What bandsaw?

[juco]

Older guy who likes DIY but just ok with woodwork, most power tools I have are bottom end.
Would like to get a band-saw, never had one but would make life easier although wont be used much.
Probably would need a capacity to cut 4 inch wood and a budget of max £200.
I dont have a workshop just a 8x6 shed with a covered area adjoining it where I do most of my work (outdoors)

I find with so many models it is confusing to decide what is best for my circumstances.
Any guidance would be appreciated. I know bigger is better but I will be limited on budget.

Thoughts?

[Rorschach]

Axminster do some really good bandsaws, I really like mine, it's this one, but I bought mine about 5 years ago. Bit beyond your budget but a very capable saw.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ho ... saw-508205

They have a new hobby model out which looks excellent for the money, a lot of features that you usually only see on much bigger machines such as a cast iron table. Under budget, but cut depth is only 80mm.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ho ... saw-102266

[juco]

Thanks for replying Rorschach.

Yes that model is within budget and I may have to settle for an 80mm cut depth, weight wise is good as well as I will need to lift and use outdoors when required so dont want a too heavy a model.. I wont be purchasing until mid/late September so will see what else turns up but will use that as default model until then.

Thanks

[Retired]

Hi,

Just to throw you off track a bit; any bandsaw takes up space and if you position it in a corner then this limits it's ripping capacity a great deal; bandsaws also create a dust cloud so given your small workshop this would be a major problem; adding dust extraction only adds to the problem of limited space.

Over the years I've owned a number of bandsaws from home made out of wood right up to industrial models like a Startrite Volant 24" 10 speed with on-board blade cutter/welder/grinder. At the moment I have a lovely Wilmac occupying little bench space whilst affording a 12" throat and 6" depth of cut but even this Wilmac takes up space and creates a dust cloud although I'm about to connect to one of my dust extractors.

Have you considered buying a decent jigsaw; my Makita has a good cutting depth of I think around 120mm. It takes up little space and will also cut metal with the correct blade installed. Unlike a bandsaw the jigsaw will also cut internally.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/makita-4350ct ... _container

Just my thoughts but good luck upon your decision; a bandsaw is a very useful bit of kit if you have the space and extraction for it.

Kind regards, Col.

[M1ke_a]

Retired is spot on with how much space bandsaws need.

I can definitely recommend a machine trolley for moving kit around though of course you do need flat surfaces for these to work properly.

[dewaltdisney]

I have a similar one to the second one that Rorschach recommended above. Mine is a Delta and it is fairly easy to shift around at around 20kg. I stick mine in a corner and pull it out when necessary. I use my bandsaw mostly for cutting tenons as it is quick and accurate once you get set up with a jig. I also use it for cutting veneer strips for edging and the like. I never use it for anything big as I use my table saw for that. I never cut curves as this buggers the blades and they never cut straight again. I hate my jigsaw with a passion and I only ever use it for rough cuts, it is probably the tool I use the least.

DWD

[juco]

Thanks for all the replies, some useful tips.
I am not too bothered about space as virtually everything DIY I do is outdoors, I have a couple of workmate benches which I set up outdoors for using chop saw etc and the same would apply for a band saw.
I suppose though weight could become an issue for hauling in/out of shed so probably around 20 kilo would be best.