Bandsaws

[Feet 'n Inches]

I'm looking for a small, portable, single-phase, relatively cheap bandsaw; something that would cut in the region of 4" x 2" box or just a bit larger. Budget would be a max of £400 or so. I've seen some examples on the Clarke and Axminster Tools websites. If there are any places that offer cheaper second-hand saws then that would also be of interest.

Opinions on durability, reliability etc. would be very much appreciated.

 

[fizzy]

https://www.lawson-his.co.uk/makita-2107fk-portable-bandsaw-710watt-21-p29985

I would love one of these!
I have a big vertical bandsaw and a good horizontal one but often it is easier to take the saw to the work. especially when you want to cut something pff the end of a long heavy piece of steel.
They also do a cordless one but I suspect the mains is better - higher speed blade.

As a budget one with a stand you could try this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORTABLE...865532?hash=item56d2be2a7c:g:ROkAAOSw4UReEgIF

 

[bigegg]

How portable?
I've got a milwaukee m18 cordless bandsaw on my "want one" list.
Just shy of £400 on amazon, plus you'd need a battery.
They can be mounted on a bench to make them "fixed".
You could pick up a 110v 2nd hand one from the US for <£150

If you mean portable as in "moveable" rather than handheld, then the generic chinese/clarke/sip/axminster 5x6(?) bandsaws make capable machines once fettled a little - and should be easily in your budget.

 

[SierraV6]

https://www.lawson-his.co.uk/makita-2107fk-portable-bandsaw-710watt-21-p29985

I would love one of these!
I have a big vertical bandsaw and a good horizontal one but often it is easier to take the saw to the work. especially when you want to cut something pff the end of a long heavy piece of steel.
They also do a cordless one but I suspect the mains is better - higher speed blade.

As a budget one with a stand you could try this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORTABLE...865532?hash=item56d2be2a7c:g:ROkAAOSw4UReEgIF

I’d like one of these but it’s not a priority at the minute as the Evo saw or angle grinder are tolerable for the amount of section I cut.

I’m terrible for looking at the price of cheap equipment then looking at the branded stuff and thinking ‘sod it if I’m going to buy it I may as well pay the difference’. I suppose it’s not a bad thing really but I have ended up with some very nice but seldom used tools laying around....

 

[fizzy]

How portable?
I've got a milwaukee m18 cordless bandsaw on my "want one" list.
Just shy of £400 on amazon, plus you'd need a battery.
They can be mounted on a bench to make them "fixed".
You could pick up a 110v 2nd hand one from the US for <£150

If you mean portable as in "moveable" rather than handheld, then the generic chinese/clarke/sip/axminster 5x6(?) bandsaws make capable machines once fettled a little - and should be easily in your budget.

I have watched several videos where people have said they prefer the Makita. Both very good of course as is the Dewalt but not common here.

 

[bigegg]

I have watched several videos where people have said they prefer the Makita. Both very good of course as is the Dewalt but not common here.

I'm pretty heavily invested in milwaukee cordless stuff already.


Makita would be my first choice if i i was going 240v mains

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Iirc, @KimB bought one of these, maybe did a write-up at the time? A search of her posts might already answer that....

 

[fizzy]

Iirc, @KimB bought one of these, maybe did a write-up at the time? A search of her posts might already answer that....

She bought a Femi. They are also very good but not cheap and I don't think they are so suited to free hand stuff. I could be wrong though.

 

[KimB]

Iirc, @KimB bought one of these, maybe did a write-up at the time? A search of her posts might already answer that....

As Fizzy says. I bought a femi 120NGl (I think is model), it is great and portable but no good for free hand. The smallest one in their range locks vertical so you have an upright bandsaw. As other have said, I thought about buying a Milwaukee and making a table for it to have the ability to have something portable and also upright for things you don’t need a chop saw on.

 

[R-D-R]

I have a little femi that locks vertical with a table. Very good quality for the money with precise and reliable cuts.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Another vote for the FEMI. I bought mine largely off the back of @KimB being so pleased with hers - and its been one of the best investments I've made in tools.

(And aside from wine, the closest I'll come to something red and Italian!)

 

[fizzy]

If only the femi could be used free hand it would be perfect.
Free hand is so useful for cutting a bit off a 3m length of angle or a few inches off a heavy bit of bar without having to drag it out of the pile.

 

[Feet 'n Inches]

Looks like the Femi is a popular choice so I'll start doing my homework.

Freehand cutting? Not a term I'm familiar with - can someone explain please? The only bandsaws I was familiar with were 3 phase industrial jobs capable of cutting large size beams and columns. Freehand cutting was something we did with oxy-acetylene.

 

[Mick Annick]

Another vote for the FEMI. I bought mine largely off the back of @KimB being so pleased with hers - and its been one of the best investments I've made in tools.

Me too!

 

[Mark 2]

I too have a Femi.
Foolishly I named her Emily and now of course she wants all the benefits, holidays, sick pay etc.
Nightmare

 

[bigegg]

Looks like the Femi is a popular choice so I'll start doing my homework.

Freehand cutting? Not a term I'm familiar with - can someone explain please? The only bandsaws I was familiar with were 3 phase industrial jobs capable of cutting large size beams and columns. Freehand cutting was something we did with oxy-acetylene.

 

[Feet 'n Inches]

@bigegg . . .

 

[fizzy]

@bigegg . . .

When you use the saw in portable mode.
Example cutting a few feet off the end of a long length.
I have a nice horizontal bandsaw but it isn't easy to lug a 3m long bit of heavy steel over to the saw. Then you need a roller rest for it.
A portable bandsaw like the Makita is ideal for cutting off the length you need.

 

[fizzy]

 

[bigegg]

When you use the saw in portable mode.
Example cutting a few feet off the end of a long length.
I have a nice horizontal bandsaw but it isn't easy to lug a 3m long bit of heavy steel over to the saw. Then you need a roller rest for it.
A portable bandsaw like the Makita is ideal for cutting off the length you need.

First time I used one was for cutting aluminium flooring to size when making access platforms to go around helicopters:



It was easier to cut the cantilevered platform to finished size once it was attached to the frame - and *much* easier and tidier with the bandsaw compared to using a 4.5" angry grinder.