Ask The Trades - Print Page

Ask The Trades
https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> band saw for light use https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1087676564 Message started by big_all on Jun 19^th, 2004, 9:22pm

Title: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 19^th, 2004, 9:22pm

next thing on my shopping list is
a bandsaw quite small for light use
reasonably priced
any suggestions

or advice on throat size

any suggestions please ::) ::) ::) ::)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by woodsmith on Jun 20^th, 2004, 5:35pm

OK Big All give us a clue ??? ::) what you want to use it for. Do you want it to be portable? What do you call reasonably priced?

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jun 20^th, 2004, 7:14pm

Plus, of course, whatever bandsaw you get, throw the blade away and get a better one.
They always fit poor quality blades to keep the price down.
A good blade will double the quality of the cheapest saw.
Someone on the SF forum was saying that even the DeWalt bandsaw had a rubbish blade which he replaced to improve it.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 20^th, 2004, 7:17pm

to be honest at the moment im not exactly sure

i thought about making name plates
and sort of crafty things cutting ovals and odd
shapes must be easier and neater than a jig saw
no undercut �and the blade will follow the line

and like anyone with a bit of enginuity 90%
of uses turn up when playing with the tool
would certainly make quartering the top of
an arched door easier :o :o :o :o :o

and it might keep my mind of nipple clamps

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by woodsmith on Jun 20^th, 2004, 7:33pm

Quote:

and the blade will follow the line

Hmmmm :-/

I had an Electra Beckum 315 (about �300) but found that it was too small for a lot of the work I was taking on, but something that size sounds ideal for what you are thinking of using it for.

I now have an Axminster SBW4300 but that is about �800 :(. I too looked at the DeWalt and thought it was poor.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Doc on Jun 20^th, 2004, 11:36pm

Hello Big_All!!

Get yourself a Clarke cheapy if you only gonna use it lightly/occasionally... I got the 12" model and it's shite if your after accuracy for angled cuts or ripping down... but for freehand work tis fine and cuts about 80mm max if yer careful.... looked at the DeWalt and yeh, tis better kit but for the amount I'd use it I opted for the Clarke.

Have to agree with Dewy mind.... first thing I did was order 2 replacement quality blades and the difference is amazing compared to the cheepo blade supplied.

PS My mate has the Ferm bandsaw from Screwfix and he loves it (the cheap one). I got the Clarke coz it had a bigger throat.

Mike.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jun 20^th, 2004, 11:45pm

I seldom have use for a bandsaw but bought that cheapo Ferm one from SF for occasional use.
I didn't expect much but would have thought the blade guides would have been square instead of round dowel pins in a drill hole. Theres no chance of getting a straight cut with it. I'm going to have to grind flats on those pins so they are inline with the blade then they should support the blade so it doesn't keep wandering.
It would only have cost a few pence to machine those pins at an angle with flats on the side. That's what comes of making to a price rather than for quality.

Title: through theRe: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 20^th, 2004, 11:52pm

heeellooo doc

funny enough ive just got my machinemarts
vat free on clarks through the door
worth a gander ehh

and thanks keith i was aiming at 150 to 200
as i dont have a specific use YET ::) ::) ::)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by woodsmith on Jun 21^st, 2004, 8:13pm

Hellloooo Biiiig Allllll, dog on knee a bit of a hinderance, is this where you got your helloooo :D.?

Just had a look through the Axminster catalogue they have a couple of bandsaws could fit the bill, the most promising is the AWSBS; looks good, cast iron table, steel frame and bearing guided blade; and comes in at �140.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/default.asp?part=AWSBS

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by HandyMac on Jun 21^st, 2004, 10:42pm

Just joining in for the sake of it I guess.....

I have a small cheapo DeWalt bandsaw which I bought some 25 years ago. It has a combined disk sander plate on the front. This does the job for me, but it wouldn't be good for anything where I wanted accuracy. I use it for rough sawing and it's fine.

I suppose it might be an idea if I got a new blade for it. It's the original still in there.....

...are these blades supposed to have teeth? I think this blade might have had some originally but they've long since been worn off..... ;)

Andrew

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by WJOHNM on Jun 21^st, 2004, 10:52pm

thats less than light use handymac
thats no use!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
john

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 21^st, 2004, 11:07pm

thanks for that keith
i got an axminster catolouge a while ago
will have a look :o :o
but at present i actualy like andrews dewalt
combined saw and bacon slicer :P :P :P
but if it takes 25 years to mature ill be the
wrong side of 70 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jun 21^st, 2004, 11:10pm

25 years without looking after the teeth?
No wonder they have gone.
Even a trip to the dentist won't help them now. :D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by HandyMac on Jun 22^nd, 2004, 12:46am

You guys missed the smiley ;)

To be honest the blade is past its sell-by date for sure, but it still does its thing, and I don't use this bandsaw much at all.

