Thread: Powermatic 14 CS Bandsaw

warmtone

I've recently purchased an additional b.s. Aussie design, China built.

Overall I am very happy with it as =

(1) a solid large table, good size
(2) the b.s. depth of cut
(3) the b.s. is good for the lack of resultant machine marks, particularly as I use a 3/16" blade to cut 150 mm stock
(4) 2HP and it's blade guides
(5) the fence is easy to adjust and accurate


the minuses are ~
(1) cumbersome to change the blades
(2) table height, I am 6/1 tall, the table is too low
(3) dust extraction - I don't think bandsaw manufacturers understand the need for a good dust extraction system, come on fellows you can do better!!!!
(4) difficult to get the wheels co-planner, unless you want to remove the table (and I don't)

I hope this helps, I am sure there are others who will add to this list to help you with your choice,

Hi Tony, thanks for the feedback - may I ask which make is the saw you are referring to??

In a previous post after the October Melbourne Show I commented on the impressive Woodfast bandsaws ......... But couldn't find any Forum verification on how good these new bandsaws are BS 350/500. I still think they are well designed and built - but as always due diligence usually pays off. I am reluctant to buy a product that has not been given the nod by more knowledgable woodies than I.

The devil is ALWAYS in the detai ie ease of blade changing/guide adjustments and this is where even the JET products don't seem to perform as well as they might..... according to some US reviews.

I honestly wish we could buy Laguna stuff here ......... it gets consistently top user feedback and seems to be a favourite with many US reviewers.......for smooth running, good guide systems precision cut with low frame flex and serious grunt!!

PS Thanks for your excellent Bandsaw Website with some truly inspirational stuff!!

Originally Posted by warmtone

I honestly wish we could buy Laguna stuff here ......... it gets consistently top user feedback and seems to be a favourite with many US reviewers.......for smooth running, good guide systems precision cut with low frame flex and serious grunt!!

Hi Warmtone,

I'd suggest we can buy the Laguna as it's a rebadged Italian bandsaw. There are several suppliers here that sell the same.

As far as cost, we pay a bit more than the US, however.

Best regards,

eddie

Originally Posted by eddie the eagle

Hi Warmtone,

I'd suggest we can buy the Laguna as it's a rebadged Italian bandsaw. There are several suppliers here that sell the same.

As far as cost, we pay a bit more than the US, however.

Best regards,

eddie

Eddie,
thanks for the 'heads up" now you've added fuel to the fire can you pls advise (1) What a Laguna BS is badged as here in Australia and (2) Who sells the stuff?

Thnx
Brian

Hi Warmtone,

I believe that they're a rebadged Meber or Aggazani, just from skim reading the US forums.

Gabbett sell a Centauro, Meber and Gabbiani are also sold in the country, as are Aggazani. The Hammer N4400 is a top-line italian manufacturer. I'm also sure that I've missed a couple of manufacturers, but the brain's running at half speed as it's getting late.

If you don't need it tomorrow, wait and buy a second-hand saw. Three phase is always better, but only if it's in your workshop.

CHeers,

eddie

Originally Posted by eddie the eagle

Hi Warmtone,

I believe that they're a rebadged Meber or Aggazani, just from skim reading the US forums.

Gabbett sell a Centauro, Meber and Gabbiani are also sold in the country, as are Aggazani. The Hammer N4400 is a top-line italian manufacturer. I'm also sure that I've missed a couple of manufacturers, but the brain's running at half speed as it's getting late.

If you don't need it tomorrow, wait and buy a second-hand saw. Three phase is always better, but only if it's in your workshop.

CHeers,

eddie

Hi Eddie, thanks for the info ....... there's certainly a lot to learn with the bandsaw supply chain......... I've tried a few google searches for the above and so far only found an old Meber 600 (3 phase) ....

I've only seen junk on eBay but undoubtedly an Agga will come up as soon as I buy a new one!

I have of course sent a signal on "Buy and Swap" to all those Forum members dying to unload their dormant bandsaws ...... for some reason the response has been fairly quiet!!

My current thinking is to consider a larger machine - say 18" @ 2hp but something substantial.

