H F Bandsaw

[Ron]

I got My H F Bandsaw Friday and got it put together.
Saturday I tried to cut some 2" tubing 1/8 wall, on a 45 Deg. it took for ever to cut, and the motor got to hot to hold on to.
Saturday evening I asked, and the Pros here at this site guided Me in the right direction, It cuts in no time at all now and the blade and motor is cool as a cucumber, after cutting.
I went to Home Depot and they had a 64 1/2 inch x 1/2 wide x.020 thick blade, 14 teeth per inch.
Ridgid #03985 for $9.99 it is just what the manual called for.
Thank for the help Guys
Ron

[mozark6]

ron-- congrats on getting your saw up to snuff. now after your back gets sore from bending over so far, build you a nice stand for that bad boy. not a bad little saw for the money.have fun

[Sean]

I have the HF 4x6 bandsaw too, great little machine. It takes a little while to get the tension and blade guides adjusted just right to make good straight cuts, but once adjusted it works great. As a suggestion, try using a Lenox DieMaster II Bi-Metal 10/14T blade, it cuts faster, smoother and straighter.

Regarding the motor heat, I just removed the plastic pulley shrouding to get a little more air moving through the motor's vents. I don't expect the motor to last a long time, and when it fails I'll replace it with a better American made UL motor.

Also the sheetmetal cutting table for use in the vertical position is kinda weak, so I cut a new table out of some 7ga steel plate to replace it. Much better.

Other improvements I made was to switch to better gear oil in the gearbox, and I disassembled the pivot shaft and greased it. People who've had these saws for a while say the pivot will wear, causing the arm to no longer track straight. At some point I may replace the spring with a gas shock, and add water cooling.

[Timinmb]

I have a 15 year old chinese 4x6 saw like the one's sold today. Where did you find out about how to adjust it?

[Sean]

Much of it was just trial-and-error and gaining an understanding for how it works. But, there's a wealth of information on this Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4x6bandsaw/

You can also download and view the manual to the HF 4x6 bandsaw here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/manuals...7999/37151.PDF

Basically, you have to really crank down the blade tighening wheel, set the tracking properly on the wheels so it's just touching the backside flange on the upper wheel, set the blade guides as tight as you can without binding the blade, and set the rear guides so they're just grazing the blade when not cutting, and fully contacting when cutting.

[StressPuppy]

Sean,

Great info, thanks!!! I started a thread asking before I did a thorough search. I guess I get a time out now! I'll give some of those things a try.

BTW - You up to posting pictures of the mods you have made to your HF bandsaw? Sounds like you have it better than it was ever meant to be!


Also, where can one find the Lenox blade you mention, and how much should I expect to pay?

[Wheelterrapin]

Sean did you join this 4 x 6 Bandsaw group? I just bought a Grizzly G9742 Swiveling Head Bandsaw and I am trying to join this group and registered this morning but still have not been approved my the moderator. If you are a member can you tell me how long it takes to get approved? Thanks

[ralenr]

Wheelterrapin,

How do you like the Swivel Head? I've been considering retiring my Delta 4x6 in favor of that one. Give us a rundown on how well it works, cut quality, miter accuracy etc. etc.

Allen

[Wheelterrapin]

Just got it unboxed and setup Allen. I plan on using it next week to cut some steel for building a welding table and I will happily let everyone know my thoughts on this machine.

[Hobweld]

Do yourself a favor and drain and replace the gear oil in the gearbox. They don't do a good job of getting the casting sand out of it and it can chew up the brass gears quickly.

[hewl35]

Originally posted by Wheelterrapin
Sean did you join this 4 x 6 Bandsaw group? I just bought a Grizzly G9742 Swiveling Head Bandsaw and I am trying to join this group and registered this morning but still have not been approved my the moderator. If you are a member can you tell me how long it takes to get approved? Thanks

Normally it takes a day or so.