£80 Bandsaw vs £200 bandsaw
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- Опубликовано: 4 янв 2018
- Hi everyone! In this (slightly longer) video I compare my cheap little Aldi bandsaw to a ‘premium’ bandsaw of the same size and capacity, as I was curious to see what the differences were, and if it was worth spending nearly three times the as much on a bandsaw this size. Enjoy!
Previous bandsaw videos:-
Cheap bandsaw, worthwhile or just a waste? - • Cheap Bandsaw - worthw...
Aldi bandsaw max capacity rip in Oak - • Aldi Bandsaw max. capa...
Bandsaw onsite, a surprising success - • Bandsaw onsite - a sur...
Axminster BS200 manual - goo.gl/RAcr2B
Aldi bandsaw: Currently out of stock, these are stocked as a 'special buy' item, so you need to keep an eye on the Aldi website to see when they're next available:- goo.gl/BpaVhN
Replacement blade - amzn.to/2qqIrOz (US:amzn.to/2rpC7Vy)
Axminster bandsaw - goo.gl/eMkB4k
Scheppach bandsaw - goo.gl/HI8kAI
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Used/featured in this video:-
Festool Midi extractor - amzn.to/2tCIN3Q (US: amzn.to/2rKNIOx)
Aldi bandsaw - goo.gl/BpaVhN
Axminster bandsaw - goo.gl/eMkB4k
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really good and informative video, deffo helped inform my buying decision! Just getting into woodworking and your guides on what you actually get for an extra couple of quid are invaluable for a novice - appreciate the help and keep the content coming.
Thanks! 👍👍
I always appreciate tool comparisons. Thx. It's a little different here in the states on models, but your info helps a lot to make the right choice for your needs.
Thanks Steve! 👍
wow - i'm just so impressed with the honest and quality of your reviews - thanks for giving metric measurements as well
Thanks! 👍👍
Great video as always Peter. Being someone that is new to woodwork I find all your videos very helpful :) keep it up
Thank you, and welcome! 👍
As someone about to invest in their first bandsaw, this video is really helpful, thank you Peter.
Cheers for the honest appraisal. My shop is a few more steps closer and this really helps on where to concentrate scant resources. I know I would be frustrated by the wibbly wobbly so a few less pies for me and a bit more carpet...
Glad it helped 👍
Great vlog on this subject, very well presented. Thanks for your time.
Thanks Peter 👍
Like you, when I first felt the need for a bandsaw I bought a cheap local Burgess which had no on/off switch! plug it in and it ran. An aftermarket NVR switch made things a little safer. I upgraded to the Aldi and for the price I think it's a great little saw. For me it matches anything up to £200. I wore out my Aldi saw after about 2 years of light commercial use, using it to supplement my big Dewalt Bandsaw. At one point I thought about having 2 Aldi saws each with a different blade to save changing. At hobby / light use level this is easily your best bang for your buck. Simple straight cuts if you don't force it and work within it's quite impressive capacity again for the price.
Nice video and thanks for sharing the manual
Another great video honest and very well explained you pick up on some good points thanks for sharing Peter.PS I'm pleased you have decided to carry on with U tube best regards Shaun 😀
Cheers Shaun👍
It would seem that on both sides of the pond brand name might effect tool prices more than the features we are looking for. Great video as always. Like others on here I'm pretty new to woodworking. I started around the same time you started the channel and your videos have been quite helpful on my projects along the way. Keep up the good work. Cheers.
Thanks Lucas, hope it’s going well! 👍
I usually buy Dewalt but looking for a cheap bandsaw. Both Aldi and Lidl have sales, which I keep missing, only to find them on Ebay for £20+ extra. Excellent video, thank you
Thanks for the useful videos on the Aldi. I found one on offer in my local Aldi today for £55! Almost rivals in value the heavy duty SDS drill I got last year for £20. When they have only one or two left they drop the price to move them on.
Thanks! And great find - they’re a bargain at £80, £55’s a steal! 👍👍
Ok it appears i'm the guy the blames his tools and i need to have strong words with myself. I've been having immense difficulties lining the top wheel up so the blade doesn't run off and the best i managed was the blade in the centre on the top but on the bottom wheel the blade was overhanging the front of the wheel. I put an extra washer on the bottom wheel to bring it out a bit and it worked for a month but now after using it again i broke the blade and discovered the blade had made a few mili groove in the bottom bearing which was the cause of it snapping. I turned the bearing around and got it working but within an hour, with very little force and being very gentle with it i managed to snap my last two blades :(
Glad i found this channel and will explore to see if you mention the tension i should be using as i can only think this is where i'm going wrong. Thanks Peter!
It does help.
What do you want to do?
What can you do?
Do you have the space?
These three questions are very important for every tool user.
Thank you from the time vault.
Great comparison. Not always the more expensive is that much better to validate the price.
👍 Depends in usage, of course...
