Small horizontal bandsaw

[smalltown]

I'm in no hurry, but I am thinking about a small horizontal band saw. I have looked over the Harbor Freight 4X6 model, I like the horizontal/vertical option, but I am leery about quality, and future parts if something breaks down.

I've also been looking at the Jet 5X6. There seems to be a lot of places that sell parts for Jet band saws.

Lastly I did find an add for a older P.Y.H. TCBS-712 AJ band saw that looks to be a 7X12 at a good price, but I have never heard of these nor can I find any information on line.

I'll keep checking around. It also appears to me and I don't know how accurate this is, but quite a few different branded horizontal band saws appear to be the same at least on the outside. So I am not sure if parts would be interchangeable?

 

[dodge610]

I have the HF 4x6 an have had it for a few years handiest tool in the shop. I have had no issue with it and there is a yahoo group that has a 100 upgrades you can do to it. Mie cuts very true once you get a good blade on it. Got mine when it was on sale.

 

[454ragtop]

Those 4X6 - 5X6 import saws are all about the same. Had one for a while, worked OK , especially after adding a hyd. cyl. to better control the downfeed. One thing I noticed is the capacity goes down considerably when making angled cuts. I moved on to a Kalamazoo 610, 6X10 capacity, hyd. downfeed, quick set vise, and USA made. Foot print isn't much bigger than the imports. Much better machine. Might take a look on CL, I had a Johnson the same size I was selling, but it left last week.
HTH, Jim

 

[smalltown]

I think I have too much time on my hands

Hers is a picture of the PYH bandsaw it needs to be cleaned up, and later a Jet brand. I noticed the blade specs on the PYH label state 93"x 3/4"x .032", not sure if that's a common size or maybe these things are made to order?
Just don't want to end up with an obsolete saw, and no available parts. Since I can't find any online information no manual is available.

Not to many used horizontal bandsaws available around here lately, I dd see a Jet (no model number given, and it appears to be an older model) that also needs work, and obvious parts replacement. Owner states he fixed the crack years ago, pump not working, and no blade. Can't see where the crack has been fixed, but a similar Jet part randomly chosen from similar Jet model would cost $55. In the last photo there is something I can't identify, that appears to be a power strip or something. Both saws need some small parts like material stops, etc. Never had a horizontal bandsaw before so I'm winging it.

P.S. The PHY can be had for $250, the JET $250 OBO.

 

[Big Pete]

The little H/V saws are a godsend in a small shop, if I was starting again I would buy one a lot sooner than I did. It absolutely beats the **** out of using a hacksaw on 3" bar.

The blades are often made to order, any commercial saw blade supplier will do them, and that give you the availability of different tooth pitches and better quality blades. Over here you can buy 5 industrial quality blade off ebay for less than 60 bucks.

With a bit of creativeness you can cut way more than their nominal capacity as well. I've cut aluminium car wheel and 6" steel pipe up in mine.

 

[JoeFin]

I have one of those import 4 x 7 saws in pieces on the shop floor right now.

The saw never did cut straight, the arm the rollers was on had to be re-machined so it could be adjusted straight. Motor smoked in short order. Then the gear box bearings all had to be replaced. Then after adding a slightly larger motor the casting broke right where the hinge pin goes in.

Finally got a Johnson and never had another problem

 

[zmotorsports]

I know a lot of people have the HF 4x6 and are happy with them. I have a friend who loves his but I am not impressed.

I had a Jet 7x12 that was of higher quality (built in Taiwan) for several years and was pretty decent but I just sold it a month or so ago for $350.00 and purchased a Baileigh BS-210M. No comparison, that Baileigh mitered head saw is awesome. Last saw I see myself ever having to purchase.

Mike.

 

[organ]

I know a lot of people have the HF 4x6 and are happy with them. I have a friend who loves his but I am not impressed.

