Band saw

[Dman033189]

I need a harbor freight expert to tell me if the bandsaw is discontinued it may be a rumor but I was still wondering. because I was going to get one. It doesnt say so on there site?

[TonyC]

I can assure you it has not been discontinued.

[Sirarcalot]

They're still in the ads and stores. I hope they will be available for a while because I don't have the cash for one yet.

[fatfrank]

I wouldn't worry too much, it seems there are quite a few other places that sell a similiar one for about the same spice.

Enco, TSC, Jet all pop in my head, I'm sure there are others also.

[rusted]

I have had mine on backorder for 4 weeks. :(

I found a local store, which I didn't know was there. They said they'd match the internet prices. They have 5 bandsaws in stock.

Since HF has already billed my CC, I don't know if I can get them to let me have the store saw. I can't seem to get a hold of those wankers. Their customer service is basically non-existant. Of course, they're discount chinese crap, so what do you expect?

[Dman033189]

I was wondering what the proper tension is on the bandsaw. I have it as tight as my hands can get it is that to tight? Becasue when I cut the motor gets hot fast. I quit for a while to let it cool.

[david_r]

rusted,
Use the online "Live Help" I've always had pretty quick service with it.

[Hobweld]

rusted
They billed your card without shipping? Get on the horn to those bozos and tell them to cancel your order and refund your money. Don't take no for a answer. THIER policy states they don't bill until they ship. My days with HF are through. Rude service, countless backorders, and repeated extensions on those at that.
I called Grizzly, they checked the stock assured me it was in and I'll have it in two days or so. Works for me. I would suggest doing the same.
Ken

[fla jim]

Harbor frieght shipping is bizzare to say the least.
They've never billed my credit card on a back order before shipping.
I like dealing with the local store much better. Actually my new local store is much too close:D
About tensioning the blade, you want it as tight as you can get it. I use a "hook spanner" and after I get it as tight as I can by hand. I tighten it about an 1/8 turn more with the spanner hooked on the "knob"

[Dman033189]

Does your motor get hot fast? Mine got hot like not 5 min. after using it.

[fla jim]

The motor gets hotter that a two dollar pistol.
When I do a lot of cutting, I put a big fan blowing on it.
Actually I checked the surface temp with my infrared thermometer. It was within the temp rise on the name plate, but that was when it was cooler outside. Now that summer is comming in the "Sunshine State" I'll have to check it again. I know eventually I'll have to replace it, but I'm courious how long it'll last.

[Dman033189]

Should I add some oil while I am cutting?

[fla jim]

I cut dry. the little HF special doesn't have enough "umgh" to worry about burning a blade, unless you're cutting stainless on highspeed maybe?

[malich]

I have the little HF bandsaw and the motor gets hot also. I just keep cutting and don't worry about it. If it burns out I will buy another motor.

I have gotten my monies worth out of the bandsaw already. It's just the damn cheap *** blades that keep breaking on the welds. I have now started exchanging them as defective. FREEBIE!, NADA!, ZERO! (my best monster garage)

[Ries]

If you buy that cheap harbor freight crap, you dont get a licence to complain about it included with the package. The motors overheat cause they are crummy- If you buy a better one, like a Jet brand, you get a UL, made in Taiwan motor that doesnt overheat and burn out- Surprise, Surprise.
Same thing with those cheezy 5 dollar blades. The reason they are only 5 bucks is that is all they are worth.
Decent bi-metal blades cost close to 25 bucks each. But far from being only 5 times better than a 5 dollar blade, they are more like 10 times better, and longer lasting.
You are tripping over dollars to save pennies if you spend all your time changing blades that broke, taking em back to harbor freight, and cleaning up crooked raggedy *** cuts.
As far as blade tension goes- as tight as you can tighten a 4x6 bandsaw by hand is usually just barely tight enough- the plastic handle will break before you get it too tight.
Check out this website- it has the real info on little bandsaws, and how to get em to run the best.
http://www.tinyisland.com/4x6bsFAQ.html