Great little video, and I've just taken delivery of the Axminster,great little bandsaw
Thanks! Yep, it’s a great small saw 👍
nice video Peter. I myself started with a sheppach from screwfix and with that i built the one from Matthias Wandel by buying his plans, the saw is a great project for anyone either trade or sunday wood worker and has very large cutting capacities , a bandsaw is a very handy machine to have around and good substitute for a table saw if space is at a premium,cheers Ross
Thanks Ross! Sounds like quite the project 👍
A nicely considered comparison. Thank you.
Thanks! 👍
Thanks for the video I am really enjoying these comparison videos :D always wanted a bandsaw but never got around to getting one yet :( maybe in the near future keep up the good content :D
Thanks! 👍
You got to love a guy who plops a 80$ bandsaw down on a bench surrounded by wildly over priced festool products . Peter here is kind of like a power tool Paul sellers ( who speaks highly of Aldi chisel sets ) . Both appear to only be concerned with if the tool does the job they need to too . I have tremendous respect for both these gents
😂😂 ‘..a power tool Paul Sellers’ - what an honour that is, thank you! As for ‘overpriced Festool’ I’d say that depends on your expectations. I love a cheap tool, me, but every Festool I have is still working, even after years of hard daily commercial use. I used my first midi extractor and RTS400 sander recently doing work on my daughters new place - combined ages of 28, same as my daughter. Expensive at the time, certainly, but cheaper as they get older - unlike daughters! 😂😂👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop ha ha I have know what you mean I have a 20 yo daughter my self. You’ll have to forgive my sarcasm toward big green , here in the states it’s much like the Yankees or the Red Sox , you love or hate em , nothing in between lol. Plus I’m sure there are a few sour grapes on my part because they are a bit above what I can justify spending vs what I would use them for. You are the first guy I’ve seen with a shop centered around a track saw. The way you set up your shop makes a lot of economic sense. Some one could outfit a whole shop like yours with festool for similar money as just buying a high end cabinet table saw.
I don’t see myself ever owning any of the green tools ( unless we are talking ryobi ha ha ) just because I’m all in on a table saw centric shop. But after seeing your shop, if I was starting over from zero , I think I would jump on the festool band wagon. Thanks for all the great videos , all the best to you
Thanks Peter! I'm glad you compared the two brands, in particular the Aldi one. I'm confident now that it will do the job for me at a very cheap price. I'm off to Aldi (in Australia) to buy one!
Thanks! Bear in mind that this video is a few years old; the saw I reviewed here won’t be the one that you can buy today; check the comments below - there have been some QC issues in the last few batches of these. 👍👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop Hi Peter, thanks for the warning. I've read the other comments. It can be a bit risky with the Aldi stuff at times. It goes on sale next week. I'll try to get one and let you know how I go.
@@dandam7755 did you get one? I did, seems exactly the same to me and does a good job for the $130
@@TheCrankster77 Hi Ben, no I missed out at Aldi but got one from Bunnings. They had dropped their Ozito band-saw to the same price. I believe that it would be very similar
to the Ferrex one. Either way, for that price, you can't go wrong. I'm really enjoying having a band-saw. How's the Ferrex?
Great presentation and video. I enjoyed it, thanks
Thanks! 👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop hi have you looked at the Metabo bandsaw it’s under £200 just wanting to know your thoughts on it. Cheers
Can hardly wait for Aldi to get these saws back in stock. I’ll definitely be getting one for our creators cabin. Thanks for sharing.
Pleasure, thanks for watching!
Pleasure, thanks for watching!
I have an Aldi look-alike/clone (Meec brand from Jula, Sweden), and I agree it is surprisingly capable, although not very sturdy. I bought it as a test, to see whether or not I would have use for it, and I do not regret it; I can recommend it for that purpose. Possibly, though, it may be retired in a year or two and replaced with a slightly larger, and much sturdier one.
Many thanks for Your videos and the effort You put into them!
Pleasure, thanks for watching!
Nice review Peter! I use my bandsaw almost for every project, so, I invested in the biggest Hobby unit available before the pro ranges (Startrite) start, i.e., the BS350s From Record Power. I'm glad I did because it is outstanding performance/ value Cuts huge Blocks of anything with ease and it's built like a tank.
As with all tools, I see you use Festool, cheap tools will do the job, but when they go wrong, they end up at the local tip, because you won't be able to buy spares.
It all depends on how often you are going to use a tool really!
Thanks! Yes, absolutely - I'm a big fan of cheap tools, as long as you know what you're getting. As a first bandsaw the Aldi's brilliant, but a more sophisticated user will probably want more from a tool. 👍
Interesting to see just how similar, physically, the two saws are.
We're currently using a Clarke / Scheppach one, similar capacity, and it fairly chews through anything we've thrown at it *so far*.
Swapped out the stock blade for a couple of Starrett ones (one thin for detail work, the other 3/8 inch for ripping) and made a 3/4" ply replacement table and fence. Rock solid.
Yeah, I need to look at beefing up the thin table & fence 👍
@@10MinuteWorkshop superb video. I just picked up one of these cheap bandsaws today. For £40! (Second hand), but the owner hadn't even taken it out of the box! Deal of the year for me so far. Very pleased with it.
