Young people don't realize how wonderful TH-cam is. Or, the Internet, for that matter. In this case, I wanted to saw a 4x4 diagonally to make two "makiwara" punching posts. The recommended circular saw size is 10-1/4". Have you seen the prices for a 10" circular saw? WOW - $ 300 to $ 400. So, that's out. Then I wondered if a band saw was set up correctly to run an 8' length of 4x4 through it. Your video shows that it is set up correctly to do that. Now at 77 years of age, I have a wonderful time asking any question and being able to get answers or instructions via the Internet and TH-cam. It wasn't like that a half-century ago.
The internet has become an integral part of our lives, its strange there are young adults that do not remember a world without the internet, kinda like a young adult in 1930 trying to image a world with out cars or airtravel - thanks for positive comment - thanks for subscribing!
Actually, I got busy with a ton of other projects and haven't done "that" project yet. What I am "considering" is replacing my front porch posts with 4x4 or 4x6 posts instead of the floor jacks I have installed now. If I keep the floor jacks in place then I should enclose them somehow just for appearance. Each method has its' pros and cons. What to do. What to do. I'm glad you wrote and got me thinking again.
I bought one of these today, and haven't even took it out of the box yet, so I am glad I watched your informative video first. This is my first bandsaw, so this video is going to be quite helpful. Thanks for posting it.
I put a single 1 inch wide piece of blue tape on the entire length of the slider on the miter gauge, and the slop is completely gone, and it runs smoothly in the track. Your tips helped me set this up roughly, but I think it's prudent for me to watch this a second time to see if there is any tips in your review that I might have missed on how to avoid wood drift. If I try to resaw a 2 x 4 or similar piece of wood that is thicker like that, I get bad drift problems that really start to show up 2 inches into the work. Otherwise, I can make laminate strips with a makeshift fence that I can clamp down with quick clamps, and they turn out GREAT. I can see a lot of potential with this tool.
its all about power! this uses a 1/3 HP motor, the bigger the stock being cut, the slower you need to go, the saw does not have the power to cut large stock quickly - my big 14 inch bandsaw has the same problem with resawing 6 inch logs - I use this saw more than my 14 inch saw, I take the saw to the work, instead of taking the stock to the14 inch saw - thanks for subscribing!
your best bet at digital archival retrieval for harbor freight manuals is my website www.snapwhole.com - I have just about every HF manual, going back to 1990s, upto about 6 months ago, good search tool for the site makes them easy to search, I do a twice a year update of the manuals from HF's website, HF removes the manuals from the website when they discontinue products - thanks for subscribing!
this is a great saw, works great, no vibration, no issues with it the entire time I've has it, very pleased with it, and highly recommend it - I use it alot, for big stuff I still use my big delta bandsaw, but this saw does the majority of my bandsaw cutting
Other distributers offer a fence with a saw that is similar, but I have not found a saw that fits, best option is to built a custom fence - thanks for subscribing!
any blade the right size will work on this saw, and there are a lot of blades for sale at different stores, HF sells a few, lowes has a few, you should check their websites to find what they have - thanks for subscribing!
a lot of different vendors sell this saw with a different label, I don't have the wen saw so I can't say for sure they are the same, but it possible it is the same or a variation of this saw - thanks for subscribing!
with the correct blade it will cut metal, for a short period of time - wood band saws run too fast to cut metal, it will overheat the blade and remove the temper and it will get dull quick - better to get the portable bandsaw by bauer, roughly the same price and it cuts metal too - more accurate with a stand of course, but a great metal saw - thanks for subscribing!
wood cutting bandsaws have too high of a RPM to use for cutting metal, this saw runs at ~1734 rpm, a metal cutting bandsaw works best in the 80-260 rpm range - harbor freight has a 4" x 6" capacity cut metal bandsaw - currently goes for about $289 list - but is discounted a lot lower at times - I bought one a year ago for $200 at a holiday sale - Thanks for subscribing!
