I've worn the rubber drive tyre out on my Aldi saw - still going strong on a replacement tyre. Maybe the quality is a bit variable, but after sorting the vice out, I use it in preference to my Fermi/Starret one, simply due to cheaper blades. Cuts as well, as straight, as quietly.
- Thread starter rcx132
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not done it yet
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Which one? They are two different manufacturers. Femi is (likely) made in Italy; the Starrett is manufactured in Brazil. Or is this a battery offering (I see someone selling a Starrett cordless item for less than £300?
rcx132
Philip
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The Clarke saw is sounding a bit more appealing 
I spoke to Stakesys who seem to be the main UK distributor for Femi. They've said that some of the Femi saws are made in Italy, eg the 782 at £520, and others are made in China. The China model looks the same as the £350 saw sold under different brands as well.
I spoke to Stakesys who seem to be the main UK distributor for Femi. They've said that some of the Femi saws are made in Italy, eg the 782 at £520, and others are made in China. The China model looks the same as the £350 saw sold under different brands as well.
Dr.Al
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The Clarke saw is probably the one you're most likely to find second hand for a good price as they're relatively common. They take a bit of fettling to get them to cut straight and even but once set up, they just keep going. I never change the belt speed. I bought mine for £80 on ebay. It was pretty battered and shabby, but it has cut through everything I asked it to and it's still going after about 10 years of reasonably regular use, although a couple of years ago I gave it some TLC and it looks a bit different now:The Clarke saw is sounding a bit more appealing
Before TLC:
After TLC:
I made a simple vice-mounted saw table for it, so it could be used for vertical bandsawing. Being vice mounted, it only takes a couple of seconds to fit, which seems much better than the standard table. Details here: https://www.cgtk.co.uk/metalwork/bandsaw/verticalsawtable
More piccies (including a 22 page blog about restoring it) if you're feeling bored: https://www.cgtk.co.uk/metalwork/bandsaw
It'll need fettling if it's a generic 6x4. They're almost useless out the box!
stuvy
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its been here 2 years and been through it a few times but cheap chinese tat
The best one is the Makita but very hard to get now so expensive
rcx132
Philip
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I went for the Femi 782XL. What sold it for me is that it's much faster at changing the mitre angle compared to the Clarke.
Just started using it. It's very smooth, it has some neat features. The geometry keeps the blade close to the vice as it swings through angles, so it's good at cutting small pieces. Neat cam for zero'ing the straight cuts.
I think the Clarke makes sense as a second hand buy, but for a new buy, the Femi make more sense.
@fizzy the Makita may be good but the mitre stand for it costs as much as the saw, crazy price.
Just started using it. It's very smooth, it has some neat features. The geometry keeps the blade close to the vice as it swings through angles, so it's good at cutting small pieces. Neat cam for zero'ing the straight cuts.
I think the Clarke makes sense as a second hand buy, but for a new buy, the Femi make more sense.
@fizzy the Makita may be good but the mitre stand for it costs as much as the saw, crazy price.
Mick Annick
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I bought an Aldi one when they had a £99.99 price online recently.
I really wanted it to be good.
However, the raise lower arm for the saw was cracked on arrival - so I returned it for a refund.
I could have got a replacement, but the pretty important arm is incredibly flimsy on them- I'd be very worried about it breaking.
I don't really have the room for a 6x4, but like that they are robust, and can't really justify £500 on something like a Femi - so I'm a bit stuffed.
I really wanted it to be good.
However, the raise lower arm for the saw was cracked on arrival - so I returned it for a refund.
I could have got a replacement, but the pretty important arm is incredibly flimsy on them- I'd be very worried about it breaking.
I don't really have the room for a 6x4, but like that they are robust, and can't really justify £500 on something like a Femi - so I'm a bit stuffed.
I don't know what the difference is between the 780XL and 782XL but I really like the 780 as well, only groans as mentioned are the nasty plastic lock off leavers, also beware when replacing saw blades to align as they can attempt to munch through the rear enclosure cover as the PO to mine did...
Did you get the upright stand for it?
I wasn't thinking of using a mitre stand as I already have a big vertical bandsaw. I just thought it would be useful for cutting bits off the ends of big lengths of box etc.
It is often easier to take the saw to the work rather than the work to the saw!
