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Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

My 4X6 is so old,,,,,,,,,,, (HOW OLD IS IT!!!!),,, that my saw was manufactured in the USA!!

It is perfect, but, almost never used,, because I have a 9X16 saw, also.

Actually, I carried the 9X16 outside last week, and sprayed it with Walmart Engine Degreaser, then hosed it off.
I bought the 9X16 used in 2001, and that was the last time it had a "bath".
The saw is SO big, that I emptied two cans of WD 40 on it after the water had dried, to protect the areas with no paint.

I bought the 4X6 used, about 1990.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by smithdoor

I have own 3 of 4x6 saws it is great saw.
The first one in 1972 next in 1993 both when with sales of other tools. But we'll used by that time. The one have has less but I got that one in 2004.

In my shop I would set them by employees as the bigger saws was used 8 hours a day.

Today's saw is just for hobby use.

Dave

That's my first and still going. It's still used for small stuff.
I bought an ELLIS 1600 about 5 years ago. Now that's a real saw.


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Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

I have own 3 of 4x6 saws it is great saw.
The first one in 1972 next in 1993 both when with sales of other tools. But we'll used by that time. The one have has less but I got that one in 2004.

In my shop I would set them by employees as the bigger saws was used 8 hours a day.

Today's saw is just for hobby use.

Dave

Originally Posted by BD1

I bought mine for $115.00 when they had a 30% off coupon. It still cuts straight today. I replaced motor about 4 years ago.
That’s when you could use coupons on tool boxes too.
I bought two bottoms, two sides, and one top.
This was at least 15 years ago. That’s when they only had the matte finish.
Boxes were crazy cheap then. Glad I’m not buying now.


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Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by smithdoor

The 4x6 saw has been around since the 1972 before Harbor Freight.
Harbor freight just change the color.

Dave

I bought mine for $115.00 when they had a 30% off coupon. It still cuts straight today. I replaced motor about 4 years ago.
That’s when you could use coupons on tool boxes too.
I bought two bottoms, two sides, and one top.
This was at least 15 years ago. That’s when they only had the matte finish.
Boxes were crazy cheap then. Glad I’m not buying now.


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Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

The 4x6 saw has been around since the 1972 before Harbor Freight.
Harbor freight just change the color.

Dave

Originally Posted by Daniel-S

Thanks for posting those videos. I'll probably make a similar table for mine very soon. I've had my saw for a couple of years and use it all the time. If you make sure everything is adjusted well, it will cut straight. I use Morse brand blades in mine. A local store carries them and they are much better than any from HF. For the price, you really can't beat it. I have friends that have built tables for portabands, but I think that going with this saw was better for my work.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Thanks for posting those videos. I'll probably make a similar table for mine very soon. I've had my saw for a couple of years and use it all the time. If you make sure everything is adjusted well, it will cut straight. I use Morse brand blades in mine. A local store carries them and they are much better than any from HF. For the price, you really can't beat it. I have friends that have built tables for portabands, but I think that going with this saw was better for my work.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by California

Yeah. My Mig-180 has every upgrade the first owner could think of. The HTP 10 ft torch you mentioned, heavier ground and power cables, a capacitor that can be switched in/out, a custom low-friction hub he machined for 10" reels, some other upgrades. It works great. The guy was obviously a hobbyist experimenter just playing with it, and he sold it for near nothing when he ran out of new projects for it and moved on to some new project. It looked new and may not have had more than a couple hours of use.

I doubt a welder from HF in that generation has a good expectation for long term reliability. But aside from that I think this is the equal of a pro-grade welder from the perspective of actually using it. Best $25 I ever spent! I'm happy with it.

Wow, you got a good deal.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by Need Advice

I had a HF 180 Mig. the only thing i didn't like was the cheap 6' torch. HTP sells better and longer torches for that welder. I was going to buy one but i ended up selling it because i needed money for home repairs, and i already had a Lincoln 180 that i bought used. I still have a HF stick welder that i like.

Yeah. My Mig-180 has every upgrade the first owner could think of. The HTP 10 ft torch you mentioned, heavier ground and power cables, a capacitor that can be switched in/out, a custom low-friction hub he machined for 10" reels, some other upgrades. It works great. The guy was obviously a hobbyist experimenter just playing with it, and he sold it for near nothing when he ran out of new projects for it and moved on to some new project. It looked new and may not have had more than a couple hours of use.

I doubt a welder from HF in that generation has a good expectation for long term reliability. But aside from that I think this is the equal of a pro-grade welder from the perspective of actually using it. Best $25 I ever spent! I'm happy with it.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by California

Yeah. I have a hacksaw hanging on the wall right in front of the big vise.

It's quicker and simpler to grab that and get to work, for the smallest projects, instead of getting out the portable bandsaw or the angle grinder with cutoff wheel.

I had a HF 180 Mig. the only thing i didn't like was the cheap 6' torch. HTP sells better and longer torches for that welder. I was going to buy one but i ended up selling it because i needed money for home repairs, and i already had a Lincoln 180 that i bought used. I still have a HF stick welder that i like.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by smithdoor

When working in shop I had hacksaw hanging on rollaway. It save steps only used up to 1/2" round bars.

Yeah. I have a hacksaw hanging on the wall right in front of the big vise.

It's quicker and simpler to grab that and get to work, for the smallest projects, instead of getting out the portable bandsaw or the angle grinder with cutoff wheel.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

This is a cool modification for quickly installing a saw table for vertical use without needing to bolt and unbolt the table.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

This guy has a cool modification for tightening down the miter fence on his HF bandsaw. He has 7 other mod videos in a playlist for modifying and adjusting this bandsaw but so far this is the only one I've watched.