I was wondering if you could suggest what tpi blade I should buy for cutting hardwood like pau Rosa? It seems like I would need a finer toothed saw blade, (but I could be wrong as this is my first bandsaw), and you can pick decent ones made in UK for between 10 and 15 pounds.
Not very expensive really.
Hi Peter, nice video and interesting subject...for what it is worth i think in your line of work the Aldi Bandsaw is the best option, send the Axminster back and spend the £200 on a Festool jigsaw blade...ha ha...
Unless you are re-sawing or working with thicker stock, in a small workshop the Aldi saw is perfect at that price.as is the Aldi Drill press, I got mine at £39.99, last weeks takeaway cost more than that...
I bought cheaper tools and regretted it so I splashed out on SCHEPPACH NEW BASA 3.0V VARIO BANDSAW 205MM on offer at £399 instead of £520. This has shown me that I should have spent more on a decent table saw a thicknesser, instead of rushing and buying cheap....
Cheers
Paul
Haha - yes, the Aldi’s been excellent for the money.
Great video, keep them coming.
Thanks!
Thanks Peter a helpful and interesting video
Thanks for watching, Robin 👍
Thanks for this. Very interesting.
I have the Record Power BS250 10" bandsaw. I have had it 2 years and am very happy. You are right about capacity and when I build my new shop I will get a 14 or 16" one.
Yes, that’s my only quibble with the Axminster m, just edging over that price-point 👍
Badger Workshop have you have anything in mind, also enjoy your channel!
Thank you. I will look at the new record power ones. Not seen any videos on them yet. Do you have any recommendations?
I have a hobby bandsaw, which is all I need, a Switzer type with an LED. Has a similar fence to the Aldi one but I'd prefer the Axminster bed and fence.
Inspired by your videos I picked one up at Aldi for.... £59 (!!) last year & was/ am absolutely delighted .. bargain upon bargain!! Such a handy tool for the small workshop - I no longer risk dragging my finger into the chopsaw when doing smaller cuts - as my Dad rightly pointed out: "You'll end up using that more than your circular", & he was right.
Thanks! Wow, £59 is a fantastic price. And I agree with your Dad, such a handy little thing to have 👍
Yes I went to an Aldi store which had just been opened & it was on special... result!
I used a Lux 10" bandsaw from East Germany for around 25 years. After a bit of faff with duff blades I got a good one that worked for the rest of the saw's life (motor seized ~5 years ago, no replacements available). The table was nasty brown plastic, the guides were waxy fibre(?) blocks and I had to make my own fence out of wood, but that thing did everything I asked of it - dead straight cuts and 10 cm x 1mm slices in oak, even.
I replaced it with a 360€ 8" Metabo. Yay, quality, right? Wrong. The first one I received had a cockeyed drive pulley that threw the belt. On the second one the lateral blade guide bearings could touch the blade on one side but come no closer than 2 mm on the other. The rear bearing wouldn't touch at all until I invalidated the guarantee with a file. It had so much in the way of idiot-proofing that you couldn't see what you were cutting with both eyes at once - maybe it was designed for one-eyed woodworkers. It improved a bit with a new blade, but I still need to leave a 5 mm margin round anything I cut and finish it with plane/spokeshave/sander.
Maybe I'll keep watch for an Aldi one then use the Metabo for a 36-kilo doorstop.
Bit late to pick up on this video but found it very helpful. You present very well so will be subscribing. Bought a cheap table saw when i started but think a bandsaw would be better for what i do. Will be looking at the axminster aw140b. Many thanks.
Great, clear videoPeter, thank you. Immediately subbed and belled.
Thanks, and welcome! Check out the back catalogue & playlists - there’s a bandsaw playlist if that’s your thing 👍👍
Aldi. The only place you can go to get a bunch of bananas, a bottle of wine and a band saw
I've got the older 14" bandsaw from Record. It's been a total champ, even though I've neglected and abused it horribly. I could imagine getting the smaller Axminster bandsaw so I could keep a wide rip blade on the bigger saw, using the smaller bandsaw for curved work.
My main concern with cheaper tools is always longevity. They're made to last one or two projects, not three or four decades.
Very helpful video - thanks
Great video and comparison and as you say it's all about what you are going to use it for, however one very important consideration is the rating of the motor. As with any cheaper tool occasional use is fine but if you want prolonged use I.e. using it a lot everyday or making it work hard, then check that it is rated for that use as cheap motors will burn out very quickly. As someone else said, why not keep both, l would. Use the Aldi for rough stuff and the Axminster for finer work. Keep up the good work, Mike.
Thanks Mike. Yeah, I understand the logic for keeping both - it’s occurred to me too - but the biggest for me is space. Still, no decisions made yet 🤔👍
So impreseed by the video that my Axminster Bandsaw has been ordered. Looking forward to its arrival.
Delighted to hear it. It’s a lovely little machine 👍
How are you getting on with it?
