Let's talk about this Jet bandsaw

[iagsxr]

Decided this weekend that my thirty year old abrasive chop saw really does **** so I've been doing some shopping.

Think this Jet would suit most of my needs: https://jettools.com/metalworking/sawing/manual-semi-automatic-horizontal-bandsaws/414548



Probably use it vertically as much or more as horizontally.

I've already looked at used Wells/Ellis/Kalamazoo saws on Marketplace. One I don't really have the space for a big saw. Two not looking for a project. Most of the ones I've seen listed were most definitely not plug and play.

Which leads me to, should I expect this Jet to be good out of the box or will there be some adjustment to it? Are there other brands in this price range I should be looking at?

TIA

Should say I started out looking at Evolution saws, but just feel like a bandsaw will be more versatile.

 

[TOOL MASTER]

i had one like that for decades.. just last year i bought a smaller one that does everything i need

 

[TOOL MASTER]

still have my portor cable metal cutting saw too.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I have the same Jet saw, I like it. A bit slow compared to more expensive models, but works well. Moves around easily. Once you get it adjusted, you start a vertical cut and then let it run, it will shut off when finished. It works much better horizontal than vertical, vertical table is pretty small. Great value!

 

[kyrbz]

Not a comment on the saw, but IMO Jet is by far the worst company when it comes to customer service and getting replacement parts. I got rid of the two Jet machines (edge sander, disc/belt sander) I had because of this. Maybe they've gotten better since when dealt with them, but trying to get replacement parts for two relatively new machines at the time (one was new damaged in shipping) really left me with negative opinion of Jet as a company.

 

[Schurkey]

I have an older version of that band-saw. Had it for about a decade. Works perfectly for everything I need (which, admittedly, is not heavy-duty or even frequent use.)

Not great as a vertical saw. Adequate. No complaints when used as a horizontal saw.

Current price is approx. 3X what I paid all those years ago.

 

[RAYJAY]

wow looking at the jet it looks just like my older harbor freight casting and all different motor,

1 HP 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw

Amazing deals on this 4In X 6In Hor/Vert Metal Cutting Band Saw at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[ez-duzit]

Close to the bottom of the food chain. Perhaps a tiny step above Harbor Freight.

 

[iagsxr]

Close to the bottom of the food chain. Perhaps a tiny step above Harbor Freight.

What's better in that approximate footprint?

 

[Augus7us]

This is a better saw in a more common size. Note it has a hydraulic cylinder, coolant and weighs about 3 times the one you linked.

8" x 12" Horizontal/Vertical Geared Head Bandsaw | HBS-812G

HBS-812G, 8" x 12" Horizontal/Vertical Geared Head Bandsaw 115/230V 1Ph

jettools.com

I have a very similar model from Accura. Its a great saw.

I rebuilt a jet drill press and did not have any issues with parts. Accura on the other hand, when I call them I usually get one of two owners and my parts are quickly shipped. Good guys.

 

[GeoBruin]

The biggest drawback to the saw you posted OP is that it doesn't miter. The mitering head versions are so convenient. Here is a link to Jet's version.

It's also offered by several others including grizzly and Baliegh. I've owned that saw and it's the bees knees in about the same footprint as the saw you posted.

Here's the Grizzly for under a grand.

 

[Rusted Nut]

The biggest drawback to the saw you posted OP is that it doesn't miter. The mitering head versions are so convenient. Here is a link to Jet's version.

It's also offered by several others including grizzly and Baliegh. I've owned that saw and it's the bees knees in about the same footprint as the saw you posted.

Here's the Grizzly for under a grand.

I have that saw, and yes it does do miter cuts; not compound miters though.

 

[GeoBruin]

I have that saw, and yes it does do miter cuts; not compound miters though.

Sorry for my imprecise language. Yes, it will cut miters in that the vise allows the workpiece to be angled relative to the head. For the other versions I linked, the head of the saw swivels so the workpiece is locked in the vise, and the head moves relative to it.

This is particularly useful in my small shop because if I have a long workpiece, I don't always have room to swing it around in different directions. Instead, I orient it longways in my shop and I just swivel the head of the saw to cut the miter angle I need.

Also, it has been my experience that the swivel mechanism on the saw head allows for more precise setting of the miter angle then the dual swiveling jaws.

