Lidl Portable Bandsaw

Martin, I have the Aldi one (£149.99 delivered last year I think) - the blade tension is fine, I could play a tune on it and the weld is flat and smooth, I'd be taking it straight back before they have none left to exchange it with if I were you! (And hoping its not a crap batch!)

I bought a 3 pack of Milwaukee variable pitch 44.7/8" blades (1140mm) but I'm still on the original M42 blade after over a year (although I recently chipped a tooth manhandling dexion profile, my own fault) - they were very cheap delivered, worked out circa £6-7 a piece or something?

Milwaukee do 10, 14, 18, 24 TPI and 10/14 and 14/18 TPI variable pitch. Not all of those are available in europe in the more economical packs of 3 or more blades, so it takes a bit of looking around on the net. I can't for the life of me find where I got mine from, I'll have to check the bag/box in the garage for clues.

Thanks to all for the responses,

I was wondering if anyone with other makes could chip in and say if their models have a mechanism for setting blade tension in addition to the cam mechanism that releases the blade for replacement?

In the Lidl offering I had, there is only the cam adjuster for both blade release and tensioning and when at full lock, there is no other means of blade tension adjustment. For whatever reason, my blade was so loose that it would constantly stall in softer metals because there was insufficient pressure on the rollers for a good grip.

Lidl v good -refunded no questions asked, and no, I didn't want another of the same ilk, ta very much!

I might consider trying again with a better marque, but only if I can determine if there is a proper blade tensioning adjustment mechanism and preferably if blade guide adjustments are possible as well. However, I suspect guide adjustment may be unusual, given this type of bandsaw was originally designed for freehand use.

Older, certainly - wiser? well maybe!

I think you may have just got a bad one, my blade tension can't be adjusted by any other means, but it works perfectly fine, so I see no reason why it might need to be changed.

Perhaps one defect accoutns for you both your complaints, a stray guide perhaps not holding the blade vertical, and as a result, shortening the correct route of 1140mm in length preventing you from tightening as the blade its literally cutting corners?

Edited By Russ B on 05/11/2020 13:06:58

Here's a photo of the blade tension lever on my Ferrex (Aldi), hope that helps Martin...

Great, Thanks.

I guess these products are all much the same in design but with varying build qualities. The lidl version looked to be extensively 'value engineered' and a Friday afternoon job (drillings off angle, poor threads etc). I did do quite an thorough check and strip down to assess blade run and look for any other means to take up blade slack, to no avail.

Could just have been down to a poorly sized blade, but by that time I had decided it was just not satisfactory as the basis for any project and time to get my money back!

I may pluck up the courage to try an Aldi version for conversion to vertical bandsaw one day, but one bitten... Now considering a small, cheapo upright wood bandsaw frigged with a 10:1 gear reduction on the motor as an alternative route instead.

duplicate

Edited By Martin of Wick on 05/11/2020 15:18:05

Yes, that was my original plan, and there are plenty about, but I really struggle for space as I have an area in the garage partitioned off. To be able to put it on the bench, cut what I have to and then put it away is a big bonus for me, it makes me clean it down when I've finished with it too

I have considered buying the Lidl bandsaw on Monday (when we are released from our lockdown here in Wales) but now I am not so keen. I would rather spend a few, well quite a lot more bucks, and get a tool that I am very happy with rather that have the hassle of taking back the Lidl one. Was considering the Femi 782XL. Are people who have one very please with their decision?

Bought the Lidl saw on Sunday, worked straight from the box, cut 20mm steel with no trouble.

Yes, it’s not toolroom quality, but it’s also not toolroom price. For £99.00 it’s a bargain.

The blade doe’s jump, but no more than on the other larger bandsaw I used to have d before my move.

The vice is easily modified by any competent engineer, if you want to.

It is compact and fills my needs adequately, with a three year guarantee, would I by again? Yes.

The Femi is a nice saw I believe, but is it better value for another £350.

I have the Aldi version, bought this spring. No problems to date, just bust the original blade so replaced with one from Tuf. Here is my minimalist approach to using as a vertical bandsaw. Spring clip on the trigger - switch it at the socket. 4mm plate for the table. Table is small enough that I can still use the thing hand held.

My version is much more sophisticated William, it's a twin upright design with patented (removable) securing device (e.g. a bit of broom handle)

(and I've painted mine now too - he says smugly)

How big is your table - 4" square or so?

Regards,

IanT

PS Is there a way to rotate photos?

Have to say, the Aldi offering looks rather better made/finished than the Lidl one.

I was planning some sort of simple wood holder on similar lines to hang the saw vertically on the wall at the end of the bench. Compact and accessible, taking up no bench space.

Maybe if these become available in Aldi stores in future, I might be tempted to try again.

Martin

I bought the Aldi one earlier this year. I find it ok, the only problem is the vice. It is ok for cutting off from a long piece but no good for holding a small piece. It cuts ok, certainly sounds better than your Lidl one, but it cuts slightly off square. Not sure if this is due to the vice or the pivot for the saw.

It is available now on the Aldi website for delivery only at £160. I think it was £150 when I bought mine.

Stuart

I bought the Lidl band saw last Sunday, set it up to try it out on Wednesday and returned it today, Saturday. I tired it out cutting a piece of steel rod, which it started to cut okay, but then the blade just stopped moving. It would move briefly if I released blade tensioner a little bit, but would then stop. I think that for the time being, maybe I will just continue with the angle grinder.

Keith

Aldi online have the Scheppach version on sale for £160.00, at the moment. That's £40 cheaper than Screwfix or Toolstation. Metal Bandsaw

Matt

.

I looked on the ‘net just now and the sheppach version shows no details of the base while the aldi listing says ‘no longer available’

Yes, I am David. I have a single speed 782 with vertical table. I use it more than 75% in the vertical position so Aldi does not really meet my needs. Changing modes is quick and easy. You can buy four Aldis for the same price though.

Very classy and much less likely than mine to be accidently cut up and used for something else. The table is about 4 - 4 1/2" sq.

W.

I do occasionally come across things that I know I've made but have no idea what for William

But I can probably remember this one. I was thinking more of 6" square table but I may have a smaller steel piece lurking some where, so will try it and see how it goes. I also need an easier, quicker way to get the saw on and off the horizontal stand - the three cap screws are not easy to line up whilst holding the saw with the other hand. Also the tapped holes in the alloy body will not last with continual use either...

Regards,

IanT

Sorry to all those who purchased the saw and then had to return it because of quality problems. When I spotted it in the flyer, it looked very similar to the Aldi offering. Because of the Fire Break in Wales, we did not see the specials for that week in the shops and when I called earlier this week that event had passed so it would appear that the warehouse never delivered.

Regarding the use of the cap screws to secure the arm, would it be possible to fit studs, using adhesive to lock them and secure using wing nuts?. I too found it a bit of a pain to fit the screws with one hand while supporting the saw with the other. Perhaps a distance piece could then be fitted to secure the wing nuts when operating off the bench.

William, your idea of using the B&D bench as a platform is great . I have to share a garage with my wife's car for all my woodworking gear. I partitioned off a section where saws,,planers etc. are kept. Most are fitted with a piece of 4X2 on the base for clamping in the B&D. I had bought two ladder hooks and was trying to find a place on the wall to hang the saw . Why didn't I think of it before.. It works just as well with metalwork machines as with wood. The only thing is that my bench is almost 40 years old now. Tempted to buy a new one.