Thread: JET v Carbatec

I too am in the market for a bandsaw. I have no need to rush out and get one tomorrow so I thought I would wait for the bargain prices at the Melbourne show. As I have yet to attend a show I was interested in what prices they do go for at the show. I don’t want to go along this year to check prices and then wait until next year for the purchase. I am sure others that have attended the Brisbane show or soon to be Sydney show have or will take note of models and prices. Would it be possible to start a collection of information gained in regards to models and prices at these shows to share. I think a stock standard 14” saw should suit me fine. I did see yesterday in the new Australian Woodworker that one of the shops was selling its 14” saw very cheap, its at home so I don’t have the details at hand.

Are bandsaws just getting cheaper ($400-$500) or am I just starting to become wealthier and that doesn’t seem like so much money anymore? (I think it must be the former after thinking about it).

Stinky

They should be getting cheaper because of the rising aussie dollar. Although some retailers won't pass the entire savings on as much as they should so be wary and always shop around for the best price.

Stinky,
I am like you - will attend a show this year for the first time, and am in the market for a bandsaw. Your suggestion about a few prices from Sydney/Brisbane would certainly help.....please.

We could shop together Ken

You guy's have got the right idea about waiting for the woodworking show's you can then compare what is surely to be a fair comparable range for price>availability>power> etc.

A lot of the attendant dealers rely on an after show "GLOW" of sales for around six weeks, so if you happen to tie him down to a good price make sure it is quoted and signed on his card.

Take plenty of time to go over all facets of the gear ie ....whats available not only with the machine but also accessories and after market service moreover if you are a fair way from the dealer.

Cheers Good luck guy's

There are a lot of similar machines on the market from a variety of suppliers.
Some are similar some are exactly the same except for the paint & badge.
You need to take a real good look at the actual machine If in detail it looks the same it probably is.
I can remember walking into carbatec in Bris and seeing 8 similar but different 14 " band saws lined up. ( Geoff had some samples in)

It is interesting to see the complete catalogues of some of the big names like jet and see the variety of machines offered overseas and to see diferent models offered by different importers under diferent barands all apearing in the catalogue.

For my money the jet badge & coat of white paint is very expensive.

By the way I have been told that carbatec was offered jet before they chose to go with delta.
The reasoning I understand was that jet could not offer them any thing they werent already able to access direct.

Originally posted by derekcohen
Ken

Thanks for the thread. ..... Ridgid is not closing down. They are simply subcontracting out their manufacturing. ...
Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,

They are not closing down but they are out of manufacturing their machines it seems. Sounds like most of our friends the USA will not buy their product in future as a result.
http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthr...b=5&o=&fpart=1

Gooday people,

I'm in the market for a bandsaw also like you and kenmil and since we're located in Melbourne and not in a great hurry to
buy, I thought it may be a good idea for the 3 of us and other
interested purchasers to buy our saws from the Melbourne Woodworking show in October as a group from the one supplier.

This would be beneficial when it comes to pricing ie. our chances of getting a better deal are far better collectively than individually.

Also the more people that get involved the better.

Just a thought I had after reading the post on bandsaws. If you're interested in collective purchasing let's arrange a meeting place when the show comes to town.

Regards,
Evan

Gooday Sir Stinkalot,

sorry for not getting back sooner; Hare & Forbes didn't have a 16A on the floor for display but had larger machines with a price to suit (> $1000). A sales rep said they have 24 on order and they're a week away at the earliest.
I had a conversation with him and asked if they were made in China or Taiwan and he said he doubts that they are made in Taiwan (unbelievable; he sells stuff but doesn't know where it comes from).
All the machines on dislplay had no stickers or badges indicating country of manufacture.

I also went to WMS in Chifley Drive Preston,
http://www.woodworking.com.au , and they had some good machines but the motors were 1hp for the same price as the 16a. Their stock is made in Taiwan and badged as SONIC.
The wheel castings were very good and ran true. Only problem is he doesn't give a good deal for collective purchases.
There was a nice 14" superseded SONIC machine for $800 on display reduced from $895 but without a decent fence. I tried to get him to throw in a better fence or blade just to test the waters since the machine is ex demo but he didn't accept.

