Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[MossRoad]

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.

For what it's worth, regarding the stand, I weigh about 220 and frequently use the saw for a step ladder to get to a lumber storage rack hanging from my garage ceiling. Its solid as a rock.

 

[MossRoad]

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?

I've only used the table a few times over the years. Its more of a bother to find it and the mounting screws from the last time I used it. It works O.K. :laughing:

 

[lostcreekranch]

For what it's worth, regarding the stand, I weigh about 220 and frequently use the saw for a step ladder to get to a lumber storage rack hanging from my garage ceiling. Its solid as a rock.

That's the other part of the problem, it's too low to use comfortably. I would want to raise it a minimum of 6" or more.

 

[MossRoad]

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"

Iron Bullet..... I thought he was calling the saw an iron bullet, but no... yikes!

For those of you that haven't read that link, go read it!!! :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

That's the other part of the problem, it's too low to use comfortably. I would want to raise it a minimum of 6" or more.

So you can lift your heavy iron pieces higher, and have the cut-offs fall farther?

 

[hutchman]

Iron Bullet..... I thought he was calling the saw an iron bullet, but no... yikes!

For those of you that haven't read that link, go read it!!! :laughing:

Some of these links are old but that's why all the hobby sites that talk about setting these up suggest the first thing you do is change the worm gear oil.

 

[lostcreekranch]

So you can lift your heavy iron pieces higher, and have the cut-offs fall farther?

Absolutely!

 

[MossRoad]

Absolutely!

It always ends up with my back going out or my toes getting smushed! :laughing:

 

[lostcreekranch]

It always ends up with my back going out or my toes getting smushed! :laughing:

My project metal is all small stuff so, no issue with smashed toes. I just build all my equipment to comfortable working height for me.

 

[dragoneggs]

The beauty of building outfeed and collections tables.

 

[lostcreekranch]

IMHO if you were going to do HD production with large pieces or high volume, the HF Bandsaw probably would not be your first choice. I used to use a chop saw or hack saw then discovered the portable band saw. Looked at many from $ to $$$ and ended up with the HF portable band for way under $100. It has done well for me but, sometimes you need better than handheld accuracy. I have a side project to build a stand to hold the HF portable BS in vertical position and ordered a $60 table kit for it from Swag Off-road.

SWAG V1.0 Portaband Table

I might find out that this project meets all my needs and will no longer need to consider the HF 4" x 6" BS. That ...... Would be GREAT!

 

[5030]

For what it's worth, regarding the stand, I weigh about 220 and frequently use the saw for a step ladder to get to a lumber storage rack hanging from my garage ceiling. Its solid as a rock.

You have guts.... I use a stepladder.

 

[California]

I have the HF portable bandsaw. It works great but 'some assembly required' understated the case.

I had to shim the foot putting a nut under one edge, to get its notch parallel to the blade so I could estimate where it was going to cut.The guide roller screws were loose and soon fell out. After completing what should have been final quality control at the factory it's a good tool.

 

[MossRoad]

The beauty of building outfeed and collections tables.

That might have helped me with a 3/4" sheet of MDF I was cutting on a table saw this week. That stuff is HEAVY. :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

You have guts.... I use a stepladder.

I fell off a stepladder a few months ago. I've never fallen off my band saw. :laughing:

 

[dragoneggs]

I fell off a stepladder a few months ago. I've never fallen off my band saw. :laughing:

I can honestly say that too. :laughing:

 

[lostcreekranch]

I fell off a stepladder a few months ago. I've never fallen off my band saw. :laughing:

Said similar about a horse I had about 20 years ago.

 

[MossRoad]

An ice dam took down part of our gutter. That pulled the soffit open on the north side of the house. A bird went in, and managed to go up and over two peaks to the west/south corner of the soffit and was flapping around in there for 2 days, right outside our bedroom window. It couldn't find its way out. So, I had to use a 6' step ladder to open up the end of the soffit, then go and pound on the soffit with a broom handle upstream of the bird to chase it down to the now open end. Just as the bird poked its beak out of the opening, the opening snapped shut. So I asked my wife to stand next to the ladder while I climbed up to re-open the soffit end. She did exactly as I asked... she stood next to the ladder. I didn't ask her to hold it. :laughing: As I went up 3-4 steps the ladder pretty much jumped out from under me. It went left, I went right, the back of my head hit the house, my back landed on the ground, and my butt landed on the ladder. I laid there for about a minute expecting something to start hurting.... nope. Just my pride. I was sore the next day, though.

 

[MossRoad]

And I think its a Sears ladder, but that's for another thread.

 

[lostcreekranch]

An ice dam took down part of our gutter. That pulled the soffit open on the north side of the house. A bird went in, and managed to go up and over two peaks to the west/south corner of the soffit and was flapping around in there for 2 days, right outside our bedroom window. It couldn't find its way out. So, I had to use a 6' step ladder to open up the end of the soffit, then go and pound on the soffit with a broom handle upstream of the bird to chase it down to the now open end. Just as the bird poked its beak out of the opening, the opening snapped shut. So I asked my wife to stand next to the ladder while I climbed up to re-open the soffit end. She did exactly as I asked... she stood next to the ladder. I didn't ask her to hold it. :laughing: As I went up 3-4 steps the ladder pretty much jumped out from under me. It went left, I went right, the back of my head hit the house, my back landed on the ground, and my butt landed on the ladder. I laid there for about a minute expecting something to start hurting.... nope. Just my pride. I was sore the next day, though.

Can you please post the video?