Harbor Freight Band Saw

[Flathead Johnny]

I would like to ask the owners of this saw a question. I received this saw as a x-mas gift and I attempted to assemble it today. I went to install the pulley belt guard and removed the motor pulley with no problem but I can't get the other pulley off. I tried a puller and it just chipped the cast pulley and I can not pull it off my hand. What did you guys do to get it off.

 

[bullfrog123]

Re: Harbor Freight BandSaw

On mine the guard had notches in it to slide behind the pulleys. Then install a couple screws. Never had to pull the pulleys off.

 

[Flathead Johnny]

the guard that I was given as one circular 1 1/2 hole for the drive pulley and a crescent shaped elongated hole for the motor pulley. There is no way to slide it under, they are through holes so the pulley have to be pulled. The guard I was given is the red oval shape on top of the motor that pulls open to reveal the pulleys and belt

 

[bullfrog123]

Not sure then. Then again my saw is probably 10 yrs old now. So something must have changed since then. My guard is the same shape and such but the mounting must be different. Maybe someone else will chime in on the fix.

 

[K4luf]

I've thought about buying this band saw or the one that is similar from Northern Tool. Are they worth the money? Any likes, dislikes or comments?

 

[Flathead Johnny]

its very possible there was a change...but I see it as change for the worst I cant get the dam thing on lol

 

[pattenp]

What type of puller are you using? 2 jaw or 3 jaw. Are you tapping on the center bolt to pull as you tighten the center bolt or are you just cranking on the center bolt trying to pull if off.

 

[Flathead Johnny]

i did some photo research and I think the bastards forgot to punch slots into the cover guard so I can slide it under the pulleys, the only way at this point is to install is to remove the pulleys or cut the slots myself. Well i dont think so, this bad boy is going to get swapped out tomorrow. And to think I had myself convinced I was having a mental moment for not being able to set this thing up!

 

[Flathead Johnny]

i will post some pictures tomorrow of the cover

 

[outcast]

the threw mine in the trash.

oh. mine is about 8 years old, so things may have changed. the blade, mine worked ok for a lil while. other said they were junk right out of the box. but i can say that a good bimetal blade will really make this saw shine.

 

[Test Tech]

I've thought about buying this band saw or the one that is similar from Northern Tool. Are they worth the money? Any likes, dislikes or comments?

I have this saw, I don't recall any assembly problems but it's been a couple of years. It works just fine for me.

 

[PCO6]

I've thought about buying this band saw or the one that is similar from Northern Tool. Are they worth the money? Any likes, dislikes or comments?

I've had one like the one pictured above for about 25 yrs. and it's seen a lot of trouble free use. I recently bought a 4"x6" swivel head band saw which is very similar. I prefer it because when you want to cut on an angle the stock stays put and the saw head swivels. That's a LOT easier than swinging your stock to cut a 45 degree angle for example. I'm keeping my original saw and converting it to a small permanent upright band saw.

If you want more information on 4"x6" band saws you might like this site ...
[email protected]

 

[pattenp]

I looked at the online manual and it shows having to install both pulleys after you put on the belt cover. I didn't see a slot in the cover base to just slide it on. Either I was looking at the wrong instructions.

 

[pattenp]

What type of puller are you using? 2 jaw or 3 jaw. Are you tapping on the center bolt to pull as you tighten the center bolt or are you just cranking on the center bolt trying to pull if off.

Since you didn't answer this question I hope you weren't insulted by it.

 

[Flathead Johnny]

not at all...i grabbed a two jaw puller...should have grabbed the three. I have cast pulleys on my flathead water pumps so I know better. There was a indent in the center of the shaft and the puller bolt tip rested in it. It shouldn't have came to me using a puller to set up the saw especially since the instruction mentioned nothing of it and a good percentage of people buying this saw would not have this in their tool arsenal. It seems they forgot to punch out some metal in the guard cover or installed the pulleys when they should have left them off

Since you didn't answer this question I hope you weren't insulted by it.

 

[Kent Skinner]

I've thought about buying this band saw or the one that is similar from Northern Tool. Are they worth the money? Any likes, dislikes or comments?

I got one, used, for *cheap*. Too cheap to pass up, since it was from somebody who I trusted. It works. I've certainly used better tools, but if it's what you can afford, go for it.

I haven't used my abrasive chop saw *once* since I got the band saw.

Throw away the blade, and buy a good one from Sandvik or another reputable company.

On a 2" high cut (square or round stock) it's out of square by 1/16" or less. Not perfect, but good enough most of the time.

 

[PCO6]

... On a 2" high cut (square or round stock) it's out of square by 1/16" or less. Not perfect, but good enough most of the time.

