Proxxon Bandsaw - owner feedback

[rtropp]

I want to rip thin sheets from 2"x3" or smaller soft and hardwood wood planks.

Room is limited so I need something small.  I will only be using it occasionally. 

Will the Proxxon handle this or is it too small?

 

Richard

[grsjax]

Hi

Never used the Proxxon bandsaw but for less than half the price you can get a Skil 9" bandsaw which looks like it would be a more capable saw.  For the same price as a Proxxon you can get a larger 10" bandsaw that will be a lot more saw for the money.  If you have the floor space look around for a good used Delta or Delta clone 12" bandsaw, it will do any cutting you will ever need for model work or home woodworking.  Just my experiance, your mileage my vary.

 

Here is one on Amazon that gets better reviews than the Proxxon, costs about $125 less and uses standard blades rather than the special blades sold by Proxxon.  This isn't an endorcement, just an example I found doing a quick google search.  http://www.amazon.com/Rikon-10-305-Bandsaw-Fence-10-Inch/dp/B0032YZB2S/ref=sr_1_7?s=power-hand-tools&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1426102101&sr=1-7&keywords=bandsaw

 

Just found this review of several bench top bandsaws including the Proxxon.  http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/benchtop-band-saw-reviews/

Edited March 11, 2015 by grsjax

[Jaager]

Because you do not seem to intend to expand on the possibilities offered by a band saw (harvesting your own lumber - a powerful saw is best for this, a scroll saw -  a generic 9" will do) and only use it occasionally, why not go an alternate path?  

Find a local woodworker, or high school,  or trade school who has a full size unit.  Buy a blade (for what you want to do the Wood Slicer Resaw blade is ideal) that fits their saw and do it there.  A local custom cabinet maker could do it, but unless you find a generous solo good 'ol boy, the cost may be too high.

[Keith_W]

Hey Richard, if you lack the space or the money for occasional use power tools, consider joining a local woodworking club. In Australia there is a network of woodworking clubs called "Mens Sheds". You go to their website and find the closest shed to you. Most of these clubs are stocked to the brim with various power tools. My local club has two bandsaws, a thicknesser, two disc sanders, two belt sanders, lots of drills, lots of lathes, etc. It would be a much cheaper option than buying the tools yourself. 

[rtropp]

Thanks all for your tips.

 

I was starting to reconsider the 9" saws but it sounds like they do not have the power to effectively rip 3-4" thick stock so would need a more powerful (larger)  saw anyway.

 

The suggestion to find a local club or woodworker sounds good.  I have not found any clubs and the local schools do not have woodworking shop (insurance issues.)  I put out feelers to some friends but have not had luck. I am considering putting an ad in the local paper... that might produce someone willing to this occasional ripping for a few bucks.

 

If all else fails, I will either bite the bullet and get an inexpensive band saw knowing that it will not last for more than a year or two being left outside, or buy any wood thicker than two inches pre cut.

 

Richard

[grsjax]

If you are not going to harvest your own wood you might want to consider just buying the wood precut from one of the vendors that supports this forum.  It may actually be cheaper that buying a bandsaw that you will not use very often.

[Mike Y]

I have that saw, it is actually powerful.

I use it instead of a scroll saw, works very wekk.

Ripping planks - well, it has enough power, but it has no fence, so how are you going to keep a consistent thickness?

[rtropp]

Mike,

I would need a fence for resawing. 

Thanks for the insight

Richard