Band saw... advice please.

Record have a mixed reputation. A good thing is that you are not looking at the bottom end where the bandsaws are truly awful.

If you have never had one from new before, they can be a real swine to set up from scratch. I had a look at some of the "Trade" ones from Axminster, they look quite good. Some of the Axminster stores will deliver and set it up for you which is well worth it, plus if you have an significant issue they will come to you rather than try and sort it via a contact centre. Their version of "Hobby" and "trade" isn't so much on build quality but based on average running time per month. The Trade ones are designed for more continuous use, so unless you are going to be there for an hour or so, you may be able to get by with a hobby one.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-trade-series-sbw3501b-bandsaw-501199

 

I used to operate one like this.

 

Had a few Record tools over the years, they were ok

Quite a few articles on UKWorkshop.co.uk site about the Record and also lots of on bandsaws in general

 

Had a similiar record bandsaw in the workshop, only problem we ever found with it was the small guide wheels on the bed used to wear rather quickly.
On a lot of bandsaws they use bearing guides for some reason record used a flat metal disc which is best thrown straight in the bin and replaced with a bearing guide, results in blades lasting longer

 

I have a record 250, which is good enough to do lightweight cuttings. You need to get the right blade for whatever you are doing and there are many of them. You can achieve a reasonable cut, but to clean it up and get a crisp accurate edge you would need a bobbin sander. I use it to cut horns on sash stiles, which it manages with a struggle, so the 250 is probably more of a hobby play about level. Mostly I use it to cross cut leftovers for the fire. I tried to eBay it once, but no one offered.

I also have a record mortice drill and grinder, which are good. I sheered a pin on the morticer and record picked it up repaired and returned for free in the 5 year guarantee.

 

Not all blades are equal, quailty varies greatly,use to use Starrett.

A lot of bandsaws wheels are two plates joined together, not patch on the old alumimum wheels with rubber tyres, I had on my Kity 613, can even still get them retyred for £70.
The 613 would put a lot of todays bandsaws to shame for quailty,reliability, always regret having to sell mine.

http://www.dbkeighley.co.uk/masters/kitty613.htm

 

And you can still buy rebadged Kitys in France, as to the quailty, compared to the orginal ones I don't know.

https://www.kity-rouen.com/en-promo...e-200-et-305-mm-xml-351_379_367_377-4538.html

 

Had a few Kity table saws over the years and the quality has dropped considerably as they have gone for the usual generic rebadged far eastern design

If I was going to get a replacement bandsaw, I would look out for one of those ex-school / technical college Startrite machines

 

Real shame Scheppach took over Kity, they tarnish the Kity name with cheap rebadged tack today, & made spares impossible to obtain for the early 613's,using the age of the machine as an excuse.
Startite were very good, use to use a three wheel model years ago, most today are two wheel models.

This what I like, if I had the space, similar to Startrite 403 .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bandsaw-S...029463?hash=item2a7e538617:g:O1MAAOSwuxFY292r

 

Could you change the motor?

 

Have a look on Ebay there are some really good makes on there when I was browsing earlier

 

Can be over come.

 

I'd agree with that, find a good solid bandsaw made when we made tools well. I've got a Satrtrite machine, well used when I bought it 26 years ago and still going strong. I've had various bits and peices made by Record, but to be honest I probably wouldn't waste my money on them again.