Hi Simon, thanks for an instructive video. I have a had a Sabre 350 for 2 years. I agree with your adverse comments regarding dust collection. I also struggle with the adjustments to the lower Blade guides. But as you say it is a solid, professional machine that does what is demanded of it. Interestingly elsewhere in the world it is sold as a Ricon and badged by Record Power Tools for sale in Europe. Helpful video so a big thank you.
Thanks for the feedback, it is always nice to hear when I get things right! The Ricon connection is interesting - I've seen a few videos where I've thought 'That looks like the Sabre 350', Record Power say it is made in England, so they are either... - Manufacturing for Ricon / selling under the Ricon brand for Europe - Ricon have bought the licence to manufacture independently - Or it is actually made by a 3rd party which Ricon also use and assembled in the UK for Record Power I'd always assumed it was actually made in the UK as the 'Made in England' sticker implies. Does anyone know if there is a relation ship between Record Power and Ricon?
Thanks for the video, very useful, found it by chance having literally just spoken to Richard in tech support at Record. I asked him if they were made in the UK but sadly they come from the Far East but that is not an issue based on your findings and Record's quality control
FYI the Lumberjack saws have the same 1/4 turn door closures which also prevent the machine running if they’re not closed. Allen keys and push stick holders/idea are the same too.
Thanks for the great review. I have a BS400 from Record and there’s a dust collection point right under the blade to connect to a shop-vac. Wonder why they removed it?
Hi, the etched bar is held off of the table with bolts, these bolts fit in elongated holes in the table, just loosen the nuts slightly and tap the bar back into position. Personally I have never got in the habit of using markings on fences, I always measure, I guess I never really trust they will be correct... Good luck let me know how you get on adjusting it.
Aaaarghh bandsaw envy again. I simply don't have room for one. I DO have a scrollsaw and am trying to think of a way to make an infeed table with a fence. Wish me luck. Cheers.
I think that should be doable, but only for thin stock, as the material gets thicker the forces increase a lot, you can get much cheaper and smaller band saws, but space will always be an issue for us home woodworkers, this is why I have so many workshop organisation videos! 😀 I'm constantly trying to use the space I have more effectively.
Its a decent bandsaw which can take and correctly tension a 1 inch resaw blade, which in itself is a major plus, however the machine needs modifications to work well. The table insert is trash and can snag work, replace immediately. The blade guide jig is fairly good but the rail its held on, and the way its held on is awful. There is way too much play here so I ended up removing, modifying and refixing this whole assembly. Also the dust extraction is poor. Modified with a few plastic inserts and all is better but dont expect any negative pressure dustless operation. If you use without dust extraction, you will need to protect the motor from excessive dust as it will make its way inside. The fence is pretty good and the table on mine was accurately flat, although some others have had flatness issues. Apart from those issues, its a great saw. maybe slightly overpriced considering the poor blade guide assembly, but i dont regret the purchase.
Cracking video. What’s the difference between the BS350 and the Sabre apart from the obvious cost? I’m ready to hit the button. However I’m just trying to justify the extras cost! 😮
They are very different machines, the sabre needs no tools to adjust or change blades for a start and if you check out the capacity you will see the sabre is equivalent to the bs450, basically it is a significant step up in quality.
I'm a hobby Woodworker and have only had the saw a year, so only have 2 blades, 1/4" and 1/2" the 1/2" is a Record Power and seems very good, the smaller is made by Dakin-Flathers and also seems very good. However I also use the bandsaws at 'the shed' and those, even with new blades simply don't cut like the sabre350, they struggle, so whilst the blade is important, I think the design of the machine also has a lot to do with easy cutting, such as large, heavy, balanced, cast Iron wheels, decently powerful motors, good bearings etc. Anyway, this is just a longwinded way of me saying I'm not best placed to answer your question, my own buying process for blades is to not buy cheapest, or most expensive but somewhere in the middle, ideally from a specialist supplier.
Im contemplating buying this machine. but you claimed there was not need to use ANY tools such as alankeys or screw drivers. Then 3 minutes later you show the handy storage compartment for the.... alankeys
Yes, those haven't been used since assembly. You can change the blade and adjust all the guides and the fence without any tools, it's all knobs and levers.
Thanks for the feedback it was supposed to be a review having used the saw for a year, I.e. not a review of a new toy without experience actually living with it. Sorry, it's not what you expected
Thanks for another informative video 👍, I'm literally just setting mine up, glad to hear you are happy with it a year on.
It is a great saw, you won't regret getting it.
Hi Simon, thanks for an instructive video. I have a had a Sabre 350 for 2 years. I agree with your adverse comments regarding dust collection. I also struggle with the adjustments to the lower Blade guides. But as you say it is a solid, professional machine that does what is demanded of it. Interestingly elsewhere in the world it is sold as a Ricon and badged by Record Power Tools for sale in Europe. Helpful video so a big thank you.
Thanks for the feedback, it is always nice to hear when I get things right!
The Ricon connection is interesting - I've seen a few videos where I've thought 'That looks like the Sabre 350', Record Power say it is made in England, so they are either...