Dear Peter,
Enjoyed all the band saw videos and found them very helpful. As Aldi are now selling (June 2019) their version again at £79.99 I've pre-ordered one. Never had or used one before so it'll be a 'first toe in the water' for me. Thanks for the reviews, I'm hoping mine is as successful as yours was.
@@10MinuteWorkshop Dear Peter, Many thanks for the information a useful 'backstop'. As with the old Amstrad PC the user does the checking.
@@10MinuteWorkshop Mine is going back too. No amount of adjustment keeps the blade properly on the lower wheel; shame.
I'm having to return mine too, it seems impossible to line the saw up onto both wheels, the band falls off one or the other.
I bought a band saw from Aldi less than 2 years ago for £110, and it is a Ferrex. Came with a mitre guide, and takes a 1790 mm blade, throat of 10" and will cut up to 5" thick. The bed is thick and solid aluminium. Two speed adjustment possible. All the blade guides are bearings, and it is a dream to set up. All in all it is fantastic for the money. It even came with a toolkit to do the set up; spanners, screwdriver and allen key.
Yes, sadly they weren’t available for long, looked like a good machine for the money. 👍👍
Hi Peter, nice video. Going to upgrade my present band saw to a Rikon .
Nice 👍
Great video. Just bought a bandsaw for $NZ360 (about 180 quid). So similar in quality and performance to the Axminster. I've never owned a bandsaw before so I'm not sure what to expect but the limited experience, so far, has been positive. My only complaint is that the manual is virtually useless and I had to google the necessary instructions for the adjustments. I'll keep a copy of the Axminster booklet for future reference. Thanks.
Flaxen Saxon
Thanks! And yes, rare to get a manual that’s as good as the Axminster one 👍👍
Great review. I have the aldi bandsaw. I find the blade constantly comes off and the bearing support turret thingy gets wedged in place with saw dust getting in behind it and jamming up the pinion. It does me for what I use it for but if used very often I would bin it.
Thanks! This video’s a few years old now, and the more recent saws had some quality control issues, esp. wrt the blade coming off the wheels - see the more recent comments below. If it’s within the warranty period I’d return it. 🤷♂️👍
There’s nothing more satisfying than being surprised by a low cost tool that works better than expected. In fairness compare the customer support a higher priced tool supplier will provide vs Aldis as the good manual demonstrates. If the Aldis tool fails it may be a diy repair or put in storage with that old “three wheel” saw. However you did an excellent job comparing both tools. I would keep the Axminster tool.
Love this thanks x
great review..would like to have seen a video or part of a video on how they track..
Lidl have a very similiar bandsaw for sale March 14th, almost identical for only €99 euro and parkside seem a whole lot better than the workzone, probably same damn factory in China Great vid and thanks for the Axminster set up book,very helpful
That’s interesting. Lidl Parkside are usually re-badged Einhell, whereas Aldi are normally rebadged Scheppach. But yes, I agree - there are way too many similarities for them not to come from the same source👍👍
Got the Record Power 10". Love it. Mainly use it for cutting 4" deep bowl blanks in Oak. Handles it no problem
Nice👍 Looks a good machine for not *that* much more than the entry-level Axminster and a step up in capacity.
I find what makes a huge difference is the blades I use. Tuff Saws co.uk do some of the best blades out there and they're not that expensive. Run by a guy in Wales, makes them all himself
Yes, big fan of tuffsaws - Ian’s very knowledgeable and generous with his time 👍
Very interesting, the only upgrade I did to mine was to make a new table from 1/4 steel and an aluminium tee slot on the front for a more solid fence
Nice. Wish I had those skills! 👍
What a surprise! I know a lot of hobbyists like Aldi equipment because they're cheap. But I didn't think they would stand up against something like an Axminster. You're right about the fence and motor though - you get for what you pay for there, induction all the way if you can afford it. Great video Peter.
Thanks Jim! Must admit I’ve never seen a bandsaw that didn’t have an induction motor- I must have led a sheltered life 😆👍
My Scheppach HBS-20 has an induction motor, but the motor power indication is a bit confusing. The label says S1 250W and S2 350W
but I have no idea what S1 and S2 stand for. In the catalogue is written 250W (no mentionning of "S")
S1 refers to continuous running and S2 is intermittant ( a higher output can be acchieved in short burts and not continuously)
Thanks for explaining!
But why is S2 mentioned anyway? What's is it useful for? Is there a possibility to use that 350W at the moment you want it?
Hans de Groot I agree. Just taken a look and my Aldi has the same on the label in the back of the saw - 250w S1 and 350w S2 (30min). After 30 minutes does it reduce power?? I’ve never run mine for more than a couple of minutes at a time. Seems a strange way to define power output.
Very interesting Peter, thanks for sharing your experience. I get myself in a real pickle deciding which brand of tools to buy and videos like this help a lot. One question: is it my eyes or is there a heck of a crown (front to back) on the cast table on the Axminster? I would be a bit miffed if I paid the premium for a cast table and it was no better than the budget pressed steel one.
