Thread: Second hand bandsaw advise

Originally Posted by Jarrodd

Thanks again to you all for your advise.

May have to make a trip out to Carbatec to have a look at the new machine.

I was looking at the weblink for the $699 one and it mentions that it doesn't have a standard mitre slot but comes with a mitre guide. Does this mean it is magnetic?

Looks like a standard mitre slide slot to me.

Originally Posted by Jarrodd

Thanks again to you all for your advise.

May have to make a trip out to Carbatec to have a look at the new machine.

I went and had a look at it yesterday, and just from a first inspection it seems pretty basic in terms of knobs and dials and things like that so it looks like this is where most savings came from, but the bones of the machine (engine/table/frame) look solid and good value for the money.

Originally Posted by Jarrodd

I was looking at the weblink for the $699 one and it mentions that it doesn't have a standard mitre slot but comes with a mitre guide. Does this mean it is magnetic?

No, it just means the mitre slot is smaller than a standard 3/4" x 3/8" slot. There's something a bit funny going on with those saws though - the BS-345H weighs 95Kg and the BS-345C weighs less, at 77Kg, even though it's supposed to be 'heavy duty'.

I'm also looking at the Timbecon band saws, for a couple of days I stressed a little bit because some items were priced down as "November sale!" and I thought I might miss out.
Today I checked again and the prices are the same but renamed to "December sale!"

Originally Posted by Spyro

I'm also looking at the Timbecon band saws, for a couple of days I stressed a little bit because some items were priced down as "November sale!" and I thought I might miss out.
Today I checked again and the prices are the same but renamed to "December sale!"

I was looking today and it seems the equivalent Timbecon Bandsaw is $799 on sale. $699 for the Carbatec one is already stretching the budget but is the Timbecon one significantly better (ie worth the extra $100)?

https://www.timbecon.com.au/sawing/b...andard-bandsaw

I bought a 2nd hand 2011 Carbatec 14" BAS-350B about a year ago for $550 and later I felt I paid a bit too much. Although it was in good condition and has worked fine so I'm not complaining about it. I should have haggled but it was a deceased estate and I couldn't bring myself to haggle with the widow.

The bandsaw says it is 0.75kw but the motor says it is 1.5hp.
I guess 1.5hp would be about 1.2kw. Not sure if the motor has been upgraded or perhaps both figures are correct, with the motor figure being the max power draw.
It's worked fine for a beginner but it's slow.

If it's less than 1.2kw and you want to resaw I wouldn't bother with it at any price.
If you plan to resaw hardwoods or anything over say 200mm, then you are going to want a better saw. I know I already do.

P.S. to me (a beginner), the Sherwood one looks slightly better but you'd have to put your hands on each one to really know.

Originally Posted by Jarrodd

I was looking today and it seems the equivalent Timbecon Bandsaw is $799 on sale. $699 for the Carbatec one is already stretching the budget but is the Timbecon one significantly better (ie worth the extra $100)?

https://www.timbecon.com.au/sawing/b...andard-bandsaw

Coming from me the correct answer is definitely "I don't know". But what I can say from looking at the Carbatec one up close, it's a bare bones machine, they've saved on all the little things to keep the cost down. That Sherwood seems to have lots more bells and whistles, from the light to the fact that it has knobs to open the doors instead of looking for a flat head screwdriver etc. Does it matter? I don't know, up to you (it matters to me, I like some bells and whistles)

Honestly these machines have been around unchanged for an eternity, those who make them must have made a bazillion and one, I don't know how they can screw it up. Even the little Aldi I bought for $120 does what it's supposed to. Having said that, I can see how you can be in a world of pain for ages if those two wheels are even slightly misaligned, hence the "I don't know". The Carbatec machines seem to enjoy a good reputation so that's something to consider.

I have widened my search for a second hand unit and have found a 3hp 18" for a very reasonable price but is in Sydney (I'm in Melbourne). Has anyone freighted something like this before and may be able to provide some suggestions? Prices I have seen so far indicate it may be cheaper to drive up myself.

If the seller can lie it on its back and strap it to a pallet and provide the dimensions and weight try - Courier Company Australia: Interstate Parcel & Courier Delivery Services. This should give you a good idea of the minimum rate for a one-off job. The other option is woodworkforums members transport, if you offer some payment you never know you might be lucky.

Originally Posted by Jarrodd

I was hoping to get some advise on a second hand bandsaw.

There is someone who is selling a 2005 Carbatec 14" sbw-3501b bandsaw.

From googling this it appears this would have cost approx $800 when new. Am I wrong in thinking that $600 for this second hand is unreasonable?

What are people's thoughts on this bandsaw? It seems that Carbatec still sell an updated version of this model

Thanks

You can buy a very good 14" bandsaw with roller guides, cast iron dual speed from grizzly for less than $500 new! Buying used seems to be a waste for a 14" . Put a riser block on it and you go to 16". The 14" takes standard 93" blades also that common. Just a thought. Tom



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Originally Posted by rxman

You can buy a very good 14" bandsaw with roller guides, cast iron dual speed from grizzly for less than $500 new! Buying used seems to be a waste for a 14" . Put a riser block on it and you go to 16". The 14" takes standard 93" blades also that common. Just a thought. Tom

Unfortunately no Grizzly here in Oz and everything is generally more expensive than the US.

Originally Posted by BobL

Unfortunately no Grizzly here in Oz and everything is generally more expensive than the US.

Yep, that's why Australia is known as "Treasure Island" to the Chinese.