- Manufacturing for Ricon / selling under the Ricon brand for Europe
- Ricon have bought the licence to manufacture independently
- Or it is actually made by a 3rd party which Ricon also use and assembled in the UK for Record Power
I'd always assumed it was actually made in the UK as the 'Made in England' sticker implies.
Does anyone know if there is a relation ship between Record Power and Ricon?
That's extremely useful.
Im seriously considering this machine as a new option, alomg with a second hans startrite second hand machine
I've been very happy with mine
Really helpful, thank you
Glad it was helpful!, It's still my favourite machine in the workshop! :-)
Now I just need to decide if I go 14 or 18…. My head and greedy little heart want different things 😆
Thanks for the video, very useful, found it by chance having literally just spoken to Richard in tech support at Record. I asked him if they were made in the UK but sadly they come from the Far East but that is not an issue based on your findings and Record's quality control
Thanks for the info!, I can honestly say I've been very impressed with the quality, it is a very good machine
FYI the Lumberjack saws have the same 1/4 turn door closures which also prevent the machine running if they’re not closed. Allen keys and push stick holders/idea are the same too.
Thanks for the info 👍🏻
Thanks for the great review. I have a BS400 from Record and there’s a dust collection point right under the blade to connect to a shop-vac. Wonder why they removed it?
Thanks for the info! interesting...
I have a saber, I've found that the 0 on the fence bar is not in line with the blade.
I can't see that there's anything I can do to adjust it
Hi, the etched bar is held off of the table with bolts, these bolts fit in elongated holes in the table, just loosen the nuts slightly and tap the bar back into position. Personally I have never got in the habit of using markings on fences, I always measure, I guess I never really trust they will be correct...
Good luck let me know how you get on adjusting it.
Aaaarghh bandsaw envy again. I simply don't have room for one. I DO have a scrollsaw and am trying to think of a way to make an infeed table with a fence. Wish me luck. Cheers.
I think that should be doable, but only for thin stock, as the material gets thicker the forces increase a lot, you can get much cheaper and smaller band saws, but space will always be an issue for us home woodworkers, this is why I have so many workshop organisation videos! 😀 I'm constantly trying to use the space I have more effectively.
Its a decent bandsaw which can take and correctly tension a 1 inch resaw blade, which in itself is a major plus, however the machine needs modifications to work well. The table insert is trash and can snag work, replace immediately. The blade guide jig is fairly good but the rail its held on, and the way its held on is awful. There is way too much play here so I ended up removing, modifying and refixing this whole assembly. Also the dust extraction is poor. Modified with a few plastic inserts and all is better but dont expect any negative pressure dustless operation. If you use without dust extraction, you will need to protect the motor from excessive dust as it will make its way inside. The fence is pretty good and the table on mine was accurately flat, although some others have had flatness issues. Apart from those issues, its a great saw. maybe slightly overpriced considering the poor blade guide assembly, but i dont regret the purchase.
Thanks for your thoughts on it. The insert is as you say, I've not noticed the other problem but I'll take a closer look at the guides. Thanks 😀
Cracking video. What’s the difference between the BS350 and the Sabre apart from the obvious cost? I’m ready to hit the button. However I’m just trying to justify the extras cost! 😮
They are very different machines, the sabre needs no tools to adjust or change blades for a start and if you check out the capacity you will see the sabre is equivalent to the bs450, basically it is a significant step up in quality.
Pro and cons of the Axminster AC2606B Vs Record Power BS350?
Unfortunately I don't have the AC2606B I was put off by the ceramic guides.
Do you use Record Power blades? I have the BS12 which I bought 2nd hand with a dull blade, have you any recommendations.
I'm a hobby Woodworker and have only had the saw a year, so only have 2 blades, 1/4" and 1/2" the 1/2" is a Record Power and seems very good, the smaller is made by Dakin-Flathers and also seems very good. However I also use the bandsaws at 'the shed' and those, even with new blades simply don't cut like the sabre350, they struggle, so whilst the blade is important, I think the design of the machine also has a lot to do with easy cutting, such as large, heavy, balanced, cast Iron wheels, decently powerful motors, good bearings etc. Anyway, this is just a longwinded way of me saying I'm not best placed to answer your question, my own buying process for blades is to not buy cheapest, or most expensive but somewhere in the middle, ideally from a specialist supplier.
Have you tried EPS Services & Tooling or Axminster? Best regards. 🙃
Lock the door by turning left? In my opinion, locking the door should be by turning to the right ;)
Lol, they are actually really nice to use.
It's not made in England. It's made in China. However, it seems to be very good and I'm seriously thinking about buying one. Thanks for your video!
Thanks for the correction
Im contemplating buying this machine. but you claimed there was not need to use ANY tools such as alankeys or screw drivers. Then 3 minutes later you show the handy storage compartment for the.... alankeys
Yes, those haven't been used since assembly. You can change the blade and adjust all the guides and the fence without any tools, it's all knobs and levers.
I don't understand this video - I thought it was supposed to be an update after using the saw for a year but it's just a description of the machine.
Thanks for the feedback it was supposed to be a review having used the saw for a year, I.e. not a review of a new toy without experience actually living with it. Sorry, it's not what you expected