Portable Bandsaw Question

D

dl351

Joined
May 5, 2006
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Hello everyone. As I slowly piece together my tool collection for knife making and other hobbies, I just received a Bauer (Harbor Freight) portable bandsaw for Christmas. Being new to these portable bandsaws, I am not sure if a knocking noise it makes is normal. Can anyone who has or has used these chime in and let me know if this is normal? It's on the lowest speed setting in the linked video. Thanks!

https://flic.kr/p/2mViq8i
 
Sounds like a bad gear, or an incompletely engaged gear???

If the Hi-Lo is a lever that you turn/flip, make sure the Hi-Lo lever is fully engaged. Switch it back and forth several times to get it smoothed out. What does it sound like on High? Low should sound the same, just lower tone and growlier.

If the Hi-Lo is just an electric switch, then the motor is jogging, which it shouldn't be doing.

If it runs smooth on High and clacks on Low, take it back to HF and have it compared to another one.

I have a Milwaukee, and mine just makes a growling sound as it runs.
 
Thanks for the input. I’ll run over to Harbor Freight tomorrow to exchange. Just gotta call them and make sure it’s in stock.

I’d love to get a Milwaukee, but $$$ dictates otherwise. Generally I’ve found that people like these Bauer ones, especially for the price. I actually have only Milwaukee cordless power tools, so I know they make good stuff. This saw will be largely for hobbies, so I couldn’t justify the price of the Milwaukee.
 
Exchange it and use it for the time being.
Keep an eye out for a used Milwaukee at flea markets and yard sales, as well as ebay. They show up for $75 sometimes.
 
The Milwaukee 12v porta-band is not so expensive, and surprisingly useful, can even use it in the overhead position. One of my favorite cordless tools, gets used a lot.
 
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
Exchange it and use it for the time being.
Keep an eye out for a used Milwaukee at flea markets and yard sales, as well as ebay. They show up for $75 sometimes.
Click to expand...
I've been watching craigs forever and haven't managed to find a milwaukee for under $225 cdn. Usually a screaming deal shows up if I am patient...but its been 4 months now! I'm getting to the point of just biting the bullet, but now I'm waffling between second hand at 225 or spending an extra $130 and just getting a new one. Definitely first world problems for me! :)
 
My first one did that after about a week of use. Exchanged it after I contacted HF customer service and they wrote it up as a bearing issue. No clue how true that is, but was a simple exchange

Second unit had been working well for quite awhile
 
Well, I made a trip to Harbor Freight and did a painless exchange. The new one sounds just fine! For $15 extra, I decided to get the replacement plan that’s good for 12 months, I think.
 
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