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

[Louie1961]

Any vertical handsaw, even a portaband, will cut those curves pretty easily with the correct blade

[Need Advice]

I have drawing on turning a hacksaw to power saw.
The blades are so cheap and fits in a small workshop. But I went and purchased a 4x6 saw.

FYI I used torch till purchased the 4x6 saw.

Dave

I use a grinder and reciprocating saw now but i think im going to get the bandsaw,

[Need Advice]

I’m curious to know what variable speed motor you have.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

My variable speed motor is a 2.5 HP treadmill motor. Its a DC motor. Its small compared to other 2HP motors so I'm wondering how durable it will be. It says its rated for HD use.

[Need Advice]

Any vertical handsaw, even a portaband, will cut those curves pretty easily with the correct blade

What kind of blade would i use for cutting curves?

[Lis2323]

My variable speed motor is a 2.5 HP treadmill motor. Its a DC motor. Its small compared to other 2HP motors so I'm wondering how durable it will be. It says its rated for HD use.

Its a treadmill motor. The “HD” most likely stands for heavy douche.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Need Advice]

Its a treadmill motor. The “HD” most likely stands for heavy douche.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

lol, thanks. Actually its rated at Continual use but i read somewhere that means its HD. If it wont work for a belt grinder it cost me nothing.

[Reebz]

I had one for years and had very few issues with it. It made 1,000's of cuts. I made a stand for mine because I had to move it around a lot and the stock stand would not take it. Look up some of my post under reebz or reebs. I posted modifications

[Lis2323]

I had one for years and had very few issues with it. It made 1,000's of cuts. I made a stand for mine because I had to move it around a lot and the stock stand would not take it. Look up some of my post under reebz or reebs. I posted modifications

If you’re (re)building an OEM stand consider making it higher as your back will thank you.

https://images.platforum.cloud/uploads/202...78ec44426c.jpg


https://images.platforum.cloud/uploads/202...3a31f7ef04.jpg


https://images.platforum.cloud/uploads/202...7418616fab.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Louie1961]

What kind of blade would i use for cutting curves?

Bi-metal blade is better than the plain steel blade, but I think teeth per inch (TPI) may be more important. The ones at HF are just fine. You need to use an appropriate TPI for the thickness of material you want to cut. If it were me I would try to go with 18-24 TPI.

[Reebz]

Mine is the 6th post https://weldingweb.com/vbb/threads/5...hlight=bandsaw

[Need Advice]

Bi-metal blade is better than the plain steel blade, but I think teeth per inch (TPI) may be more important. The ones at HF are just fine. You need to use an appropriate TPI for the thickness of material you want to cut. If it were me I would try to go with 18-24 TPI.

Thanks.

[Need Advice]

Mine is the 6th post https://weldingweb.com/vbb/threads/5...hlight=bandsaw

Nice. Thanks.

[M J D]

What kind of blade would i use for cutting curves?

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

[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

[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.

[Need Advice]

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

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

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.

[smithdoor]

Hope for photo of new saw.

Dave

Thanks guys.

[Need Advice]

Hope for photo of new saw.

Dave

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

[smithdoor]

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

Dave

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

[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).

[Need Advice]

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.

[Need Advice]

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.

[BD1]

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Need Advice]

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


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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

[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.

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.