Thread: Ledacraft bs470 and bs400

If you are looking for 18" or 16" band saw, probably everyone will give different answers. But I think it's worth to consider checking MM16 or Laguna saws. They have a good value. But do you know what really counts in looking for band saw : power of the motor, the blade guide system and rip and resaw capacity. You may want to add the blade width that the saw takes on the list. 2-3 HP motor will be good. Choose the band saw that you think will best provide your needs.

Originally Posted by bosox

If you are looking for 18" or 16" band saw, probably everyone will give different answers. But I think it's worth to consider checking MM16 or Laguna saws. They have a good value. But do you know what really counts in looking for band saw : power of the motor, the blade guide system and rip and resaw capacity. You may want to add the blade width that the saw takes on the list. 2-3 HP motor will be good. Choose the band saw that you think will best provide your needs.

bosox thanks for your reply. I like the minimax mm16 however this doesnt seem to be available in australia. I will ask the minimax distributor though. They have the sn45 which is the 18 inch model with a 3hp motor. The price is pretty good as they supply it export packed so you gave to aseemble yourself, clean etc, which is fine. Its a bit cheaper than the hammer which is also italian made

the reason i ask about the ledacraft 18 inch is that it has all the same specs (3hp mptor, ceramic guides, large table etc) and its only 1400 which is alot less.

does anyone have a leda (ledacraft) bandsaw (preferably the bs470) and can comment on its quality?

there out of stock on the bs470 till the 16th so i have some time to consider options

thanks


here is a link to the saw

Bandsaws : 18 inch LEDACRAFT BS-470 BANDSAW

its $1419 and specs below.

i like that its 3hp, and can take up a 37mm blade, and has a big table (630 x 480)

it only cuts up to 280mm but i wouldnt need more than 250mm (mainly to be used to resaw old hardwood for table making). i have a jointer, thicknesser and table saw, so im not too fussed about it being 110% accurate.

LEDACRAFT MODEL BS-470 BANDSAW
Specifications

• 470mm (18.5”) Cast alloy wheels with rubber on rims.
• 3hp Single or three phase motor with push button switch.
• Top and bottom precision Italian style saw blade guides.
• Top saw guide assembly adjusted up and down by handwheel.
• Cast iron, ground finish work table – tilts to 45°.
• Mitre gauge, rip fence and one saw blade provided.
• Aluminium precision rip fence with positive locking.
• Fabricated steel frame and body of machine - European styling.
• Top and bottom front doors for easy blade changing.
• Dust extraction outlet on right side of machine.
• Safety guarding covers saw blade except where wood is cut.
• Blade width capacity of 6mm to 37mm for ripping.

Technical Data

• Size of work table 630 mm x 480 mm
• Cutting capacity 465 mm wide x 280 mm high
• Machine nett weight 162 kgs
• Size of bandsaw blades 3607 long x 6 to 37 mm wide
• Two blade speeds 840 or 420 metres / min
  
• Overall size of machine packaging 826 x 545 x 2070 mm

The specs of the saw are noticeably fine. The HP power is adequate for your resawing . The wheels should be cast iron. It is better than cast alloy. Anyhow, it is good saw.

Originally Posted by bosox

The specs of the saw are noticeably fine. The HP power is adequate for your resawing . The wheels should be cast iron. It is better than cast alloy. Anyhow, it is good saw.

I'm also interested in this saw.

Do you think you would be able to tension a carbide blade?

I was told by a blade manufacturer a tension of 30,000 psi would be required to properly tension one of these blades.

I don't have any experience with the saw but I believe it can handle tension up to 30,00 PSI . Better to call Leda machinery for that.

Rang them today and awaiting a reply which I'll post.

Originally Posted by cowenan

I have been looking at buying either one of these. Both have a 3hp motor, ceramic guides, only difference is resaw height of 280mm or 250mm and table size.Price is good (1100 and 1400)I realise there made in china but most are now. I see there sold in nz and other places just rebrandedAnyone have either of these and can comment on what there likeMy other choice is the minimax s45n which is made in italy and 2200 but not sure its worth the extra $I have also considered the jet 18q but motor seems undersizedThanks Andrew

Hi Andrew.
I don't have any experience of the Ledacraft models but I currently have the S45. About 2 years ago I bought a new 20 inch bandsaw from a well known dealer in Auckland. Made in Taiwan
and meant to be a cut above the Chinese competition, it came with European blade guides, 3hp motor, the ability to tension a 32 mm blade etc and it was rubbish, spent ages setting it up, bought top quality blades and it was still rubbish. Blade drift, fence with no adjustment, straight cuts resembled the coastal outline of New Zealand, absolutely hated it especially as I had paid a premium for the Taiwanese quality. Using the dam thing was a laborious chore, blade changes a nightmare as the guides were horrendous to adjust and the whole thing was as noisy as hell. I swear I spent far more time adjusting it than I did time cutting with it.

