Lidl band saw

[Kevan]

I see Lidl are offering a metal band saw for £99.95 from 1 November! It seems to have a 127mm capacity probably slightly less on the vice plus the ability to lift the saw off the base and use in hand held! Apart from the fact it is likely to come with a crappy blade any thoughts on how useful
It might be in a small workshop?

[coniston]

I also saw that advertised, for the price I might just give it a go, I'm sure a replacement decent blade wont cost the earth if it is necessary and it could save an awful lot of arm aching.

Chris D

[jem]

If it is Parkside, then it will probably be pretty good, I have bought various tool of their make, and been very satisfied with them.

Jem

[jon38r80]

+1 for Parkside. The Aldi tools I bought all broke quite quickly so only get tempted in Lidl now.

[springcrocus]

I'm with Jem and Jon, a great fan of Parkside-badged equipment. Most of it is made by Einhell, with the occasional Bosch item rebadged.

Aldi, on the other hand, is generally cheap tat.

Regards, Steve

[dscott]

Just past the Club in Reading they both have the stores back to back.
Only went in Aldi for a change and soon returned to normality. The rice pudding tasted fowl.
They sometimes do mini Drum sanding packs and I bought lots. Trouble is that one drum about the size of your finger did the whole set of coupling rods so I have lots left over.
Did have their Concrete breaker break down on me but the amount of abuse I gave it it did well.
Got a bigger one from Screwfix which has helped most days on the digging out for the Workshop Extension.
Two 2 yard skips full of subsoil Tilehurst clay and flint!!!
Plus the top front of the house half 50 year old concrete blocks!!!

I will have a look as I need a new motor for my Axminster wood version that needs converting.

David and Lily who sometimes finds a bargain to wear in the middle isles.

[coniston]

Oct 28, 2020 1:39:57 GMT dscott said:

 The rice pudding tasted fowl.

David and Lily who sometimes finds a bargain to wear in the middle isles.

Like chicken then?

[JonL]

The bargain to look out for there (Lidl) is their blowtorch gas canisters. A fraction of the price of other shops.

[Kevan]

Ok I bought one today. A couple of odd things the blade runs towards the handle and therefore the open side of the vice I would have expected it to run the opposite way. Also it isn’t cutting truly vertical though the blade does line up with a square set in the vice.

I was hoping it would be fairly easy to set it up vertically so I could put a table on it, however the mounting bolts are in the Wrong end given the direction of blade travel. The blade supplied is better and finer toothed than I expected. The thing does chop through metal pretty effectively and much faster than me with a hacksaw!

Lidl also have magnetic rails for tools at £2.99. Two of these now grace the workshop walls one over the lathe the other over the bench. They are usefully strong over the lathe my big whitworth ring spanners stay where you put them no sign of sliding down the handles!

[simplyloco]

Nov 1, 2020 15:54:51 GMT Kevan said:

Ok I bought one today. A couple of odd things the blade runs towards the handle and therefore the open side of the vice I would have expected it to run the opposite way. Also it isn’t cutting truly vertical though the blade does line up with a square set in the vice.
SNIP

Thanks for the feedback. I have found that  most cheap hacksaw blades pull one way due to the poor set of their teeth. I stick with the good stuff!
John

[coniston]

Nov 1, 2020 15:54:51 GMT Kevan said:

Ok I bought one today. A couple of odd things the blade runs towards the handle and therefore the open side of the vice I would have expected it to run the opposite way. Also it isn’t cutting truly vertical though the blade does line up with a square set in the vice.

I was hoping it would be fairly easy to set it up vertically so I could put a table on it, however the mounting bolts are in the Wrong end given the direction of blade travel. The blade supplied is better and finer toothed than I expected. The thing does chop through metal pretty effectively and much faster than me with a hacksaw!

Lidl also have magnetic rails for tools at £2.99. Two of these now grace the workshop walls one over the lathe the other over the bench. They are usefully strong over the lathe my big whitworth ring spanners stay where you put them no sign of sliding down the handles!

Like you Kevan I couldn't resist the temptation. i was hoping it could convert to vertical mode but alas probably too much hassle to attempt that however it does pack away into its supplied plastic carry case which can be useful. I'm sure for a lot more money you get a more accurate and versatile machine but it certainly chopped through some steel bar with some ease so it will find a place in the workshop.

Chris D

[JonL]

I think these things often provide a good starting point which you can then improve upon.

[AndrewP]

I have had one of these for a few months now and am thoroughly impressed. I must admit I got it after picking up some 2" dia steel and a hacksaw and looking at them and saying nah! and putting them down again. It ate the 2" steel easily into several slices. I got 2 spare blades elsewhere but am still on the original. I don't like the design of the vice but it seems to work just fine so I'll leave it alone.
I have been told there is mod online to make it vertical but under a different brand name, which is where my failing memory kicks in, Milwaukee perhaps?
Andy

[coniston]

Thanks for the heads up on possible mods Andy.

Just in case anyone hasn't seen the saw, pictures below. You can see what Andy refers to about the vice, too much overhang and not really too sturdy but seems to work. It ate through a piece of 50mm x 6mm steel bar no trouble and much quicker and easier than hack saw. One thing going for it is that it is reasonably compact and sits on the bench easily.

[dscott]

Love the LIVERY OF THE TEA!!! Intrigued by the dark and light bits.
I like them sort of RUN IN with several layers of build up inside.

YES the saw.
Ours is still in its box as recovering from having to wait for a car parking space in Lidl.
Never has been this full?
Yes I have loads of blocks and plates to cut up and even 5 hacksaws with various blades. But anything to speed up production without getting too tired.

David and Lily who could not resist other bits while within the store.

[ilvaporista]

I too have plenty of Parkside tools and on the whole they are pretty good and labour saving for the average hobby user. On the other hand I have also used some of their tools intensively and they do stand some abuse. I was expecting their nailer to fail whilst making a long run of fencing but it kept going. Generally if I know I am going to be using a power tool often and intensively I buy a trusted high quality version, for everything else Parkside is fine.

[JonL]

The TUV marking is usually a pretty good indication you won't get electrocuted at the least.

[GWR 101]

Hi, sorry for being a bit late to the party. Purchased one of these last week, I have been struggling lately with hand sawing as arm muscles are well past their sell by date. Did wonder about the vice so have drilled four new holes 15mm nearer the blade, next job is to fit two new jaw liners that extend a bit nearer so that the overhang is reduced even further. I have looked at various band saws over time but when weighed up regarding the amount of usage this appears to be a good compromise. Hopefully time will tell, regards Paul

[peterdrg]

It seems to be otherwise sold by Scheppach. I am interested in its possibilities as a vertical job too.

[dscott]

I checked the Blade situation as the first thing.
Axminster, Screwfix and Toolstation all sell this size.

The virticle table would be a lovely idea BUT my inbox at the moment is huge.
Here is Lily taking delivery of my new one purchased to try and cope.



David and Lily.