Hello! Thanks for a great video. I was wondering how to adjust the black bride belt that goes around the motor shaft. The belt wants to walk off the shift up against the blade pulley. Any ideas how to remedy this? I thought about tilting the motor, but I'm not sure it's a good idea.
I think the only way to do that would be to shim under the motor mounts, it would require lots of trial and error, but would be worth the results - thanks for subscribing!
the main reason I do these videos is to let people know what they will get if they buy this - the plastic is not a drawback for me - its a dust/safety shield, it does not affect how it cuts - I have not issues with this band saw and I use it several times a week - it could have more power, but I paid $99 - my big delta band saw has more power at 3x the price, I really end up using this more than my delta band saw, I use the delta for resawing, and this saw for just about everything else - thanks for subscribing!
I'm intrigued! I've been fighting with it ALL day trying to get the blade it came with back on after I accidentally removed it and I can't get the table level (or within an acceptable range).
This will find the diamond ring, in the video I use a sample to test the detector, follow that, and sweep the whore yard, you will more than likely find a lot of trash, bottle caps, tabs, nails etc, keep digging up every find until you find the ring or sweep the yard and no finds, you will be surprised how far it is away from where you think it was dropped is why I recommend you search the entire yard, if you check the yard and no find, use a smaller sample to test the detector and try again, if no luck, use a larger sample and try again, out looking for random stuff, I would use the small sample to adjust the detector, but with something you really want to find like your ring, I try all three (small sample, large sample and same size sample) until I found it, and that has always worked for me - thanks for subscribing and please let me know your results
Thanks for your review. Liked your setup tutorial. Very helpful. I’m still contemplating buying this. Towards the end you did a half circle. Have you done much curvy cuts on this? That would be my reason for buying. Need to be able to cut shapes.
It comes with a 1/4" blade, you can do curves on it, but if you want to do the best curves it wil do, get a 1/8" blade, it will turn a lot tighter - I have the HF scroll saw, so I use it for tight curves, and left the band saw with the 1/4" blade and use it a lot for resawing basswood and pine for carving, you can buy a 1/2" blade but its very difficult to find and its more expensiv than it should be and I have a 14 inch bandsaw I keep a 1/2" blade on, so never got the 1/2 inch - the HF bench bandsaw has 1/3 HP motor, so the thicker the stock, the slower you should cut, I end up using this saw for most of my bandsaw cuts, so I use it alot - still going strong after 3 years and a few blade replacements/sharpening - thanks for subscribing!
How does the "Blade Guide Cover" open? Instructions say hold it open, but dont say how. It looks like it has a hinge, but feels like I am going to break it instead of open it. Before I actually break it trying to open it the wrong way, hoping anyone can tell me the correct way it opens! I either keep missing that part of the video, or it doesn't cover it since there is no need if you're not changing the blade.
if you use a metal blade it would cut copper, but I'm not sure the speed will overheat the blade, I would recommend using a cut off saw, but if you try it, please post an update here, A lot of people will be interested in the results - thanks for subscribing!
Good review of this saw. I'm on the fence between this one and the Porter Cable version at Lowes. I'm leaning towards the Porter Cable because of the Bosch blades that Lowes keeps in stock.
take a good look at the specs on both, and verify that lowes actually stocks the blades you need, the PC uses a 59 1/2 inch blade, 3/8 inch max, and HF uses 62 inch blade 1/2 inch max, they sell metal cutting blades for these, but don't use them, the RPM is to high on both and will just burn up the blades - blades for both are sometimes hard to find - other than the blades sizes, they are about the same saw - thanks for subscribing!
Thank you so much for going over this bandsaw. I think its going to be mounted to my Lazy Susan Turntable. I agree with all your suggestions plus add a few more details. Question: Do you think adding mass to the underside of the table would make it more stable and by that cut vibration? Thanx again mate! T
adding more mass should hep a little with vibration, if you have a lot of vibration, one of the wheels might be a little out square, I can do a wheel adjustment video is its needed - my saw has virtually no vibration, I really like this bandsaw, I use it a lot, the only negative is not being able to find 1/2 inch blades for it, I have found them, but they are cost prohibitive i - thanks for subscribing!