Thanks! I agree, it’s lways hard when you don’t have access to the tools. To be fair Axminster’s showrooms will often let you fire up the machines and try them, as long as they have one set up, and as long as you can get to them, of course. And no, sorry, it’s your eyes! 👀 The table on the Axminster is as flat as a strap, and much better than the presses steel on the Aldi/Scheppach 👍
I think the main point with this tiny Axminster saw is it's size as the larger saw is often not practical for a hobbyist with very limited space. If you have space for a bigger saw then the difference in price is kind of negligible. For hobbyists space is generally always the limiting factor which is why 2 or 3 in 1 machines do well in that part of the market, pros tend not to consider them because they are too much faff to keep changing over and most often are not rated for continuous operation so no use for volume work.
That video makes me want to buy one. Even if I work with/on bandsaw daily.I would still find some use for this tiny one!
Exactly! A lot of people buy a small one, outgrow it so sell it on to buy a bigger one - then regret selling the small one 🤷♂️😂
@@10MinuteWorkshop No chance I'll be buying a big one for home use :D
I have the axminster 12" saw (something 310 is the model number). If you are going to buy a "premium" saw with cast iron top etc then I would say it's about the smallest saw worth having in terms of cut capacity and rigidity. If you are going for a small saw, get something like the aldi one, you'll never be able to do serious cuts but it doesn't really matter on a saw that size so capacity and rigidity can be sacrificed somewhat as you have found.
Thanks! 👍
caskwith i
I got a basa1 the guide rail when lowered near the table it pulled away from the rear thrust bearing and thrust bearings are angled slightly so the top of the bearing is nearer the blade than the bottom part of the bearing!
Did I just hear you say "uppie downie " .....dear Lordie 😂
Well, it may have been ‘uppy downy’ - but you knew exactly what I meant 😂👍
US Aldi locations typically only offer a small, rotating selection of tools. The only power tool I've seen at my local store, is a cordless drill.
Shame. They don’t have huge stock here, but it changes regularly 👍
I wonder if you could fill the underside of the Aldi saw table with epoxy to make it little more sturdy.
I’m sure that’d be possible. The bigger issue is that the table only mounts onto a metal bracket with two screws, so there always going to be some flex in there, no matter how much you stiffen up the table 🤔👍
Great review. The use of copper vs aluminium rotor in a motor is significant. Aluminium is used when the lowest cost is important and the cost of the motor is a high proportion of overall costs. If it doesn't say that it's copper there is a high likelihood that it's aluminium. Copper costs more, is more difficult to work with (higher melting point) but conducts better then aluminium and a lower running temperature with greater efficiency can equate to a longer motor life. The power of a motor can be expressed in several ways: P1 and P2 or S1 and S2. One is the input power and the other is the output power. P1 = 350W and P2 = 250W could apply to the same motor, or S1 and S2 is limited period vs continuous. It's like rating an amplifier as 40W RMS or 200 PMPO - bigger numbers are not always better!
The forces in a bandsaw are down through the table - so make for a safer experience. Only the blade and table are in contact with the wood being cut as an example. Better bandsaws use cast iron wheels, but for these bandsaws its cast aluminium and iron adds weight and inertia which are missing from these saws. It would be interesting to know if they are balanced - small holes drilled on the inside of the wheel and how true the wheels are e.g. blade runs true by wheel has significant wobble - can be transmitted to the blade between the guides - so looks like a vibrating violin string?
To compare the cuts a more scientific test would be to replace the blades with new/identical blades and check for how the blade runs on the tyre, do the wheel wobbles and how much vibration is transmitted to the blade with the guide raised. The setup of the saw could be compared: - is the blade parallel to the blade - can it be adjusted to minimise drift? Does the blade run without left/right or forward/back motion? Are the guides adjustable so that the gullet is behind the guides? Does the guide come down parallel with the blade or will adjustments be required for different cut heights?
It's highly likely that both bandsaws are produced in the same factory - the CE certification may be made by the manufacturer rather than the importer can show this detail. Of course many of the components are identical but there are some differences e.g. the table, trunnion, motor and door construction. So it's also likely that the manufacturer offers a range of price points for a similar product e.g. like buying a bicycle but offered variation of components. In this test it's likely that Axminster used better/more expensive components to differentiate their machine from cheaper machines.
Bandsaws have consumables - how easy is it to get spare parts? A new tyre, blade, saw wheel, guide, bearings or fence? How long to get it? I was quoted 150 day lead time to replace a damaged fence - better than nothing but not really realistic if supplied damaged. Aldi/Screwfix may offer a guarantee but absolutely no option of spares which may be OK if there is a similar model e.g. Ryobi or Scheppach for common components.
My interest with this bandsaw is because I originally bought a higher priced bandsaw from the same supplier - with two dust exhausts and roller bearings to support the blade. I wasn't impressed because a high price didn't remove the need for careful setup. Two machines arrived dented to the frame or fence and one had no adjustment for the lower roller guides to provide any clearance (always forward) of the blade. Two of these also had a distorted lower door or frame. Wary of this, the third machine was so bad I didn't even try to assemble the stand or mount the table - simply no point in continuing and I asked for a refund. So the table trunnion or motor don't start to be significant if the mechanical assembly isn't spot on as well.
