4x6 Bandsaw problem

[SiGmA_X]

I recently acquired a new to me 2006 Harbor Freight 4x6 bandsaw. I have probably a couple hundred hours on a 2004/2005 green HF saw and in generally reasonably competent with this sort of thing..generally.

The 2006 red saw states it can do a 55* miter but at 45*, with the guide all the way retracted, the guide hits the work. What am I doing wrong?! Is this *common*? I'm thinking my solution will be to take my flapdisc to the guide, but I wanted to ask GJ first.

Thanks for any input!

 

[wayne55]

Maybe you could put another piece of metal between the piece you are sawing and the back of the vice. This would move the piece you are sawing away from the guide.

 

[SiGmA_X]

Maybe you could put another piece of metal between the piece you are sawing and the back of the vice. This would move the piece you are sawing away from the guide.

That's a good suggestion, I have some steel blocks I could place between the work and fence. It seems to be a pretty strange problem though, why would they design the saw like this.

Oh right. Because China!

 

[Superbec]

55 is just 35 on the other side... all the years I have used saws I only needed to go over 45 maybe 2-3 times, and that because of the things was to be cut could only be clamped from one side.

 

[SiGmA_X]

55 is just 35 on the other side... all the years I have used saws I only needed to go over 45 maybe 2-3 times, and that because of the things was to be cut could only be clamped from one side.

I only need to go to 45. Being limited to ~42 (?) is a pretty big problem. Using a block on the fence is probably the best non destructive method but at the same time it annoys me.

Does anyone else have a red HF 4x6 and have this issue?

 

[TS3g]

Mine is the same way. I've been using the block method for now because I've been too lazy to start hacking on stuff

 

[WILD-BILL]

Cutting material with that shape is better done turned over so it's like and upside down V.

See if it doesn't fit in the saw better that way.

 

[no704]

I've seen some with multiple mounting holes for the fixed jaw.

 

[2oolhound]

I've seen some with multiple mounting holes for the fixed jaw.

I was wondering if this wasn't a possibility. Perhaps moving the vice in allows cutting wider stock. It would be worth checking to see if a po hasn't modded the vice position.

 

[SiGmA_X]

Vise is in the stock location. I blocked the work out today and it was fine but talk about annoying..

I'm surprised this isn't discussed at all, it is insanely annoying! I couldn't find mention of it on the yahoo group. Its a little funny that the slot for the trailing blade guide has more room, but the guide has bottomed out. I definitely prefer the green saw, if this is how all the red ones are. I'm a little worried about being able to cut 3-3.5" tube, but that is a way down the road.

 

[gungatim]

isn't there a vise mod for that in the yahoo group? seems I remember seeing one when I got my Taiwan 4x6... I also recall the red ones did have more issues and needed more tweaking than the earlier versions...

 

[Doug Arthurs]

Is there not another set of holes for the vise plate to move away from the blade?

 

[gazza]

Have you tried it with that same block of steel between the angle iron and the fixed red angle, this effectively moves the angle being cut forwards and away from the blade guide

 

[SiGmA_X]

Have you tried it with that same block of steel between the angle iron and the fixed red angle, this effectively moves the angle being cut forwards and away from the blade guide

Yep, I did that to finish my project. It is a poor solution as it reduces capacity! I have a ~36*4*1/2" stick at my shop that I will cut a section out of and proceed from there...but man, I'm surprised and disappointed that the red saw is so much worse than the green.

Is there not another set of holes for the vise plate to move away from the blade?

No there isn't. It would need another slot for the fence to pivot on too then.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

Yep, I did that to finish my project. It is a poor solution as it reduces capacity! I have a ~36*4*1/2" stick at my shop that I will cut a section out of and proceed from there...but man, I'm surprised and disappointed that the red saw is so much worse than the green.No there isn't. It would need another slot for the fence to pivot on too then.

Sorry that's right on my saw the slot is on the vise plate not in the saw bed. So ya the best thing to do would be to make a plate that slips over the vise plate and maybe has a couple tabs that go over the top to sort of lock it in place.

 

[Superbec]

ohhh... I see now.. can't you position the vise the other way? maybe it gives you more clearance.

That model you have is not really made for miter cuts , very annoying , I know.

 

[WILD-BILL]

Did you try flipping the piece you're cutting over?

 

[2oolhound]

Maybe those aren't the original guides. A lot of guys put better guides in saws.