Axminster Bandsaw

[Gizmo.Y]

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminste...5shd-swivel-head-metal-cutting-bandsaw-700103

Anyone with experience with this band saw? On paper it does everything i need it to and the price is right.

Mostly using on 1.6mm and 3.3mm walled stainless tube/pipe.

 

[waddycall]

This is my review that I put on the Axminster site -

Needing to replace my abrasive chop saw I decided on this bandsaw. Initially I couuldn't get enough tension in the blade to stop it jumping off. Axminster offered to check blade lengths etc but I decided to file out the casting to get more adjustment which solved that problem. I also found it very difficult to get the saw to cut square and have now managed to get reasonable results by rotating the saw's horizontal pivot pin through 45° which suggests it's not straight. As mentioned by a previous reviewer the hydraulic downfeed needs constant attention to maintain a consistent rate (even when the machine isn't cutting). I've now got a saw which cuts off square by 1mm over 100mm (vertical plane) which I'm pretty happy with for the money.It's not a great saw but its not bad for the money. It's certainly not a precision machine.

 

[Wallace]

The top half is pretty much the standard 6x4 Chinese bandsaw marketed by Clarke, Draper etc. but with a better stand, vice and swivel base as opposed to the swivel vice on the 6x4.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

This is my review that I put on the Axminster site -

Needing to replace my abrasive chop saw I decided on this bandsaw. Initially I couuldn't get enough tension in the blade to stop it jumping off. Axminster offered to check blade lengths etc but I decided to file out the casting to get more adjustment which solved that problem. I also found it very difficult to get the saw to cut square and have now managed to get reasonable results by rotating the saw's horizontal pivot pin through 45° which suggests it's not straight. As mentioned by a previous reviewer the hydraulic downfeed needs constant attention to maintain a consistent rate (even when the machine isn't cutting). I've now got a saw which cuts off square by 1mm over 100mm (vertical plane) which I'm pretty happy with for the money.It's not a great saw but its not bad for the money. It's certainly not a precision machine.

Thanks for that, its certainly more precise than my current method (Masking tape, 1mm cutting discs then linish flat)

I noticed its the same footprint as the chinese ones, i have a Draper on already which was purchaed for £50, but i've spent days fiddling with it, and i cannot for the life of me getting it cutting straight in any angle. plus it uses the adjustable clamp.

The axminster rotates around the vice which to me seems the better way to do it.

 

[Wallace]

Thanks for that, its certainly more precise than my current method (Masking tape, 1mm cutting discs then linish flat)

I noticed its the same footprint as the chinese ones, i have a Draper on already which was purchaed for £50, but i've spent days fiddling with it, and i cannot for the life of me getting it cutting straight in any angle. plus it uses the adjustable clamp.

The axminster rotates around the vice which to me seems the better way to do it.

If given the choice I would opt for the Axminster saw over the Clarke if I had to pay full price for either. Better scope for improvement than the Clarke etc., are there any slightly bigger saws within a similar price range?

 

[Gizmo.Y]

not that i can see. really would like this draper one...

https://www.lawson-his.co.uk/draper-38010-mbs210-metal-cutting-horizontal-bandsaw-900-w

But its massively out my current price range, can't seem to find anyone offering it on pay Monthly either.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

ive been holding out for a whilst now, looking for that eBay bargain. But i do have limited space, otherwise i would have bought one the side of a car already..

I have access to a beasty bandsaw down the road, but would like something to use in-house for the smaller stuff.

 

[KemppiFrog]

I have a few bits of Axminster kit and find it is good value. This thread is useful as I am looking at either a bandsaw, or a cold cut saw at the moment.

 

[dannyp]

ive got one of there other bandsaws, its quite a good bit of kit, took a bit of setting up to get it cutting straight but it was 2nd hand, biggest issue was a the hydralic feed controll, it seemed to very binary as in it ether went down way to quick or way to slowly, fixed that by changing the oil, went through a few diffrent oils the best was ATF plenty of controll with the adjustment tap and goes down fast when you want it to

 

[nickk]

has anyone purchased/used the 11" Axminster swivel base one .
I'm after replacing my 12" spaldings one as I regularly change angles .

 

[dannyp]

im runing what i think is the older vesrsion of this one, the saw bits the same just hasent got a swivel base on it
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-engineer-series-ue-812c-bandsaw-508332

 

[Wallace]

not that i can see. really would like this draper one...

https://www.lawson-his.co.uk/draper-38010-mbs210-metal-cutting-horizontal-bandsaw-900-w

But its massively out my current price range, can't seem to find anyone offering it on pay Monthly either.

I’ve used and repaired one of those with Axminster badges, not a bad machine. The vice had been abused and adjusted badly by someone who didn’t know what they were doing and he broke the handle off. The owner repaired it with new parts but it took me a bit of extra work to get it smooth so the quick release cam would operate properly. Once setup the quick cam makes repetitive cuts easy, that machine has done a lot of work with very little spent on it.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

thats good to know. ill think ill order one tomorrow.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

Made a purchase. I noticed in the picture that the top section can be lifted off the base, so i think at some point ill sandwich in a drip tray and run some coolant lines in there.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

I also purchased Draper Part number - 28989. Which is the base to be able to use it as a vertical saw.

 

[Wallace]

I also purchased Draper Part number - 28989. Which is the base to be able to use it as a vertical saw.

I hope it’s nothing like the disappointing piece of bent tinware supplied with the 6x4 saws! If it is, take a note of all the dimensions, return it and make your own.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

That was my plan, for £11 delivered, not really worth sending it back.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

Received today! out the box im chuffed to bits with it. as per your advice above, i decided to sqaure the blade up before making my first cut. I had to go passed 0, but you are talking a nats bollock past 0 to get it lined up true. done a couple of mild steel cuts and from what i can see, perfectly square.

Althought its the same frame as most 6x4 bandsaws (Had a clark with sheet metal base previously) the cast iron base is certainly sturdy.

My ONLY quibble with the machine is the location of the lock pin to secure the arm in place upright, mine will be stored length ways mostly, meaning its on the backside. but only a small thing!

 

[KimB]

Have you thought about one of the larger saws from the femi range? I bought a manual one but they do automated ones too.

 

[Gizmo.Y]

I did, it was top of the list for ages. But i decided with this axminster in the end.

Tried it on some Cast stainless tubing earlier, 3mm wall. took a 2mm slither off the end true and square (as it could be). Im happy with it. Although it did take about 5 minutes to cut through it...