Hey y'all. Adding mass won't help this particular table very much, because it flexes at the trunnion. Making the table heavier can stiffen the table, but the trunnion will still act like a spring. So it will vibrate worse. An easy way to reduce vibration when cutting is to wedge a block under the table, close to the blade.
Thanks for another build/review. I've been looking at this saw for a while, and your video answered a lot of my questions. I'd like to make a suggestion for future videos: when you use a tool that's much louder than your voice, bring the volume down during editing. I had to adjust my volume back and forth between you cutting and talking. If you have the ability in your editing software to bring the volume down during those noisy parts, your viewers won't have to adjust the volume on their end. Some woodworking videos I've watched in the past do this, and it make them much easier to watch.
I do that for loud tools, in this video the band saw is not loud enough to warrant that - watch my relatively recent grinder videos to see this in action
I bought one of these used from a guy for $50 but he used it on metal cutting so I think I need a new blade. It can hardly get through a small piece of pallet wood.
goog price and you definitely need a new blade, cutting metal on a wood bandsaw overheats the blade and removes the temper, and completely dulls the blade, a wood bandsaw runs to fast - thanks for subscribing !
yes it could, bigger saws are used in butcher shops, my only question would be the power of the saw, you might have to allow more time for the cuts, and cleaning might be a challenge, but not impossible - thanks for subscribing!
That was super detailed! Thank you! Did you or could you post an update on how that thing held up? Also, do you think a better blade would make a cleaner cut? I know HF cutting accessories aren’t the greatest! I’m not super thrilled with the plastic on a tool that literally has the words “Central Machinery” on it!
the plastic is a dust cover, no need for metal, and it keeps the price down, I have HF blades on the saw and I think they do as well as other blades, but they might keep sharp as long as others might - I sharpen my blades, so it not that big of a problem, most bandsaws have a rough cut on an 1/4 inch blade, and a 1/2 blade is had to fine at a reasonable price for this saw - I use this saw a lot, I'll try to do an update video - thanks for subscribing!
I have not used it for cutting metal, and I don't recommend using it to cut metal, you might cut a few small pieces cut before the blade is ruined and it won't cut anymore - wood bandsaws have to high a speed for cutting metal, it will overhead the blade and ruin the temper, the teeth wear down and not cut anymore, to cut metal you will need to slow down the motor, a different pulley on the motor is the first thought, but that changes the length of the blade - so there is a way, the cheapest alternative metal bandsaw is the bauer portable metal bandsaw, ~$100 or so, I went that route and it needs a stand for any kind of accuracy, next I bought the floor model HF metal bandsaw ~ $200, and very happy with it, but takes up oh so much space, prices are what I paid in the past current prices are more I'm sure.... you can also get a metal cut off saw that uses abrasive disk, several sizes, not a very 'clean' alternative, as it needs cleanup after the cut - hope this helps - thanks for subscribing!
Ok-- Thanks for the reply and info. -- I had hoped that since the Central Machinery will take a 1/2 inch wide blade , that perhaps it would then cut metal. -- Since a lot of the metal cutting blades are 1/2 inch wide. -- I could see that the Ryobi, Crafsman, and Porter Cable and others only took up to a 3/8 inch wide blade. And it's hard to find 3/8 wide metal cutting blade. Again thanks for the info.
@@jackdraper2849 if you are cutting copper, brass or soft aluminum and can a few cuts, not sure how many, but if cutting steel, you'll be lucky to make one cut before the blade is shot - thanks for subscribing!
