HF Portaband

I haven't had issue with this. I have had a blade pop off before, but I was seriously torquing it trying to create a radius in the piece I was cutting. Are these the blades that came with the saw? I'd see if you could take it back if you have the receipt and exchange for another.

--nathan
 
No they were some bimetal blades I bought there. It sometimes pops of when I first start the cut, not just while I was cutting. I guess I will look for the reciept and try to exchange it. Thanks Nathan.

-frank
 
Make sure the backup roller. The one that the blade spine runs against is up far enought to limit travel
take Care
TJ
 
Never had any problems with blades coming off on the one I had. It finally gave it up about a year and a half after I bought it. It lasted much longer than I thought it would.
 
Man, that bites! Might consider sending it back for defective workmanship - I have the "Northern Tools" version of the same saw and mine has worked "just fine" so far. They cost essentially the same so you might try their version next time around.
 
Take a look at the teeth, some of them may be bent or shot. I had similar issues with the Morse Bi-Metal blades they sell.

Try and find some Lennox blades, the Morse they sell are junk IMO
 
i do electrical type construction and use a bandsaw nearly everyday. spend a little more and get a REAL one. milwaukee, dewalt, porter-cable....... you'll be glad you did. :thumbup::D
 
I bought a HF porta-band about 2 1/2 years ago. I had the same problem at first and ended up shimming the tension adjuster. The blade as it came would not run up against the ball bearing guides. After I shimmed the problem was solved. I must say though that the speed control trigger shot craps. I run it with out and have it plugged into a outlet strip and I turn it off and on at the strip.

Ken
 
Ken, check at your local harbor freight for a foot switch. You plug it into your strip, and the saw (or other tool) plugs into the pedal switch. Then just hit the switch with your foot to go. I was using a clamp to turn my saw on and off, and it was a pain. Now it's much, much easier and faster to use.

--nathan
 
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Nathan,

Thanks for your suggestion on the foot switch. Unfortunately it would not work out for me. I have been waiting on doing anything with the HF saw until something else goes wrong with it as I plan on replacing with the Dewalt.

Ken
 
Ken, great shop setup! Well, no wonder you don't have a foot switch setup :o. I think this is the appropriate foot-in-the-mouth emoticon: :foot:. I'm thinking the same as you...wait until the HF goes south and then upgrade.

--nathan
 
Great shop, Ken! Sorry for the thread drift.

I personally like the Jett makes for a band saw. Not too expensive, but reliable as far as I have seen. I have had a blade pop off, but after a little adjustment it was fine. If there were further problems, a new blade was put on and everything was peachy.

I have mixed experience with HF stuff. Most I have bought is trash save one 20" chop saw (abrasive). I have replaced the brushes once, but it it runs today. HF is a crap shoot IMHO.

Good Luck!
 
Frank,

If you need me to, I would be happy to take a picture of my HF and where I installed the shims.

Nathan,

All is good, I have inserted my foot in mouth more times than I care to remember.:eek:
 
ken erickson said:
Frank,

If you need me to, I would be happy to take a picture of my HF and where I installed the shims.

Nathan,

All is good, I have inserted my foot in mouth more times than I care to remember.:eek:
Click to expand...

Ken that would be great! I went out there to look but didn't really know what I was looking for. Thanks.

-frank
 
Frank,

In this picture I have removed the top wheel,(metric Allen wrench). You want to place the washers BETWEEN the body casting. and the heavy sheet metal plate with the springs. You need to try a few different thickness washers. I think I ended up with about .040. Place one behind the screws with the yellow arrows, not the top center one. In effect what this does is track the blade toward the frame and against the tracking bearings.

Hope this helps,

Ken

IMGP4180_edited-1.jpg
 
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