Powertec BS900 Band Saw 9-inch Review
Editor Rating: 3.8/5
Great
Powertec BS900 Review
Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson
Published on: October 05, 2017
Last modified:
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Powertec BS900 Review Summary:
Many people would agree that the best way to finding a high-quality bandsaw is to just invest in the top-rated one. While that can be a decent strategy, it does have some downsides, especially when it comes to buyers with a limited budget. Instead of getting the first thing you stumble upon, you should conduct research and see which model offers the best features in comparison to your personal requirements. In other words, make sure you read through the model’s capabilities and see whether or not it’s worth investing in.
In case you aren’t willing to dedicate your time and effort to research, don’t worry, that’s why we are here. Our goal is to bring high-quality bandsaws closer to the average buyer so that they don’t have to hassle with research and waste their precious time. On top of that, our reviews are not biased nor sponsored meaning you will get a realistic representation of what to expect from a particular unit.
Specifications:
- Power – 2.5-amps
- Weight – Approximately 45 pounds
- Blade speed – 1725 RPM
- Blade size – 62 x 1/8 x 3/8 inches
- Blade width – From 1/8-inch up to 3/8-inch
- Quick-release tension mechanism
- Blade tracking window
Powertec BS900 – The Basics
The BS900 model is a good solution for avid enthusiasts because of its ease of use and versatility. When it comes to the professionals, some of them could find good use in this particular model, but most of them won’t like it too much due to certain limitations such as an underpowered motor or constant blade speed.
The thing that makes this unit worth checking out is the amount of additional features that are included. For example, the patented quick-release mechanism comes in handy, especially if you’re planning on changing the blade frequently. On top of that, the tilting worktable allows you to cut at a specific angle of up to 45 degrees without breaking a sweat.
The Features
The Design
The design is pretty conventional, but it does come with a few upsides. The first notable one is the weight. While most other models from this particular category weigh quite a bit, this particular one doesn’t. Now, that also doesn’t mean it’s proportionally more portable in comparison to its competitors. On top of that, more often than not, the lack of weight does slightly affect the overall stability of the machine. It’s not as noticeable with this one, but it should still be mentioned.
The worktable is somewhat spacious, but it could have been designed a bit better. The tilting mechanism works well, but the overall quality of it isn’t at the highest level, to say the least. On the other hand, one shouldn’t expect a premium performance out of each and every component built into this unit considering the affordability. In simpler words, you will get what you paid for.
The blade range is satisfactory and it allows you to choose between scroll cutting, resawing, and etcetera. While it does sound versatile, one shouldn’t set their hopes too high. One other noteworthy feature is the 2-inch dust port. It’s a great addition, especially if you already own an extractor.
Usability
Even though the BS900 can handle a variety of materials, it’s mainly foreseen for woodworking. For example, if you mount a carbide-tipped blade, you could in theory cut through aluminum without too many issues. However, the consistency and accuracy will fall short and suffer. When it comes to processing wood, this model should handle any size and density well and yield satisfactory results.
Pros:
Lightweight
Easy to use
Good features
Cons:
Poor quality control
Things we liked about it
The simplistic design combined with a relatively acceptable price is one of the main selling points of this particular model. It does offer some neat features, but it’s not something we find particularly impressive. However, that doesn’t mean that investing in this unit is a bad idea. It all comes down to what you need and expect from a bandsaw.
The build quality is good and the whole unit feels sturdy and reliable enough. It’s not the hardest thing around, but it certainly comes with a decent level of trustworthiness. On top of that, the price-to-quality ratio is great which means a lot to people who are on a limited budget.
Things we didn’t like
Powertec’s quality control department is quite inconsistent. Many people complained about getting faulty units with severe deviations. While this whole matter may be connected to shipping agencies as well, the high percentage of return certainly isn’t a good sign one way or another.
The motor does output decent power, but it could definitely use some more. It can deal with most things you’re planning on cutting but don’t be surprised if it chokes with particularly dense materials. It’s not a big deal per se because the machine isn’t foreseen for heavy-duty tasks in the first place, but it still deserves to be mentioned so that you don’t set your expectations too high.
What Users Say About The Powertec BS900
The opinions are mixed when it comes to the ultimate verdict. Some people find this unit useful for a vast range of applications, while others complain about its consistency and overall quality. As far as we are concerned, it’s a neat addition to anyone’s workspace as long as they know the limits of their machine. The usual predicaments related to this unit are due to people expecting more than it’s foreseen to do. As long as you keep your expectations realistic, the BS900 should be a worthy investment.
Conclusion
It’s quite hard to come up with a general verdict because there are so many factors to consider along the way. In case you’re a woodworking enthusiast who doesn’t utilize their unit on a daily basis for intense projects, then it’s probably a good idea to look into the features of this model.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for grade-A professional performance, this is definitely not the unit you should consider buying. Ultimately, this bandsaw is foreseen for small to mid-sized projects and it does its job pretty well. On the other hand, it won’t cope well with massive tasks.
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