Bandsaws (again?)

[TheJoker]

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a bit of advice in anticipation of my paycheque.

Bandsaws.
Any of these good or bad?
Axminster MCB100A Compact Bandsaw
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-MCB100A-Compact-Bandsaw-781243.htm

Axminster CMB115 Swivel Head Bandsaw
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-CMB115-Swivel-Head-Bandsaw-33394.htm

Metal Cutting Bandsaw 115mm 3-Speed with Stand Sealey SM4
http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Metal-Cutting-Bandsaw-3-Speed-with-Stand-Sealey-SM4

CBS45MD CLARKE 6" X 4" METAL CUTTING BANDSAW
http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Chronos_Catalogue_Bandsaw_Machines___Bandsaw_Blades_181.html

The reason for a bandsaw is that my Makita abrasive cutter is just too noisy and dirty to use in my garage and in my back yard. I don't have much space, so size is quite cruical. Becuase of the space constraints I also think that a swivel head one would be good as I can see myself sticking long material out the door whilst doing the cutting and I can't easily swivel the material around, therefore swiveling the saw is better. I'd like it to be small enough so I can lift it up from the floor/shelf to a bench for when I need to do the cutting. Currently the MCB100A is at the lead. It's a bit too expensive for my immediate infatuation though.

Obvisouly I'd like it to be cheap. and accurate

Been reading on the forum a bit. This for example; http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=2610
How the £99 is possible, I don't understand.

Any tips and ideas greately appreciated!!

PS, Abrasive cutter for sale!

 

[JayRS4]

I can personally vouch for the clarke. I have one, it`s light enough to be moved around, even without the stand. Cut up a load off 3" 3mm wall chs yesterday, i was going to do a video. Blades can jump off if not tensioned correctly, or cutting force to high

 

[TheJoker]

Very good to know, Jay! Much appreciated! I'll chalk down a vote for the Clarke! Thanks!

 

[JimM]

Well the £99 was 2 years ago but even then it was an absolute steal! To be honest I haven't used the bandsaw much but when I do it's works a treat and I'd happily recommend it. Wouldn't want to lift it though - from memory I think the weight was 70Kg. I've got mine mounted on a trolley so can just wheel it out when I need it (about to modify this so that it can slide under my workbench, means that I'll have to do cutting at floor level but no big deal)

As you've no doubt already read the biggest thing that affects them is the blade - worth spending the extra for a decent bi-metallic one.

Jim

 

[TheJoker]

Much appreciated, Jim. Even at £99 I think 70kg is too much for me, simply because I don't really have the space. Or, rather, I don't want to sacrifice the space. I can see myself building a shelf that I can fold down, and/or remove the saw from the table and hang it up on the wall somewhere out of the way.

I had read a bit about the blades, but it's good to get confirmations that a good blade is worth it.

Thanks!

 

[wyn]

I have the clarke at home...not too bad . Only the vice swivels and tends to go out of square quite a bit.
At work we have a little 150mm sealey with a swivel head. This is the next size up from the one in your link. Chopped up lots of 50mm round with it today with no probs.

 

[Luke]

I have the CMB115 above, except not from axminster, it came from a guy in wales, I can't remember the website.

It's well suited to what i want. It cuts pretty accurately, is much quieter than a grinder or chop saw and is nice to use. If anything i wouldn't mind another 50mm capacity but jumping up to the bigger machines gets expensive.

I'm very happy with it, but it certainly isn't suited to being lifted on and off a bench. It's far too heavy for that.

 

[TheJoker]

Very interesting Wyn.

Do you mean this one?

Metal Cutting Bandsaw 3-Speed 150mm 230V Sealey SM5
http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Metal-Cutting-Bandsaw-3-Speed-150mm-230V-Sealey-SM5

Does it really have a swiveling head? Looks very good, but I think it's a bit too big for my garage.
Maybe I need to wait another month and have a look in the garage to see what I can come up with.

 

[TheJoker]

I have the CMB115 above, except not from axminster, it came from a guy in wales, I can't remember the website.

It's well suited to what i want. It cuts pretty accurately, is much quieter than a grinder or chop saw and is nice to use. If anything i wouldn't mind another 50mm capacity but jumping up to the bigger machines gets expensive.

I'm very happy with it, but it certainly isn't suited to being lifted on and off a bench. It's far too heavy for that.

Brilliant information, Luke! It's 70kg so, yeah, too heavy to lift easily. Might have a looksee if I could mount it on the wall on one of those hinges you can get from Wickes etc.

Thanks!

 

[JayRS4]

Thats a good point actually, the vice can get a bit wonky, I modded mine, ages ago, and can`t remember what I did. Welcome to pop in and have a look if your ever around this way. I havent looked at the others, but worth noting that the clarke also works as a vertical bandsaw (if it doesnt state that), handy for things like exhaust pipe. Can post up a vid if needed.

 

[wyn]

I think it's probably this one. A bit too big maybe, but no spanners needed to alter the angle of the head.

 

[Luke]

Might have a looksee if I could mount it on the wall on one of those hinges you can get from Wickes etc.

Mine's on it's stand, but backed up against a wall. It actually has to be stepped out a fair way to leave enough room for the motor when the arm is fully raised.

 

[TheJoker]

I think it's probably this one. A bit too big maybe, but no spanners needed to alter the angle of the head.

Thanks, Wyn! That one looks very very veeery nice! A bit over what I'd like to spend, but very nice. Quite heavy too, but it is very nice.

 

[TheJoker]

Mine's on it's stand, but backed up against a wall. It actually has to be stepped out a fair way to leave enough room for the motor when the arm is fully raised.

Very good point, Luke! Hadn't thought of that. Need to go into garage and have a look at what I can fit in there.

 

[mike os]

clarke here too.... and it can handle almost anything, if a little slow at 150x12 great at smaller stuff like 25-50 box etc

 

[Mikey D]

IVE got a clarke too , got it secondhand about £60 not a bad machine the stands a bit flimsy but could easily be beefed up .
if your abrasive saw is 110 volt id be interested
cheers mike

 

[gavuk]

little clarke at home for me ,,,,does require setting up to cut true,vice can be modified so spanners are not needed and dowel drilled for 90 and 45 degrees......bought second hand for £75.......

 

[scarecrow]

Mine's on it's stand, but backed up against a wall. It actually has to be stepped out a fair way to leave enough room for the motor when the arm is fully raised.

thats the same as mine but mind a sip a little bit of tweaking to get it to cut accurately but it is absolutely brilliant. if your workshop is small then get the swing over as you won't have to be moving the saw or the material to cut at an angle

 

[Luke]

found the website - http://www.engineerstoolroom.co.uk I originally heard about them on here, a while ago!

 

[TheJoker]

Guys, you're all stars! I'll have to have to come back and give good answers, but now we're off to Silverstone Classic!