Axminster AT2552B Bandsaw
The Axminster Trade AT2552B is a professional-grade bandsaw manufactured by Axminster Tool Centre Ltd, designed to deliver precision cutting performance for both trade users and dedicated amateur woodworkers. The model designation "2552B" refers to the blade length of 2,552mm (100.5 inches), which wraps around the machine's wheel assembly to provide the cutting action.
This bandsaw is characterized by its rigidly built steel body combined with a large, finely ground cast iron table, which provides the stable platform necessary for accurate cutting operations. The machine features maximum cutting dimensions of 340mm width and 200mm depth, positioning it as a mid-sized bandsaw suitable for a wide range of woodworking and light metalworking applications when fitted with appropriate blades.
The AT2552B incorporates several professional-specification features including micro-adjustable ball bearing blade guides, which provide precise blade support and tracking adjustment. The machine operates from a 550W motor running at 230V 50Hz single phase, delivering a blade speed of 800 metres per minute for efficient cutting across various materials.
Technical Specifications
Power and Electrical Configuration
The AT2552B is equipped with a 550-watt motor operating on 230V 50Hz single-phase power, making it suitable for standard workshop electrical installations. This motor specification provides sufficient power for cutting through hardwoods and stacked materials while maintaining a reasonable power consumption that avoids the need for three-phase electrical infrastructure. The motor drives the blade wheels through a belt drive system that permits smooth power delivery and allows for maintenance access to drive components.
Cutting Capacity
The bandsaw offers a maximum width of cut of 340mm (13.4 inches), providing ample capacity for resawing boards and cutting wide panels. The maximum depth of cut reaches 200mm (7.9 inches), allowing users to process thick timber stock and perform deep resawing operations. When the rip fence is in position, the maximum width of cut is reduced to 300mm to accommodate the fence's mounting system, still providing substantial capacity for most ripping operations.
Blade Specifications
The machine accommodates blades with a length of 2,552mm (100.5 inches), which is a standard size offering good availability from blade manufacturers. The bandsaw accepts blade widths from a minimum of 3mm (1/8 inch) to a maximum of 19mm (3/4 inch), providing flexibility for different cutting applications from tight curves with narrow blades to straight resawing with wide blades. The blade speed is rated at 800 metres per minute, which represents a good compromise between cutting speed and blade life for general woodworking applications.
Table and Work Surface
The bandsaw features a large cast iron table that has been precision ground to provide an excellent support surface for workpieces during cutting operations. The table incorporates tilt capability with quadrants set very widely apart to provide maximum support and smooth tilt action. This wide quadrant spacing ensures the table remains stable even when tilted to maximum angles, reducing the risk of deflection during angled cutting operations.
Guide System
The AT2552B employs micro-adjustable ball bearing blade guides for both upper and lower blade support positions. Ball bearing guides offer significant advantages over traditional block-style guides, including reduced friction on the blade, extended guide life, and easier adjustment procedures. The micro-adjustment capability allows users to position guides with precision, ensuring optimal blade support while minimizing interference with the blade's cutting action.
Key Features
Rigid Steel Construction
The bandsaw's rigidly built steel body provides a stable foundation that resists vibration during cutting operations. This rigid construction is essential for maintaining accuracy, particularly during resawing operations where blade drift and vibration can significantly impact cut quality. The steel body construction also contributes to the machine's durability, ensuring it can withstand the demands of professional workshop use over extended periods.
Rip Fence System
The machine features a deep-section rip fence that runs on a calibrated aluminium extrusion, providing both accuracy and rigidity during ripping operations. The fence locks firmly in place with a lever mechanism, giving solid and accurate location that resists deflection when workpieces are pressed against it during cutting. The calibrated rail allows for rapid fence positioning to common dimensions, speeding up repetitive cutting operations and reducing setup time.
Height Adjustment System
Cutting depth is controlled through a well-engineered rack and pinion system, which provides smooth and precise adjustment of the upper blade guide assembly. This system includes a lock mechanism to secure the guides in position once the desired cutting height is set, preventing unwanted movement during operation. The rack and pinion design offers superior control compared to simple friction-based height adjustment systems, particularly important when fine adjustments are required.
Blade Tensioning and Tracking
Located at the rear of the machine are the blade tracking control, blade tension indicator, and quick-action blade tension lever. The quick-action tension lever is particularly useful for both blade changing operations and for releasing blade tension when the machine is not in use, which helps preserve blade life and reduces stress on the machine's frame and bearings. The blade tension indicator assists users in achieving appropriate blade tension for different blade widths, helping to optimize cutting performance and blade longevity.
Mitre Fence
The bandsaw includes an adjustable precision mitre fence that is T-slotted into the table for added safety and accuracy during angled cutting operations. The T-slot mounting system prevents the mitre fence from lifting away from the table surface during use, maintaining consistent cutting angles and improving safety by providing secure workpiece support throughout the cutting process.
Wheel Design
The machine features smooth-running, vibration-free balanced cast alloy blade wheels that contribute to quiet operation and reduced blade fatigue. The balanced wheel design minimizes vibration transmission to the workpiece, helping to maintain cutting accuracy and producing cleaner cut surfaces. Cast alloy wheel construction provides durability while maintaining the precise balance required for smooth operation.
Applications
General Woodworking
The AT2552B serves as a versatile general-purpose bandsaw for woodworking operations including ripping, resawing, and curved cutting. The combination of adequate power, substantial cutting capacity, and precise fence and guide systems makes it suitable for furniture making, cabinetry, and general joinery work. The machine handles both hardwoods and softwoods effectively, with the 550W motor providing sufficient power for cutting oak, maple, and other dense timber species without excessive blade speed reduction under load.
Resawing Operations
The bandsaw's 200mm maximum depth of cut makes it particularly capable for resawing operations, where thick boards are sliced into thinner sections to produce matching grain patterns or maximize yield from expensive timber. The rigid construction and precision ground table help maintain accuracy during these demanding operations where the entire cutting depth is utilized. The deep-section rip fence provides the support necessary to keep workpieces perpendicular to the table throughout the cut, crucial for producing consistently thick resawn boards.
Curved Cutting and Template Work
When fitted with narrow blades down to 3mm width, the AT2552B can execute tight radius curves for chair parts, decorative elements, and template-following operations. The ball bearing guide system maintains good blade support even with narrow blades, helping to produce smooth curves without excessive blade wander. The large table surface provides good support for larger workpieces during curved cutting, while the smooth blade speed enables clean cuts that require minimal sanding.
Professional and Trade Applications
As part of Axminster's Trade range, the AT2552B is designed for both trade users and dedicated amateur craftspeople, indicating its suitability for professional workshop environments where reliability and consistent performance are essential. The machine's robust construction and professional-specification components allow it to handle the sustained use patterns typical of trade workshops, while the 3-year guarantee (when properly maintained) provides assurance of long-term reliability.
Light Metalworking
While primarily designed for woodworking, the AT2552B can accommodate light metalworking applications when fitted with appropriate bi-metal blades. The rigid construction and ball bearing guides make the machine suitable for cutting aluminum profiles, brass, and other non-ferrous metals commonly used in workshop projects. The variable speed capability through pulley changes allows users to reduce cutting speed for metal applications, helping to extend blade life and improve cut quality when working with metal stock.