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Bandsaw advice

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Anthony Knights09/05/2020 09:58:53
681 forum posts
260 photos

I recently purchased some 50x50mm square bar which I am going to cut into tool post sized pieces for my CL300 lathe. Trying to do this with my 125mm angle grinder in a cut off gadget, has shown up it's short comings. Not going to the pub has left me with some surplus cash so I am considering buying a small band saw. I say small because I am restricted for space and would want a bench top mounted one which would fit in a 600x600mm (2ftx2ft) area. I have looked at the advertisers on this site and the only one which fits the bill, is the HV85 from Chester Machine Tools. I am looking for information from any one who has had experience of this or similar models.

Thank you in advance

Anthony.

JasonB09/05/2020 10:08:19
avatar
25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles

Look at a Femi or copy, only need about 1ft width of bench and are light enough to pick up one handed and tucked away if you want the benchtop space. A search for Femi will bring up several posts.

This is mine, 120mm x 120mm capacity and will do your 50x50 in under 2mins.

Edited By JasonB on 09/05/2020 10:11:17

Circlip09/05/2020 10:12:10
1723 forum posts

2" square? Get some exercise and use a Hacksaw. 12" variety not a Phillips junior.

Regards Ian.

Dave Halford09/05/2020 10:20:10
2536 forum posts
24 photos

Some thought this one when Aldi was selling it was OK, whether the differences are worth the extra 100 is up for debate.

Stuart Bridger09/05/2020 10:20:45
566 forum posts
31 photos

Femi all the way, they don't take up much space and are far better quality than other brands, with a bit of a price premium.

Oven Man09/05/2020 10:27:24
avatar
204 forum posts
37 photos

The Chester HV80 is a good example of bottom of the range Chinese engineering. I got mine free when I bought a mill from Chester a couple of years ago. Despite its rough edges I would not want to be without it. After some fettling it now cuts remarkably square and true. Note that it doesn't come with an auto switch off like it says on the website. I added a switch and a hydraulic down feed adjuster to make something a bit bit better than a sows ear but definitely no silk purse.

Like you I don't have much room but if I was buying another I would certainly consider going up to the very popular 6 x 4 size. Having said that the HV80 has been big enough for everything I have need to cut.

Peter

DiogenesII09/05/2020 10:28:17
859 forum posts
268 photos

Jason, sorry to be tiresome, but if you have minute, could you just re-iterate what model you have and what the speeds are?

larry phelan 109/05/2020 14:32:13
1346 forum posts
15 photos

I have a 6x4" model from Chester, which just eats the work, hacksaw has an easy life these days.

No use to you, I know, but just for the record.

Oven man, I would love to fit a hydraulic down feed, any info on that ?

Anthony Knights09/05/2020 15:42:04
681 forum posts
260 photos

Mr Circlip sir. Could you please recommend a brand of hacksaw blade that is actually harder than the material I am trying to cut. All the ones I've bought lately are total crap.

Sam Longley 109/05/2020 15:49:13
965 forum posts
34 photos

Try Tuff saws. They are happy to advise & have informative website

Anthony Knights09/05/2020 15:49:21
681 forum posts
260 photos

Hi Jason. I have just looked on line and seen the Fermi model 780. Is this the same one you referred to?

JasonB09/05/2020 16:03:14
avatar
25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles

I have the 782XL details here, was going to get the 780 but they were doing an offer on the 782XL which meant it was only about £10 more so why not. Looks like I gave slightly the wrong size but I have cut bigger than quoted size with a bit of jiggling about.

Edited By JasonB on 09/05/2020 16:05:15

not done it yet09/05/2020 16:19:47
7517 forum posts
20 photos

I like the idea (not the price!) of the vertical table. Not sure if my bandsaw (not a Femi) will go completely to the vertical - will have to have a look-see, but I expect I could still make a mod to use it vertically🙂 . I fancy a decent vertical bandsaw...

Rod Renshaw09/05/2020 16:34:23
438 forum posts
2 photos

I bought the Aldi one that Dave H refers to above and have been pleased with it. Some reported problems with the vice but mine has been fine. It is small and light enough to move off the bench if it's in the way. It's not as powerful as the 6 X 4 it replaced but it takes up much less space. Mine has a trigger switch, with no hold on feature so I have to stand over it while it is cutting, but for smallish sections that's no problem. It's a bit like a bandsaw version of a cut off saw, and the mechanical layout has some resemblance to an angle grinder. The conversion from hand held to use on the stand is fiddly and awkward but I generally only use it on the stand. .I have bought spare blades from Tuffsaws but, so far, the original blade is still going strong. I would be interested to see details if anyone has fitted a hold on switch and/or a down feed adjuster. I would have preferred a Fermi but for £150.00, including post and 3 year warrenty, the Aldi one is fine.