Limitations for resawing? I would not plan on using this for resawing, a 1/3 HP motor with a 1/2 in blade, max - for resaw you need at least 3/4 inch blade, and 3/4 HP motor, and a bigger saw, the max board I would try to resaw on this band saw is maybe 2 inches wide, you would also need a fence at least as tall as the wood is wide, using the bandsaw, you would have the advantage of a thin kerf, but if that is important, a tablesaw would would be better for 2 inch wide boards - thanks for subscribing!
I would not recommend cutting metal with this saw, wood band saws like this one run at a higher speed then band saws for cutting metal, cutting metal with this saw, even with the right blade, will over heat the blade and ruin it for cutting anything - probably the cheapest alternative would be to get the bauer portable metal cutting band saw, if you want a stationary metal cutting bandsaw, HF has one that I bought for $200 on sale central machinery - btw 3/8 metal is going to tax just about any metal saw, you'lll need to use cutting oil, and go slow, letting the saw do the work, thanks for subscribing
www.snapwhole.com - HF has manuals online for all active items - I have manuals for all HF items, active and discontinued, if its a discontinued item and I don't have the manual, it does not exist, and I add manuals for new HF items each month
most %off coupons are not good on central machinery, they started that about 1 month after I bought this one - the doors are plastic, along with the up/down adjustment on the guide - I use this saw heavily, like several hours a week and my only fair complaint is the bottom door does not make an airtight seal, which would improve dust collection - I have a lot of unfair complaints - like not enough power for fast cutting large stock, but its 1/3 HP so I really shouldn't expect that, and the dust port does not fit my dust collection without a custom adapter - again, not the saw's fault..... thanks for subscribing!
This saw is marketed by many Different companies. They just slap their respected logo & color scheme on it. I got mine at Menards under the Performax Brand. Decent Hobby/ Budget bandsaw so far.
HF buys from factories that sell to a lot of distributors, Skil and HF share a lot of the same router and router bit lines for example, this is a great saw and use it a lot and I'm very happy with it - thanks for subscribing!
lot of personal opinion on that, mine is guides have to touch to guide (just barely), if they don't touch, too much slop, and this way does not cause wear or heat, check out mathius wondel's recommendation, someone I trust - Thanks for subscribing!
I've heard from views there are many HF tools that are also sold by other distributors - I'm assuming that a chinese factory is making these tools and offering them to anyone willing to sell them - thanks for subscribing!
I spent a better part of an hour attempting to adjust this. I couldn't get it. My friend who is a very proficient at various tools couldn't get it to run. We tried a dozen times.
can you give more details on why it would not run, no power? motor not working? other viewers will be interested in the details that might help them make a decision on buying this tool - thanks for subscribing!
and % offs usually don't apply to this saw, either because of the brand or the price, HF has changed alot in the last year, I think they are putting do much money into launching the bauer brand, its impacting their core business and they stopped coupons, went virtual on catalogs and raised prices to help with cash flow, I think they are losing what made them popular to begin with - Thanks for subscribing!
@@snapwholeharborfreightreviews It’s crazy about the coupons. From almost weekly to absolutely nothing. And I am an inside track member. At first inside track members were getting a few coupons but now we’re not getting any. But what was really weird about the coupons before they went extinct….The excluded merchandise….Before it was A few non-Harbor freight brands… But one of the last 20-25% coupons excluded the Chicago brand which is made by Harbor freight super odd
@@greginfla_1 Not sure if its covid related and having cash flow problems, or they are just getting greedy, but they have changed ALOT and lost a lot of what they built their business on - notice drill master is dead, all the products left were moved to warrior, chicago electric is slowly being phased out, I think they have staked their future on bauer, and I think they are making a mistake
Well, one think you might consider for a review is that we don't all have band saw experience. We rely on folks like you to review the INSTRUCTIONS and see if they mesh with your experience. If you can't assess the value of the instructions, can you leave your phone number so we can call you when we want to set it up?
