Got one (HF 4"x6") - anything to watch out for?

ScrapMetal

ScrapMetal

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Kind of against my better judgement (I love well made tools.) I picked up one of the little Harbor Freight 4"x6" bandsaws. Some of the guys here have had good luck with them and the price was hard to ignore. That being said, now that I have the crappy sheetmetal legged, casting so rough it brings tears to your eyes :D band saw set up is there anything I need to really keep an eye on? Things like bushings/bearings, spots of excessive wear, stock bands breaking and taking out my groin, etc. ;)

I am already thinking about doing something with the "legs" or "feet" as in trying to make them a little more sturdy and maybe install levelers on them. I am not sure that they could survive the any changes in the direction of force/strain however slight that might be though.

Anyways, I'll be interested to get any of your observations or thoughts on this ugly little thing. :)

-Ron
 
I just bought one of there myself and so far I'm quite happy with it. I've done a couple of decent cuts with it and the only real problem I've had is the blade coming off a couple of times, it needs some fine tuning I guess. I used it to cut a piece of 2-3/8" solid round mild steel today and it beats using a hacksaw. ;)

If you look around the forums here there's some good info on modifying them, I need to look through them myself. :)
 
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I got a deal on an older used 4x6 saw. It's green so not sure it was origionally from HF. No markings on it as to brand.
I hated the wobbly sheetmetal stand that would screech on the floor when trying to move it. It was also quite wobbly and tipy when trying to move it.
I made a dolly for it out of bed rails. I extended the length out under the motor and widened the stance of the wheels. May have even used bigger wheels from a tradmill frame.
I am a member of the yahoo 4x6 saw group and highly recommend joining. They have an excellent tuneup/allignment pdf in their files section. After going through my saw, it cuts like a dream, square and smooth, using the HF blades.
I still need to make a table for vertical cutting an it didn't come with one. I'll try to remember to take pictures today and post them.

Chuck in E. TN
 
Great, thanks guys. I'll look into the posted mods and really, really consider doing something with the "stand". Sheesh, who puts "hinges" on the legs anyway??? ::) Guess they save some packaging/shipping cost there.

-Ron
 
The venerable little 4x6 Chinese band saw is very likely THE best bargain, and possibly the most handy, tool in all the line up of import tools. And with the many modifications dreamed up by users, its value and usefullness is only increased.

With HF's version usually selling around the $200 mark and with an easily obtainable 20% off coupon, it would behove any home shop to get one. Theres no question they are a bit of a "kit" project, and usually need a bit of tweaking, with the pitiful blade that comes on them, and the wobbly stand needing primary attention.

A heck of a tool for the home shop!!!
 
Okay, now I have a question on saw blades. The booklet I got with it says it has a 64" blade. So far, I've found very little in the way of replacement blades in that particular size. There seems to be a much larger selection if you go to a 64 1/2". Can the "larger" blades be run without problems or is there a source for 64" blades that I've missed so far? Oh, I probably should add that I am looking for quality blades ie. Starrett, etc. and probably bi-metal. (I think anyway.)

Thanks,

-Ron
 
Ron,
I got one of those HF 4x6 bandsaws about two years ago. It does take a 64 1/2" blade. The manual (if you can call it that) leaves something to be desired in the specs and operation. :D I went thru a few blades before I got it tuned and tweaked, but now I use it frequently and I'm very happy with it. I order the Irwin bi-metal blades from Enco. They are relatively inexpensive and last me quite a while. Lowes carries the carbon blades for about $10, but they are .020" thickness instead of .025" and Ive found that makes a difference in how long they last.

Anybody got any good suggestions for using broken bandsaw blades? :)

Tim,,,
 
It will need the 64 1/2" blade - as you are already finding out, dont rely too much on that manual!

As Tim mentioned, Enco has probably the best buy on a bi-metal blade at $14.99 each (Irwin brand)

If youre like me, I can usually think of a couple more things to order along with a blade and come up with the $25 min order and get the free shipping... (the code this month is NCCSEP)

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=240-4930
 
Biggest problem I've had with mine is I keep cutting stuff that doesnt need to be cut just because its fun to watch and dream of all the hack-sawing I'm NOT doing! (sorry, I had to cut ALL the steel for a 20' low boy trailer out of heavy angle and 1 11'16 perforated schedule 80 oilfield pipe with a hacksaw after school as a kid!) Dad would lay out a stack of blades and soapstone marked pieces to greet me after class every day. :amazed: He'd get home and we would put on our helmets and he'd supervise my welds. It seemed like hell then, But I'm glad he taught me how to work, and not let the Wii and TV raise me like todays "yutes" You'll love your saw once you get it tuned and fit a better blade!! Todd
 
Thank guys, I'll be making "another" Enco order. I have no problem loading one up to get the discounts or free shipping. I use that to my favor as well, "Hon, I had to get "fill in the blank" so I could save some money!" Turn-about is fair play, right? ;)

-Ron
 
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