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.