I could spend the entire video complaining about how bad the manual is, or I can actually show you how to setup the tools and basic use of the tools, everything needed to setup this tool and use it is in the video, if you need a phone call, contact HF customer support and they can send you a manual, you are the absolute first individual to request I review the manual, not the tool, most are glad I show how to setup the tool, and its basic use - Thanks for subscribing!
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Young people don't realize how wonderful TH-cam is. Or, the Internet, for that matter. In this case, I wanted to saw a 4x4 diagonally to make two "makiwara" punching posts. The recommended circular saw size is 10-1/4". Have you seen the prices for a 10" circular saw? WOW - $ 300 to $ 400. So, that's out. Then I wondered if a band saw was set up correctly to run an 8' length of 4x4 through it. Your video shows that it is set up correctly to do that. Now at 77 years of age, I have a wonderful time asking any question and being able to get answers or instructions via the Internet and TH-cam. It wasn't like that a half-century ago.
The internet has become an integral part of our lives, its strange there are young adults that do not remember a world without the internet, kinda like a young adult in 1930 trying to image a world with out cars or airtravel - thanks for positive comment - thanks for subscribing!
I hope your project went well.
Actually, I got busy with a ton of other projects and haven't done "that" project yet. What I am "considering" is replacing my front porch posts with 4x4 or 4x6 posts instead of the floor jacks I have installed now. If I keep the floor jacks in place then I should enclose them somehow just for appearance. Each method has its' pros and cons. What to do. What to do. I'm glad you wrote and got me thinking again.
@@STBRetired1 Glad to hear your still getting work done. Cheers.
I bought one of these today, and haven't even took it out of the box yet, so I am glad I watched your informative video first. This is my first bandsaw, so this video is going to be quite helpful. Thanks for posting it.
Glad it was helpful! thanks for subscribing!
EXCELLENT ! danke
I put a single 1 inch wide piece of blue tape on the entire length of the slider on the miter gauge, and the slop is completely gone, and it runs smoothly in the track. Your tips helped me set this up roughly, but I think it's prudent for me to watch this a second time to see if there is any tips in your review that I might have missed on how to avoid wood drift. If I try to resaw a 2 x 4 or similar piece of wood that is thicker like that, I get bad drift problems that really start to show up 2 inches into the work. Otherwise, I can make laminate strips with a makeshift fence that I can clamp down with quick clamps, and they turn out GREAT. I can see a lot of potential with this tool.
its all about power! this uses a 1/3 HP motor, the bigger the stock being cut, the slower you need to go, the saw does not have the power to cut large stock quickly - my big 14 inch bandsaw has the same problem with resawing 6 inch logs - I use this saw more than my 14 inch saw, I take the saw to the work, instead of taking the stock to the14 inch saw - thanks for subscribing!
Very helpful sir! Thank you much. I just bought it and set it up. It’s very nice!
Great job! I was going to get the Ryobi this weekend but, with my HF membership, I can get this one for at least $50 less. So, thanks!
I really like this saw, I use for most cuts, thanks for subscribing!
Thanks just purchased this and these instructions were way better than the terrible manual.
Thanks ! I'm sure you'll enjoy the saw, I use mine all the time - thanks for Subscribing!
@@snapwholeharborfreightreviews I also got the the Harbor Freight table top drill press and love it as well! New to wood working.
What other manuals do you need? I'm pretty good at digital archival retrieval.
your best bet at digital archival retrieval for harbor freight manuals is my website www.snapwhole.com - I have just about every HF manual, going back to 1990s, upto about 6 months ago, good search tool for the site makes them easy to search, I do a twice a year update of the manuals from HF's website, HF removes the manuals from the website when they discontinue products - thanks for subscribing!
The harbor freight band saw still doing good. Thinking of getting one very soon. Thanks in advance.
this is a great saw, works great, no vibration, no issues with it the entire time I've has it, very pleased with it, and highly recommend it - I use it alot, for big stuff I still use my big delta bandsaw, but this saw does the majority of my bandsaw cutting
Thanks for the video. Are there any fences that will attach well with this band saw?
