For anyone who has or knows someone who has "gone through" a HF bandsaw

Fletch Helical

Fletch Helical

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Sep 29, 2009
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A little while back I asked about a decent bandsaw to get for cutting out blanks and the general consensus seemed to be that the 4x6 one from Harbor Freight got the most votes.

I think a few people in the thread mentioned about going through 1 or 2 of them and it got me to thinking recently. What actually went on the machine and is there no whatever it was is replaceable? If it's the motor isn't there any place where you can get something similar and wire it up?
 
I have one and it has worked fine. I will be buying a new blade for it, other than that its a great entry/hobby level BS. If you plan on using it to cut lots of stock etc you might look into more of a commercial BS or look for the portaBan and mount to your bench/wall.

Its a great BS for the money:thumbup: And yes, the motor could be replaced if needed, other than that I have no more input. For me its running like a champ.
 
I've been running mine for 4 years with no problems.
Stan
 
Been using a Grizzly 4x6 fulltime for almost 20 years and a larger Griz (8 years old) has cut up over 20,000 lbs of W2. No probs with either...
 
might have to add that i am hard on tools and for me to cut out knives from sheet that i need more depth thenthe 4x6 offers

most the time my sheets are 6"wide or wider
 
My 4x6 has a little story behind it. It was made is 1984, used on the farm until 2000. In 2000 it was used to cut a salt block which rusted every part solid, sat around for 6 years and then was throw (not set or placed but thrown fairly hard) into the farms scrap pile. Two years later Mitch and I dug it out and repaired it and it still runs like a champ. Heck the motor still works great after 2 year in the rain; the only thing I replaced were the blade bearings. :eek:

4x6 saws aren't a replacement for a Jet 8x14 but for the price they are good machines if you use them right. You absolutely do not want to dog the motor, if you do your using too much pressure which can dull the blade and it can burn up your motor.
 
Butch-

I have that 7X12. Look for a discount retailer in your area. Chuck Bybee turned me onto a store within driving distance that has scratch and dent Jet stuff. I got that saw with a small dent in the motor fan cover for $700.
 
Well I picked up the 4x6 HF one today since it's on sale for 189 and I got 20% off too with a coupon. Not sure if I made a good choice or got suckered because I bought the 2 year warranty on it. I usually never buy warranties on anything I buy but I know HF's reputation on most of their stuff, so I figured it might be wise?
 
They are generally good saws. Be prepared to do some tinkering with it to get it right.
 
I have one of these "dream machnes", and I have no complaints, the only thing I recommend is to get really good blades. Never use the blades from HF. They suck! Actually their worse than that, recently I found Olson blades at Tractor Supply that fit it for 14.95! I've been paying 20.00 from a local tool store that mainly supplies to big businesses. They have 2 sizes for the thickness of the steel your cutting, I've found the one for 1/4 " works fine for 1/4" and lower thicknesses. If you haven't assembled it yet, it's best to lay it on it's side to ge it started , the legs are flimsy until it is completely put together. I've got mine locked in th eupright positon, that's the only way I'll need it for my purpose. Just my 2 cents, Rex
 
HF's warranty is the best I have seen.
I have used it twice, once they overpayed me 20$ more than the saw and the warranty combinded cost.
Jerry
 
NickWheeler said:
Butch-

I have that 7X12. Look for a discount retailer in your area. Chuck Bybee turned me onto a store within driving distance that has scratch and dent Jet stuff. I got that saw with a small dent in the motor fan cover for $700.
Click to expand...

thanks nick i llkeep that in mind
tho i still lust for the 14 inch that has the nice big cast table ready to go (less fab work for me )
 
No totally.... I think for what you're doing the vertical contour saw would be a better fit Butch. I needed to horiz/vert because I'm always cutting a lot of structural stuff like big pipe and wide flange when I'm building "stuff" :D

I just meant the general idea of the place. The one near me has EVERYTHING. They had a $7500 14X40 lathe with a rippled paint job for $2500.

So the chances of a place like that having that vertical saw are pretty good :) :thumbup:
 
So did everyone have to modify the pulley guard box to be able to get the pulley on the motor or is it just me?
 
NickWheeler said:
No totally.... I think for what you're doing the vertical contour saw would be a better fit Butch. I needed to horiz/vert because I'm always cutting a lot of structural stuff like big pipe and wide flange when I'm building "stuff" :D

I just meant the general idea of the place. The one near me has EVERYTHING. They had a $7500 14X40 lathe with a rippled paint job for $2500.

So the chances of a place like that having that vertical saw are pretty good :) :thumbup:
Click to expand...

i sure will look into it then
BTW nick that saw also has a gravity feed and you can set up a clamp system to it the stand is fixed but the saw/motor and gear all slided down to the work piece (should make a nice clean square cut in even big pipe )
 
I just replaced the motor on my HF band saw after a solid 10 years of use. The motor would have lasted longer if I had made a cover to keep the metal shavings out of the vent holes.
 
I have used a Wilton with good results. You get what you pay for.
 
Ive been using mine for years with no trouble the stock blades are crap order some from k&g. The only mod i made was to make a new table for it. It has made it more rigid the stock table flexes to much.
 
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