I did a shop test with three bandsaws from the same supplier comparing the cut of a 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch blades that the machines are supplied with. Although it's possible to change the blade depth and TPS, only the bigger ones support the bigger blade sizes. I though the cut of the smallest machine was best although this could be simply down to how much time had been used to set it up or the condition of the blade (which may not have been original). It doesn't say how the machines would work with other blades fitted. My sample was rip/cross cutting a one inch piece of oak.
Wow, thanks Simon, great insight there! The bandsaws that arrived damaged - were they from Record by any chance? Just curious, I’ve heard anecdotally that the carriers they use aren’t especially careful, unfortunately.
Hi Peter, nope, although I do own Record products - most recently an 8" bench grinder that's very good however I haven't sourced larger big ticket products like a lathe or bandsaw from them (so far). Like the products you looked at, they also seem to be sourced in China from the same (good/bad) companies.
Videos four years old are still as useful as the ones produced these days.
Hey Peter, had my eye out for an appropriate bandsaw and just ordered an Aldi Ferrex 10 inch bandsaw for £150! Apparently it's a rebadged Scheppach HBS261 & looks pretty nice. Quite excited to get my first bandsaw on my workbench. Another bandsaw review perhaps?!
Yes, I have my eye on that one too! Looks like a real ‘step up’ from the basic entry-level one, certainly 👍👍
Keep the Axminster purely for customer service and parts availability. You do this for a living and in 10 yrs time when you need a bearing change or a new guide block set, they'll still be able to help. This is essentially what you pay extra for. Axminster has great customer service. Great video as always Peter. Will you do a benchtop tracksaw set up video in the future using the cheap screwfix tracksaw vrs festool? Cheers
Thanks! And yes, there’ll be a setup section early on in the ‘tracksaw workshop’ series, coming soon, I promise! Until then check out my Festool v Cheap tool tracksaw series from last year 👍
I have a 14" SIP bandsaw and have had to change bearings, tires and the fence(because I dropped it) over the 15 years I've owned it and SIP have not been great, most of these wear & tear items they discontinued, but with some research all the parts of better quality are available for it. In my dealings with Axminster their support has always been very good but would they still have parts in 10 years. I doubt it to be honest.
The titan/einhill is the middle ground. Aluminium table, reasonable fence, same frame. £100. Been happy with it. Thanks for the review. Now change the blade on that poor saw. :)
Thanks! Yes, blade change all done, made a huge difference 😆
I have felder Bandsaws and they are for heavy duty work loads and are very accurate but most people do not need anything like that. I have little cheap hobby band saws that are accurate and suitable for most woodworking.
If you are going to use a bandsaw for long rips on thick wood you are going to need something more professional but for general woodworking such as cutting shapes or doing small ripps then hobby saws will be perfect.
Yep, I was really surprised how well they did for general-purpose light duties, considering the price. 👍👍
This looks very much like the small Rikon bandsaw which is sold with different names. I got one in the states for $120. These small bandsaws must all come from the same factory. Great little machine. A higher quality blade made a big difference in quality of cut.
👍
Thanks Peter very interesting video as the two saws are so similar are you able to swap two beds if so I was wondering if cast iron replacements were available from Axminster
Thanks Ben. No the Axminster has a different mounting system, so not swappable, unfortunately. Good idea though, like your thinking 👍
GREAT VIDEO
Thanks! 👍
Thank you Peter for this Video!
Actually I ones bought an Axminster about one year ago. I bought it from Dictum, witch is here in Germany known to sell extravagant tools, like Lie Nielson planes etc. But the Axminster is a huge piece of rubish - for 350€! Nothing at this machine is good - just the table and the fence. The wheels are cheap, not even round, the color comes of at several parts, the motor doesn't take much, the guides are ok, but I think not easy to set up... the operation manual is a badly copied one. Cause of this experience I wouldn't buy it again.
I don't know, maybe Axminster isn't handle continental customers the same way...
I have to say, well, of cause the hobby line is a hobby line... but... at least I'm a professional cabinet maker and I learned how to set up a bandsaw. Maybe I should make a video about this saw...
Judging by the comments on Axminster’s website, they seemed to have some quality issues when this was first out 18 months, a year ago. I think I’d have returned it if I’d had your problems tbh. Axminster will ship internationally - perhaps you would have been better buying direct from them?? 👍
Yeah, might be, and I should have contacted Dictum for that - in fact I were too lazy. So a bit might it bee my fault too.
For small work and model making it go for the Aldi. You can improve the table by fitting an MDF overtable. A slot can be routed in for a mitre gauge and these can purchased as an addition to the machine. I think the Axminster difference in price is mainly brought about by the cast table.
It's a shame we didn't see the difference between blade guides and bearings as this has a bearing on accuracy/wandering.
For other than small/hobby work I'd go for a larger machine.