You should be able to get a straight cut by adjusting the bearings. If you bought yours used and didn't get a manual here's a link to where you can get a .pdf copy ...
http://www.grizzly.com/products/4-x-6-Metal-Cutting-Bandsaw/G0622

There's also some good tips here ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=oImXgU3ATEk&NR=1

 

[ElectroLight]

I think you will like the saw but realize it will require some tuning initially. I have the older model (green) saw and it works good. The stand on my saw was a particularly poor design, a lot of owners usually just replace it with a home brewed one. I added a tray to tie the front and back leg sections together and added some 1 1/2" x 3/16" CR steel reinforcement at the feet. I like the new design blade guide assemblies of the red saw; looks like aligning the blade for square cuts may be easier. As noted a new Bi-metal blade is required, keep the original blade for an emergency spare.

 

[D.J.]

Did you try and dress the end of the shaft with emmery cloth before you attempted to remove the pulley? This could help, imo.

 

[pattenp]

not at all...i grabbed a two jaw puller...should have grabbed the three. I have cast pulleys on my flathead water pumps so I know better. There was a indent in the center of the shaft and the puller bolt tip rested in it. It shouldn't have came to me using a puller to set up the saw especially since the instruction mentioned nothing of it and a good percentage of people buying this saw would not have this in their tool arsenal. It seems they forgot to punch out some metal in the guard cover or installed the pulleys when they should have left them off

From the instructions it looks to me that the pulleys should not have been installed when you got it. Was this unit new straight out of the box? Anyway seems you should be able to get the pulley off with some persuasion.

 

[Falcon67]

I use my 4x6 a lot. There is also a Yahoo group that is dedicated to this saw and the others like it. I don't recall having any issues with pulleys. If it's screwed, up, take it back and exchange it. Should be no problem.

Mine cuts about .050 off over 2" but I didn't spend a lot of time on it. Adjusting the blade is trial and error also, but when you get it right it works well. I use WD-40 as a cutting lube. As noted, do not bother with the supplied blade - go buy a bi-metal blade for it. I bought the HF bi-metal and it's been a decent blade and made a lot of cuts. I think I paid maybe $140 for my saw with a coupon. It's not so precision, but it beats the hell out of a hacksaw or saws all.

 

[J Persons]

I've got an early model of this saw, it's green not red, The only problem I've had is keeping the blade on the wheels. It seems to need constant adjustment and tightening.

 

[rwhite692]

Slightly off topic, but a question for those that have this (or similar) saw: do you find that it works well in the vertical position, or is using it that way fraught with compromises, painful to set up, etc?

I was thinking of picking one of these saws up, I think I would use it quite a bit if it works well in the upright/vertical position....But if all it is good for is horizontal (cutoff) operations, I probably won't get one...

 

[PCO6]

Slightly off topic, but a question for those that have this (or similar) saw: do you find that it works well in the vertical position, or is using it that way fraught with compromises, painful to set up, etc?

I was thinking of picking one of these saws up, I think I would use it quite a bit if it works well in the upright/vertical position....But if all it is good for is horizontal (cutoff) operations, I probably won't get one...

I use mine in the vertical position often. Once it's set up for the cut off position it's good to go in the vertical position too, with the simple addition of the table. The throat is relatively small (say compared to a 14" band saw) but it's fine for a lot of the things I do (brackets, etc.). The table is also small but there are ways of making and mounting a larger one. In the YouTube video link I provided above (post #17) the guy describes among other things uneven table problems and how to fix them.

 

[PCO6]

... There is also a Yahoo group that is dedicated to this saw and the others like it.

See post #12 above for the link. There is a LOT of good information on that site.

 

[bullfrog123]

Here's a pic of mine if that helps any.......

 

[fordguy_78]

On the pullys there should be 1 or 2 allen set screws that have to come all the way out for the pullys to come off, and cover slips down over the shafts. At least thats what it was on mine. It's red like what's in the picture but it's about 2 years old.

Phill

 

[Flathead Johnny]

thanks for the picture...mine is definitely different!

hummmm....never looked for a set screw, silly me...I will take a look, thanks for the tip

 

[diggerrick]

thanks for the picture...mine is definitely different!

hummmm....never looked for a set screw, silly me...I will take a look, thanks for the tip

(1) over the key, and maybe (1) @ 90 degrees.

 

[Larwyn]

I use mine in the vertical position almost as often as horizontal. It works fine both ways and is not that hard or time consuming to swap between the two different positions.

Check out the yahoo group that has already been mentioned, there is loads of good information there.