Andrew

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by greg on Jun 22^nd, 2004, 9:49pm

My router table came with a table insert that allows you to invert a jigsaw - anyone tried using this arrangement - i havent had the opportunity to do so yet

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 22^nd, 2004, 11:37pm

like you greg ive got a side slot on my table
but never used it because if you use pendulum
it overcuts on on corners
[normaly undercuts but your now looking at
what would be the under edge]
and if you dont use pendulem its slow progress

big all

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 25^th, 2004, 6:18pm

helllooo kieth and doc

in front of me is both

the clark cbs12wv although the catalouge is
2 years old the price is�112 -vat with the voucher
it has a 500w motor 80mm cutting depth[62"blade]
spare blade�5

the axminster awsbs is �140 350w motor
120mmcutting depth[70" blade]spare �7

any thought any one appart from the obvious
one blue and one white ;D ;D ;D ;D

or any other suggestions �150 to �200

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Mice on Jun 25^th, 2004, 9:23pm

Personally for crafty types of work I would get a scroll saw (from �35 in SF), cant be beaten for intricate scroll work, name plates or kids toys such as jigsaws and animals.
For the top of arched doors and the like I would use a jigsaw to rough out then make a guide and use a router for a top quality finish.

But as I'm only a novice with wood I may be talking out my arse! metal is my real love.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 25^th, 2004, 11:43pm

thanks for that mice

and no your not talking out you ring piece
your oppinion is apreciated

i find with a jigsaw the undercut is a pain

and with a band saw you can cut nearer
to the line and the cut is square to the face
or thats the theory :o :o :o ;D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Doc on Jun 25^th, 2004, 11:46pm

Heeellllooooo Big_All !!

With your budget get the Axminster I would say, m8, but I have no experience of that machine. I have the Clarke you mention and it bogs down at 80mm cutting depth unless you go sssssssllllooooooowwwwww so don't know what the 350w Axminster would be like..

The bed on the Clarke is rough n ready aluminium but can easily be sorted with a bit of TLC, the cutout/insert round the blade lets small offcuts drop into the main body of the machine resulting in a snapped blade most often (again easily sorted) and keeping the bed flat and stable needs a little bit of attention but no big deal...

As mentioned by Dewy re: the blade guides on the Ferm I can happily say the one's on the Clarke are fine (once set up correctly LOL)... Also, and this may put a perspective on the whole thing, I only paid �80 for mine...

A decent blade costs bout �11 from my local supplier (Carlisle Glass - yes Sir, we can get any size you require, Sir, takes about 3 days, Sir) and transforms the saw quite drastically - well worth the extra �6 over the Clarke replacement which I keep as a spare.

A tip I was told but haven't tried yet is to round off the back edge ie non-cutting edge of the blade with a file/oilstone/whatever whilst running the saw - this lessens the chance of snagging the blade when cutting curves apparently.. anyone done this mod?

Hope this helps, but I don't think I'd have got the Clarke if it was gonna cost me �112 :p

Mike.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Mice on Jun 25^th, 2004, 11:54pm

A while ago I machined a plate to screw to the bottom of a jigsaw with a slot that was 1mm wider than the blade (to allow for waste) for a friend who was making some kids bedroom furniture out of conitboard. This almost entirely eliminated the chipping. Easy to do if you have access to a bridgeport. :)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jun 26^th, 2004, 12:11am

I wish I still had access to a Bridgeport.
I could make it sing. ;D
I can think of a number of jigs & accessories I would like that I could make accurately on it.
Better still I would love to get hold of one with imperial screws before they ruined them with 5 & 2� mil lead screws.
best 'router' I ever used. ;)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Doc on Jun 26^th, 2004, 12:15am

Nice one Mice, my solution was less elegant LOL but haven't got round to doing the same as yourself which is the ideal solution... I fully intend to do so soon.

My "FIX" was some well strategically placed duck tape to narrow the opening round the cutting edge and it works a treat. Forgot to mention BTW that I also removed some of the casing directly below the blade and underneath the down pulley so that any chips (and sawdust which isnt a problem re: blade snagging) now doesn't accumulate inside the saw housing, but instead gets fired straight onto the floor, or in my case, a well positioned bucket!

Mike.

SHould clarify really..... the insert round the blade on the Clarke bandsaw is large enough to let a 9mm cube to fall into the "workings" - result = snapped blade...

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 26^th, 2004, 12:23am

heeelllooo doc
ive got a vat free voucher till the 10 th julyand the
book is two years old so assuming it hasnt gone up its
[or gone down in price]its�95

and how do you round of the back
if you lightly hold and move emiry round the back
whilst its rotating its going to ware away the
roller at the back as it gets carried round
on the blade ::) ::) ::) ::)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Doc on Jun 26^th, 2004, 12:25am

LMAO!! I'm assuming your winding me up lol! If not, just grab the emery cloth harder m8 ;D

Mike.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 26^th, 2004, 12:27am

no i think its called death wish 5 ::) ::)::)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Doc on Jun 26^th, 2004, 12:34am

You know why its called a "banned"! saw now then....