This guy also has HF bandsaw tune up videos. I haven't watched them yet either.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by smithdoor

Conduit and gas lines saw works great

FYI I found replacing is faster that tracing. If one bad spot there a new bad spot tomorrow.

That's true but it could just be as simple as a bad receptacle. Also tracing will help me map out the circuit if i need to run new wire. Im just a handy man, not an electrician. There are a few receptacles I haven't changed yet but I'm not sure if they are on the same circuit or not. I haven't changed the receptacles in one of the rooms because i use it for storage and its full of stuff which makes changing them difficult, and one is outside, I haven't checked that one yet either. My receptacles are old and many were bad and needed changed. I wonder if the breaker itself could be bad too. I doubt it but it may be possible i guess?. I just cant understand how a run of wire would be bad unless mice got in the walls and chewed it up. I do have a mice problem where i live, also raccoons, possum, skunks and groundhogs. One time i opened the cabinet door under my sink and saw a baby possum hissing at me. He got in through a hole in the floor where pipes come in. I fixed that problem. I have raccoons on my porch sometimes eating the cat food. I'll have to fix that problem too. Something chewed up my data cable outside for my internet. I dont know what did that. If i need to change a chewed up wire im thinking of using armored cable.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Conduit and gas lines saw works great

FYI I found replacing is faster that tracing. If one bad spot there a new bad spot tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Need Advice

I'm excited about getting this saw but i have electrical and heating repairs i need to do first. I need a wire tracer so i can pinpoint a bad circuit, and i might need new wire as well. I had to change all the receptacles in my house which fixed one problem but i still have one bad circuit and I'm not sure why.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by BD1

Depending on what is on the circuit, routing, and accessiblity, it maybe best to abandon and run new Romex or conduit to those locations.


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Its not hard to run a new circuit in that location because i plan on doing some remodeling to the walls anyway.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by Need Advice

I'm excited about getting this saw but i have electrical and heating repairs i need to do first. I need a wire tracer so i can pinpoint a bad circuit, and i might need new wire as well. I had to change all the receptacles in my house which fixed one problem but i still have one bad circuit and I'm not sure why.

Depending on what is on the circuit, routing, and accessiblity, it maybe best to abandon and run new Romex or conduit to those locations.


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Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by smithdoor

I use mind on home repairs handy saw for around the home too.

Dave

I'm excited about getting this saw but i have electrical and heating repairs i need to do first. I need a wire tracer so i can pinpoint a bad circuit, and i might need new wire as well. I had to change all the receptacles in my house which fixed one problem but i still have one bad circuit and I'm not sure why.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by SlowBlues

I use my band saws for wood stuff all the time as well!

In vertical they're great for cutting out those odd shapes or angles, and in horizontal they make great big timber saws (will miter well too!).

A wood blade (6 tpi usually) will help but I never change it over. I just make sure all metal chips/shavings/filings are off the surface for wood that will be seen (or it will embed itself and cause rusting problems down the line).

Thanks. Do you play the blues? I like acoustic guitar blues but i dont have much of an ear, i cant even tune a guitar without an electronic tuner but i still like to pluck away on the guitar anyway.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

I use my band saws for wood stuff all the time as well!

In vertical they're great for cutting out those odd shapes or angles, and in horizontal they make great big timber saws (will miter well too!).

A wood blade (6 tpi usually) will help but I never change it over. I just make sure all metal chips/shavings/filings are off the surface for wood that will be seen (or it will embed itself and cause rusting problems down the line).

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

I use mind on home repairs handy saw for around the home too.

Dave

Originally Posted by Need Advice

It will be a while. I have house repairs I need to do first.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by smithdoor

Hope for photo of new saw.

Dave

It will be a while. I have house repairs I need to do first.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Hope for photo of new saw.

Dave

Originally Posted by Need Advice

Thanks guys.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

Originally Posted by M J D

Blade selection depends on thickness. 10-14 is a good general purpose, 14-18 tpi if your cutting really thin material. Anything finer,( higher number of teeth) is a waste of time and won't clear enough of a kerf for cutting curves. With a 1/2" wide blade, ( which your limited to with a HF 4x6" saw or a porta band) your limited in the minimum radius you can cut. About a 4" radius is the limit without relief cuts. The work around is to make relief cuts 90 degrees to the cut line. Spacing depending on the size of radius. For what you plan to do,( at least to my understanding) the 4x6 saw is about the perfect solution to what your cutting. Hole saws on a drill press is another way to make some tight radius cuts as well. I've cut out some parts that required a band saw, hole saw, belt grinder to shape outside and files to fine tune inside curves . A dedicated vertical saw really shines for that type of work as different width blades can be used. I've used a 10-14 tpi blade, 1/4" wide to do some pretty detailed cuts on 1/8" -1/4" material with my vertical saw. Lots of ways to do it. A jig saw with the material supported by 2" styrofoam works extremely well also

Originally Posted by Louie1961

The OP stated in another thread he wants to cut 20 gauge sheet steel to make metal roses. I also suggested a jig saw. In a band saw I really do think he'll need the higher tooth count for such thing material

Originally Posted by M J D

20 gauge I would cut with aviation snips as far as tighter curves go. If I wàs using the band saw I would use the 14-18 blade. Beverley type shear would be another option for that material.

Thanks guys.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

20 gauge I would cut with aviation snips as far as tighter curves go. If I wàs using the band saw I would use the 14-18 blade. Beverley type shear would be another option for that material.

Re: HF 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw. Is it any good?

The OP stated in another thread he wants to cut 20 gauge sheet steel to make metal roses. I also suggested a jig saw. In a band saw I really do think he'll need the higher tooth count for such thing material