Advice for a 4 x 6 bandsaw

[Dan V.]

Pretty much looks like they are all out of the same factory, but with some hardware differences and paint.

Any reason to look at brands other than the HF one, which sells for less than other look alikes, and at least is readily available?

I understand the shortcomings, but I think that with my hobby needs I don't need a more capable unit.

Thanks for your input.

 

[James-W]

I have a similar one to the Harbor Freight bandsaw, but it isn't from Harbor Freight. It belonged to my older brother and I got it when he passed away. He didn't use it a whole lot, but he did use it on occasion and it worked quite well. I don't use it very often but when I do use it the bandsaw works really good. If this were a tool I used all day everyday I would more inclined to buy a better one, but for occasional use I would say the Harbor Freight bandsaw would be perfectly OK to buy.

 

[MushCreek]

I've had two- a Rong Fu, made in Taiwan, which was OK for occasional use, and a HF, which was worthless. I spent a lot of time trying to make it functional. The bearings in the gear box were loose in the bore (brand new machine). The gearbox was way out of alignment with the frame, and had to be shimmed. I never could get a blade to stay on it, though, no matter how much I fooled around with it. Perhaps I got a dud. I'm currently looking for a smallish saw, as my 24" Kalamazoo is just too big. I'm trying to find the next size up from the 4X6, though. The 7X12 machines are much beefier, but hard to find used. Used 4X6 are a dime a dozen on CL or FB.

 

[BD1]

I have the 4x6 harbor freight saw and its fine. Mine is 12 years old and recently replaced the motor. Back then there was a 30% off coupon so I had to spent a whopping $115.00. Depending on material size and thickness, it cuts slow. Set it up and do something else while cutting.
Depending on funds, maybe consider a swivel head bandsaw. Mine is a ELLIS 1600 but expensive. These have received pretty good reviews.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...200660083?utm_source=CSE&utm_medium=Shopzilla

https://www.trick-tools.com/Femi_782XL_Benchtop_Mitering_Bandsaw_F_782XL_000_00_0_000_2209

 

[rmack898]

Dan, I was in your shoes many years ago and I decided that I needed a saw to run right out of the box without having to spend time to make it work right. I bought the JET version of the 4X6 and it did everything I needed it to do until I grew out of it. I now have an Ellis.

Having used a 4X6 for many years, if I had to do it all over again I would buy the 4X6 with the swiveling head. Not only will it make angled cuts much easier, but the stand is much higher and substantial than the regular 4X6. No matter what version of the 4X6 you get, the stand is garbage and will be the first thing you replace.

My choice would be this Grizly or some other vendors version of this saw.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-5-x-6-1-2-hp-metal-cutting-bandsaw-w-swivel-head/g9742

 

[rsanter]

Over the years I have had several and have beat the **** out of them and moved them on or junked them out.

You need to look at what some material,and type,of material you are going to cut.

If you are cutting smaller stuff them I would do the porta band with a stand type. They take less room and you have the option of portable.

If I was cutting only tubing I would look at a carbide blade chop saw.

The only thing I use mine for any more is cutting larger thick wall or solid stock, say a 4" solid stock that will be turned in the lathe.

 

[C91x]

I have a HF one that cut square right out of the box. I use it almost every time i'm out in the shop and its never thrown a blade or done anything wonky.

 

[Dan V.]

Thanks for the suggestions and recommendations. Was also perusing the web for the bench top, more porta-band types as I am running out of floor space..(who isn't).

So more confusion. I wish there was a place close by that sold Grizzly or Jet - I'd pay the upcharge if I could eyeball them and have an idea if parts would be available.

So... still investigating and looking.

 

[Dan V.]

Just saw a recent thread on the Tool forum about the saws. Didn't come up on a thread search ( I tried -really guys!). So some good info there, too.

I think I will call a couple of suppliers and see about parts - I think I know what I am going to hear...

 

[Kaizen]

I got an old wf wells saw for 200 bucks. 3rd owner. I wasn’t feeling the hf or other new home shop ones. This one is heavy and Has ability for vertical table and fluid cooling. Pull it out for tubing. Usually only 1/8 or thicker. Otherwise a grinder is used.
Also have the hf bandsaw with table. I probably go to this more then all else cause it’s right there. I’d like to mount it to a post at some point.

Other tools I have is cheap plasma cutter mostly just used for cutting plate.
Also have an evolution circular saw that cuts metal. Eats 1/8” well.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mikegt4]

The old Yahoo 4x6 bandsaw forum is the best place for Chicom 4x6 bandsaw (of all badges) info. When Yahoo shut down their forums the site went to the link below. It was/is an e-mail based forum so it is quite different than GJ but it has a couple of decades of posts, photos and tech tips. If it has anything to do with 4x6 bandsaws it's in there somewhere.
https://groups.io/g/4x6bandsaw/topics

 

[icecactus]

I'll give you my two cents. I first bought the HF 4x6. Its a POS. I know a lot of guys have them and like them. Mine was machined wrong and it wouldn't cut at 90 degrees. Im talking Perpendicular to the table, not the vise, so there are no adjustments.

