New Bandsaw Gloat

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

Been umming and aahing over one of these for a year or two, finally decided life was too short and took the plunge…….what a piece of kit !

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Just checked the price – I think I'll "Ummm" and "Ahhhh" for a bit longer Alan.

IanT

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Oooh!

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

Posted by IanT on 16/01/2019 17:29:56:

Just checked the price – I think I'll "Ummm" and "Ahhhh" for a bit longer Alan.

IanT

Granted, budget option they are not, but i weighed up the cost against the frustration and wasted time iv'e had faffing about with cheapo's in the past and thought sod it……..plus it's so compact and lightweight, it won't take up valuable real estate in my already cramped workshop.

[Adrian 2Participant @adrian2]

That looks the business Alan, really compact with a good capacity. How noisy is it? Can you liken the sound to something?

Regards Adrian.

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by Adrian 2 on 16/01/2019 18:51:24:

How noisy is it? Can you liken the sound to something?

Regards Adrian.

A bandsaw?

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

Posted by Adrian 2 on 16/01/2019 18:51:24:

That looks the business Alan, really compact with a good capacity. How noisy is it? Can you liken the sound to something?

Regards Adrian.

Iv'e only done the one test cut Adrian, a piece of 316 stainless. The speed is variable, and it has a chart with suggested speeds and feeds for different materials. So i had it set at the recommended speed of 3.5 and it was very quiet.

Top speed is 6 and i guess would be a bit noisier if set to that, but it's nothing like the racket my old belt drive Axminster used to make. More of a gentle whine.

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

A very nice machine, my old Rapidor is still plodding along but while I should just leave it to get on with the job I find myself just watching it so it probably wastes as much time as it saves.

Mike

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

Posted by Mike Poole on 16/01/2019 19:23:48:

A very nice machine, my old Rapidor is still plodding along but while I should just leave it to get on with the job I find myself just watching it so it probably wastes as much time as it saves.

Mike

Ahh the hypnotic throb of a donkey saw, takes me back to being an apprentice……..we used to put a full bundle of 1/2 round bar in at a time and tack weld all the ends together…..then have a brew while it chewed through the lot.

[Adrian 2Participant @adrian2]

Thanks Alan, I like 'sound' of that.

Adrian.

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

I've just replaced the motor, belt and a few tweaks on my old power Bandsaw its now as noisy as a low whine also

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

I bought a one of the previous designs of the bandsaw about 4 years ago. One of the best workshop acquisitions that I have made. Originaly sold for about $250 but recent prices have escalated. (search the web for best price).

Quiet operation and light weight, (carry with one hand). Cuts a piece of 75x8mm steel angle in 2 minutes.

The round tube is filled with bees wax for lubricating the blade prior to cutting. My saw stand is not as sophisticated as yours Alan. (another one of those roundtuit projects to make a better one).

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

Posted by Paul Lousick on 16/01/2019 20:40:06:

I bought a one of the previous designs of the bandsaw about 4 years ago. One of the best workshop acquisitions that I have made. Originaly sold for about $250 but recent prices have escalated. (search the web for best price).

Quiet operation and light weight, (carry with one hand). Cuts a piece of 75x8mm steel angle in 2 minutes.

The round tube is filled with bees wax for lubricating the blade prior to cutting. My saw stand is not as sophisticated as yours Alan. (another one of those roundtuit projects to make a better one).

Good to hear you have been pleased with it Paul, and that it’s still going strong. Proper bargain at $250……wish they were still available at that price.

[ChrisBParticipant @chrisb35596]

 

Posted by David Standing 1 on 16/01/2019 19:13:59:

Posted by Adrian 2 on 16/01/2019 18:51:24:

How noisy is it? Can you liken the sound to something?

Regards Adrian.

 

A bandsaw?

 

Fast forward to 2:20 to hear it working: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv-G-Dcf3F8

If it's the same machine as in this video I'd say it's "ok", but I've seen quieter bandsaws.

Does it take cutting oil? I mean are the pulleys rubber coated?

Edited By ChrisB on 16/01/2019 21:03:53

Edited By ChrisB on 16/01/2019 21:04:10

[Philip PowellParticipant @philippowell34749]

I bought a Femi bandsaw last year, it's brilliant. Does exactly what it says on the tin, also it's so compact I just get from under the bench cut what I need then put it out the way again. Came with a free spare bkade as well, not cheap but very good. Wouldn't be without it.

Phil.

