Harbor Freight Bandsaw

[Plasma Pancake]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37151

I just got this Bandsaw from HarborFreight. It seems to work good, but I have a few questions..

The blade seems to jump off the wheels if I apply just a little bit downward presure. I can cut things, but i really have to be very careful to only apply very light presure on the blade otherwise it jumps off the wheels. I've tried adjusting the tracking, the guide wheels, and everythign else that is adjustable. I find if I tighten the tension wheel as tight as it goes, it helps prevent the blade from jumping off the wheels, but it still seems like you should be able to apply more presure to the blade without worrying about it jumping off the wheels...

Does anyone else have this bandsaw, and if so, do you also have this same problem?

Thanks!

[Brad-Man]

The beauty of the horizontal bandsaw is that you don't need to apply pressure - you start the cut and walk away to do something else.

If you want speed and mess, use a chop saw.

[Plasma Pancake]

Originally posted by Brad-Man
The beauty of the horizontal bandsaw is that you don't need to apply pressure - you start the cut and walk away to do something else.

If you want speed and mess, use a chop saw.


The tension spring on my horizontal bandsaw doesn't let the blade cut all the way through even on the lowest tension setting. Maybe I need to expand my spring a little bit , or loosen up the hinging mechanism.

[Hobweld]

check the tension on the blade, sounds to me like it is to loose.
Ken

[JonB]

There's a Yahoo group for that bandsaw that has a bunch of tips & tricks for getting it working well:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4x6bandsaw/

[Ryel]

if the blade is jumping off with a new saw then take it back and trade for another saw. it only gets worse; these are throw away saws and the warrenty isn't much so do your self a favor and get one that works right to begin with.

[Ries]

I agree, take it back and get another one.
Then, buy yourself a decent blade- a bimetal 10-14 variable pitch from either Starrett or Lenox. These will cost you a lot- 22 bucks or so each, from MSC, but they are really worth it, and they will last a very long time if you dont drop the saw on a piece of metal, but lower it slowly.
Then go to this website, and do everything it says;
www.tinyisland.com/4x6bsFAQ.html
These little saws can be made to work pretty well- but they are still a consumable item- I have worn out three, but we work the hell out of them, mostly on stainless, with a lot of freehand cutting to boot.
The Jet seems to be the best, but at $275, its a hundred bucks more. The swivel head Grizzlys are even more, but I have heard good things about them.
Jet and Grizzly actually have parts, and spec better stuff to begin with, whearas with hf, its usually exchange, or fuggetaboutit.

[malich]

I purchased the same saw 6 months ago and have cut a lot of metal with it. I just recently released all the pressure from the spring so it would shut off when done cutting.

The only problem I have had is the blades from Harbor Freight break a little to often. I purchased one with more teech (I think 24 per inch) and it works awesome.

I would exchange it for another. I have had a few defective things from Harbor Freight brand new.

Honestly, I would would not buy anything electric anymore unless you are desperate, Central Machinery products are not that great. I purchased two drill presses from them (different models 5 months apart) and both of the chucks wobbled and could not drill anything correct so I returned them.

[cyberbone]

hello, i got a question about this same saw. i went and checked it out today at my local HF but i forgot to see if it miters?

its probably the perfect size that im looking for and the price isnt bad either. i'll proabably mod the heck out of it though like others have.

TIA.

CB

[fallon416]

The set screw on the front is wandering behind the top blade wheel. There is a small divet that the set screw sits in. If it is loose and not sitting in the right position the blade will jump every time.

Neil

[cyberbone]

hello, i got a question about this same saw. i went and checked it out today at my local HF but i forgot to see if it miters?

its probably the perfect size that im looking for and the price isnt bad either. i'll proabably mod the heck out of it though like others have.

TIA.

CB

Anyone?

[steve45]

The set screw on the front is wandering behind the top blade wheel. There is a small divet that the set screw sits in. If it is loose and not sitting in the right position the blade will jump every time.

Neil

Can you clarify that a little, Neil? Are you talking about the large wheel? Or the little guide bearings? Thanks for your input!!