I can now really start to appreciate where the highly regarded Hammer 4400 fills a void between the expensive Italian machines and "run of the mill" Chinese offerings.

As someone pointed out expect to pay double what you planned and expect to buy something larger ......... if you want a "real one".

I have the PowerMatic you mention. It is my first bandsaw and I received it about six months ago. It comes very well packaged in two boxes although they are a bit heavy. If I recall correctly, it took a couple of hours to assemble, but the instructions were very clear.

The first thing I did was try to resaw some 4" thick cocobolo. I smoked the blade something fierce and melted the tires. I've replaced the tires with a set of urethane ones and have tried to avoid using it since. I clearly do not know how to use a bandsaw correctly and I'm sure the tire melting was due to either wrong blade for what I was trying to cut or incorrect blade tension. To be fair, when I tried ripping the same cocobolo on my tablesaw, it stalled and tripped the breaker.

So my saw sits with a new blade and new tires. One of these days I'll work up my nerve to use it again. But, all in all, it seems to very well built. It's just in the wrong hands.

Originally Posted by ciscokid

I have the PowerMatic you mention. It is my first bandsaw and I received it about six months ago. It comes very well packaged in two boxes although they are a bit heavy. If I recall correctly, it took a couple of hours to assemble, but the instructions were very clear.

The first thing I did was try to resaw some 4" thick cocobolo. I smoked the blade something fierce and melted the tires. I've replaced the tires with a set of urethane ones and have tried to avoid using it since. I clearly do not know how to use a bandsaw correctly and I'm sure the tire melting was due to either wrong blade for what I was trying to cut or incorrect blade tension. To be fair, when I tried ripping the same cocobolo on my tablesaw, it stalled and tripped the breaker.

So my saw sits with a new blade and new tires. One of these days I'll work up my nerve to use it again. But, all in all, it seems to very well built. It's just in the wrong hands.

This is not the feedback i wanted to hear!!

Sounds like the type of bandsaw blade was not correct for the type of wood and/or the blade tension was not correct........ Honestly I've seen this saw in action several times (with riser kit) and it appears to be very capable with 8" dia tough hard wood and generally works extremely well.

Suggest having a good read of bandsaw set up procedures (Duginske book is highly recommended) and also have a look at the excellent JET bandsaw video........ which incidentally features the Powermatic 14CS. I figure if it's good enough for Gary Rogowski it's probably a good saw!!!!

My main issue is the limited 150mm standard re-saw height capability

My view is that if you really want to re-saw big stuff get a bigger bandsawsaw in the first place ie 18 or 20 inch!!

My dilemma is whether to go for a larger beast and have done with it or settle for a smaller potential compromise "interim solution"

Im not sure of your budget and how much you can stretch it, but the 18" JET seems to be a better buy. I've got one of the older models (2000) and it's done everything I've needed it to do. The new ones are even better.

Dont go the interim solution, you will never be satisfied. The $1200 you spend on the 14" will only be worth $600 when you go to sell it and you then have to fork out another $1200 to get the 18" JET.

Feel a little more pain now if you can and you will soon forget about the money.

DISCLAIMER- written and authorised by a certified tool junkie.

Originally Posted by boban

Im not sure of your budget and how much you can stretch it, but the 18" JET seems to be a better buy. I've got one of the older models (2000) and it's done everything I've needed it to do. The new ones are even better.

Dont go the interim solution, you will never be satisfied. The $1200 you spend on the 14" will only be worth $600 when you go to sell it and you then have to fork out another $1200 to get the 18" JET.

Feel a little more pain now if you can and you will soon forget about the money.

DISCLAIMER- written and authorised by a certified tool junkie.

Boban, just to put your mind at rest I did exactly what you suggested above.... I bought the JET 18X - after some deliberation and it wasn't an easy decision. The Powermatic is very well engineered and I feel the pick in this class of machine.

But the deciding factor was limited re-saw capability of 150mm. I was not keen on "riser kits". Further, lower vibration and the grunt of the larger JET were hard to resist(!). I also got a cracker deal from WWWH which made it too good to refuse.....