Questions on HF Band Saw

W

WadeH

Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Messages
875
I just left Habor Freight and they have a ver/hor band on sale. Reg. it is 250 but today it is on sale for 150 and I have 15% off coupon to use also. They said they were out of them but would have some Tuesday and they gave me a rain check on the sale and coupon. Just wanted to check and see what most of you thought about them. I did a search and it seems from that the biggest complaint is the table for the vert operation of it. I had been thinking of going the porta band way but most of them are over 200 and you still have to build a stand for it. So am I wasting the 135 dollars this is going to cost me? Any thoughts or recomendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
Yes. Buy it. Take the factory blade off and get some Starrett (or other major brand) 24TPI bi-metal blades for it. You can make a larger table easily.
 
If you're talking about their metal cutting bandsaw, get it. It's what I use and I've made hundreds of blades on it. Just make sure you buy the bi-metal blades, this is very important because you'll save lots of money in the long run. HF also sells them and they work fine for me.
 
I have a HF portasaw which was around $80 & would not trade it for the metal cutting bandsaw . even for even money.

Joe
 
Get it, then tighten every bolt on it especially on the tensioner and it will cut very nicely. I cut out swords on mine, I love it. I agree with Bill, get a good blade and you will be good to go.
 
I bought one a while ago. It does exactly what it should and works as well as can be expected with a good blade.

That being said, it takes up a bunch of shop space (for me with a small work area). Had I known (or researched) about the Portaband solution, I would have gone with that from the get go- even spending more money. To me it would be worth the saved space/weight. I'm now trying to sell my HF. :(

Just decide on your shop limitations and go from there.
 
Thanks guys for the responses, I really appreciate it. I believe this is going to be a done deal. It was funny even my wife was asking me this morning what all yall had said about it. So now all I have to do is wait untill Tuesday for them to get here. I have some of the Aldo 1084 that I need to split and some G11 that I need to slice up to use to also.
 
Wade,

I've got an older model. I use 10-14 Vari-Tooth M-42 Blades(8% Cobolt-67 Rockwell) and have cut THOUSANDS of pounds of steel. Enco has Irwin Brand for $20. MMC has Aggressor Brand for a little cheaper.

The roller wheels are eccentric so you can adjust it for .035 thick blades if you want. I've gotten good results from them. Once all the adjustments are made be sure to break in the blade a few times before you put the screws to it.

Aldo
 
Thanks Aldo, if there is anyone around here who should know about cutting steel it would be you. :) I have the saw and I plan on ordering some blades next week, if my wife lets me. :)
 
I like mine, no problems yet. As everyone else says, get some good bi-metal blades.
 
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Been using mine , did the same deal a few years back , $150 with a 15% coupon , installed a Lennox Die-Master bi-metal blade and its been going ever since.

I did make a new work table for it as the one it comes with is too small and thin.
 
Hi There,

just wondered if you made a cutting table for that saw. If you can make an extra one
I would like to talk to you about getting one.
I can however I don't have the welding resources here.

Thanks
 
ctec9 said:
Hi There,

just wondered if you made a cutting table for that saw. If you can make an extra one
I would like to talk to you about getting one.
I can however I don't have the welding resources here.

Thanks
Click to expand...

you do realize this post is 4 years old right?
 
I have the HF 4x6 vert/horizontal metal bandsaw. With a bimetal blade it works just fine and I'm glad I bought it.

One word of caution though; I read on some reviews that the gear box leaked. Sure enough, just the other day I noticed a wet spot on my floor. My gearbox leaked. I haven't replaced the lube and resealed it yet because I haven't had the time. I will surely do it before I use it next time.

Just something to watch out for...
 
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