Record Power BS250 Benchtop Bandsaw

Product Information

The Record Power BS250 is a bench top band saw with a cast irontable. The user benefits from stability normally only found in muchlarger models. Optional Stand & Wheelkit Available: The optional stand and wheelkit allow themachine to be moved easily around the workshop. I do want to buy a second machine for use in my model workshop and would like to try a Sabre 250 next but as it is such a similar machine I fear it may well share the same welded main body (?) and so I need to make sure that my next new machine is stable and does not wobble in use like this one has done from new. The lower guides are again three ball bearings that can be moved once you release the caphead bolts, a bit more fiddly as there is not so much room, but nicely made and again strong.

This BS250 is a very good machine for the money, and with a couple of minor tweaks it can be improved still further at very little cost.I have resisted buying an up-rated fence from a third party and have got used to always have to set it against an engineers set square every time it is fitted or moved as it cannot be adjusted or set to stay at right angles to the machine table.

The only other problem that I have with the machine in use is that the fence has to be set against a machine square every time it has its position moved as it will not pull-up correctly when the lever is tightened. I like Record wood working machines as they are well made so I was looking at the 250 when i saw the Sabre 250, that was a problem, which one do i go for. My workshop is quite small and the overall size and weight of this means that I can store it under the bench. The initial cuts I made to set the bandsaw up showed me that I could easily use it to slice large pieces of hardwood and have no issues with blade alignment or power.The BS250 has a solid, finely ground cast iron table top provides an ideal, low friction work support. With a strong tension system that requires more than adequate tension for blade capacities of this model and 'sealed for life bearings' that require no maintenance during the working life of your machine. The saw work very well and has changed my wood working experience, it has opened up all sorts of new projects.

In this configuration it has quality and features well ahead of many of the lower cost floor-standing machines available in the market. The end result is a premium-quality, affordable bandsaw which retains the compact size of the BS250 while offering improved capacities, usability, accuracy and performance. In addition, we believe that the capacities, power and performance upgrades, combined with the unique SABRE features now found on this machine, make it a real contender in the general purpose floor-standing bandsaw category when combined with the BS250-AW stand and wheel kit. Thestrong steel frames, dynamically balanced band wheels, cast iron tablesand a powerful 1/3hp induction motor will make light work of any jobapplication and give you a good professional finish. If you look for the best affordable bandsaw, then our fourth recommendation will surely appeal to your taste! Here’s Silverline Trade Quality 350W Bandsaw and Converter Plug Blue SIL441563!

Bandsaws

In the box is a DVD “Bandsaw Master Class” by Alan Holtham – I was advised in the shop that it is worth watching and totally agree. The DVD goes through the basic features, adjustments and settings, maintenance and making cuts. I upgraded the small drive belt to a better quality one and changed the supplied saw blade to some that are made in Wales and the machine now runs like a sewing machine and cuts beautifully - it is superb and a real pleasure to use. Even with the bandsaw positioned with the spine against the workshop wall, the offset hinges enable the door to open far enough to give good access for blade changes without the need to take the door off or move the bandsaw away from the wall. The rip fence mount features easily accessible screws for fine adjustment of the fence in relation to the blade, for increased accuracy.

For the model maker this is a far better bandsaw than the Proxxon MB-240 that I tested last year. I would give the Record BS250 4 stars – sorry lost one star as the fence is not as good as it could be.

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So having watched the DVD I set up the bandsaw taking care to align the table square with the blade.