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

Posted by ChrisB on 16/01/2019 21:03:05:

Posted by David Standing 1 on 16/01/2019 19:13:59:

Posted by Adrian 2 on 16/01/2019 18:51:24:

How noisy is it? Can you liken the sound to something?

Regards Adrian.

A bandsaw?

Fast forward to 2:20 to hear it working:

**LINK**

If it's the same machine as in this video I'd say it's "ok", but I've seen quieter bandsaws.

Does it take cutting oil? I mean are the pulleys rubber coated?

Edited By ChrisB on 16/01/2019 21:03:53

Edited By ChrisB on 16/01/2019 21:04:10

Not been inside yet so can’t answer regarding the pulleys, however afaik it’s designed to cut dry, the blade also runs in the opposite direction to every other bandsaw iv’e had.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Noise depends on what you are cutting. Thin material that can flex will vibrate and make noise. This also depends on how you are holding it. Thin plate (or angle) held square to the vice jaw is noisy. Hold it at an angle and it is does not vibrate as much. Cutting thick plate or solid round is quiet.

The drive wheel on mine is rubber coated and will slip if oily. The bees wax which I use for lubrication is OK (bought it from a bandsaw blade supplier)

Paul.

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

mine hasnt seen the light of day since I bought a very worn Manchester donkey saw – best buy ever, tries to walk across the workshop floor but will cut through anything and blade lasts forever

[Pete WhiteParticipant @petewhite15172]

Nice bit of kit there, sod the expense. Had a quick look for price and got bored, but just remember lads that £750 will barely get you a week in a residential care home. So might as well spend the money and enjoy.

That said I fettled up my old Manchester only yesterday. lol

They do tend to walk about a little as mentioned. My old Rapidor didn't do that, might have been because it was about five times as heavy lol

Edited By Pete White on 17/01/2019 08:49:40

Edited By Pete White on 17/01/2019 08:53:11

[Douglas JohnstonParticipant @douglasjohnston98463]

Posted by Pete White on 17/01/2019 08:45:30:

Nice bit of kit there, sod the expense. Had a quick look for price and got bored, but just remember lads that £750 will barely get you a week in a residential care home. So might as well spend the money and enjoy.

What a wonderful way of justifying workshop expense, I will remember that next time I want something expensive.

Doug

[egaParticipant @ega]

Posted by ChrisB on 16/01/2019 21:03:05:

Fast forward to 2:20 to hear it working:

**LINK**

One reason the bandsaw in the clip seems rather noisy is that the workpiece is in the "wrong" position in the vice; when the blade reaches the vertical leg of the angle being cut the noise increases along with the danger of stripping teeth from the blade.

[ChrisBParticipant @chrisb35596]

Nah, I'm not referring to the noise while cutting – you're right there, listen to it when it starts before cutting, and after the cut is done, it almost sounds like a food processor!

Probably it's the way it's recorded which makes it sound that way. I got a Nebes TM101, a similar but lower specced machine. Italian made just like the Femi… but it is so much quieter, it will also run with cutting oil. I wish it had an automatic stop and a power feed like this Femi tho!

[J BENNETT 1Participant @jbennett1]

Looking at a suppliers web site (Stakesy's) I notice that Femi produce a wide range of portable bandsaws, starting from £299. Clearly they have less features but are they equally as good at basic cutting as the more expensive models. Given the limited amount of cutting I do I could not justify the more expensive models but might consider one of the basic models.

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

Posted by J BENNETT 1 on 17/01/2019 13:25:55:

 

Looking at a suppliers web site (Stakesy's) I notice that Femi produce a wide range of portable bandsaws, starting from £299. Clearly they have less features but are they equally as good at basic cutting as the more expensive models. Given the limited amount of cutting I do I could not justify the more expensive models but might consider one of the basic models.

From the research i did prior to purchase, yes they are all good. When i first came across Femi no one in the UK was selling them, you had to import yourself, so was pleased when Stakesy’s started to stock them. Decent prices too.

I think the only real difference with the cheaper models, aside from the obvious like smaller cut capacity and lack of auto downfeed, is the blade runs the conventional way. Not sure what the advantage of a reverse cutting action is, or if there is indeed any advantage, but the more expensive ones run like that.

One slight disadvantage of the reverse blade direction is you cant fit a vertical table, which is an option on at least one of the cheaper models.

 

Edited By Alan Waddington 2 on 17/01/2019 13:51:54

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