Can't find that designation on the Chester web site. Could you post a link to make it easier to see the one you're on about?

found it. Here:-https://shop.chesterhobbystore.com/products/h80-swivel-arm-bandsaw

Think long and hard about whether the capacity is going to be enough for you over the next ten years or so. If it will, then get it, if it might not, then keep searching for an acceptable price on a larger saw.

I started with a collection of hacksaws, got a good price on an Axminster 6"x4" Chinee bandsaw and now sometimes curse the 7"x12" saw for being too small. But for stuff that's only 25mm across, often use the hacksaw, just for the exercise.

If you do go for that one (and the price does seem to be good compared with the other sizes on offer at the moment), you can improve it by doing some woodwork or metalwork and replacing the stand with a cupboard, Thus getting more use out of the space.

Edited By Mark Rand on 04/09/2018 01:36:27

Edited By Mark Rand on 04/09/2018 01:43:18

I have an H80 – for price it is fine – limit is about 100mm max dimension – there are several mods to make more convenient eg small sub vice to hold smaller items than possible with the built in vice.

Works well for mild steel, ali, brass – not stainless steel I suspect (I use a small angle grinder in a frame for this)

throw the stand away tho

Edited By Frances IoM on 04/09/2018 08:20:00

Weld decent steel fillets at the bottom of the legs, drill them and add castors.

Best mod I ever did to mine!

Neil

Hi Rainbows,

I bought a bandsaw from Chester many moons ago,just been out to check it.

It,s a model 128 with a crummy stand,worse than your type !

It cuts 128 round,115×150 square, motor 1/3rd HP.

First job I did with it was to cut up 2×1 box tube to make a proper stand,on wheels. Later on I fitted a cooling system,using a pump from an old washing machine. Works a dream !

Over the years,I have cut up 6×4 RSJ,4" round and everything inbtween,with no problem,and yes,a bimetal blade makes a big difference.

I seem to remember that I paid about £150 at the time [long time ago ],but I regard it as money well spent,even with the crummy stand ![seemed to be made from left over bean tins ]

With a good stand,it will be a pleasure to use,and a great time saver,to say nothing of the elbow grease.

Remove the totally pointless plate screwed to the fixed jaw, and screw the patterned side of it to the moveable jaw so it line sup with the fixed jaw.

Problem solved, no more marking of stock by that coarse diamone pattern, plus an extra 1/4" of capacity!

Neil