I got rid of it and bought this grizzly 5x6 swivel. It cuts perfect 90 to the table and the swivel function is fantastic....

Yes its more expensive then the HF, but still affordable and worth every penny.

 

[mikegt4]

I'll give you my two cents. I first bought the HF 4x6. Its a POS. I know a lot of guys have them and like them. Mine was machined wrong and it wouldn't cut at 90 degrees. Im talking Perpendicular to the table, not the vise, so there are no adjustments.

I got rid of it and bought this grizzly 5x6 swivel. It cuts perfect 90 to the table and the swivel function is fantastic....

Yes its more expensive then the HF, but still affordable and worth every penny.

I have one like it except it is Hormier badged. I have had it for 15 years and it works fairly well for a hobbyist level saw. I made some bevel washers for the tensioning screw so that it pulled straight, originally it pulled at a slight angle against a sloped part of the frame. I can get more tension in the blade now.

I agree that the swivel function is fantastic, much better than swiveling the vise. Making a larger "table" for it will greatly improve the vertical saw function.

 

[Dan V.]

With all the advice and suggestions, I have been leaning towards a "portable" - probably the Grizzly G0885 - 5" Portable Metal-Cutting Bandsaw. Not in a hurry to purchase, so i have some time to look some more.

At least with the Grizzly, I would expect better support and quality.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have had good luck with Grizzly service, the few issues I had they resolved quickly & always with a follow up call.

 

[rattle_snake]

Another HF 4x6 here. Use it often, lots of hours on it, no issues. Did slight adjustment out of box years ago, cuts straight since as long as the blade is in good shape.
Thin tubing may need some manual downfeed depending on band TPI, else it is power on and walk away.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Just saw a recent thread on the Tool forum about the saws. Didn't come up on a thread search ( I tried -really guys!). So some good info there, too.

I think I will call a couple of suppliers and see about parts - I think I know what I am going to hear...

HF doesn't offer any useful spares for their model, but Grizzly's G0622 is the same saw and they stock most of the parts. Regardless, you shouldn't need parts unless you're buying used. A clean used unit would be the way to go IMHO, they come up pretty regularly for around $150 if you're patient.

The next level would be a saw with a coolant pump or a swivel head, either of those features would be a nice upgrade.

 

[Bl00dyKnuckles]

I purchased the harbor freight version in July of 2019. I would never recommend anyone getting the harbor freight version. The guides design is terrible. The guide bearings on the guide closest to the motor do not run parallel. The hole for one of the studs they ride on is angled very slightly. If the angled bearing has any pressure on the blade it pushes the blade off the drive wheel. Accuracy is also very difficult to achieve and fragile. The accuracy issues are probably exacerbated by the guide issue.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I have the harbor freight 4x6 bandsaw and used the instructions on this link to adjust it and it cuts nice and straight.

Here is a link to the instructions. https://wiki.hsbne.org/_media/tools/4x6bandsawadjust.pdf

 

[metlmunchr]

I've got a 4x6 that's so old it's a Taiwanese made Wilton rather than Chinese origin. $10 auction purchase plus about $15 for a v belt and new blade guide bearings and it cuts like a champ. I keep an 18 tooth blade on it and use it for cutting things like thin wall tubing and thin aluminum extrusions. Have several bigger saws for heavy stuff, but the 4x6 really does a fine job on light/thin pieces.

I looked at the one HF sells a while back, and see no difference other than the castings on mine are better finished which is typical of Taiwanese vs Chinese machines of all types.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy the one at HF if I needed another one. If it had any basic problems due to bad machining, leaking gear box, etc I'd take it back during the 90 day warranty period and get another one.

Any time I buy anything motorized from HF, I use it immediately to make sure it has no basic defects. It's comical to read multiple HF reviews where the person buys something and it's 6 months or more before they even try it out. Then, if it has a problem, they get all pissed off when HF won't "honor the warranty". Yeah, the warranty that expired 3 months ago. Imagine that.

 

[BukitCase]

I have 3 metal cutting bandsaws atm; the first HF saw is Taiwanese, bought when HF had exactly ONE store, in Camarillo Ca. In 40 years, I've set it up ONCE and checked it every few years; ZERO adjustments other than occasional blade clearance between the blade guide bearings - runs dead on. has cut every shape/size steel that'd fit in it up to 1x4 FB and 6" channel....

Wanted something bigger for a few more "serious" projects, so bought a Jet 8x12 - same story, set up once and use it. Among other things, built a modular roof (24'x24') over a 20' container. Gang cut up to 12 pieces of 2" square tube so they were all EXACTLY the same length, which let me drill evenly spaced holes near each end by setting up a vise/jig to put the holes 6" from each end, WITHOUT having to measure from the FAR end of each piece. Same story, set and forget.

