[jgrickett51]

Hi, I have a few questions about this saw. Maybe someone has some knowledge about it on this forum. I'm looking for a bandsaw for a while for resawing and for cutting curved pieces from 50mm thick softwood. I usually find little bench-top saws or big 3phase industrial machines advertised. (I do not have 3 phase, and it'd cost too much to get it IF I could get it, living remotely.....). I found this saw, original 3 phase motor is gone, but seller has a 2.2KW 1 phase soft start motor with it. He has a bigger saw with the same motor on it. He said it's working well for him. He wants 1000 euros for it. Given the condition of the saw is this a fair deal in your opininon? Seller stated it needs a bit of a TLC, paint is a bit rough on certain patches. + what should I check if I go and take a look? I googled this model and found it's an OK quality saw. I'd love any input, if you have any opinion about it, to help me decide. Thanks in advance and have a peaceful day.

I'm not familiar with the brand, and I'm not sure what the blade size is. The thing that is immediately obvious, though, is that it has definitely not been well cared for. That's not a good sign. The rust on the tabletop is not a big thing. That will clean up fairly easily, provided there's no deep pitting. The rust on the standard for the upper blade guide may be a more difficult fix, and looking at the fine adjustment screws for the blade guides, I would not be surprised to find those rusted and frozen solid.
I would strongly recommend that you check to see if parts for this particular model are relatively available. I do that anytime I'm buying a used tool. More than once I've purchased a major brand tool, assuming that parts would be available and wound up having to hunt all over and pay too much for them.
1,000 euros is a bit under $1,200 dollars, at least today. As BWSmith said, that's a bit over the going rate for a similar saw, used, in excellent shape over here. For comparison, Grizzly Industrial, a firm that does a lot of business here in the USA and has a generally good reputation, sells a new 17" {432mm) bandsaw, with a 2 hp (750kw) single-phase motor, already specifically set up for resawing up to 12" (305mm), for only about $250 more. I don't know what you'd pay in freight, import duties, and so on. Most of their tools are made on the Pacific Rim, but they maintain good quality control, unlike many who source their tools there. This one says it's made in an ISO 9001 factory, and in my experience they don't exaggerate those statements. It looks as if they have a branch that sells in the EU, Grizzly Tools | The product diversity of Grizzly Tools.

 

[Framingbird]

I was going to mention the missing fence is a major factor if you plan on ripping or resawing. The motor would have to be installed ans I would have to see and hear it running. Maybe he can do that and send a video? Not being able to run the machine would be an automatic “no” for me. No way I would drive that far and not be able to do some test cuts. You have to do test cuts. I’ve found out the hard way a machine can look and sound good until it’s under load.

Sorry, but I would pass because it lacks a fence and is probably going to require bearing replacements, new tires, and who knows what else. I’be no knowledge about the saw but I’m not crazy about the guides, either. You could use these issues to bargain the price down where it’s more worth the chance.

I’d offer him half what he‘s asking and hope it turns it down 😉. Keep looking!

Have you seen any of the bandsaws people build? They work amazingly well. Check Marius Hornberger and Mattias Wandel.

Thanks for your reply, guy is firm on price and I appreciate your advice. I agree I should be able to try it out. He is too busy to fit motor (he sells jeeps, machinery etc, he just does not want to do it...). I'll keep looking, and will check out your recommended self-built machines.

 

[Framingbird]

I'm not familiar with the brand, and I'm not sure what the blade size is. The thing that is immediately obvious, though, is that it has definitely not been well cared for. That's not a good sign. The rust on the tabletop is not a big thing. That will clean up fairly easily, provided there's no deep pitting. The rust on the standard for the upper blade guide may be a more difficult fix, and looking at the fine adjustment screws for the blade guides, I would not be surprised to find those rusted and frozen solid.
I would strongly recommend that you check to see if parts for this particular model are relatively available. I do that anytime I'm buying a used tool. More than once I've purchased a major brand tool, assuming that parts would be available and wound up having to hunt all over and pay too much for them.
1,000 euros is a bit under $1,200 dollars, at least today. As BWSmith said, that's a bit over the going rate for a similar saw, used, in excellent shape over here. For comparison, Grizzly Industrial, a firm that does a lot of business here in the USA and has a generally good reputation, sells a new 17" {432mm) bandsaw, with a 2 hp (750kw) single-phase motor, already specifically set up for resawing up to 12" (305mm), for only about $250 more. I don't know what you'd pay in freight, import duties, and so on. Most of their tools are made on the Pacific Rim, but they maintain good quality control, unlike many who source their tools there. This one says it's made in an ISO 9001 factory, and in my experience they don't exaggerate those statements. It looks as if they have a branch that sells in the EU, Grizzly Tools | The product diversity of Grizzly Tools.