Mike.

PS Sent you a Personal Message and can we make it a threesome next time ;D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 26^th, 2004, 1:14am

when it comes to msn mike i cant even
manage a onesome ::) ::) ::)
good job other things work solo :P :P :P

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jun 26^th, 2004, 2:24am

big all
I just looked at those 2 bandsaws.
The Clarke is just a benchtop with 345x345 aluminium table. It has no fence for ripping. The price on the 'net is a bit less than you quoted.
The Axminster is a different kettle of fish with the 340x320 cast iron table. Floorstanding or benchtop as the legs come with it.
I'd go for the Axminster but get a better blade for it.
A decent blade will make it twice the tool.
Rutlands do blades for �8.95 or you could get someone to weld blades up to correct length.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Mice on Jun 26^th, 2004, 2:54am

If you know anyone who works in a machine shop with a decent sized bandsaw it will most probably have a blade welder on the machine itself. Its got to be worth a few pints to get them to knock you a few up on their lunch break if you supply the reel of blade.
Worth a thought. ;)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jun 26^th, 2004, 3:14am

A few pints for a couple of minutes welding, grinding & annealing a blade?
It would be worth it if they could get a couple of blades out in their lunch boxes. ;) ;D
Fortunately wood blades don't take as much pressure as when cutting steel so can be soldered instead of needing welding. It's cheaper to buy a reel of blade then cut & silver solder it yourself.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Mice on Jun 26^th, 2004, 3:29am

I see. With the quality of my soldering/brazing it would only go round once then jam up. ;D

Surely youre a shift worker like me, up at this hour.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jun 26^th, 2004, 3:48am

I gave up turning the handles years ago.
I work with wood now but still miss my old Bridgeport, it's a bit too big for my garage though or I'd get a second hand one like a shot.
I used to make my woodworking jigs on the mill during breaks. On a lifetimes nightshift you get far more breaks than on days because there is noone breathing down your neck so you can do the work in less time. ;)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Mice on Jun 26^th, 2004, 3:54am

Tis true,
Very boring at times though especiall as my shift mate has gone Tom Dick.
Spent the whole night researching going self employed.
Now have about 200 pages from the inland revenue to trawl through! :o

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 26^th, 2004, 12:55pm

heeelllooo mice and dewy and doc if your there

i like you idea about the extra base plate with
1mm clearance �what was it made from aly steel ???

does it cover the whole base
i take it youve got a guide "v" on it

dewy the axminster look a nice bit of kit and as you say
half the machine is the blade
�now working on the principal i will mainly be cutting
1" to 3" pine or oroko whats the best t p i to go for

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jun 26^th, 2004, 4:59pm

They are the same as a table saw.
Either rip or crosscut.
The less TPI are for rip cutting.
More TPI used for cross cutting.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by woodsmith on Jun 26^th, 2004, 5:48pm

I've had a few days away and we are still on bandsaws. ::)

Rounding the back of the blade, I always do this with a new blade, if there are any rough points on the back of the blade they can be a point of weakness and encourage the blade to snap. I use a diamond stone to prevent sparks from getting in the machine and keep your fingers well away from the blade. I also clean new blades with a paper towel BEFORE fitting them in the machine.

Big All blades are always a bit of a compromise as once you have fitted it you won't want to be changing it every time you get a new pice of wood to cut. The Axminster bandsaw will take 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch blades. If you want to straight cut 3" pine then a 1/2 inch 4tpi would be a good bet. 6tpi would give a finer finish and be better for 1" stock. 1/4 inch blades will cut tighter curves but are more likely to snap, so a 3/8" 6tpi would also be a good choice.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 27^th, 2004, 1:15am

thanks for that keith 3/8" 6tpi

its a good compromise thats what im after
nothing to tight just near to linewith minimal working
of course if its tight i would just do a serious
cuts [thrupeny bit] then finnish of on the line
i dont envisage lots of ripping or crosscuting
just gentle therapy before they take me 8) 8)
away those men in the white coats ::) ::) ::)
i would also like to think that mice and dewy
will come and visit me if i send
them a visitation order :o :o :o ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jun 27^th, 2004, 1:53am

I'd have to decline big_all. They are still after me since my escape. ;) ;D :o :D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 27^th, 2004, 2:30am

oooooo ppppllleeease ill come--- --------
oh all right ill just visit you
if you visit me�::) ::) :P :P :P ;D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by mailee on Jun 27^th, 2004, 10:50pm

