3-wheel bandsaws

[Simpo Two]

I have a benchtop 3-wheel bandsaw that's still working fine after 40 years (inherited from my father).

How come every new bandsaw now seems to be 2-wheel? What's the advantage?

[kambites]

Three-wheel band saws are used to allow a more compact unit whilst maintaining decent clearance between the frame and the blade. I think the disadvantage with them is that the wheels are smaller and hence bend the blade through a tighter arc which means the blade has to be thinner and will wear out faster.

ETA: Two-wheel ones may well be cheaper, too.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 28th September 22:38

[biggiles]

I suspect it's also cost of ensuring basic levels of quality? Keeping 3 large wheels aligned/coplanar is harder than 2.

An Inca 3-wheel bandsaw is pretty accurate. Most "cheap" 3-wheel bandsaws are not!

At the cheap end of the market I think I would prefer a 2-wheel bandsaw over a 3-wheel bandsaw.