Harbor Freight Horizontal Band Saw

[Fender1325]

I just picked one up - (the red one for $260) and I have to say I'm really pleased. Yes it has its Harbor Freight cheesy aspects (like the stand) but I've got to say I'm quite happy. Its going to need some more dialing in overall and to get the tracking 100% but the clamping system is sturdy iron.

This is coming from a guy who bought the evolution chop saw from home depot and returned that. That thing was loud, had kick (felt unsafe), produced a lot of metal chips, clamping system was inaccurate and cheap.

The band saw is just the opposite. Quiet, accurate, pretty clean overall. The cuts are smoother too. Now I can make nice 45 degree cuts in angle iron for welding up a 90 degree turn. So psyched!

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

There are a ton of modifications for that unit to make it even better. A taller/nicer stand is the first step many take. Using the US made saw blades also makes a huge difference in the quality and speed of the cut. Harbor Freight even sells the US blades there.

 

[zkling]

Probably the most used stationary power tool in my shop. Been looking hard at a roll in, but that little 4x6 is just so dang handy.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Check YouTube. There are several posts on how to "improve" it.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I hope you either used the coupon or at least a 20% off on it... Did you see this one?

 

[jimgood]

I've got to check the band saw option out some more. I have a DeWalt chop saw and there's way to much play in the saw housing. It deflects and won't cut 90 degrees no matter how careful I am. The designer ought to be strung up by the balls for putting the handle in line with the motor instead of the blade.

And it's not a set up issue. The blade at rest is perfectly 90 degrees to the table.

 

[Fender1325]

Dang. I didnt have that coupon! But I did use a 20 percent off so with tax it was like 220 or so. Very close.

 

[royesses]

I did some modifications on mine. It has earned its keep and then some. I paid $160.00 for it on sale and a 25% off coupon.

 

[dodge610]

You will love that saw I bought one a few years back. It is one of those tools that you wonder how you got along without it.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Dang. I didnt have that coupon! But I did use a 20 percent off so with tax it was like 220 or so. Very close.

I believe it says you can use it on prior purchases up to 30 days. Go see if they'll refund you. I got that coupon out of a mailed flyer last week. It would be almost a free blade for you.

 

[Fender1325]

well I used the 20 percent off when I bought it so it was close to 200 before tax. Not worth the trouble. We'll see how it holds up. They pushed for me to get the extended warranty which I know is smart for a HF, but I wasnt going to spend another 50 on it. I think if its going to conk out itll show its true colors in the next 4 weeks.

That or it'll will be like when I bought their flux core welder and it broke in 3 days. Then I ponied up and bought a Hobart. Its like HF is a sample of how handy a tool can be for you and then you return it and spend the extra on a name brand. haha

Anyhow, I'm pleased. I messed up the auto off shut off because it was resting on the switch and didnt have enough weight to finish the cut. So I bent it and adjusted it and now its all messed. Oh well, so I have to turn it off big deal. Fixable.

 

[Ainsley]

I love my horizontal/vertical bandsaw! Every metal project I do hits that took first.
I initially bought it to cut out knife blanks, it's slow going hand scrolling 3/16 440C stainless cuttlery steel but it does the job.
I use Lenox blades on mine

 

[ovrrdrive]

I don't buy extended warranties even at HF. If it makes it past the regular return warranty I'll take my chances with it. I haven't been burned yet.

I feel the same way about tools from HF. I start new hobbies all the time and need stuff I may never use again so I go get it from there. If its something I use enough to break it or decide I want to upgrade I go spend 4 times as much on a name brand version. I just started welding so I've been buying all kinds of ****. Having a ******** blast though so in the end it has been worth it. At least so far...

I did decide against a welder from there though from the mixed reviews. I wanted to buy one that would do everything I needed it to do and last a while so I went with a Millermatic 180. After using it I'm glad I did.

 

[Fender1325]

Good move. My hobart is night and day better than the HF was. But now Im ready for a big 220 machine. I want to skip any more in between and go for the lincoln 256. Can weld up to 1/2" thick material.

 

[winlinmac]

Print these coupons if necessary
Some stores do stack if you ask persistently, and at least that's what I encountered in my area, escalate your request to the manager, customer satisfaction is their # 1 priority

http://www.hfqpdb.com/coupons/170_I...AL_METAL_CUTTING_BAND_SAW_1441049420.7508.JPG

I believe it says you can use it on prior purchases up to 30 days. Go see if they'll refund you. I got that coupon out of a mailed flyer last week. It would be almost a free blade for you.

 

[Beowulf]

Is there some sort of table that attaches for vertical use? Either by HF or aftermarket?

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

There is a Yahoo user group just for them. These should keep you reading for a while https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/show-us-your-hf-4x6-bandsaw-modifications.87/

I've worked on three of them over time, the American original, the Bainbridge, a 1982 Taiwanese Rong Fu, this is the one they were copied from and another Taiwanese one, labeled TWS. All used, $25,$100 and $50 respectively . The TWS was the best one, but it was worn right out. I used parts off it, and scraped it.