I have to say it was my fault as I bought it sight unseen and learned several lessons in doing so.
I was recently able to get rid of it and bought the S45, also sight unseen but with a reseller that was happy to take it back if I did not like it.

What a difference, smaller, lighter, nifty wheel kit and wow, European made at a price less than the Jet. The standard of fit and finish quality was immediately obvious. It came really well set up and even the supplied blade wasn't too bad.
After checking all the settings, hit the start button and wow again, nearly bloody silent. Rip fence spot on, shot various bits of timber through and surprise the straight cuts were straight.
I got some decent blades sent over and I just love it now, blade changes are quick, the guides are easy to set and stay at that setting rather than vibrating out. Now I find excuses to use the bandsaw over the table saw instead of the other way around.

To me its simple if you have the budget get the best, I also learnt the same hard lesson with a planer/ thicknesser, sold my German made E.B as it was too small and bought large lumps of Chinese metal, very disappointing, same as the bandsaw using them was a chore which makes it hard work.
So I bit the bullet, got rid of them and bought a Hammer A3-31. Result instant happiness and back in love with woodwork.

The quality makes a huge difference, if you can afford it get it.

Cheers
Chris

chirs thanks for your detailed response. you have convinced me to avoid the ledacraft model. i am more than happy to pay the extra $ to get a machine that is significantly better.

iniitially, I was looking at the specs of the leda bs-470, the mimimax s45n and the hammer n4400 and thought they were all quite similar (except the leda doesnt have cast iron wheels but i was thinking this wasnt a huge issue) so was leanign towards the leda due to the price difference. but i dont want a machine that is not accurate

i have narrowed my choices down to the below. i have a 20amp circuit so can run the motor sizes no problem. all are available in victoria as i have enquired on this.

1. the mnimax s45n (which i believe is what you have). $2199
New 2012 Minimax S45N Band Saw in Australia wide, NSW Price: $1,999 <64447>

it has a 3hp motor same as leda. slightly higher cutting height but this is not really an issue for me

looking at the detailed photos in the above link - what has slightly turned me off the s45n is 1. the ball bearing guides (i thought that the ceramic guides are better? please correct me if im wrong). 2. the table tilting mechanism (from the photos it doesnt look like its a rack and pinion - looks like it just tilts and then you do up the screws?)

2. the smaller and new hammer n3800. $2001.
New 2013 Hammer N3800 Band Saw in Darra, QLD Price: $1,819 <12478>

or the larger big brother the hammer n4400. $2,638
New 2013 Hammer N4400 Band Saw in Darra, QLD Price: $2,398 <31627>

both have ceramic guides and rack and pinion table. the big difference is the motor size of 4hp vs 2hp. i have read several posts and reviews of the hammer n4400 and seems that it is highly rated.

3.

the other one which seems to have just popped up is the laguna LT18-3000. its similarly priced $2367 (but its made in china whereas the hammer and minimax and made in italy)

New 2013 Laguna LT18 Band Saw in Richlands / Brisbane, QLD Price: $2,367 <63238>


t i will be uisng the saw for to resaw hardwood (ironbark, spotted gum etc - the tough ones) about 200 to 250mm height. lenghts up to 3metres long

any comments would be appreciated. by the way all of the above saws are on back order so i have to pay a 20% deposit and wait so theres plenty of time
my maximum budget would be $3000 (and would have to hide the price from the wife of course)

if i had a huge shed i would get this monster but at 650kg it would collapse my shed floor!
New 2012 Rhino RJG396 Band Saw in Seaford, VIC Price: $4,500 <19109>

I almost bought a centauro 500mm bandsaw today. $3300 on special. I was a bit turned off by the 2.2hp motor, but went i went to finalise it only came in 3 phase. He said i could get an inverter but wasnt comfortable

so i went and bought a hammer n4400. Mainly because the review seem positive and i like the 3.5hp motor

an recommendations on which dust extractor will suit? Will a 1hp unit suffice or do i need a 2 hp unit