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A good quality bandsaw is often the most useful and most frequently used machine in any workshop, with a wide range of key benefits.
The Fence Can be Used for Accurate, Straight Cuts
Create a Wide Variety of Curved Work
Tilting the Table Gives Even More Options
Jigs and wider applications
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The capacity to footprint ratio is exceptional for most bandsaws:
Bandsaws are generally one of the most enjoyable machines to work with because:
A good bandsaw is tremendous value for money, not only because of their versatility but if you compare the price of a bandsaw to a similar level of quality, features and performance found in, for example, a table saw, you will quickly see they are a fraction of the price of comparable levels of other machines.
Key Aspects of Bandsaw Construction
The bandsaw’s construction has a major bearing on its longevity, accuracy and reliability. Shown here are the key aspects to consider when purchasing any bandsaw and how Record Power compares with the competition at similar price points.
The frame must be capable of withstanding the stresses created by the blade tensioning system. A weak frame can distort and cause the band wheel boxes to pull together, ruining the machine.
Record Power Bandsaws
On our larger machines, the frames are folded and welded from thick sheet steel and designed with a wide ridged spine for extra rigidity. This is critical on the more heavy-duty machines. The band wheel boxes are fabricated with additional webbing to increase rigidity and strength.
Other Bandsaws
Even on large capacity machines, many of our competitors weld band wheel boxes to a piece of standard rolled hollow box section for the spine. This option is suitable only for small benchtop machines and simply does not have the adequate strength and rigidity for use on larger machines.
Band wheels are the drive mechanism for the blade. For a quiet and smooth cutting performance it is important that wheels are well balanced. For accurate blade tracking good quality tyres must also be fitted.
Record Power Bandsaws
All our larger bandsaws (BS300E upwards) have strong, heavy cast iron band wheels to increase the flywheel effect. They are dynamically balanced and have thick rubber tyres for easy tracking and longevity. This is essential on larger machines to ensure they can withstand the tensioning forces of larger blades and the rigours of heavier use.
Other Bandsaws
Many of our competitors use lightweight alloy wheels. This is suitable for small bandsaws but does not give enough strength to larger machines, therefore compromising their performance.
The purpose of the blade guides is to prevent the blade from twisting whilst cutting. Guides will need re-adjusting whenever different blade widths are fitted and often require tweaking even when the same width blade is used, so ease of adjustment, good access and clear views are beneficial. Good support over a wide surface area will provide the most accurate results.
Record Power Bandsaws
All Record Power bandsaws feature easy to adjust guide systems which give more than enough support relative to the size of machine. The SABRE-250, SABRE-350 and SABRE-450 in particular offer a quick and simple solution for easy tool-free adjustment.
Other Bandsaws
Many of our competitors use lighter duty springs and top slides that simply will not provide adequate tension on their larger bandsaws, particularly on wider blades. Their wheels may be able to take wide blades but without enough tension they will not be able to cut accurately.
A critical factor for accurate straight cutting. Even a good quality blade will perform poorly under inadequate tension. The springs and slide mechanisms in the top band wheel box need to be strong enough to apply pressures up to 20,000 psi and the frame of the machine needs to be strong and rigid enough to not distort under those pressures.
Record Power Bandsaws
Our tensioning systems vary throughout the range, each designed carefully and specifically to provide ample tensioning ability for the machine. The SABRE-350 and SABRE-450 in particular, feature strong sprung systems with top slides and cam-action tension release.
Other Bandsaws
Many of our competitors use lighter duty springs and top slides that simply will not provide adequate tension on their larger bandsaws, particularly on wider blades. Their wheels may be able to take wide blades but without enough tension they will not be able to cut accurately.
A rigid fence is essential for accurate straight cuts. It is also important that the fence or fence mount can be adjusted to ensure squareness to the table and blade.
Record Power Bandsaws
The fences on our larger bandsaws (BS300E and upwards) feature deep extrusions mounted securely to the tables on solid steel bars with steel and cast fence clamps. The aluminium extrusions found on the smaller BS250 and SABRE-250 machines are an excellent solution for machines of their capacities, providing plenty of support.
Other Bandsaws
Most of our competitors use aluminium extrusions for the fences and rail mounts, even on very large capacity bandsaws. Whilst this does keep costs down a little, it compromises performance of the machines and is inadequate for their capacity.
A good quality motor with plenty of power is essential. The more deep cutting you intend to do, the more power you will require.
Record Power Bandsaws
Record Power motors are designed to provide ample power for the capacities of the machines and are the fan-ventilated, quiet induction type. We always state the input and output ratings clearly, yet most of our competitors only quote the input rating as the motor power.
Other Bandsaws
Many of our competitors use under-powered motors for their bandsaws, giving poor performance and reducing motor life. Motor input powers only are usually stated, so to get an accurate comparison between brands, be sure to know the output rating too, which shows the true power of the machine.
The table is the support and working area of the bandsaw. Along with the rip fence it is also the datum from which many cuts will be taken so a level and strong surface is clearly a great advantage. It is also important that the table can be set accurately at 90º to the blade so a solid table mount with good adjustment is a great benefit.
Record Power Bandsaws
Large and heavy for maximum support, our high-quality cast grey iron tables are finely ground to a polished finish to minimise friction, and the premium range have mitre slots on either side of the blade to enable a wide variety of angles to be cut with ease. The premium range trunnions are a one-piece, double-sided casting for rigidity and feature a rack and pinion table tilt to make accurate angles easy to achieve - even one-handed. The trunnion sits on a plate on the top of the bottom band wheel box and features jacking screws to make accurate levelling an easy task.
Other Bandsaws
Many of our competitors use smaller tables with roughly machined surfaces that can impede the progress of the workpiece. Most have only one mitre slot to the right of the blade, making mitres on wide work-pieces impossible to achieve and most do not have rack and pinion tilt mechanisms, so must be tilted by hand. This can be difficult to do accurately on larger machines with heavier tables and you often get movement just as you try to nip it in position whilst only supporting it by hand.
It is the most useful: with a fence it cuts accurately straight, resaws large timber, cuts veneers, shapes, circles and bowl blanks, and makes durable joints.
Bevel cuts accurately at the angle you want.
The frame, the wheels, the blade guides, the blade tensioner, the fence, the motor and the table. Those seven points are worth going through when comparing machines.
Many competitors use smaller tables with a rougher surface, which makes moving the workpiece harder, and most have only one fence slot to the right of the blade. The tilt mechanism rarely works through a gear.
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