HARBOR FREIGHT HORIZONTAL BAND SAW

[ddickey]

I made a nice table for mine although I use it in the horizontal position 90% of the time.
Made a blade brush for it also. Mikey helped me with that sending me pics of how he made his.
Mine doesn't cut very straight. I have the adjustments cams or whatever they are called to the extreme. When you lift the saw up it does not track straight which is probably most of the problem. I don't really care as the cut portion gets cleaned up in the mill or lathe.

 

[RIMSPOKE]

Mine served me well for the last 2 years. What mods were you thinking about doing?

WHAT MODS ? GLAD THAT YOU ASKED . I AM DOING THE EASY STUFF FIRST .
THIS IS WHAT I HAVE IN THE FIRST TWO DAYS .

FIRST OFF , I CAN'T STAND THE CRAPPY STRIP-A-MATIC 4.8 HARDWARE THAT COMES ON THE SAW
SO I AM SYSTEMATICALLY REPLACING MOST OF IT WITH GRADE 8.8 STUFF . WORLD's EASIEST UPGRADE .



THE VISE WOULDN'T OPEN FAR ENOUGH TO HOLD 3" STOCK AT A 45° ANGLE . THE SQUARE CORNERS OF THE
MOVING JAW's NUT HIT THE RADIUS OF THE ROUND SLOT SO IT WAS AN EASY LATHE JOB TO
ROUND THE CORNERS AND GAIN A QUARTER INCH OF VISE TRAVEL .



THE FIXED/ ANGLE JAW HAD A THRU BOLT TO SET THE ANGLE . THIS REQUIRES TWO WRENCHES TO ADJUST
AND THE M8 SIZE SEEMED A BIT WIMPY FOR THE JOB . I MADE A NEW TEE-NUT FROM STEEL THAT TRACKS THROUGH
THE .530" CURVED SLOT . IT IS THREADED M10 AND THE ANGLE CAN NOW BE ADJUSTED WITH ONE WRENCH ON THE TOP .
I HAVE A M-10 KIPP HANDLE ON ORDER SO I WON'T EVEN NEED A WRENCH FOR THIS ADJUSTMENT .



I HATE HAVING CHIPS ALL OVER THE PLACE SO I MADE UP AM ALUMINUM BUCKET TO CATCH THE SHAVINGS COMING OFF THE SAW .
IT IS MADE FROM TWO PIECES OF ALUMINUM HELD TOGETHER WITH POP RIVETS
IT STICKS UP FAR ENOUGH ON THE BACK SIDE TO CONTAIN THE CHIPS THAT FALL THROUGH THE SLOT .
IT ATTACHES WITH A SIMPLE SPRING LATCH SO I CAN POP IT OFF AND DUMP IT EASILY .



I HAVE A FEW MORE THINGS IN THE WORKS LIKE PINS TO FIX THE STATIONARY JAW AT 45° & 90° AND
A REMOVABLE FENCE TO KEEP PARTS IN PLACE WHEN THE BLADE CUTS THROUGH .

 

[Doubleeboy]

Best to open up gear box and examine oil for chips and grit, if its clean button it up and forget if for a few years, if its suspicious, drain and put in fresh 80w-whatever and be happy. My Jet 4 x 6 came with grit my 7 x 12 HF was spotless inside, one Taiwan the other China, go figure.

 

[Groundhog]

Do yourself a favor and go buy a good, (brand-name?), bi-metal blade (with teeth to suit your particular needs). The one that comes with the saw (and all HF in my opinion) are just plain worthless.

 

[markba633csi]

I like your little bucket, that's something I've GOT to copy!
Mark S.
ps I like all your ideas: the pins, the fence, it's all good. HF should pay you to be a consultant

 

[Mr Mike]

I had the wet version of that saw, and I made a bazillion cuts with it, never had issues. Blade and spring tension are key to how long your blades will last, and how square the cuts are.

 

[RIMSPOKE]

What mods were you thinking about doing?

HERE IS ANOTHER . I HATE THE WIMPY LITTLE CRANK THEY GIVE YOU TO CLOSE THE VISE .
YEARS OF RUNNING A BIG KALAMAZOO SAW SPOILED ME . IT HAD A HAND WHEEL .

SO HERE IS MY HAND WHEEL . IT STARTED OUT ON AN ENCO ARBOR PRESS .
I UPGRADED THE PRESS WITH A MUCH LARGER WHEEL & THIS LITTLE ONE WAS LEFT OVER .
SIMPLE LATE JOB TO MAKE UP AN ADAPTER FOR THE SAW .

IT GIVES ME MORE TORQUE AND IS ALWAYS IN THE RIGHT POSITION .
BEST OF ALL , THE ROTATING MASS MAKES IT EASY TO "SPIN" THE VISE OPEN OR CLOSED .
IT ALSO ADDS SOME NEEDED WEIGHT TO THE LIGHT END OF THE SAW .

 

[markba633csi]

Another good mod is a blade brush- planning to add one to mine. Maybe an oil dripper too
Mark S.

 

[Silverbullet]

A couple cheap tooth brushes clamped in a wood block work to clean chip out of the teeth. Can be made where a zip tie can hold it on the back roller assembly. And a mister really helps in a few ways. Oil drippers are good too. If I don't find a vertical bandsaw I like ill get one of these and just make it vertical. The prices people want for old worn out ones is obscene there iron or steel not gold.

 

[RIMSPOKE]

What mods were you thinking about doing?


THIS KIPP HANDLE IS THE CAT's MEOW . ( 6 BUCKS ON E-BAY )
IT IS INDEXABLE AND HAS A M10 STUD .

1/2 TURN UNLOCKS VISE FOR RE-POSITIONING .
TURN IT BACK AND THE VISE IS LOCKED IN PLACE FOR CUTTING .

THIS ADJUSTMENT REQUIRES TWO WRENCHES THE WAY THESE SAWS ARE SOLD .
CHANGING THE VISE ANGLE IS NOW A FAST & EASY ONE HAND , TOOL-FREE OPERATION .