Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi folks,
i've finally saved up the money for a new bandsaw for resawing, I think I'll probably get this one:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/sessionID/TE ... 780619.htm


You europeans here, have you tried axminsters bandsaws? Are they good quality? Compared to Felder or ACM they seem pretty nice value. Last year I got an edge sander from them and it is really really nice, so if this one is of similar quality I think I will be very happy.

So, thing is, the main reason im getting this saw is to resaw about 200 board feet(if the converter program is right, its about 1/2 cubic meter) of brw in various quality. Ive been looking around in the archives for carbide tipped blades, and the battle seems to be between the Laguna resaw king and the Lenox Tri-master or woodslicer CT. Seems to be a debate if the Laguna is solid carbide tips or not. Which blade would you recommend? I will probably get the Laguna Driftmaster fence which makes me lean towards the resaw king to save shipping(to sweden) but If the Lenox is much better so... Whats your experiences? The planks are about 1 1/4'' thick so id really like to get six slices if possible.

I would be very thankful for any thoughts.
Best,
Lars

Hi Lars,

When i first set up my shop, i bought a lot of Axminster machines, I would say that at the time the were attractive to me because of the keen pricing.
however i have ended up replacing almost all of them with more substantial machines, i have also had issues with a number of there products, especially one compressor which burned out its motor 4 times!!

My advice would be that if you can stretch your budget just a little more you can get a proper industrial quality machine, such as the Centauro CO 600, or look for a used Wadkin, an older Startrite.

I have the Centauro CO 600, which i have the Laguna Ceramic guides on, and it works great for resawing. I have also used the Lenox blades, and the Simonds Red Streak Carbide blades. The Carbide blades are great, but i get almost as clean a cut and length of life from the Hakansson M42 Bimetal blades in the 3/4 variable tooth pitch, these blades cost roughly a third of the price of the Carbide toothed equivalents.

Anyway, the final decision as always is with you, but that is my 2 cents worth.

have fun

Paddy

Hej Lars. I have an ACM and its a great machine, Do check out "Sernbrandt" http://www.sernbrandt.se/they are resalers to ACM , and they usually have lots of used machines in store to !. They suggested me to the ACM and said to keep away from the "Chineese" machines. as you get what you pay for. .

Lars 2.

Lars,
I live in the US but I own a Meber 500 (Italian) bandsaw. I have not done any resawing yet, but I plan on it. Finding a decent blade can be difficult. My saw looks a lot like yours. I have a foot brake on mine, but rarely use it. It's very well made. My brother paid $3600 for it at a woodworking show in 1999. I bought it from him when he retired for $1000. I think the European saws are probably the best you can buy. Most of the American companys are having them made in Taiwan or China.
Mike R.

Thank you very much folks!! Looks like we wont get the axminster after all, its like $4000 with shipping and all, so... Weve looked into the Felder line, they have a really nice used (demo) Hammer N4400, seems its gotten really good reviews online. Its 4hp, 18'', and seems solid. at a third of the price for the axminster too. Also, if it wont work and we decide to sell we will get our money back.

Lars 2 , we've looked into the ACM line, they seem really well built, but their motors are way to weak. To get a 4hp we'd have to cash up like $7000. Ouch.

Will take a look at the Centauro and Meber, too. Thanks!

The Hammer N440 is the same line as the ACM only difference is where its sold Hammer and Felder is USA models of ACM-Italy i think.
So the Hammer is a great choice I think. I think Sernbranths have a few used hammer or felder in stock to.

Lars.

Yes, looked into it, and youre right, ACM makes the hammers and felders, as well as the Laguna saws. It looks like Ill get the Hammer N4400, and also a driftmaster fence and a set of ceramic guides. And some Lenox Trimaster and KerfMaster blades too

Well let you guys know how it cuts.

Thanks!

Hei Lars, have you considered buying used? You can get saws of all types, sizes, vintages and manufacturers from various places all over Europe. Here is a link to a register of mostly industrial size machines in many European countries, including Sweden.

http://www.e-imr.com/FrontPageFrameset.html

I like older, industrial machines. I have a 600 mm cast iron Centaur band saw (2,2 kW / 3 phase motor), my cabinet saw (which I bought from Lindlarsen in Denmark, through the register above) and jointer are both vintage Wadkin machines... For one thing, you can often get them for a fraction of the price of a similar new machine, and many of them are really well made to begin with. The caveat is that you have to be willing to tinker and give them the necessary TLC in order to perform up to their potential, so you have to figure in how much your time is worth to you, and if this is something you would enjoy doing. They are also usually 3 phase, if that is an issue. Anyways, after getting my band saw some new Carter tires and setting it up as outlined in “The Band Saw Book” and various online instructions, it resaws wonderfully. It’s not something I do often, and certainly never BRW (gawd, I wish I had your 'problems'!), so I only use regular steel blades. I’ve been pretty happy with Timberwolf (Swedish steel, you know), but they dull faster than carbide, of course.

_________________
Rian Gitar og Mandolin

What EVER saw you buy, increase your potential with an excellent fence system and an excellent blade. Those two items can take a well tuned but inexpensive bandsaw to much higher levels of performance.

I use the Driftmaster fence and resaw king blade (both Laguna products). Yes, Its new to me, but I can say that all of my experimentation has proved my investment was worth the dollars. The Kreg system looks good too. But I have no experience with it.

Mike

Thanks boys.
Arnt, thanks for the link, fantastic!

Mike, will shure do Good guides and blades, yeah! And that Driftmaster seems pretty nice..