I had a Jet 7x12 that was of higher quality (built in Taiwan) for several years and was pretty decent but I just sold it a month or so ago for $350.00 and purchased a Baileigh BS-210M. No comparison, that Baileigh mitered head saw is awesome. Last saw I see myself ever having to purchase.

Mike.

No comparison between a $200 saw and a $2,500 saw? YOU DON'T SAY! Let me guess... it's ten times better...?

 

[zmotorsports]

No comparison between a $200 saw and a $2,500 saw? YOU DON'T SAY! Let me guess... it's ten times better...?

Not necessarily, that Jet sells for close to $1500.00 and the Baileigh just over $2k if you watch for it on various sites. That definitely makes it worth the difference.

I was merely stating I was not at all impressed with my friends HF saw and would not waste the money, I would save up and buy a quality saw rather than throw money away.

Mike.

 

[JunkYardDawg]

Buy the HF. I've had one for 22 years and it runs very nice. I've cut 4" steel rounds, and it never skipped a beat. In fact there are newsgroups dedicated solely to this little machine. Put a good blade on it - dont buy the HF blades - they **** - get yourself Starrett or Lenox, and you'll be fine.

 

[zmotorsports]

- get yourself Starrett or Lenox, and you'll be fine.

My vote is for Lenox. Been running the Ultimate Multi-purpose on a horizontal and the DieMaster 2 on the vertical and have been very pleased with them. Been purchasing them from bandsawbladesdirect.com

Mike.

 

[organ]

I run a Lenox Diemaster 2 Vari-Raker 10-14 TPI... very pleased.

 

[royesses]

The HF 4x6 uses the exact same parts as the Grizzly 4x6. Grizzly sells all the parts for them. If money is not an object buy the better saws as mentioned in this thread. If not, the HF will do the job.

 

[454ragtop]

If it's operational, I'd go look at the PHY and try it out, looks like a decent saw. Check the operation of the hyd. feed and see if it makes any strange noises, bring a piece of steel to cut. Make sure it cuts square. No problem getting blades, don't worry about that. Looks like it would clean up well, doesn't look beat up. If you get it, pull off that little cover to the left of the motor and change out the lube. Maybe offer $200. and see what he says if it checks out, worse he can say is no or maybe come up to $225.
Good luck, Jim

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I'm in the market for a small horizontal/vertical bandsaw. Sounds like this HF one is the ticket.

I want to use it primarily to start out cutting (1) UniStrut, (2) 80/20 extruded aluminum, and (3) wood and plywood.

I presume I'll need different blades for each application. Is this still the right tool for my anticipated jobs?

 

[dodge610]

That will do the trick for you I cut 3 and 4 in. exhaust pipe with mine. Various woods and all thickness of alum. had it for 5 to 6 yrs. has never skipped a beat. Plus you can use a 20% coupon on it.

 

[nine4gmc]

Can a 4x6 HF cut steel 4" square tubing 1/4" wall? I know it literally says 4x6 in the name but sometimes you can't go by the name alone.

 

[dodge610]

Nines I will measure when i run up to the backyard shop in a little and let you know for sure.

 

[jim whitney]

I,ve got the hf 4x6 , had it for 3 years now , just changed the blade cause I cut a plow cutting edge with it . Otherwise it would have lasted longer . Bought it on sale. With a coupon cost me 100.00 bucks best investment I ever made , love it!

 

[454ragtop]

Can a 4x6 HF cut steel 4" square tubing 1/4" wall? I know it literally says 4x6 in the name but sometimes you can't go by the name alone.

Yes, at 90 degrees anyway. Probably going to have a problem if you want to cut a 45 deg angle, the throat closes up significantly as you angle the vise. CL is your friend, better off with a 6X10 or 6X12 or 7X12, even plenty of USA made units out there. Can't emphasize enough the usefulness of a hyd. down feed on one of these, unless you want to be swapping out the blade every time you cut something a little different.
Jim

 

[nine4gmc]

Thanks guys!