Bandsaws (again?)

[BillJ]

I have the CMB115 too. It's the only bandsaw I've ever used so I can't really compare it with anything else. It does occasionally throw the blade off if I try to rush it through thin-walled tube (like the Clarke mentioned earlier) but I've increased the tension on the counter-spring to try to lower the downforce a bit. I've also set up the guides quite carefully and it cuts fairly accurately now. I have to say I'm quite pleased with it. I paid the full price about 2 years ago (£148 or thereabouts) but I can't say it was bad value for money at that.

The head swivels relative to the table on which the vice is fixed in order to cut angles so I'm not sure how useful that would be as a means of moving the work around to fit through the garage door. As mentioned above, it's rather too heavy to lift around but I got over both problems by simply fitting braked castors to the legs of the stand. I keep it stored right up against the garage wall and pull it out into the middle of the floor when I need to use it. That way, I can point it in whichever direction is most convenient for the material I'm cutting.

 

[TheJoker]

.... if your abrasive saw is 110 volt id be interested

Sorry Mike, it's "normal" (240V) power.

 

[TheJoker]

Guys, I really appreciate your input. So far, that's 1 vote for a Sealey that's bigger than the one I initially listed, then 3 votes for the Axminster CMB115 and a whopping 5 for the Clarke. That's invaluable input, fellas! Biiiig thanks!
I also had a look the Engineers Tool Room site that Luke posted and I found this:
http://www.engineerstoolroom.co.uk/bandsaws.htm

Model B110

Cast iron bed plate and saw frame construction mounted on fabricated stand, vice clamping operated by hand wheel. Cuts 90 degrees and angles up to 45 degrees by swinging the saw frame. Steel and bronze worm gear drive sealed for life lubrication. Adjustable stop for repetitive cutting. Adjustable blade tracking. Can be used as bench mounted or floor standing.

Single phase 350 watt motor driving through a three speed vee belt and 90 degree gear drive.

Cutting Capacity
110mm (4-1/2inch) squares and rounds
110mm x 150mm (4-1/2 x 6inch) rectangles approximately.
Blade Size 1/2 x 641/2inch.
Blade speeds 65 - 95 - 165 feet/min.
Price £139.00

I don't know if that price is inc or ex VAT. If if it's ex VAT it'd be cheap at £159.85. Any thoughts on this one?

Once, again, I really appreciate your input, guys!

 

[scarecrow]

the biggest difference is the size of the motor cutting capacity only depends on what you need

 

[TheJoker]

I need it to cut round, box, angle etc. Some solid alu for my milling machine, but that's about it. I don't need any huge stuff. Accuracy is actually more desireable than capacity.

 

[scarecrow]

I need it to cut round, box, angle etc. Some solid alu for my milling machine, but that's about it. I don't need any huge stuff. Accuracy is actually more desireable than capacity.

Accuracy can be a problem with a cheap saw some of them take a little bit of tweaking and some a lot of tweaking to get accurate the fixed arm saw is probably easier to get accurate on 90 degree cut as you can just shim the vice with the swing over you need to get the arm dropping straight I even had to grind mine to achieve this now it cuts to within .5 Of a mm on the vertical cut and 90 degree on horizontal cut when cutting the 2 in. piece of box which is fine for me

 

[Sanny]

Guys, I really appreciate your input. So far, that's 1 vote for a Sealey that's bigger than the one I initially listed, then 3 votes for the Axminster CMB115 and a whopping 5 for the Clarke. That's invaluable input, fellas! Biiiig thanks!
I also had a look the Engineers Tool Room site that Luke posted and I found this:
http://www.engineerstoolroom.co.uk/bandsaws.htm



I don't know if that price is inc or ex VAT. If if it's ex VAT it'd be cheap at £159.85. Any thoughts on this one?

Once, again, I really appreciate your input, guys!

I have this band saw. Works very well... but it is slow when cutting solid bar so if you have plenty of time on your hands it's a great saw all the stuff here and much more has been cut using this saw. The only problem that I'm having with it now is getting decent blades for it since dragon saws has ceased trading.
pic


Cheers

Sandy

 

[TheJoker]

Accuracy can be a problem with a cheap saw some of them take a little bit of tweaking and some a lot of tweaking to get accurate the fixed arm saw is probably easier to get accurate on 90 degree cut as you can just shim the vice with the swing over you need to get the arm dropping straight I even had to grind mine to achieve this now it cuts to within .5 Of a mm on the vertical cut and 90 degree on horizontal cut when cutting the 2 in. piece of box which is fine for me

Much appreciated, scarecrow! I don't mind tinkering a bit with setting it up. In fact, I think that's just "how you do things".

 

[TheJoker]

I have this band saw. Works very well... but it is slow when cutting solid bar so if you have plenty of time on your hands it's a great saw all the stuff here and much more has been cut using this saw. The only problem that I'm having with it now is getting decent blades for it since dragon saws has ceased trading.
pic

WOW! Thanks for that Sandy! Just when I thought I had it all figured out! Hahahah!! Along comes one more alternative to consider!

 

[TheJoker]

Been checking out eBay etc, and there was a nice Axminster bandsaw, not far from me, that finished yesterday, but it ended up costing a bit too much to be an "eBay bargain". There's a few finishing in the few days to come. However, there's no guarantee they'll go for an "eBay bargain".
I'm therefore currently leaning towards the Axminster MCB100A Compact Bandsaw, which is £225, which is a bit more I'd like to spend. I guess you can't have portability, quality and low price in one package.
Anyone know if Axminster give discounts if you whine a bit..?!
Would have loved to go there today and pick it up.

 

[wyn]

I used to have a similar sized saw made by clarke.

It was nice and portable and easy to stick out of the way somewhere when not in use. It could handle 2" x 4" aluminium bar (about it's max really) and 3" round if i remember ( might have to have turned it to cut right through).

From what i remember i only stopped using it because of poor quality blades. Chucked it away now i'm affraid,

 

[TheJoker]

Thanks Wyn! Appreciated!

I guess mostly I'll be cutting box (and round section). Not very thick stuff either. It'll just be for holders, stands, shelving, and such things around the house, garage, for the motorbikes and the car, etc. Probably quite thin-walled stuff too.