Metal Bandsaw - quality?

Hi,

Has anyone any comments on this bandsaw.?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMA1140-Portable-Metal-Cutting-Band-Saw-1500W-Motor-Swivel-Base/272875290995?hash=item3f88a28173:g:kzYAAOSwt5tZ1kff

I'm looking for something compact and this seems to fit the bill. Just not sure of the quality.

Matt

It's an Amadeal machine. You will get it £25 cheaper direct from their site *** Amadeal *** cannot comment on quality though. Similar style to the Femi model which will set you back a few more quid but is reported to be very good.

John

Thanks John, That is useful to know.

Hopefully someone may have bought one and can comment.

Matt

Ive not got that one but ive got a similar small one somewhere in the workshop. Mine wont cut in a straight line to save its life, ive tried every adjustment on the planet to no avail. Also beware the blades are prone to snapping due to the very tight radius of the guide wheels, having said that if its Amadeal its probably a ton better than the one ive got and having dealt direct with the chaps at Amadeal I can vouch for their brilliant service.

Of course its cheaper direct from Amadale, ebay want their share.

You will also have to pay a an additional delivery charge if buying Direct

I went for a Femi 782, cuts as straight as a die.

Not at the moment apparently, this from Amadeals site:-

FREE UK POSTAGE FREE UK POSTAGE FREE UK POSTAGE!!
(Excluding Islands, Scottish Highlands and Northern Ireland)
UK postage is now free except for the following postcodes BT, IM, JE, GY. HS, PA20 +, PH16 +, ZE, IV 1-29 and IV34 +, and KW
Shipping to the Highlands / Islands and Northern Ireland is an additional £6.50 up to 25kg

John

Unless I'm missing something, the Femi 782 is almost double the price!

THanks for the vote of confidence on Amadeal service.

Matt

Maybe that is what it costs to get one that will cut straight

Ha! I hope not!

Matt

I have been considering buying a bandsaw for some time. After a near miss last week with a slitting disk I took the plunge and bought a Femi from Stakesy's. It cut straight without adjustment, wish I had bought one earlier. Whatever you go for check the price and availability of replacement blades.

Michael, thats quite a bit cheaper.

What blade tpi do people recomment for general purpose sawing of FCMS etc

Matt

@ Michael.

+1 from me for my 782XL saw, and for the supplier, and also for “the wish that I had bought earlier”. I also bought the vertical table accessory - the main use so far. Being able to lift it and move it about for convenience was also a plus. Happy with the blade as supplied.

Until I talked to the supplier I had not realised that the 782XL was a hand feed machine: not auto.
Planning to try an adjustable bar and weight on the head when larger cuts are required.

When it comes to any significant purchase my long held philosophy is :-

I have never regretted my extravagances but I have often regretted my economies. So yet one more for the “no regrets” column.

Chris.

Edited By MK_Chris on 07/01/2018 18:01:40

Hello Chris,

I have never regretted spending probably more than I should for a quality piece of kit. On the other hand buying cheap and buying twice has been a bitter experience on more than one occasion in the past. I would explain but I am trying to forget those mistakes. Michael.

You could also consider the lower spec Femi 780 XL (2-speed as against the variable electronic of the 782) on Amazon for about £300 delivered. LINK **LINK**

Not much more than the Amadeal. I would want to check the angle cutting of the Amadeal, the geometry looks wrong and there is no picture. Maybe just the picture angle.

As usual with bandsaws the thicker the material the coarser the blade pitch that can be used. But for everyday on mild steel I manage with 14 tpi, going to 24 tpi for thin sheet. Both these are commonly available.

Notice that the Femi saws run faster than the Chinese imports, the 2-speed offering 60 or 80 metres per min, whereas my Chinese offers 20 (Stainless,Bronze, & other hard stuff), 30 (the usual mild steel), or 50 (Ally,Brass,Copper) mpm

Am I right in thinking that the Femi blade runs in the opposite direction to the conventional 6 x 4 convertible machine?

At first sight this seems unlikely if it means that the blade cuts upwards and away from the accessory table but no doubt a user can enlighten me.

I too went a quest for a compact bandsaw, a few years ago. I ended up buying one of these **LINK** worth every penny.

Not regretted it

jim

Femi blade travels towards the pivot point same as other bandsaws and will therefore cut downwards when used with a table.

Femi come with Vari pitch blades and mine is still goingstrong after 14months though I did buy a spare just in case.

I've had the Femi 2 speed for many years. I first saw it demo'ed at one of the ME shows at Ali Pally. The vendor was cutting 1mm slices from a circular bar of 50mm steel....

Pete