[cyberbone]

well i bought this saw this week and returned it today. whenever i put the vise in the 45 position it wouldnt be a true 45, it would be up to 3/16 off. i guess i'll research jet or grizzlly bandsaws.

[TxRedneck]

The question of it mitering, you mean cut angles???
YEs they will cut angles

[fallon416]

If you open the back cover where the saw blade is the top wheel will be about face hieght. This is the top wheel for the band to sit on. If you remove the philips screw that holds the wheel on there will be a spacer behind the wheel. Remove the space and you will see a small rectangle block. Unscrew the block from the front and you will see the indentation that the screw is wandering out of.

Neil



Can you clarify that a little, Neil? Are you talking about the large wheel? Or the little guide bearings? Thanks for your input!!

[steve45]

Thanks, Neil! I'll check it out.

[fallon416]

If you see scratches on the block then it is wandering. I drilled the divet 1/4" in on the drill press so that the block couldn't wander.

Neil

[Ricker]

I just picked one of these saws up today.

I LOVE it! Granted its my first metal cutting bandsaw, but man o'man I'm really digging the fact that it cuts so neat and quite. Cut off saw just went into semi retirement...

Did I mention its quite? :)

[Roy Hodges]

I bought a "magnetic ground" from H F . about4" diameter . drilled a hole in a piece of aluminum 3/8 X 4" X12" ; put the plate on the magnet & presto ! a great little straight edge for oxy-acet burning (for short cuts . ) i have long straight edge (store bought ,) but i don't like them all that much ,especially for short cuts . I like the fact that the grounding magnet is
so powerful . - it don't accidentally slip & slide . P S : the grounding magets hold a calender on yer refridgerator real well, also

[stumpster]

I just picked one of these saws up today
Ricker which one did you get?

[Ricker]

The cheapy :)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37151

[WillieB]

I bought one of these saws at a flea market for practically nothing. The saw works fine for light work but the sheet metal base is crap. I welded up another base out of 1" square tubing and replaced the cheap plastic rollers with 10" solid tires. It's still light enough to carry around to outside jobs.

[bhays]

I have the same saw and I was just complaining about that cheesy sheet metal base myself, gonna have to build a new base for mine.

[aluminumman75]

I have the a harbor frieght bandsaw. I bought it off a guy that couldn't get it to cut with out breaking blades he only used 4 times. I gave him the$ 50 load it in my truck before I told him he had the teeth running the wrong way. took it home played with the spring tension. changed the belt to the corect speed for what he and I both cut. While it's not super fast it cuts nicely with booth the 14 and 24 teeth blades. I find a little wd-40 on the blade seems to help. I have made alot of cuts that would be pushing the max limits with it with no real issues. Maybe i got lucky and got the one that wasn't put together right. Oh did I forget to mention the guy I bought it from is a buddy of mine.

[MicroZone]

Fellas, they have the similar saw at NorthernTool for $159 right now...so you save 40 or 50 dollars. FYI...I posted in another section earlier in the week as well.

[shupe]

"Hurry! Sale Ends Aug. 14th."
Horizontal/ Vertical Bandsaw $149.99
Lot No. 93762 / 37151

Made a trip by Harbor Freight Sunday found this ad #1171. Didn't see it on their site. I'll be making a trip back up there this weekend to picker up.

Anyone know where to get a curent 10%-20% off coupon at?

[johnjk]

I bought one at Northern for $159. Had to take in a print out from their website to get that price. The first thing I cut was a piece of 2" square tubing. The cut was fairly square horizontally, but vertically it was nowhere near square. The manual talks about adjusting the blade so that it is 90* to the table. Mine does seem to off somewhat but I don't quite understand how to make the adjustment. Has anyone done this successfully?

[Joe H]

Try these, they aren't dated so I'm guessing they are still valid.


http://www.billt.com/harborfreightcoupons.htm

[gnewby]

The first and best thing you can do after purchasing one of these band saws is go buy a decent blade for it. Preferably a bi-metal blade. The original blade and the ones you buy from Horrible Fright will just last a few cuts before they either start cutting poorly or jumping off.