Other distributers offer a fence with a saw that is similar, but I have not found a saw that fits, best option is to built a custom fence - thanks for subscribing!
is a diamond blade available for this?
any blade the right size will work on this saw, and there are a lot of blades for sale at different stores, HF sells a few, lowes has a few, you should check their websites to find what they have - thanks for subscribing!
does it use oil or what instead?
Is this the same as the Wen bandsaw?
a lot of different vendors sell this saw with a different label, I don't have the wen saw so I can't say for sure they are the same, but it possible it is the same or a variation of this saw - thanks for subscribing!
I’m planning on getting this in a few weeks so excited
very nice and saw, I use this a lot, not a lot of extra power, but I'm very happy with it - thanks for subscribing!
Is it able to cut metal?
with the correct blade it will cut metal, for a short period of time - wood band saws run too fast to cut metal, it will overheat the blade and remove the temper and it will get dull quick - better to get the portable bandsaw by bauer, roughly the same price and it cuts metal too - more accurate with a stand of course, but a great metal saw - thanks for subscribing!
Hey…. What about thin aluminum?
Do you think I could use this to cut steel flat bar? I just bought one and waiting for it to arrive in the mail, but I only see it being used for wood
wood cutting bandsaws have too high of a RPM to use for cutting metal, this saw runs at ~1734 rpm, a metal cutting bandsaw works best in the 80-260 rpm range - harbor freight has a 4" x 6" capacity cut metal bandsaw - currently goes for about $289 list - but is discounted a lot lower at times - I bought one a year ago for $200 at a holiday sale - Thanks for subscribing!
Hello! Thanks for a great video. I was wondering how to adjust the black bride belt that goes around the motor shaft. The belt wants to walk off the shift up against the blade pulley. Any ideas how to remedy this? I thought about tilting the motor, but I'm not sure it's a good idea.
I think the only way to do that would be to shim under the motor mounts, it would require lots of trial and error, but would be worth the results - thanks for subscribing!
Any updates? I’m shopping for one now and I’m a little discouraged by the all the plastic. For the price it’s a good deal if it works well
the main reason I do these videos is to let people know what they will get if they buy this - the plastic is not a drawback for me - its a dust/safety shield, it does not affect how it cuts - I have not issues with this band saw and I use it several times a week - it could have more power, but I paid $99 - my big delta band saw has more power at 3x the price, I really end up using this more than my delta band saw, I use the delta for resawing, and this saw for just about everything else - thanks for subscribing!
I'm intrigued! I've been fighting with it ALL day trying to get the blade it came with back on after I accidentally removed it and I can't get the table level (or within an acceptable range).
This will find the diamond ring, in the video I use a sample to test the detector, follow that, and sweep the whore yard, you will more than likely find a lot of trash, bottle caps, tabs, nails etc, keep digging up every find until you find the ring or sweep the yard and no finds, you will be surprised how far it is away from where you think it was dropped is why I recommend you search the entire yard, if you check the yard and no find, use a smaller sample to test the detector and try again, if no luck, use a larger sample and try again, out looking for random stuff, I would use the small sample to adjust the detector, but with something you really want to find like your ring, I try all three (small sample, large sample and same size sample) until I found it, and that has always worked for me - thanks for subscribing and please let me know your results
Thanks for your review. Liked your setup tutorial. Very helpful.
I’m still contemplating buying this. Towards the end you did a half circle. Have you done much curvy cuts on this? That would be my reason for buying. Need to be able to cut shapes.
It comes with a 1/4" blade, you can do curves on it, but if you want to do the best curves it wil do, get a 1/8" blade, it will turn a lot tighter - I have the HF scroll saw, so I use it for tight curves, and left the band saw with the 1/4" blade and use it a lot for resawing basswood and pine for carving, you can buy a 1/2" blade but its very difficult to find and its more expensiv than it should be and I have a 14 inch bandsaw I keep a 1/2" blade on, so never got the 1/2 inch - the HF bench bandsaw has 1/3 HP motor, so the thicker the stock, the slower you should cut, I end up using this saw for most of my bandsaw cuts, so I use it alot - still going strong after 3 years and a few blade replacements/sharpening - thanks for subscribing!
