Topmaq Bandsaw vs Toolshed Bandsaw

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semigeek

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#302572 3-Dec-2022 08:41

I've been given some early Xmas money to buy myself a bandsaw, two I am looking at, at the moment are from Topmaq and The Toolshed.
The Topmaq one I have my eye on is $447 and branded Boyes. Googling Boyes only brings me to a site which sells a variety of products, so not really helpful.
The bandsaw in itself, looks to be quite well made and comes with a 12 month warranty.

The Toolshed bandsaw is currently $499 and as of yet, I haven't seen it in-store, but it comes with a three year warranty.

Has anyone bought tools such as these from either Topmaq or The Toolshed and if so, how is the reliabilty of the products and ease of return should anything go wrong?

mdf

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#3004975 3-Dec-2022 09:03

I've not seen or used either of those bandsaws personally, but general comments:

I've found the Toolshed warranty badges extremely accurate. The "serious DIY" stuff isn't great, maybe big box hardware budget brand level. "Trade" stuff is good and "professional" stuff is great.

Topmaq I've only ever bought hand tools (pliers, vice grips, calipers and the like). They have been good (I am almost certain ex the same factories that supplies everyone else).

What are you planning on doing? At those price points, they will be smaller saws so probably limited capacity for resawing and they won't have a huge throat.

semigeek

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#3004979 3-Dec-2022 09:24

mdf:

I've not seen or used either of those bandsaws personally, but general comments:

I've found the Toolshed warranty badges extremely accurate. The "serious DIY" stuff isn't great, maybe big box hardware budget brand level. "Trade" stuff is good and "professional" stuff is great.

Topmaq I've only ever bought hand tools (pliers, vice grips, calipers and the like). They have been good (I am almost certain ex the same factories that supplies everyone else).

What are you planning on doing? At those price points, they will be smaller saws so probably limited capacity for resawing and they won't have a huge throat.

Mostly cutting plywood, 45 x 90 and other timbers. The throat on the Topmaq is 245 and the Toolshed one is 250. Toolsheds cutting depth is 120mm while Topmaq is 150.

pdh

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#3004984 3-Dec-2022 10:14

Also check out MachineryHouse in ETamaki.

neb

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#3005309 3-Dec-2022 16:21

Not directly answering your question but those will definitely be built down to a price even if they're otherwise reasonably OK, a (very) quick check on Trademe turns up some reasonably decent ones in the same price range, e.g. Tanners at a fraction of the new price.

sir1963

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#3005337 3-Dec-2022 19:39

neb: Not directly answering your question but those will definitely be built down to a price even if they're otherwise reasonably OK, a (very) quick check on Trademe turns up some reasonably decent ones in the same price range, e.g. Tanners at a fraction of the new price.

Genuine Tanners or Chinese badged ones ?

neb

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#3005339 3-Dec-2022 19:46

sir1963:
neb: Not directly answering your question but those will definitely be built down to a price even if they're otherwise reasonably OK, a (very) quick check on Trademe turns up some reasonably decent ones in the same price range, e.g. Tanners at a fraction of the new price.

Genuine Tanners or Chinese badged ones ?

I only had a very brief look but several mentioned cast iron so I'm assuming they're the real thing.

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

k1w1k1d

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#3005420 3-Dec-2022 21:53

Carbatech might be a better choice.

I have a cheap bandsaw I bought years ago and have never been happy with it. Next to impossible to follow a line, no matter how I adjust the blade guards.

semigeek

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#3006982 7-Dec-2022 16:36

k1w1k1d:

Carbatech might be a better choice.

I have a cheap bandsaw I bought years ago and have never been happy with it. Next to impossible to follow a line, no matter how I adjust the blade guards.

I went with the Topmaq one, the Toolshed one didn't look that great really, plus when you clamped the fence down on it, you could see it was off from being straight and still moved a little.
When I get the Topmaq one out of the box, I will see how it goes, if I am not happy with it, I will return and look elsewhere.