Thread: JET v Carbatec

I don't know anything about bandsaws, but I would buy Jet before Carbatec every day of the week.

Craig

Do yourself a favour and have a good look at the Carba-tec BS-1400 bandsaw. I bought this a few months ago and can only praise it.

In a recent test (I think it was either in American Woodworker or Fine Woodworking), this bandsaw came equal top with the equiv. Jet 14" model. It actually outscored the Jet in a few categories. It obtained top scores in blade tension (important for cutting accuracy) and ease of blade changing. It comes out of the same factory as the Delta and Jet. In the States it is badged as a Rigid, a brand that has a good reputation for reliability and quality. It is an up-and-coming brand, trying hard to make its name the equal of Jet and Delta (both of whom have a reputation for selling quality products). I have read numerous reviews of the Rigid range, and they generally excel.

It is now selling for $699 and, at that price, will be a bargain compared to the Jet.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Craig

I bought the Carba-tec SW-1401 a while back and the only complaint I have is the standard guide blocks ( look like nylon ) are prone to wearing quickly. I plan to buy a set of the roller bearing blocks (ab-199021). Also because there is no rip fence supplied I also intend to get the professional rip fence (RF-3). All up it will add about another $120 to the original purchase. Not what I anticipated but there you go. As for mitre guides, I have not seen any that can match a cross cut sled for accuracy. If I was buying again I would be tempted to go for the economy model and try to strike a deal for the extras as part of a package.
Even if you end up paying full price you will still have a better saw than any of the standard packages (thats only my opinion).


All the numbers in brackets are from the 2003 Carba-tec catalogue

Derek,

Ridgid is a brand which I think was stocked exclusively by Home Depot in the USA, and the Ridgid company have recently announced their withdrawal from the woodworking machinery business. They obviously could not compete with the likes of Jet & Delta. That is potentially one of the problems in buying 'small' brands like Carbatec.

I have the SW-1401 too.

Great bandsaw really and suits all my needs. A larger model would be more practical, but money doesn't grow on the trees in my backyard

If the machines are coming from the exact same factory and look identical, then guess what... they probably are! Only difference may be color or sticker so go for the cheaper model if they are identical machines, but do consider any differences in warranty or after sales support.

Dan, yep grab yourself some roller guide blocks. $35 from Carbatec... they do make things easier, especially if you use the wider blades. I managed to get a free delta rip fence on my SW1401 when I purchased it.. trouble is I still havent got around to drilling the holes to fit it... The carbatec pro fence looks good, but of course many others here (including myself) will mention just to build yourself a guide block thingy for resawing

The Jet's only dearer unless you can find a nice dealer and p*&#s in his ear or better still throw a log of the 'ol blarney at 'im.
Besides Jet has more than likely a better quality control in place dedicated to strong demands by the large American buying populace.
Better still stop shopping around and MAKE friends with a dedicated dealer in a smaller outlet.They'll be glad to have your business and will give you extra off of the top once you are sincere in your dealings.

I used to travel a lot up to Perth to get a whole range of prices on a tool/machinery I was looking to buy and by coming home and buying local I built up a rapport with the local dealers with the knowledge that I was prepared to shop around and consequently I now feel we have a mutual understanding with prices.

It cost me in Fuel >time> money, going to Perth with a day lost in the bargain but now I feel it has been worth it with the friendly atmosphere garnered over time.

Check your options out not only will the dealer with your custom offer up good deals but he will also pass on knowledge he alone is party to having the ears and voices of probably many in the trade/craft.

Cheers please forgive the ramblin'

Ken

I was interested in your comment about Ridgid (your spelling is better than mine). It is manufactured under licence to the Emerson Tool Company, which is a major world manufacturer. I can't find any info about their pulling out of woodworking, as you reported. Quite the opposite in fact - they are advertising new products (http://www.ridgid.com/indexnew.asp?Flash=Yes). Where did you hear/see this?

Regards

Derek

Thanks for the feedback guys.

It's not that I have anything against JET, I own a Jet buzzer and dust extractor and am very happy with both of them.

When I bought the buzzer there was a clear difference IMO in quality between it and the comparable Carbatec model. IE the Jet was made in Taiwan and the Carbatec in the PRC.
I just don't see this with the Bandsaws being made by the same company, probably on the same assembly line.

John, I don't know what the situation is in WA, but in Sydney, as far as I know, the only sellers of Jet gear are Major Woodworking Equipment (member of the Woodman group). Now I haven't talked to them yet, but unless they can at least match the Carbatec price, it looks like I won't be buying a Jet, especially given the positive feedback from the Carbatec users.

Cheers
Craig

Derek,

Try here

http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthr...rue#Post499036

Craig,good luck in your choice and I hope that all goes well for you.
I did'nt mean to try to put you off your choice , only offered up my experiences which were also price orientated.

It seems to me that I am lucky that I have available a good range of dealers here and readily accessible rather than the large metro area you have in Sydney.....Iwould'nt swap it at all, but thats not what 'Er indoors believes

Cheers good fortune

Ken

Thanks for the thread. I followed it through to the Ridgid Forum (http://www.ridgid.com/cgi-bin/ultima...5;t=001396;p=2), and it appears that all it not what it seems. Ridgid is not closing down. They are simply subcontracting out their manufacturing. This is what occurs with most brands. Jet does not make Jet. Jet is made in China, in the same factory as Delta and Ridgid and .....

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek to my belief Jet is not made in China but Taiwan (splitting hairs) my local bloke Ken Ramage from Power Tools & Machinery visited their factory last year in taiwan and was testament to the stringent quality control put in place by the parent American Company.
All off shore production being sourced by the labour market favourable to the means required.
ALthough a lot of similar machinery is made in the same manufacturing outlet with similar parts etc, Jet have their own personnel in place to ensure the criteria is maintained to their standards.
Cheers

John,
No worries, you didn't put me off my choice - not sure I've made one yet anyway - I appreciate the feedback.

One thing about the Jet is that they only sell the 1 hp model of the 14" bandsaw. Carbatec advertise theirs (the deluxe 14") as .75 to 1 hp. I'm not sure I know what this means - is it pot luck how powerful a motor you get? Perhaps this is Jet's justification for the higher price.

Obviusly these are the questions that I'll have to ask when the time comes to hand over the readies - which I won't be doing before Carbatec has their Sydney sale just before the WWW show.

Anyway, is an extra .25 hp going to make much difference?

Cheers
Craig

It will make a little difference if you are resawing large chunks of wood or maybe on some really dense hardwood.

My 3/4HP has survived everything so far though.

My carbatec SW1401 is badged as saying "Made in Taiwan"