I have looked at the band saws on display just sitting in Horrible Fright that had broken blades on them. My band saw was not sold by them but still much the same difference the blade in mine I threw away after about 4-5 cuts as it started wandering the cuts badly and jumping off the drive rollers.

[racerwad]

has anyone noticed the difference between the two model numbers that are listed for harbor freight's 4x6 bandsaws? obviously, one is red and the other green.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37151
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93762

anyhoo, the red one, item #93762 has a motor that is rated to 1HP rather than the green one which is rated to 1/3HP. they are always the same price, even on sale. has anyone ever noticed a difference while working with them? i'm thinking about getting on and all things being equal, i figure i'd get the one with the higher output motor.

andy

[metalworx]

Last week, I went to buy the green saw. I was told it had been discontinued and that the red one was being substituted for the same price. ($149) I had to adjust the tracking right out of the box, but once it was set, it cut fine. I am planning to replace the blade with a bi-metal unit this week. The previous posts are correct, the blade is not very good quality, but I guess I have come to expect that from some of the HF items. I am not a "heavy" user, and it appears to be robust enough to cut what I need. (1.5" box tubing and smaller). One change I did make was to weld a small bar on the blade cover screw so I could loosen it to access the blade without using a screw driver. (Home made thumb screw if you will!). Other than that it is working fine....

[ZRx61]

Red one is on sale again, first weekend of Oct for $149 at their Sidewalk Sale..

[metalworx]

Quick update on my HF bandsaw. I took your advice and bought a 10-14 Bi-metal blade at Grainger on Friday. Used the saw all weekend to put hand rails up on a volunteer project and it didn't miss a beat. The motor drove the variable pitch blade through 1-1/2" box tubing like hot knife through butter. I do keep a small can of cutting oil nearby and spray it every so often, mainly out of habit. Thanks for the advice. The stock HF blade did not cut anywhere near as good or as long as this one has.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?ItemId=1613548618

[bigdaddy]

The red saw has a blade tracking adjustment that you can use if your blade doesn't track square to the base. If the blade track is off it will result in unsquare vertical cuts.

I got the green saw for $110 a few months ago and it tracks pretty close to square vertically (3 thou off on a 3" cut, 1 thou per inch is well within spec for what I do). If I had known the red saw was going to be on sale for $150 I'd have probably waited for it, I hear it's a much better saw.

[ZRx61]

Got mine this morning :)

[aametalmaster]

I use and have had 3 HF 4x6 saws. Somedays i cut 1,000 parts, no i am not cutting 3x3 tube but i need alot of small parts cut right and the 4x6 fits the bill. I have alot of tips for the 4x6 in the pics below.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/ LOOK IN THE MENU ON THE LEFT FOR 4X6 BANDSAW TIPS.
I also use a good bi metal blade on my bigger steel parts about 23 bucks and the cheap carbon blades on my small stuff $7.80 ea. Here is a link for some good blades. http://www.countrysaw.com/
My saw's will cut within thousands everyday with just a little fine tuning. the first thing i threw out was the steel stand. I made taller better built stands so i don't have to bend over. The last saw has no stand but hangs on a bench.
ONE WORD OF CAUTION: DON'T LEAVE THE SAW RUNNING AND WALK AWAY FROM IT, I DID AND MY MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE.
Also check the gearbox for sand and metal shavings and add new oil.
These are good saws for the price...Bob

[aametalmaster]

I have alot of tips for the 4x6 in the pics below.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/ LOOK IN THE MENU ON THE LEFT FOR 4X6 BANDSAW TIPS.

Bob Here is the right link, sorry...Bob
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/aametalmaster/album/576460762312601801#page1

[Garage Days]

yes i have one and i never use it for that reason... is there something that we are missing ... anyone want to buy it... I live in Mission Viejo, CA... 92691

[christo]

I bought the same saw and it was. The wheels were not round and the tension in the blade varied greatly as it rans. I took it back and the tool I had sits proudly on the floor as the display unit...... I bought another nearly identical asian saw at the flea market for a little less - not great but it works. It really helps to let it saw on it's own while I work elsewhere....