Nice helpful review.
Just out of interest Peter, are you able to say whether the table and fence from the Axminster bandsaw would fit onto the Aldi bandsaw please? If so, would it be cheaper to buy the £80 saw and a replacement table and fence from Axminster to upgrade the Aldi one? (I prefer the 350W motor but also would like the cast iron table and solid fence). Thank you
No, unfortunately they use completely different fixing methods to attach the table.
:) The Aldi manual has a link through to Scheppach for saw blades which come in at about £20. Machine mart sell a draper blade of the same size for half the price though they do not have them in normal stock and have to be ordered.
I bought my machine just days before your review 6 months ago and on New Years Eve snapped the blade.
I am now looking to re-purpose the snapped blade.
👍 The blades are really skinny, be interested how you repurpose them 🤔
Same here :) Some suggestions have been to use them in a hand made saw with the twist thing to tension them or to grind the teeth off and use them as a metal inlay in picture frames and the likes.
Peter, excellent video. Having been looking for a band saw for ages but not sure which to go for. All of the 10 inch, 12 inch and 14 inch band saws from Record, Charnwood, Clarke, Draper, Lumberjack etc. seem to be pretty much the same in looks, quality and nearly all seem to be Chinese. Most you tubers say to chuck the stock blade away and buy a better quality one. Think I will probably buy the Charnwood B250 mainly due to having a built in stand but then get nervous that In am making the right choice so don't buy it and end up cutting everything by hand with a hand saw bemoaning that I need a band saw. Hey ho.
Thanks Richard! Always a dilemma - I’m so pleased I bought the Aldi when I could, it’s been an eye-opener. Forgot to mention it in the video, but while the 10” Record bandsaw is good value, they want more than the price of the Aldi bandsaw for the stand! 🤔
Great review , I will keep the Axminster I have several of they machines they are of excellent after service it is a shame though all the machines are made in China even though it’s a British company
Thanks! Yeah, very happy with Axminster, solid firm 👍
Great Vid! Still looking:)
Thanks! 👍👍
Definitely would buy the aldi one the make a new table and fence from mdf or if you want a bigger one, buy the small one, remove all the usable components and make a larger body from ply or mdf and timber and fix the components to it. turn a small 8 inch into a 16 inch bandsaw without the huge cost of buying one that size.
Interesting idea - not sure the wheels would allow much more depth of throat, but worth a play, for sure! 👍
Peter Millard I find I don't need a bigger depth of cut than the smaller models provide so for me this wouldn't be a problem. I don't do any resawing. you would need a longer blade if you were turning it to a bigger model . I have seen people like mathius wandel building bandsaws from scratch but there's no need building all the components from scratch when you can get them from a smaller bandsaw for a really good price.
Great review. It is astonishing how the Chinese manage to make things so cheap. I reckoned that just to buy the materials as as stock would cost far more than a whole bandsaw. I think workshop tools have not progressed at all. In fact they were better 80 or more years ago. I want a bandsaw that cuts steel and wood yet absolutely no one makes one. Why? Corded hand drills can now be got with 1100 watt motors. The best you can get in a small bandsaw is 350 watt. Why so small? Also there is too big a jump between the small bandsaw and the medium. Medium bandsaws usually come in at around 80kgs, that's heavy. This would mean they are only suitable for ground floor garage or shed work shops, not, 2nd floor bedrooms (mine). I did not see a cross cut/mitre slot on the aldi one. To many people this would be a no no.
Great video
Tthanks! 👍
Would it be possible to replace the Aldi table with 3/4 or 1 inch mdf table for a more ridged surface ? possible project.
Not really. The bigger problem is that the table is just mounted on a glorified angle bracket, which simply isn’t sturdy enough. The bigger problem is that I don’t own that bandsaw any longer 🤔👍👍
Even thou the table on your first one is cheaply made and the fence as well,can always put a piece of birch plywood over the weaker table ,thicking it up ,myself i would go with the stronger motor over a stronger table
That was my thinking too 👍
Very interesting comparison. Thanks for sharing.
I have the Scheppach version of Aldi, for which indeed i paid 140 € (115 British pounds or so)
I managed to brake to saw blade and I still do not understand how that could have happened.
On the internet I found saw blades for less than half the price compared to what Scheppach offerrs.
Since both band saws in the video are 90+ percent equal, do you think that it is possible to mount the cast iron table of the "red one"
on the Aldi bandsaw?
The Scheppach has a long list of spare parts which are possible to buy separately.
Does "the red one" has that too?
Thanks! No, unfortunately the Axminster (red one) has completely different (and more robust) mounting for the table than the Aldi/Scheppach, so it’s not possible to swap them over. I can r commend tuffsaws.co.uk for bandsaw blades, very good quality and excellent service. 4 years warranty is good, 2 years is the ‘normal’ here for the Aldi/Scheppach. We can buy the Scheppach for £110, so similar to what you paid. 👍
I use a Titan bandsaw. Screwfix own brand. Exactly the same as the two you have. Cast iron bed , ‘T’ slit & fence. I will try your tests now for my piece of mind.
