me suggest that you buy an SUV (or the Harvey equivalent).
1. 1" resaw blades are much easier to come by than 3/4"
2. Bit more power is always good
3. A rack and pinion on the table vs a manual sliding trunion with clamps.
No having owned any of the saws that you've mentioned otherwise, I wouldn't comment on them, but there are some decent reviews of them elsewhere in the forum that would be good to read from the perspective of ownership and what tuning up they require, etc.
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13th July 2018, 10:48 AM #3GOLD MEMBER
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Based solely on the videos by Hammer, it does seem that changing the blade and setting the guides is quick and easy on the Hammers.
I think this is an important consideration if you are going to switch between resawing and cutting curves.
I realise you want to buy once but given: "If truth be told, while typing this I'm still not sure if I need it or if it's just a luxury buy."
Wouldn't you be better off buying something for less than $1,000 and see if you use it? See how you go for a year and then decide?
Whatever you do, I suggest you try and find another home for the washing machine and laundry basket.
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13th July 2018, 02:56 PM #4GOLD MEMBER
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I think that once you have a good bandsaw you'll wonder how you could have, or could, live without one. Anytime you want to resaw thick stock, rip narrow pieces (safer than table saw), cut a curve (jigsaw is a poor substitute in my opinion), cut a notch in something, cut tenons, lap joints etc. Given the tools you have already bought I think you would be dissapointed with a cheaper saw.
Cheers, Dom
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13th July 2018, 04:05 PM #5GOLD MEMBER
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The only trouble with owning a good BS is that you want a second one to avoid changing blades so often.
CHRIS
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13th July 2018, 04:39 PM #6.
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It depends on what you are looking at.
Long terms injury stats don't actually support that BS are safer than BS.
Tables saws a have a MUCH longer "hours of use per incident" and "Much longer hours of use to first incident" for both DIYers and Pro operators. The reason people think TS are more dangerous is maybe because there are so many more of them out there than BS, so the incident numbers are higher.
In an opposite sense operators think BS are safer and so are perhaps a bit more casual with them leading to more injuries.
Both will cut digits and limbs off with equal speed and efficiency.
A TS does have a greater capacity to throw wood across or even out of a workshop and hence a greater potential for greater injuries and even in rare/extreme cases kill.
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13th July 2018, 04:48 PM #7Intermediate Member
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Thanks for all that. I've decided to get the main components into place first - TS, Dusty and Planer/Jointer, play around with them for a few months, try some different layouts / mobile layouts etc then will pull the trigger on the BS. At this time I am thinking of the new Jet's - 15" around $3200 Kiwi. The Hammer, while more powerful is also significantly more expensive and when you add in a few other things such as base, ceramic guides etc is getting up there. Thanks all for the help. No doubt I will get one, just will do a bit more due diligence re the projects I'm also working on.
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13th July 2018, 05:25 PM #8Intermediate Member
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Yeah. Washing machine and tumble dryer have no other homes they can goto. Seems to be a kiwi thing - either a standalone laundry room or encapsulated in the garage by a big sink. We have the latter..IF i were back in Scotland, it would be in the kitchen..Funny how it moves rooms around the globe
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13th July 2018, 05:52 PM #9GOLD MEMBER
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I was really only referring to cutting narrow strips, which I believe is far safer on the band saw than the table saw with the TS blade close to the fence and using narrow push-sticks or hands near the blade etc. Also it's hard to have overhead dust collection when the fence is right next to the blade so I tend to use the band-saw in those cases as it doesn't have that limitation.
Interesting that band-saws, statistically could be more dangerous than a TS though. I would not have picked-it, and I think you may be correct about over-confidence playing a part in that case.
Cheers,
Dom
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14th July 2018, 01:19 AM #10.
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Sure - probably agree there. I since found out he had to cut quite a few strips which is what probably drew him to use the TS
Also it's hard to have overhead dust collection when the fence is right next to the blade so I tend to use the band-saw in those cases as it doesn't have that limitation.
Screen Shot 2018-07-13 at 10.42.08 pm.png
Machine and tool stats injuries are really interesting. The one that stuck me was that DIYers had the same injuries per operator as pros, including across a wide range of machines and even so called simple tools like hammers and chisels. Pros of course have much greater exposure but possibly add to their woes by a greater degree of over confidence. There's a similar effect with chainsaw injuries.
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15th July 2018, 07:13 PM #11Senior Member
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Hi,
one thing to check out with the Hammer N4400 is whether the wiring to your workshop can handle the extra current demanded by this bandsaw?
I had to go up to a 15Amp wall socket and corresponding 15Amp extension cord with the plug as required by the Hammer; luckily the house circuit used 2.5 sq mm wiring so it could provide the current. This added an extra $100+ to the cost.New Zealand
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15th July 2018, 10:47 PM #12Intermediate Member
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HI Paul. Neighbour Sparky putting in a couple of extra circuits into the garage - a 15 amp for the TS and a 20 amp for the jointer /planer and possibly the n4400 if and when i pull the trigger on it.
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