I had one of the small benchtop Delta ones a few years ago and it performed all of the tasks I set it, well apart from resawing that is. I think something of this size would be ideal for you big all. I often made sign blanks up on it with no problems at all. Not sure who sells them now though. I agree with most of the postings on here though that the Axminster one sounds a good buy. ;)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 27^th, 2004, 11:25pm

o--o--o �ssssssssshhhhhhiiiiiittttt :-[ :-[ :-[
bad news the tumble dryer has packed in
now i will have a look tommorow to see
if the fault is obvious [drum still powerd]
broken/loose wire conection from
high low switch/timer ect
new basic tumbles cost �about �120 to �150
an essential as my work shop take prefference
in the back garden
and i hate ironing so i just hang the clothes hot

any ideas where i can get a basic tumble
for less than two bob cos i deserve a band saw
well ok i need a band saw �:o :o :o
well ok a band saw would come in realy usefull 8) 8)
well ok i want a band saw :P :P :P :P :P
oooooo come on some one talk me back into it ;D ;D ;D

oooo and any other suggestions gratefully acssepted

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by mailee on Jun 28^th, 2004, 7:27am

Get a big bandsaw and you could hang your clothes on it to dry ;D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jun 28^th, 2004, 10:07am

i like that one mailee

open the side panel peg clothes to blade
turn on rotary clothes dryer ;D ;D ;D ;D

and if it goes wrong plenty off rags :o :o :o ;D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jul 4^th, 2004, 12:50am

right got it today :o :o :o :o :o
realy good finnish goes round smoothly :) :) :)
it actualy can go in reverse smooth operation
but unfortunatly it seems to be running a bit hot
seems to do a good job 8) 8) 8)
�140 quid seems ok ;) ;) ;)

ok now that leaves �60 squid for a

band saw ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jul 5^th, 2004, 12:29am

ive just realised �ive made about 20 stable
doors of the internal decorative type with
half lap joints hand saw and lots of adjustment
what a pillock a band saw would be brilliant for
cutting the half laps without spending ages on
each joint for square on three plaines

ive tryed it with the circular saw with guards
removed done a good job but wasnt happy
with the unguarded blade
i think i will have to live with the clark with a
decent new blade �::) ::) ::) ::)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jul 5^th, 2004, 3:29pm

heeelllooo every body

thanks for all you help i choose the clark
due to tumble expenditure

and you wont belive it �>:( >:( >:( >:( >:(
its austalian how could they possibly
make such a mistake phoned the man in the
shop he explained it was my problem
as im a scot �>:( >:( >:( >:(
so i decided i would not let him get the better
of me so i solved the problem :o :o :o
took me a little while ::) ::) ::)
but i think it will probably take a lot longer tooo

learn to use it bolted to the roof standing on my
head ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Doc on Jul 10^th, 2004, 6:36am

Why didn't you cut slots in the sides of the tumble dryer, mount a secondary pulley on your clothes horse and wrap a nice bandsaw blade round the whole ensemble? Would have been effective and you could have got two jobs done at the same time lol!

Oops... might have caused problems if your tumble is anything like mine and spins in both directions...

Mike :p

PS Do DeWalt make washing machines coz my wife wants a yellow one to match the wallpaper :D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jul 10^th, 2004, 5:49pm

A washing machine manufacturer used to make radial arm saws so she may get lucky with the yellow. ;)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jul 10^th, 2004, 7:16pm

wrote on Jul 10^th, 2004, 6:36am:

Oops... might have caused problems if your tumble is anything like mine and spins in both directions...

Mike :p

:D

it does as it happens bu t dont think its gay ::) ::) ::)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by woodsmith on Jul 10^th, 2004, 7:22pm

Big All sounds like your drier is playing for both sides :o

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jul 10^th, 2004, 8:04pm

maybee its just hedging it bets ::) :o :P

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Dewy on Jul 10^th, 2004, 9:15pm

wrote on Jul 10^th, 2004, 8:04pm:

maybee its just hedging it bets ::) :o :P

Hedging advice is given on a gardening forum. Not this one. ;D ::) ;D

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jul 10^th, 2004, 9:18pm

l o l ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

much better than my joke :o :o ::) ::)

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by Doc on Jul 21^st, 2004, 12:04am

Have you checked out the integrated washer/driers with bandsaw and sanding station at

www.bigboysinbutter.com :p

Check out the Village People Populizer model No. YMCA, one down from the Blue Oyster Bar SE.

Couldn't resist, Mike.

PS Don't click on the link, it's bogus.

Title: Re: band saw for light use
Post by big_all on Jul 21^st, 2004, 12:09am

sorry doc after the excitment of the sheep
it says host error
at least i can scrape off the gripfill now :P :P :P

ooohhh your teesing me its not real ::) ::) ::)