My next stop was Carbatec; and the only decent 14" machine was the SBW-3501 page 41 in the catalogue. After having read reviews and posts about the BS-1400 aka Ridgid 14000, the BSW-3501 is better than the 1400 surprisingly coming from one of the attendants. We had both machines running; the 3501 was extremely true and the wheel castings had more spokes and a much better finish than the 1400.
The 1400's inside wheel diameter was out of round and vibrated considerably compared to the 3501. Both machines are cast iron.
Had a look at the BAS-350 but doesn't compare with the 3501 in operation and construction; it is made of pressed sheet metal and the only nice thing about it was the large table.

The 3501 comes with a mitre gauge and a fence which I believe is much better than the professional they have as an optional extra. I noticed the professional fence is very rigdid and stable at the locking point but at the far end which is not fixed there is a bit of flex. If you notice the fence on the 3501 on page 41 there are 2 circular bars fixed to the sides of the table top where the guide is locked into positon parallel to the cutting direction and held tight for the entire length of the fence by means of a mechanism which locks the fence at the front and the rear thus eliminating flex.
I was quoted $710 for the SBW-3501 cash without any extras for either collective and/or indivudual purchasing.
The machine is made in Taiwan; the "made in" sign is pressed in the casting and not some slapped on sticker.

I was also advised not to use 3/4" blades for ripping on any 14" saw because since there is more metal compared to a 1/2" blade, the blade is more ridgid and the blade tensioner cannot tension the blade properly. 3/4" blades are more suited to 16" and upwards saws.
Also advised to be very careful when looking at Chinese made machines because they badge their motors as 1 hp when their true rating is 3/4 hp. That was a real eye opener and got me thinking about the Hare and Forbes 16A given the cheap price.

At this point I cannot justify spending this much hard earned for a basic machine.

Regards,
Evan

I just bought the SBW-3501 from Carbatec. It came to $900 including the delux fence, riser kit and 1/16 sawblade.
I am not a tradesman and found the documentation that came with all of this appalling. Took a hell of a lot longer to put together than it needed to.
Despite that complaint I am happy so far with the saw. I used it to shape 2 1/2 inch redgum and to cut out a bandsaw box out of a bit of 4 by 4 oregan: handled these quite well.
I don't know about you lot but this is not the standard of documentation I expect out of a major woodwork tool outlet, it was really appalling
Suresh

Suresh,

Was the problem in the instructions, or that you were looking at a photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy ?
I recently bought a tenoning jig for my tablesaw from Timbecon, and the copy/copy/copy thing was totally unreadable. My requests to Timbecon for a better copy went unanswered. Might be the last order they get from me.

Evan,

Thanks for the research. Well done. I am not interested in dealing with Carbatec if I can avoid it, so I will do a bit of research myself. I will let you know if I find any bargains.

Ken,
The instructions were originals, just very badly done. It would have taken one of the experienced people from carbatec 2 hours to fully document the installation instructions and they could have included this as a cover sheet to those from the manufacturer. The most useful instructions came from a the Ridgid website, I downloaded their manual, a little different but a heck of a lot better than those included in the packaging.
Suresh

Evan,

Yes I must concour with Ken, very good research. I have just checked the WWM website and noticed the Sonic 350 for $895.00 ..... this seems pricey for a unit that looks very similar to the Carbatec BAS-350. This is what makes it all too hard .... of these rebadges machines which only change slightly in spec's but vary greatly in cost.

I would assume from looking at the pictures that the 16a is also made of pressed sheet metal but as long as it runs well it really shouldn't matter. I still like the idea of the large table and the good price.

I will make sure that I check the 16a out prior to the Melbourne show. Is there a listing of who is going to be at the show around yet?

Stinky.