Chester H80 saw quality?

Im in the market for a bandsaw that will let me get the most choppy chop with the least financial and spatial investment.

Chester H80 looks like it might fit the bill. Can anyone comment on its capability? Any competing bandsaws that give it competition?

Can't find that designation on the Chester web site. Could you post a link to make it easier to see the one you're on about?

found it. Here:-https://shop.chesterhobbystore.com/products/h80-swivel-arm-bandsaw

Think long and hard about whether the capacity is going to be enough for you over the next ten years or so. If it will, then get it, if it might not, then keep searching for an acceptable price on a larger saw.

I started with a collection of hacksaws, got a good price on an Axminster 6"x4" Chinee bandsaw and now sometimes curse the 7"x12" saw for being too small. But for stuff that's only 25mm across, often use the hacksaw, just for the exercise.

If you do go for that one (and the price does seem to be good compared with the other sizes on offer at the moment), you can improve it by doing some woodwork or metalwork and replacing the stand with a cupboard, Thus getting more use out of the space.

Edited By Mark Rand on 04/09/2018 01:36:27

Edited By Mark Rand on 04/09/2018 01:43:18

I have a similar Chinese bandsaw fitted with a variable speed motor. Not sure about the Chester H80. Have not had any problems and a good investment. Note: Use bimetal blades. They cost a bit more but last longer.

Paul.

I have an H80 - for price it is fine - limit is about 100mm max dimension - there are several mods to make more convenient eg small sub vice to hold smaller items than possible with the built in vice.

Works well for mild steel, ali, brass - not stainless steel I suspect (I use a small angle grinder in a frame for this)

throw the stand away tho

Edited By Frances IoM on 04/09/2018 08:20:00

Might be cheaper if you can find the same manufacturer but without the stand?

Buying something too big may be an inconvenience occasionally, but buying something too small for the job really sucks! The least financial investment, I find, is not necessarily the cheapest, even in the short term. They are not cheap for no good reason!

Weld decent steel fillets at the bottom of the legs, drill them and add castors.

Best mod I ever did to mine!

Neil

I've got the slightly bigger version with 6" limit but you can flip a piece of plate and cut from the other side. The only problem then is that at the angle of the arm on 12" there is insufficient leverage so hang a weight from the tension knob. I recently cut a slice off a near 12" wide piece of 15mm steel plate that way. Not saying it's ideal but ya can do it.

Hi Rainbows,

I bought a bandsaw from Chester many moons ago,just been out to check it.

It,s a model 128 with a crummy stand,worse than your type !

It cuts 128 round,115x150 square, motor 1/3rd HP.

First job I did with it was to cut up 2x1 box tube to make a proper stand,on wheels. Later on I fitted a cooling system,using a pump from an old washing machine. Works a dream !

Over the years,I have cut up 6x4 RSJ,4" round and everything inbtween,with no problem,and yes,a bimetal blade makes a big difference.

I seem to remember that I paid about £150 at the time [long time ago ],but I regard it as money well spent,even with the crummy stand ![seemed to be made from left over bean tins ]

With a good stand,it will be a pleasure to use,and a great time saver,to say nothing of the elbow grease.

My first bandsaw was a small one, probably a precursor to the H80 and its clones. (Chosen because it could be stored under the bench). It had a voracious appetite for breaking blades, no matter how it was adjusted. The replacement arrived with a cracked casting, so was returned in favour of the larger 4 1/2" model. This has not been without problems, but over the years has, with careful adjustment, and replacement of bearings and oil seal, has served well.

Consider the larger model would be my advice.

Howard

I have had one of these "H80's" for a while now having completely worn out the previous Clarke HV bandsaw sold under a number of well known labels. The H80 has served its purpose well. The stand has been modded as Neil has suggested but with only two wheels on an axle at the rear of the machine (handle at front). My biggest criticism is the vice and work support. A little project on "the list" is to make a support and bolt it into place at the same height as the vice base on the cut material side with a slot to accommodate the blade at the end of cut. My other niggle is the lack of length to the moving jaw, easily overcame with a piece of flat but more convenient if the jaw was longer almost out to the blade as per the fixed jaw.

regards

Ian

Edited By The Oily Rag on 06/09/2018 09:48:50

Remove the totally pointless plate screwed to the fixed jaw, and screw the patterned side of it to the moveable jaw so it line sup with the fixed jaw.

Problem solved, no more marking of stock by that coarse diamone pattern, plus an extra 1/4" of capacity!

Neil

I've also had the H80 for a couple of years and apart from the normal 'upgrades' it has done everything I've asked of it, as previously mentioned get the bi-metal blade far better