Ok, so I have a previous thread on this topic, but I am trying to narrow it down to basically a buying guide for a newbie. I know that some of this has been covered, but its all too confusing!

The things that I have so far taken notice of as being important are:

* Quick Release - In practice is this overly important?

* Cast iron wheels or not - the bandsaw book I have read says that cast iron wheels are better for balance, but I imagine that badly cast wheels are worst than well cast alloy ones!

* Overall weight of machine - a heavier machine would indicate better build quality? Not sure here, but that seems to make some sense.

* Horse Power - more is better?

* Throat capacity - this means how wide a board you can get between the blade and the support bar thing - whats that called anyway?

* Height / depth - Carbatec and Hafco have different means - but I believe when they say depth, they mean height - so resaw capacity. The more the better right?

* Blade tensioner indicator - unless this is accurate its useless and there are other more reliable ways to test your blade, including sound, etc.

* Blade guides, there are ball bearings, blocks (plastic and wood), and the "european style". The benefits of the 3 different kinds are still confusing!

So this is what I have so far against the 3 I am looking at. What other factors do you normally look for in a < $1000 14" bandsaw. I am looking for the 200mm resaw capacity by the way.

And how do you go about researching these additional factors. The issue I have now is that a lot of the forum posts refer to the bandsaws I am looking at, but my understanding is that these models are possibly now made in china instead of taiwan which can greatly change the build quality - I remember the Triton power tools discussion along these same lines.


BP 16A - $790
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=W430

2HP motor
Cast iron wheels
Quick release blade tension mechanism
European style blade guards
147kg

cutting depth (height capacity) 210mm
cutting width (throat capacity) 345mm

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BP 355 - $790.0 (on special normally $869)
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...tockCode=W4224

2HP motor
Quick release
ball bearing blade guards
2 blade speeds
blade tension indicator
96.00 kg

cutting depth (height capacity) 235mm
cutting width (throat capacity) 345mm

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BAS 350 $799.00
http://www.carbatec.com.au/machinery...tec-14-bandsaw

1.5 hp
cutting depth (height capacity) 200mm
cutting width (throat capacity) 345mm

No quick release
cast alloy wheel type
70kg