Harbor Freight Bandsaw Blade

[Big Chris]

My saw came with a 1/2 inch blade. I bought a bi-metal blade at the same time from HF. Have any of you ever put a 3/8 wide blade on instead, and did it work fine.
I thought if it worked it would be better for cutting contours.

Thanks for the input
Chris

 

[Mudbug007]

Which model are you talking about? I have the $80 porta-band model and the blade that came with it was crap. Bought a 3 pack of bi-metal blades from HF and they were a little better. Once I went through those, I bought a 2 pack of Milwaukee 24 tpi blades and they are a whole lot better.

I'm betting that you can, just check first. I can't remember which I have on my off the top of my head, but I'm thinking it's the 3/8ths. I don't try to do too hard of contours with mine, I save that for the grinder or files.

The user manual should tell you whether or not you can use a 3/8ths blade.

 

[12345678910]

On this one

No you can't

Open up the cover and look at the wheel.

The spine of the blade buts up against the shoulder on the wheel.
It needs to be the 1/2" wheel so the blade is wide enough that the teeth clear the wheel

The teeth have kerf which make them wider than the blade & need that clearance.


If you buy better blades like Starrett, or Lennox, you can get 1/2" widths in a thinner thickness they are more flexible






On the portaband,

I believe that the blade rides on the crown of the wheel, the narrower blades may fit - check to be sure
the guide bearings have no adjustment though.