Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[California]

Here's a HF bandsaw thread over on WeldingWeb. Good bunch of folks, similar to TBN focused on welding.

Another Harbor Freight Bandsaw Thread

There are likely more threads there. This is the first one Google listed.

 

[stuckmotor]

Anyone have the HF vertical / horizontal bandsaw?

Metal Band Saw - Horizontal/Vertical Metal Band Saw

I have one of the old green ones. I left it unattended and something hung the blade and smoked the motor. I got a new motor at Tractor Supply, this one has thermal overload protection. I reached to adjust something and the blade caught my finger cutting off a sizable chunk of my finger tip. The guide bearing that's supposed to push down on the back of the blade has been out of alignment for years and I lost the thin wrench needed to adjust it. It still cuts like a champ and I'm glad I've got it. The Yahoo 4X6 Bandsaw Group has lots of tips, tricks, and mods.
For the last few years, I've used vari-tooth bi-metal blades from Enco.

 

[weldingisfun]

HF Band Saw: Have had one for about five years. Works just fine, once adjusted. There are several You Tube videos showing various refinements you can make to them.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Thanks for the input guys. I can get a new one for about $208 with a 20% coupon based on present $260 sale price. I looked at one at their store a couple weeks ago and stand seems light. I think I would build a better stand, with locking caster so I could store it out of the way.

Is the 64 1/2" blade a fairly standard size?

My use will be hobby / ranch use. No big production work.

 

[kidr]

Clean the chicken grease from the gear box and put in good gear grease. Makes a big difference. Motor will get up to speed much more easily.

 

[kidr]

Oh, don't even bother with the blade that comes with it. Get a good one.

 

[hutchman]

Anyone have the HF vertical / horizontal bandsaw?

Metal Band Saw - Horizontal/Vertical Metal Band Saw

Yes! That is one of the few gems they have. Immideately drain the worm drive oil and replace it with something quality. Rumor is (this was years ago) that it was a crap shoot what kind of oil they put in. Once properly adjusted they are great. Helped a friend make a stand that held cutting fluid and we made it just like the more expensive model that will cycle cutting fluid through a goose neck keeping the part you're cutting cool.

I think I got mine for like $175-180.

 

[lostcreekranch]

One of my interests, in the HF Bandsaw is ability to operate horizontal or vertical. Do you guys use your vertically? Any issues with the table?

 

[5030]

I don't use mine vertically at all because the supplied table is a joke, however, if you peruse the link supplied by Moss, you can find a nice modification to let you make your own (actually useable table. I just sever structural and bar stock.

 

[5030]

I use a Trico mist lubricator on mine. You don't need any tank and the mister base is magnetic so the tank for the mister stays on my Bridgeport and I just take the mister head and attach it to the saw frame and point the nozzle at the cutting point. A good quality bi-metal blade really needs no lubrication, I do it for longevity of the blade.

 

[fidowanttobe]

I've always wondered how come all HF stores stink?[/QUOTE]

Cosmoline? Or some other carcinogenic that isn't allowed in the US?

 

[California]

I've always wondered how come all HF stores stink?

Cosmoline? Or some other carcinogenic that isn't allowed in the US?

Gear oil shipped out of China inside various HF products = China's solution to their hazardous waste disposal problem.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Gear oil shipped out of China inside various HF products = China's solution to their hazardous waste disposal problem.

Probably more true than you think.

 

[dickfoster]

Gear oil shipped out of China inside various HF products = China's solution to their hazardous waste disposal problem.

I can see it now a big sticker on the front of every HF store. Warning the State of California has determined that Harbor Freight contains chemicals known to the state to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Yada, yada, yada, ad infinitum. LOL
He double L, I saw one of those signs stuck on an outdoor stairway when I was doing jury duty and this on gubberment property no less.

What we really need are warning signs that read
"Warning the State of California is known to cause insanity, permanent mental harm and stupidity."

 

[California]

We're not doing so bad. Ranked in top group for longest life expectancy, fourth overall. (Wikipedia).

That despite more than half the residents were born elsewhere - now and ever since 1849.

So there must be some advantage to the environmental and safety regulations. Even when many of the rules are a huge PIA like those stupid gas cans.


Ok sorry for the detour. Back to the fabulous 'Dont Suck' HF bargains.

 

[Garandman]

Gear oil shipped out of China inside various HF products = China's solution to their hazardous waste disposal problem.

You gotta RTFM.

I assembled a trailer and the manual very clearly states the bearings are packed with a preservative and have to be cleaned out and packed with bearing grease. It is quite amazing to me how many people who've bought these trailers do not do this. (http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...assembling-harbor-freight-1720lb-trailer.html)

 

[hutchman]

Gear oil shipped out of China inside various HF products = China's solution to their hazardous waste disposal problem.

Yes, I think I remember one guy sending it off for oil analysis and it came back as used motor oil.

 

[California]

You gotta RTFM.

I assembled a trailer and the manual very clearly states the bearings are packed with a preservative and have to be cleaned out and packed with bearing grease. It is quite amazing to me how many people who've bought these trailers do not do this. (http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...assembling-harbor-freight-1720lb-trailer.html)

True. And I greased mine upon assembly.

While I was kidding about HF's chemical smell, I first thought of the 'hazardous waste disposal' hypothesis when new owners of Jinma tractors etc - inexpensive tractors from China - were all asking WTH is this liquid in the hydraulic reservoir, gears, maybe crankcase. Whatever it was, was unrecognizable. Also some Jinmas had casting sand in the crankcase, and I read that Lister clones (small diesels traditionally for ditchpump, or generator) all needed to be disassembled to flush the sand out before filling with proper oil and starting it. I think Hutchman's comment on used motor oil could be what it really was in that case. They have to get rid of it somewhere.

 

[dickfoster]

True. And I greased mine upon assembly.

While I was kidding about HF's chemical smell, I first thought of the 'hazardous waste disposal' hypothesis when new owners of Jinma tractors etc - inexpensive tractors from China - were all asking WTH is this liquid in the hydraulic reservoir, gears, maybe crankcase. Whatever it was, was unrecognizable. Also some Jinmas had casting sand in the crankcase, and I read that Lister clones (small diesels traditionally for ditchpump, or generator) all needed to be disassembled to flush the sand out before filling with proper oil and starting it. I think Hutchman's comment on used motor oil could be what it really was in that case. They have to get rid of it somewhere.

Well it could very well be that it originally came out of the ground in California so it's only fair to send it back???? :laughing:

 

[hutchman]

True. And I greased mine upon assembly.

While I was kidding about HF's chemical smell, I first thought of the 'hazardous waste disposal' hypothesis when new owners of Jinma tractors etc - inexpensive tractors from China - were all asking WTH is this liquid in the hydraulic reservoir, gears, maybe crankcase. Whatever it was, was unrecognizable. Also some Jinmas had casting sand in the crankcase, and I read that Lister clones (small diesels traditionally for ditchpump, or generator) all needed to be disassembled to flush the sand out before filling with proper oil and starting it. I think Hutchman's comment on used motor oil could be what it really was in that case. They have to get rid of it somewhere.

Just so nobody thinks I'm making it up:
Worm Drive Lubrication on Metal Cutting Bandsaw | Industrial- Other / Off Topic | Bob Is The Oil Guy

4x6 bandsaw review. Harbor Freight's "Chinese Iron Bullets"