Hi Rob,
I have had a 14" Craftex BS for several years and I would hesitate before
buying it again. It is a pretty rough piece of work. The quality of their
product line varies so maybe that model is better. I have a DP by them which
gets the job done and an OSS which I really like. JG

Rob Fargher wrote:

Hi folks,

I'm thinking of buying a bandsaw in the near future and would like your
opinions.

BusyBee Tools (a Canadian tool store) has a Craftex 15 1/2" 2 HP bandsaw
(model CT082)on special for $650 (= US$515) till tomorrow. I've not heard
of Craftex before, as it seems to be their house brand. From the ad copy,
it's "a full size single speed (3000 fpm) band saw with a heavy pressed
steel frame and an oversize (19 3/4" x 15 1/2", 45 degree right hand tilt)
cast iron table." It has a 2 HP, 220V with magnetic starter, takes a 116"
blade, comes with a fence (21 1/2" x 2 1/2" with optical cursor), mitre
gauge, rack & pinon upper blade support & ball bearing guides. Its
capacity is 14 3/4" by 8".

Does anyone know anymore about Craftex bandsaws? For the same money I
could get a Jet JWBS-14CS, 14" Closed Stand Bndsw, 1HP, 1Ph, 115/230V at
Summit Tools (which "American Woodworker" Oct. 2004 ranked right beside the
Delta 206, which sells for $790)

I like the idea of Craftex as it's 220V (though the Jet could be rewired
to 220V) and 2 HP though it only has an 8" resaw capacity. The Jet can
take a riser block for a 12" resaw capacity. But I don't want to buy
inferior tools, however neither do I know if I'll ever need 12" resaw
capacity. It also strikes me that 1 HP isn't sufficient for 12" resawing.

What say you? Thanks!

__
Cheers,
Rob