New bandsaw, any recommendations?

jack of all

I'd love to get myself a bandsaw this year, budget and missus permitting. Just been doing a little research online but not sure what machines I should be looking at. I've very, very limited experience of using a bandsaw to date but I think I could find the use for one. The two machines that I like the look of are Scheppach Basato 3 or 4, which are in my price range (€600- 1000 max). I've used an older Scheppach planer/ thicknesser so I know the build quality on those older machines was good, not so sure about the newer stuff though as it all seems to be of China origin. I like the deeper 205mm throat capacity on the Basato 4 so that is probably what I'm inclined to go for. Anyone here any experience of these machines or recommend something within my price range?

Double Barrel

Jack
No experience with Scheppach but a friend has a Starlite of which he has good things to say.

http://www.startrite.co.uk/index.php?section=product&seq=948&cat=96&sef=Trade%20Range%20Bandsaws

Double Barrel

What is it exactly that you would like your bandsaw to be able to do?
Rip, hardwood, softwood?..... rip 8/4 or thicker stock?
Resaw?

jack of all

I'd say Startrite might be out of my budget range, unfortunately, and I don't know enough about bandsaws to be able to buy second hand with confidence . As for use, I'd like to have the capacity for resawing, up to 6-8",mostly softwood but I think I'd like to be able to recycle hardwoods, so I wouldn't like to rule out hardwoods altogether. I am a complete amateur by the way but I do like quality and will spend money on good gear if I feel the quality justifies the cost.

recipio

jack of all wrote: »

I'd say Startrite might be out of my budget range, unfortunately, and I don't know enough about bandsaws to be able to buy second hand with confidence . As for use, I'd like to have the capacity for resawing, up to 6-8",mostly softwood but I think I'd like to be able to recycle hardwoods, so I wouldn't like to rule out hardwoods altogether. I am a complete amateur by the way but I do like quality and will spend money on good gear if I feel the quality justifies the cost.

:rolleyes: If you really want to re-saw 8" wood then you need at a 3hp motor at least.
I have two bandsaws- one with a 2hp motor which is ok cutting up to 2" of wood.It will struggle with anything over that. I now have a fine blade on it and use it for cutting thin materials.
I recently bought a Hammer N4400 with a 4hp motor and what a difference !It will re-saw 8" almost as fast as a table saw.
Bandsaws are about power - just be aware of their limitations.
Incidentially you can re-saw on a table saw making two cuts. Use a thin kerf blade and flip the board end to end ( keeping the same side to the fence ) If you have a small join left in the middle of the board the bandsaw will take it out.

Double Barrel

"Bandsaws are about power"
Smaller and less exp. brother of the 502:
http://www.startrite.co.uk/index.php?section=product&seq=947&cat=96&sef=Trade%20Range%20Bandsaw

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten." --Ben Franklin

jackmachine

I am not using Scheppach bandsaw . Are you open with another names of saws? In looking for band saw, for resawing , 14" band saw would be a good choice.

recipio

jackmachine wrote: »

I am not using Scheppach bandsaw . Are you open with another names of saws? In looking for band saw, for resawing , 14" band saw would be a good choice.

:rolleyes: As above, get the most powerful saw you can afford. I went with the Hammer N4400 as it is the only 4hp single phase saw available.Not cheap but fit for purpose.

Carpenter

I have an old 1 that will rip 4x4 teak if your into it

jack of all

Thanks for all the replies, been away for a bit. As you've guessed I'm not up to speed with the capabilities of the bandsaw and power requirements etc. I thought throat depth gave some indication of cutting depth but I had overlooked motor size somewhat, thought I'd be ok with 1 hp or thereabouts. Think I'll limit my resaw options to 6" in softwood. Looks like Startrite might be a better option for me but looks like I'll be saving for a little while longer. I'm not really keen on resawing on the circular saw enough though I do have access to an good old SCM machine it can be a struggle to rip down material. Thanks for all the feedback.

Double Barrel

Jack,
Check your PM's/

Double Barrel

The Hammer N4400 is a sweet machine.:cool:

recipio

jack of all wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, been away for a bit. As you've guessed I'm not up to speed with the capabilities of the bandsaw and power requirements etc. I thought throat depth gave some indication of cutting depth but I had overlooked motor size somewhat, thought I'd be ok with 1 hp or thereabouts. Think I'll limit my resaw options to 6" in softwood. Looks like Startrite might be a better option for me but looks like I'll be saving for a little while longer. I'm not really keen on resawing on the circular saw enough though I do have access to an good old SCM machine it can be a struggle to rip down material. Thanks for all the feedback.

Just to be aware that brand name really means nothing.Many older British makers have machinery made in the far east and re-brand them with their name as customers tend to be brand loyal. Even Scheppach have their cast iron tables made in China.
Look at the specs and then decide.