BTW, I drilled all the holes with a 1/64" oversize annular cutter, and bolted all the finished sections together without having to "move" a single hole. The SMALLEST modules are 8' x 12'...

Decided I wanted an "offroad" saw (10 acres, some projects are NOT "shop size") - So I bought ANOTHER Hf 4x6 a couple years ago - made the mistake of NOT trying the saw BEFORE I built the base for it....

The newer saw has NEVER cut straight, or kept a blade on, or NOT leaked the oil out of the worm gearbox when vertical, or ANYTHING useful. It's still sitting in one of my containers waiting for its turn, most likely I'll put the OLD Taiwan one on that off-road base and ****-can the new one.

I did a few checks, and the OLD saw has CAST IRON blade guides - it's NEVER lost adjustment for the blade being perpendicular to the table.

The NEWER saw's blade guides are NOT magnetic, and I can FEEL the mounting screws start to STRIP when tightening them by hand, LONG BEFORE my nearly 60-year experienced hands (I'll be 76 in May) think they're snug enough - IMO, somebody decided that ease/cost of manufacturing was more important than actually WORKING.

My advice if someone thinks they want this type saw - take a small MAGNET with you, and actually check the one you're looking at - if the magnet does NOT stick to the blade guide bearing CASTINGS, WALK AWAY - I have NOT checked the Jet or Grizzly versions of the 4x6 (my Jet 8x12's guides ARE cast IRON) - but that may be one of MANY REASONS why the more expensive versions would be worth the difference.

One more thing - as an "add-on" to the two usable saws I already have, I'd welcome one of the pivoting saws for single cuts, especially odd angles - but if you envision doing any projects that require several IDENTICAL pieces cut at a time, you'd really appreciate the "normal" saws - even the little 4x6 can gang cut 6 pieces of 2" square tube at a time... Steve

 

[Dan V.]

As OP on this thread-I would like to report that I ended up buying a Baileigh 127P Portable bandsaw.

I was away when I ordered it thru Zoro, was surprised to get an email from UPS that it was to be delivered so quickly. Texted my neighbor and he secured it for me until I got home.

I came without a manual and the rubber feet. Called the Baileigh customer service - friendly enough but kinda surprised that neither was in stock to send me. Manual was emailed over, but feet would have to come from supplier - meaning from Taiwan. I paid more for this unit than "similar" units expecting that they would have a supply of spares....

Took some time to make some adjustments to square things up, and had the time to break in the blade, and make some test cuts today.

Gotta say, as a perfectionist, this saw exceeds my expectations. First cuts were on a scrap round about 3/4" dia. Made a couple of cuts about 1/10" thick. Measured out to be within .005 across the cut.

Went out and bought some 2" tube to better check the square. Pretty much dead nuts.

Took some 1/2"tube and made 45 degree cuts, and it is dead on from what I see. Used that material to cut a couple of parts for my project. You know how difficult it is to measure out a length when it has the mitered cuts, so one ended up slightly long. Reclamping and recutting I was able to trim the end, leaving a cut off section only a couple of thousands thick.

Very impressed so far.

 

[tarbellb]

Keep us posted.

Baileigh has terrible rep in my circle, and a few other circles as well. Im afraid to say, but that saw looks no different then plenty of the other cheaper Taiwan/China models. Not surprised it came incomplete.

If it works out for you great. But if things turn or you get froggy, check out the Klutch from Northern Tools
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660083_200660083

Or step up to the well regarded HEM Femi line of bandsaws, considered one of the best and not much more $

 

[Dan V.]

Well, I certainly hope that the saw holds up for my hobby use. Not certain what circle you acquaint with - are the issues with Baileigh having to do with the larger production saws?

Yeah, a lot of these saws look similar, but close examination shows them to be different. Most of them on the market are made in China, while the Baileigh is made in Taiwan where they arguably have better quality tools. The hardware and fit and finish are pretty nice.

A big thing for me with purchases lately - does some one pick up the phone to answer questions? That narrows the brand down for me, too. You would hope that those companies will have a parts stock, too.

I was looking hard at the Femi, and was going to order it. Happened to see a thread on here about Zoro, and I checked them for saws. Bottom line is I ended up paying less for the Baileigh, so I took the chance on it.

 

[tarbellb]

I really do hope it gives you years of good service.

Baileigh is known for rebadging bottom tier Asian made machines and hyping with their USA marketing. They only make a handful of their very highend machines in house, everything else is outsourced rebadging priced higher then the competition.

Its just a word of caution that I would have wanted to hear back when I was shopping around.

On to the projects!

 

[AllenV]

I have had this Grizzly saw

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-5-x-6-1-2-hp-metal-cutting-bandsaw-w-swivel-head/g9742

For the past dozen years. Use it a lot and has worked well. I bought it for the hydraulic downfeed and am glad to have done so.

 

[sqznby]

The Grizzly has some features that are very desirable.
Once you have a swivel head and hydro feed control, you'll never want a saw without it.