 

[RAYJAY]

Close to the bottom of the food chain. Perhaps a tiny step above Harbor Freight.

nothing wrong with the harbor freight saw .... just put on a good blade and it cuts forever have mine over 15 years ........ and cut tons of steel and scrap steel. and YES IT CUTS STRAIGHT .........

 

[ez-duzit]

nothing wrong with the harbor freight saw ...

There are many threads and articles explaining all the modifications required to make a useful tool out of this bottom of the barrel saw.

 

[milkovich]

I have an old green Harbor Freight 4x6 horizontal band saw, they used to be made in taiwan and it's a decent saw but slow. If you keep good quality blades on it, it makes all the difference. I can say I never used it as a vertical before I got a vertical band saw. Now that I'm spaced constrained, I'm really jonesing the small Femi Hem saw. I feel like that'd be the ticket for cutting long stock in a small shop: https://www.trick-tools.com/Femi_78...MIlPnAxa2V_QIVS__jBx02-w6hEAQYAyABEgJhDPD_BwE

 

[cannuck]

Having done this many times for many decades, I can tell you that there is a huge difference between a saw that uses vice to miter vs. swinging the whole saw head. In my home shop I have a very old 7x10 and extremely limited space, so moving a 300 lb. saw to allow the cut is a giant PITA. I also replace my little 4 x 6 with a similar size vert/horiz swivelling head and wish my big saw was that versatile. So POd about that I now have a pair of 1" blade Marvel #8s for new shop (even more versatile as vertical blade that tilts 45 deg either way to miter). After all: in today's inclusive world everyone is supposed to swing both ways, not so?

 

[RAYJAY]

I have the same Jet saw, I like it. A bit slow compared to more expensive models, but works well. Moves around easily. Once you get it adjusted, you start a vertical cut and then let it run, it will shut off when finished. It works much better horizontal than vertical, vertical table is pretty small. Great value!

rusted have a picture of the table top I'm making to go vertical ... have to find it

There are many threads and articles explaining all the modifications required to make a useful tool out of this bottom of the barrel saw.

the mods are to make it better, than even the high price saws ....... and even doing all of the mods it would still be less than high price garbage ........... mine cut straight right out of the box and no it not a bottom of the barrel saw ..... its a tool that make me $$$$$$$$$$ and cost less than a so called name brand saw ............

 

[scooby074]

What about the Femi / Hemsaw Italian saws? Compact and accurate

 

[cannuck]

mine cut straight right out of the box

extremely rare and lucky. In my experience NO band saw has ever cut straight enough to make a useable part without being carefully adjusted. Check method I use is to mark reference side then cut a piece of square tubing at what is assumed to be 90 deg, then rotate 180 and cut again. Measuring the 4 resultant sides will tell you in a hurry how far off of square you are in both axes. I also have scribed 45 and 90 degree reference lines on my moving vise cutoff bandsaw (done AFTER the blade guides have been squared up).

 

[paulsomlo]

What about the Femi / Hemsaw Italian saws? Compact and accurate

You can get the next larger one, NG160, for $1595 - it's quite a bit bigger:
https://www.elitemetaltools.com/too...p-horizontal-band-saw-se-5x6-rct?sku=983107-1

 

[Aaron_W]

The Jet bandsaws are essentially the HF bandsaws with better quality control, a different color of paint and a much higher price tag. HF sells the 4x6" horizontal / vertical for $360 vs around $800 for the nearly identical Jet. If you get a dud from HF, just take it back until you get one that works. They are very good about that.

I've had a HF 4x6" 5 or 6 years now with no issues. It has more than paid for itself just in saved cutting fees. Worked out of the box and just keeps going. I also have a 50 year old Kalamazoo 6x10" which is far and away better than the 4x6" or even the Jet 7x12" I used in my welding classes. The old USA saws have much in their favor, but even the smaller ones are bigger. Most of the USA made saws in the 4x6" class were light duty (Craftsman etc) and don't seem to be any better than the current crop from China.


It won't save you any money, but in about the same footprint I'd be considering this one from Grizzly G9742. I was able to use an Ellis bandsaw of this style in my welding class and it was great. As others have mentioned with long stock having the saw head swivel instead of the material is very handy, particularly in a small shop.
These don't have the vertical feature, but the horizontal / vertical saws are pretty meh in the vertical mode without a lot of tinkering. No better than a handheld porta-band in a cobbled together bench mount.