I’m getting one to try out. Aluminium table, I think. 👍
Peter Millard Yes sorry it is. I just ran outside to check. Out of the box the cut would not stay straight at all. Watched a tuning video & carried it all out whilst watching. I can’t fault it now. Does everything I ask of it.
nortesport Nice 👍
Happy New Year!
Nooow did we forget about the magnets?! ;)
Think the axminster is quiet possibly worth the extra esp re the book and table looks great but.... as said no complaints with the cheaper one so I guess Aldi hit the sweet spot re price, function etc curious that the 'flimsy' table and more powerful motor work (as well?) as the better table/fence lower spec motor... special kind of alchemy I suppose in selecting parts/tweeking specs?!
Magnets??🤔 yeah, as long as the size suits you the Axminster very good, but you can’t beat the Aldi price. And no idea why the Aldi has the bigger motor - seems to be the only one in this size. And HNY to you too Tom!
TBF was a good many comments ago, and seems to be non issue anyways. But the flimsy table is magnetic allowing for third party accessory's/ homemade jigs. I guess the really question is are you going red or blue?! Very best
Tom
Great video. I suppose you could strengthen the aldi table .
You could, but the underlying issue is that the table just mounts into a simple metal bracket with a couple of machine screws, so no matter how much you beef up the table there’ll still be some flex in the mount. 👍
I would have liked to see details of the blade guides as these are significant for accurate cutting
Continuing the ‘10minute bandsaw workshop’ theme in this video I’m unboxing and setting up the @AxminsterTools HBS200N. Unboxing videos. Seriously, who’d have thought?
Up today at noon 👍
ruclips.net/video/2I8n17i76ik/видео.html
Hi Peter is there anything you can do to make the table and fence more solid like modify it somehow?
I don't have this bandsaw any more, but a couple of people suggested either putting a steel top over the current one, or just fixing some plywood under it to stiffen it up. 👍
I also have the £80 band saw, but i have found it struggles to cut rounds or curves , i even tried a different blade as i tried to use mine to cut blanks for woodturning
Never done much curve work - thinner blade maybe??
Just wondering aloud, since I've not seen the Aldi personally so I don't know how the table mounts and tilts, but might you remove the table, invert it, and fill it with a good amount of two part epoxy or fiberglass resin to stiffen it to near the competitive saw's cast iron table?
That’s a possibility, or glue on a piece of plywood. I feel another video coming on.... 😆👍
So, which did you keep? Great comparison video BTW. thanks.
Thanks! Check out the Bandsaw Giveaway Draw video #149 for the answer 👍
Looks like either the Scheppach creator copied the Axminster... or that the Axminster is made in the same place but with an upgraded motor/table. I'm inclined, considering how otherwise almost identical they are, to assume the latter
I reckon they all come from the same Chinese factory with different levels of finishing and a wide variety of sticky labels.
good video which one did you keep Peter or are still working on it !!!!
Thanks Brian. There is a follow-up video #149 where I spill the beans, and say why 👍
I found this very interesting. I have a £80 Bandsaw, which is branded Guild from Argos. As far as I can tell it is exactly the same saw as your Aldi one. I agree with all you have said about it but just wanted to let you know that Axminster does a fence upgrade that will fit these £80 bandsaws for just £13 or £14. I put one on my Guild saw and it is a great improvement. It also stabilises the floppy table quite a lot as you get a T track to attach to for the new fence to run in. I have nothing to do with Axminster apart from being a satisfied customer. I have a short video on my channel if you want a look. Either way thanks for making an interesting and informative video. Cheers Rob
Thanks Rob. Yes, I know the axminster fence upgrade, and let’s just say that there’s a bit more to come in this series. 👍
Ahh fair enough, I jumped the gun a little :)
I would make nice table from plywood for that cheap saw and rock the wood ;)
You're not wrong about the copper winding being pretty much ubiquitous. I think this is a case of the manufacturer having to make up a feature for an item that doesn't have any:)
👍
Being looking at these, very timely! I can’t find the ALDI one, so will probably go for the Titan at Screwfix, and buy a fence from Axminster for £10. Thanks 👍🏻
Pleasure! Yes, the Aldi seems to be out of stock everywhere, Titan seems a good option 👍
why on earth would you ``BUY`` a fence...... you are a woodworker ...... MAKE ONE.
Geoff Gwyther . Sometimes I like to go crazy and treat myself.... 😁
Th problem with your reasoning is Aldi products, bye and large are temporary, Where Axminster are permanent, and they offer a pay day deal where you can pay interest free over 3 months. Also, there backup service is much better than Aldi, who for me is a cheap food store, like Liddle, with a "Get it bought" mind set.
Great video thogh well done
Great Review Peter! Will you be reviewing table saws too?
Thanks! No, don’t use a table saw enough - or have the space - to be able to form an opinion, really; now tracksaws, that’s another matte 😆👍
Peter Millard look forward to your video soon on making one for cross cuts!