Joiners Tools Review: Band saw – General 901-14inch

Introduction

The band saw is one of the most flexible and versatile tools in the joiners workshop. It has a broad range of use which includes cutting wood to size, resawing, reshaping, cutting curves and will also handle jointing cuts such as tenons and dovetails.

There are two main types of band saw: free standing all in one models and the smaller type which require to be mounted onto a bench top or some other form of stand. The freestanding model is the one you are more likely to see in a joiner’s workshop as they tend to have larger motor capacities and are more suited to continued use.

The key areas when considering a band saw are the width and depth of cut. The width is determined by the distance between the vertical frame part of the band saw and the blade. Band saws are generally referred to by their width size. The depth of cut indicated the thickness of wood the saw is able to cut through.
Product

We came across the General 901-14inch band saw in the workshop of Joiners Manchester and found it being well used and undertaking the tasks required of it with ease. Their website can be found at www.joiner-manchester-uk.co.uk

The most obvious visual feature of this machine is its huge frame. The table seemed small in proportion size to the frame with good flatness and was certainly adequate to perform a wide range of cutting tasks. The adjustments are relatively basic and the fence is noisy. The guide type is the double bearing format and the quality of cut we saw was first class.

Pros

Up to the task with excellent cutting capabilities

Cons

Dust collection was poor

Summary

This is a solid and reliable machine with a wide range of excellent cutting options that would be a benefit to any joinery shop.

The General 901-14inch band saw would suit any joiner Manchester for a wide range of cutting tasks and would satisfy the majority of joinery Manchester woodworking requirements.

Loft conversions into storage space: review of the Create A Space service

Service Requirements
In February 2012 we called Corbiere Joiners Glasgow for a quotation on a loft conversion into storage space that we were badly needing, mostly for a lot of the kid’s stuff we wanted to keep and an area for filing away paperwork.

We needed an access ladder, the loft re-floored, the ceiling and walls to be lined with plasterboard and two new skylight windows fitted.

Initial contact and quotation
Called in the morning and arranged for the joinery estimator to come out the following evening. He was very knowledgeable about loft conversions, gave me a verbal estimate there and then and we received a written quote within two days.

This turned out to be a hassle free job and was completed within the five days estimated. The quality of the joinery work was terrific. The loft conversion is absolutely ideal and we were pleasantly surprised with the extra storage unit done for free.

Good points
Hassle free, courteous, great job.

Bad points
Minor but could have done with more dust sheets.

Summary
An excellent job completed on time with minimum fuss.

Posted
George Drew, Glasgow

The service Corbiere Joiners Glasgow provide for loft conversions Glasgow has been rated excellent and as they cover the whole of the greater Glasgow area they are recommended for joinery Glasgow jobs.

Their website can be found at www.joiner-glasgow-uk.co.uk