Charnwood Cobra C18BX 18″ Bandsaw With 16″ Cutting Depth – 3000w

• Take on large and demanding workpieces without being restricted by limited cutting capacity
• Move confidently between heavy resawing, accurate sizing and detailed curved work on one versatile machine
• Set up and change blades efficiently, keeping adjustments straightforward when moving between different jobs
• Maintain consistent control during demanding cuts for cleaner results and less frustration at the bench
• Keep large projects supported and manageable with a solid, stable working platform and practical workshop features

Capacity for serious resawing

The Cobra C18BX gives an experienced woodworker the freedom to work with substantial timber, whether resawing boards, cutting large components or preparing stock for further machining. Its 400mm (16″) cutting depth and 460mm (18″) throat width provide the capacity to tackle work that would be beyond a smaller workshop bandsaw.

The one-piece welded frame is made from heavy-gauge steel to minimise distortion when the blade is fully tensioned. A 3000W (4hp) induction motor provides the power required to use the full 16″ cutting depth, with an internal brake bringing the blade quickly to rest when the stop button is pressed.

Accurate blade control

Good blade control makes a noticeable difference when resawing or following a line through substantial timber. The C18BX uses five sealed bearings above the table and five below, with two bearings supporting each side of the blade for additional control when wider blades are fitted. All the bearings have tool-free adjustment for straightforward setup.

The rear thrust bearing has a central groove which supports blades down to 3mm wide. This allows deep scroll cutting without additional guides, making it possible to produce intricate boxes, toys, puzzles and craftwork in timber much deeper than could be handled on a conventional scroll saw.

Faster blade changes and setup

Changing blades and setting them correctly should not become a job in itself. A quick-release blade tension lever speeds up blade changes, while the blade tension indicator and fine-tuning adjuster make it easier to establish the correct tension.

Viewing windows allow you to check blade alignment and thrust bearing position without unnecessary dismantling, while the blade guard incorporates a height scale for repeatable setup. The machine accepts blades from 3mm (⅛″) to 27mm (1″) wide, with a 3673mm (144.6″) blade length and blade speed of 865m/min.

A stable working platform

Large timber is easier to control when it has a properly supported working surface. The 500 x 660mm precision-ground cast iron table is mounted on an oversized double cast iron trunnion with two locking points, providing a solid platform for resawing and other demanding cuts.

The table tilts from -7° to +45°, with a positive stop at 90°, while a flip plate allows reverse tilt up to 7°. The aluminium throat insert has four levelling screws for a flush fit.

Flexible rip fence and mitre guide

Accurate ripping benefits from a fence that can be adjusted precisely and locked securely. The rip fence runs on a polished solid steel round bar and uses a micro-adjuster for fine positioning before the locking screw secures it against movement during repeat work. The scale is marked in both inches and millimetres.

The rigid aluminium fence can be fitted in two positions, providing either 155mm (6″) of support for larger workpieces or a low 12mm (½″) profile for smaller work. For crosscutting, the supplied sliding mitre guide rotates through 180° and has preset stops at 0°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 67.5° and 90° in both directions, with the preset plunger able to be bypassed for intermediate angles.

The mitre guide runs in a 19mm x 9.5mm (3/4” by 3/8”) with 25mm (1”) lower T-slot and has onboard storage when not required.

Smooth running and robust construction

The balanced cast iron wheels are electronically and dynamically balanced and fitted with one-piece cambered rubber tyres. The worm gear and pinion used to operate the blade guard are designed for smooth adjustment with minimum flex when fully extended.

The C18BX is part of the Charnwood Pro Series and is trade rated. It is designed around a solid, heavy-duty construction that provides the stability expected from a substantial workshop bandsaw.

Effective dust extraction

Keeping dust away from the lower wheel and moving parts helps maintain a cleaner machine and reduces the amount of debris reaching the mechanism. The C18BX has two 100mm (4″) dust extraction outlets, one beneath the table and another in the base, with a deflector directing dust towards the upper collection port before it reaches the lower wheel and other moving components.

A minimum extraction airflow of 1200m³/hour is required. An optional dust kit combines the two outlets into a single 100mm hose connection.

Practical workshop lighting and mobility options

The integral power socket can be used with the optional ML28 LED light, which has a magnetic base and flexible shaft for positioning illumination where it is needed. An optional wheel base is also available for workshops where the machine needs to be moved.

The machine is supplied with a British-made 13mm bandsaw blade, push stick, sliding mitre guide and 1.9m cable with industrial 16A plug. The C18BX has a 5-year guarantee.