Thanks for your reply, I can not justify to buy any machinery from the USA, as they'll charge me with a hefty import duty. I'll take a look around in Ireland, have to play the waiting and searching game now.

 

[Framingbird]

For example an ex school machine in a lot better condition.

 

[Framingbird]

https://ostiatools.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Startrite-351E-Single-Speed-Vertical-Bandsaw-Instruction-Manual.pdf

 

[Framingbird]

14" single phase, had read good reviews on it. Just have to ask seller how much he wants for it.

 

[BWSmith]

Sorry for this,haha;

That country song by Kenny Rogers keeps popping up in my pea brain. "You gotta know when to hold'em,know when to fold'em" Bwahaha.

Sounds like you walked away,good. Seller possibly doesn't like country music,haha. Good luck on your machine quest,always fun.

 

[Framingbird]

Sorry for this,haha;

That country song by Kenny Rogers keeps popping up in my pea brain. "You gotta know when to hold'em,know when to fold'em" Bwahaha.

Sounds like you walked away,good. Seller possibly doesn't like country music,haha. Good luck on your machine quest,always fun.

That's funny.... The hunt is on, will find something, just have tobe patient. Lack of knowledge either meakes me dumb or cautios, I don't want to be dumb....so I walked away...thanks for all of your help making the right decision.

 

[jgrickett51]

Thanks for your reply, I can not justify to buy any machinery from the USA, as they'll charge me with a hefty import duty. I'll take a look around in Ireland, have to play the waiting and searching game now.

Grizzly does have direct sales in the EU. I'm not familiar with how their pricing in that market compares, but it might be worth looking. It's an interesting company. the current, semi-retired, president of the company, Shiraz Balolia, started out delivering equipment in his own van and still seems to be somewhat involved in how they operated. Apparently he wanted a lathe, couldn't afford a new one, so he bought a used one and fixed it up, and then sold it to trade up to a better used one, and just kept going. Sound familiar?

 

[Framingbird]

You might start studying electricity while you are searching for a saw. With the information on how three phase works it wouldn't be difficult to wire a saw yourself. I bought a machine onetime with the intention of replacing the motor with a single phase motor only to find out the motor wasn't replaceable. I was forced to get a phase converter and learn how to wire it up. Then I went on to purchase three more machines that run on three phase.

I've an inverter now. You gave me the idea to have 3phase. 😁 So it'll be a bit easier to get a machine. Any pointers where to look for wiring it up? I don't dare to try electricians forums, they'll eat me alive....🤣 I tried YouTube, but found only really general info...maybe I'm just not looking at the right place

 

[Framingbird]

If I could wire up VFD I'd buy something like this. He wants 600 euros for it.

 

[Steve Neul]

I've an inverter now. You gave me the idea to have 3phase. 😁 So it'll be a bit easier to get a machine. Any pointers where to look for wiring it up? I don't dare to try electricians forums, they'll eat me alive....🤣 I tried YouTube, but found only really general info...maybe I'm just not looking at the right place

I'm sorry but I don't have any ideas on electricity in Ireland. What I read the motor has three lines of 220v each. On a phase converter L3 has capacitors which bump up the electricity but I don't have a clue about an inverter. Think of a motor as it has electromagnets in it. On a regular motor it has one magnet which keeps it turning. On three phase it has three magnets to keep it turning. It's mainly used in industrial applications because it uses less electricity to have three magnets pulling it.

 

[Framingbird]

I'm sorry but I don't have any ideas on electricity in Ireland. What I read the motor has three lines of 220v each. On a phase converter L3 has capacitors which bump up the electricity but I don't have a clue about an inverter. Think of a motor as it has electromagnets in it. On a regular motor it has one magnet which keeps it turning. On three phase it has three magnets to keep it turning. It's mainly used in industrial applications because it uses less electricity to have three magnets pulling it.

I've found a few youtube videos in the meantime, does not look complicated to wire it, but it has layers and layers of settings-"programming"...will try to buy a small 3phase motor to try it out.