Rod

Ron Laden09/05/2020 16:38:05
avatar
2320 forum posts
452 photos

I have the Femi SN105, small but 105mm capacity which is great for a small saw.

They are not the cheapest out there but the quality is excellent.

Howard Lewis09/05/2020 17:39:38
7227 forum posts
21 photos

My bandsaw,,an old Warco 4.5" is too big for your space. After some fettling it is now a decent machine for its job.

If you want one for the future.

My experience with two samples of a small bandsaw, (chosen for just the reasons Jason mentioned ) were not good.

Maybe, I was unlucky.

If you want blades for a hacksaw, you could do worse than Eclipse, (if still available ) or Sandvik.

Howard

Anthony Knights10/05/2020 07:08:23
681 forum posts
260 photos

Well, I've jumped in and ordered a Fermi 780 bandsaw which will hopefully be delivered on the 20th of this month.

I have hacksaw blades marked "Sandvik", (as recommended above) but they could well be counterfeight, because after cutting a couple of pieces of 8mm MS bar they are knackered.

Circlip10/05/2020 08:35:05
1723 forum posts

Think Howard and I have the last "Eclipse" brand blades left. Recently cut some 38mm sq. with the bar resting on the garden wall without a vice, by cutting 3mm deep and rotating bar to ensure square cut. Do same with round bar.

Sorry, things have deteriorated since the introduction of Bi-metal blades. Many years ago, helped to section parts of a DH Goblin using a Phillips Junior but even those are now garbage.

Regards Ian.

IanT10/05/2020 09:23:52
2147 forum posts
222 photos
Posted by Rod Renshaw on 09/05/2020 16:34:23:

I bought the Aldi one that Dave H refers to above and have been pleased with it. Some reported problems with the vice but mine has been fine. It is small and light enough to move off the bench if it's in the way. It's not as powerful as the 6 X 4 it replaced but it takes up much less space. Mine has a trigger switch, with no hold on feature so I have to stand over it while it is cutting, but for smallish sections that's no problem. It's a bit like a bandsaw version of a cut off saw, and the mechanical layout has some resemblance to an angle grinder. The conversion from hand held to use on the stand is fiddly and awkward but I generally only use it on the stand. .I have bought spare blades from Tuffsaws but, so far, the original blade is still going strong. I would be interested to see details if anyone has fitted a hold on switch and/or a down feed adjuster. I would have preferred a Fermi but for £150.00, including post and 3 year warrenty, the Aldi one is fine.

Rod

I have the Aldi too and I am also happy with the actual saw. Less happy with the vice but I will probably change it.

It is a faff to put it back on the stand whilst holding the saw and trying to get the three screws back in. Since I have made a vertical stand, I need a better/quicker way to do this. Vertical mode is really needed for smaller parts as even with a better vice they would be hard (dangerous!) to hold securely.

I'm still using the original blade but as I am already a happy customer of Tuff Saws (for my woodworking bandsaw) I am prompted to order a spare blade or two for the Aldi - most likely with a higher TPI for thinner section in vertical mode. For larger lumps, I still use the McMaster power hacksaw - it's slow but steady and feels a bit safer.

At £150 the Aldi was good value and as it doesn't get used day in & day out - hopefully will last me.

Regards,

IanT

Oven Man10/05/2020 12:04:57
avatar
204 forum posts
37 photos
img_2411.jpgimg_2410.jpgPosted by larry phelan 1 on 09/05/2020 14:32:13:

I have a 6x4" model from Chester, which just eats the work, hacksaw has an easy life these days.

No use to you, I know, but just for the record.

Oven man, I would love to fit a hydraulic down feed, any info on that ?

Hello Larry. Here are some pictures of the hydraulic downfeed fitted to the Chester HV80. The cylinder and piston bit is based on the design by Mike Cox with the top and bottom bits custom made to suit the HV80. Nothing is square or vertical so the rod end joints work well. Mikes design was for a 4 x 6 model so you could use that without any major modification. You can find all the the details on Mikes Workimg_2412.jpgshop website.

Hope this helps

Peter

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