If you have a few thousand to spend, the Ellis saws are really nice, but they start around $3500 so an entirely different class.
https://ellissaw.com/mitre-band-saw-overview/

 

[scooby074]

You can get the next larger one, NG160, for $1595 - it's quite a bit bigger:
https://www.elitemetaltools.com/too...p-horizontal-band-saw-se-5x6-rct?sku=983107-1

Good price!

 

[paulsomlo]

Good price!

I should have added - that appears to be the Dake branded version of the HE&M/Femi NG160ABS

 

[iagsxr]

Thanks for the responses so far.

I'm rethinking what I may want in a saw.

 

[whateg01]

This is a better saw in a more common size. Note it has a hydraulic cylinder, coolant and weighs about 3 times the one you linked.

8" x 12" Horizontal/Vertical Geared Head Bandsaw | HBS-812G

HBS-812G, 8" x 12" Horizontal/Vertical Geared Head Bandsaw 115/230V 1Ph

jettools.com

I have a very similar model from Accura. Its a great saw.

I rebuilt a jet drill press and did not have any issues with parts. Accura on the other hand, when I call them I usually get one of two owners and my parts are quickly shipped. Good guys.

Well that won't check the "small footprint" box! Nice size saw for the size, though.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Sorry for my imprecise language. Yes, it will cut miters in that the vise allows the workpiece to be angled relative to the head. For the other versions I linked, the head of the saw swivels so the workpiece is locked in the vise, and the head moves relative to it.

This is particularly useful in my small shop because if I have a long workpiece, I don't always have room to swing it around in different directions. Instead, I orient it longways in my shop and I just swivel the head of the saw to cut the miter angle I need.

Also, it has been my experience that the swivel mechanism on the saw head allows for more precise setting of the miter angle then the dual swiveling jaws.

You are correct. Sometimes I’ve had to move the saw to accommodate a miter cut. But then again it’s a fairly inexpensive saw.

 

[ez-duzit]

This is mine in the foreground, a Vectrax mitering vertical/horizontal gearhead 7"x 12".

 

[tarbellb]

The Jet bandsaws are essentially the HF bandsaws with better quality control, a different color of paint and a much higher price tag. HF sells the 4x6" horizontal / vertical for $360 vs around $800 for the nearly identical Jet. If you get a dud from HF, just take it back until you get one that works. They are very good about that.

I've had a HF 4x6" 5 or 6 years now with no issues. It has more than paid for itself just in saved cutting fees. Worked out of the box and just keeps going. I also have a 50 year old Kalamazoo 6x10" which is far and away better than the 4x6" or even the Jet 7x12" I used in my welding classes. The old USA saws have much in their favor, but even the smaller ones are bigger. Most of the USA made saws in the 4x6" class were light duty (Craftsman etc) and don't seem to be any better than the current crop from China.


It won't save you any money, but in about the same footprint I'd be considering this one from Grizzly G9742. I was able to use an Ellis bandsaw of this style in my welding class and it was great. As others have mentioned with long stock having the saw head swivel instead of the material is very handy, particularly in a small shop.
These don't have the vertical feature, but the horizontal / vertical saws are pretty meh in the vertical mode without a lot of tinkering. No better than a handheld porta-band in a cobbled together bench mount.

If you have a few thousand to spend, the Ellis saws are really nice, but they start around $3500 so an entirely different class.
https://ellissaw.com/mitre-band-saw-overview/

This ^^^

 

[GeoBruin]

Thanks for the responses so far.

I'm rethinking what I may want in a saw.

That does tend to happen when one posts here.

 

[Aaron_W]

Well that won't check the "small footprint" box! Nice size saw for the size, though.

It also moves up to a size where a vintage USA saw becomes a solid consideration.

 

[Aaron_W]

I'll add one other option for you, power hacksaw.
They have a more compact footprint than a bandsaw and many consider them obsolete so you can often find them pretty cheap. Apples to apples a horizontal bandsaw is faster, but you can get a beefier large capacity hacksaw in the same footprint. I've got a Keller 7x7" power hack saw that is about the same size as the HF 4x6 Bandsaw. As the Keller has more power and takes bigger bites the cutting speed between the two is close.