Thread: Shopping for a bandsaw

Another vote for Scheppach, I have got the Basato 3 and it does everything I need it to do.

Originally Posted by bellyup

Thanks guys for the good advice and kind words.
Well, I've tried to check out the Scheppach at Hare and Forbes but there seems to be a problem with their website - sounds good though - maybe the Minister of War and Finance will allow a slight overspend??
What blades/TPI would you recommend for hard inland timber?
Thanks again,
Bruce.

Hi Bruce, I noticed the problem with the Hare & Forbes site yesterday when I posted my reply (tried to include a link), maybe give them a call and see if they've got a new website address. After the last Turnfest at 's, where cut some reasonably large pieces with ease just about anyone with a bandsaw is now using a 3/8" - 3 skip tooth blade. The narrowness of the blade allows the cutting of small turning blanks without the blade binding.

Hope this helps
GJ

Added: Just tried Hare & Forbes site, it's working now. Heres the link for the Basato 4, it's gone up to well over a grand now unfortunately.

Bruce there's lots of material on blade choice on the Bandsaw section of the forum.

Eg. if ripping was important you'd prob go for a wide blade with only 1 to 2 TPI. Of course, you'll prob end up with two blades anyway since such a ripping blade is not that good doing bowl blanks.

Like Nick, I've found Henry Bros v. helpful.

Bruce - also take the opportunity to drop into Leda (down Richmond Rd not far from the city) while you are in Adelaide, they did have some bandsaw still going at the old price about a month ago.

Have had both Carba-tec and Leda bandsaws, and have been happy with both.

Started with a 14" bandsaw with 12" depth of cut but eventually found I was pushing it too hard, too often, so decided to upgrade to 17"/2HP a few years ago. Doesn't sound like much of a difference, but the bigger machine is in a different league, can handle everything I throw at it... even 'mill' slabs with it!

Only sorry I didn't keep the 14" for finer work to save blade changes. So, if you go with the 14" keep this option in mind.

Second had is also a good option.

Neil

PS - hope your little fella has gone OK with the medics.

hi bellyup
i have a secondhand one for sale it is a woodfast 14'' ,i live in adelaide northern suburbs , regards ian

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the good advice!!
I had a good look around in Adelaide while I was down there in Leda, Carbatec and Jet for a bandsaw. The customer service was very good from all the suppliers and they walked me through all of the models and options available from 14" to 20", clearly the time to buy a bandsaw was about 6 months ago as the prices have all jumped by hundreds of dollars.
After close inspection of all the units I would have bought a Leda 17" if they had stock, the other units from all the suppliers had ,to my mind, major failings in design or manufacture - either too small a table, no fence or just rubbish fence, under powered, blade change problems etc., while I'm no expert in machinery I can't justify spending money on something that doesn't tick all the boxes.
The advice given here really helped define what I needed in a bandsaw.
I ended up buying a Scheppach Basato 4 from H&F in Syd at a negotiated price inc. freight for about $1300, far more than I had originally planned but I'm really happy with the purchase. The thing is, it's so damned hot I can't play in the shed, I've only assembled it and run 1 blank through it.
Things I like about the Scheppach Basato 4:
Great build quaility, 250mm(10") cut not 200mm(8"), swing out high quality fence for fast blade change, 2 hp motor,big table, quiet, retractable internal wheels for moving and small foot print.
Things I dont like about the Scheppach Basato 4:
The manual stated the blade size is 2895mm so I ordered 2 bi-metal blades from Henry Bros. only to find they are about 30mm too long - bugger!!
The manual and assembly instructions - why do they produce such poor printed information on A5 booklets???. the assembly instructions and photos were so small it was near impossible to see. After 2 hours in a hot shed assembling the unit the name Basato 4 was changed to Bastardo 1.

I'm a very happy camper now so thanks everyone for the the solid advice!!

P.S. The temp. is tipped to go to 47deg. this weekend - will I never get to play!
Regards, Bruce.

Hi Bruce,
I'm very happy that you're happy. I'm always a bit nervous when I recommend machinery, because what suits my needs may not suit another persons needs. Funny you mention that you mention that the 2895 was too long as I've had 4 blades made now @ 2895 and they fitted perfectly. check that they're not 2985, this would make them ~30mm too long. Agreed the manual is rubbish, but real men don't eat quiche or read manuals . Once again, glad you're happy with the Scheppach.

I have a Woodfast BS500, it has not missed a beat snice I unpacked it and set it up, I've used it every day for nearly two years

Thanks G.J.
You might have something with the measurements - I'll check on the invoice and organise a return but I have no idea how the "fold" the blades down to such small loops for postage - I tried and ended up covered in puncture marks!

Originally Posted by bellyup

Thanks G.J.
You might have something with the measurements - I'll check on the invoice and organise a return but I have no idea how the "fold" the blades down to such small loops for postage - I tried and ended up covered in puncture marks!

To fold your blades.Go to Stu's Shed Episode 36 Triton Bandsaws He is also a supporter and I think a mod or admin on the wwf and an allround good guy.
Hope the link works

Thanks Aussie,
Spot-on video, now I know!!

G.J.
You were right, the blades are wrongly measured. Invoice says 2895mm but actually 2970+mm - Henry Bros. were having a bad day!
Did you find the original blade to be rubbish?
Bruce.

Originally Posted by bellyup

G.J.
You were right, the blades are wrongly measured. Invoice says 2895mm but actually 2970+mm - Henry Bros. were having a bad day!
Did you find the original blade to be rubbish?
Bruce.

Glad you got it sorted bruce, the original blade was pretty ordinary but I wasn't expecting much anyway.

Cheers
GJ

I recently looked like you at all the plethora of band saws and not being experienced, I ended up looking in our weekly free ad paper in WA the "Quokka". I bought a 10" Paul Call that is quite old but fully cast iron, goes without a whimper and looks like it will outlive me. While it won't do large re-sawing, it is great for the smaller hobby tasks I have up to creating bowl blanks from fallen timber about 3" thick. It will do me while I play and when I get more time, ie get out of the workforce and can play full time, I might buy something newer and bigger.
One of the bext $50 I have spent on tools with some sheets of mdf thrown in!