4"x6" bandsaw

[truckone176]

I am looking to buy a small horizontal bandsaw and would like some recommendations. I know HF has their saw for about $200 or so with a coupon, but looking at the Jet or Northern tool saws, it seems they are the same. My question is this, is there as much tweaking as needed for other brands as there may be on the HF version? I know there are other brands out there, but this is for garage use and not heavy duty production use. Any help from from you guys out there is greatly appreciated.

 

[gungatim]

can't comment on the other brands, but there are some good threads on modding those on various sites, welding web I think and pirate 4x4...I had to tweak mine with shims to keep the wheels co-planar (get a few cheap feeler gauges and use those). mine is some off-shore brand but identical to the HF. I also made a bigger table for it and put it on wheels...and also replaced the screws on the blade guard with thumbscrews I welded up, makes opening it up a lot easier/faster when the blade pops off (and it will constantly).

 

[Fender1325]

I have the HF bandsaw and Im quite pleased. It does take some dialing in to get the blade straight and happy so it wont pop off the wheels. Their machine work is not the worlds most accurate thing, but theres adjustments that can be made to get it pretty good. Buy their bimetal blade at the same time - the other will break in a week or so. Other than that this thing is wonderful to have. No more cutting wobbly lines with angle grinders. Smooth and quiet and accurate. Go for it man!

Like you, I said if the HF ends up giving me too much trouble I'll just go with the JET. (Looks identical, and twice the price.). Im sure the machine work on the JET is more accurate so the wheels that hold the blade spin more accurately. Probably less headaches. But all in all, Im very happy with the HF one. You just need to learn how the adjustments are made on the machine and dial it in. It will take several times of the blade popping off and you getting frustrated before you learn what it wants (blade tension, adjusting the pitch of the wheels, speed of cut, etc). Once you get it, shes a great machine and worth the money (especially with a 20 percent off coupon)

 

[truckone176]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[aka Larry]

I have the Jet model from NT and have been happy with it.

 

[zkling]

I have a late 80's one, can't remember the name ATM. Couldn't live without it. Been threatening to replace it for years; if I ever found a good deal on a roll in and the ambition to move it, I will. Maybe look for a used one. For the price they are extremely hard to beat.

If all you have is a hacksaw now, you will think you hit heaven on earth.