Thanks for the reply and the advice 👍
Thank you, my friend. I had to go find a washer for the tilt table, it was missing.
Glad I could help - thanks for subscribing!
Does this come with a guide to slide the wood against?
it comes with a miter push tool, but not a fence - Thanks for subscribing!
How does the "Blade Guide Cover" open? Instructions say hold it open, but dont say how.
It looks like it has a hinge, but feels like I am going to break it instead of open it. Before I actually break it trying to open it the wrong way, hoping anyone can tell me the correct way it opens!
I either keep missing that part of the video, or it doesn't cover it since there is no need if you're not changing the blade.
How about using this to cut copper tubing?
if you use a metal blade it would cut copper, but I'm not sure the speed will overheat the blade, I would recommend using a cut off saw, but if you try it, please post an update here, A lot of people will be interested in the results - thanks for subscribing!
Great review, just might pop for one of these, now that I see they can cut well enough for my needs.. Thanks!
I've had this saw for several years and I'm still happy with the saw - thanks for subscribing!
Good review of this saw. I'm on the fence between this one and the Porter Cable version at Lowes. I'm leaning towards the Porter Cable because of the Bosch blades that Lowes keeps in stock.
take a good look at the specs on both, and verify that lowes actually stocks the blades you need, the PC uses a 59 1/2 inch blade, 3/8 inch max, and HF uses 62 inch blade 1/2 inch max, they sell metal cutting blades for these, but don't use them, the RPM is to high on both and will just burn up the blades - blades for both are sometimes hard to find - other than the blades sizes, they are about the same saw - thanks for subscribing!
@@snapwholeharborfreightreviews Thank you, I will keep that in mind
were you able to find adapter for your dust collector port?
no, so I made one - th-cam.com/video/O1xa2z99CNI/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much for going over this bandsaw. I think its going to be mounted to my Lazy Susan Turntable. I agree with all your suggestions plus add a few more details. Question: Do you think adding mass to the underside of the table would make it more stable and by that cut vibration? Thanx again mate!
T
adding more mass should hep a little with vibration, if you have a lot of vibration, one of the wheels might be a little out square, I can do a wheel adjustment video is its needed - my saw has virtually no vibration, I really like this bandsaw, I use it a lot, the only negative is not being able to find 1/2 inch blades for it, I have found them, but they are cost prohibitive i - thanks for subscribing!
Hey y'all. Adding mass won't help this particular table very much, because it flexes at the trunnion. Making the table heavier can stiffen the table, but the trunnion will still act like a spring. So it will vibrate worse.
An easy way to reduce vibration when cutting is to wedge a block under the table, close to the blade.
Just got this as well, this video helps a lot. Thanks.
Glad you found the video useful - Thanks for subscribing - watch for an upcoming video on adapting the dust collection port to a standard size hose
Thanks for another build/review. I've been looking at this saw for a while, and your video answered a lot of my questions.
I'd like to make a suggestion for future videos: when you use a tool that's much louder than your voice, bring the volume down during editing. I had to adjust my volume back and forth between you cutting and talking. If you have the ability in your editing software to bring the volume down during those noisy parts, your viewers won't have to adjust the volume on their end. Some woodworking videos I've watched in the past do this, and it make them much easier to watch.
I do that for loud tools, in this video the band saw is not loud enough to warrant that - watch my relatively recent grinder videos to see this in action
Great information helped me set mine up, thanks!
Glad you found the video helpful, thanks for subscribing!
I bought one of these used from a guy for $50 but he used it on metal cutting so I think I need a new blade. It can hardly get through a small piece of pallet wood.
goog price and you definitely need a new blade, cutting metal on a wood bandsaw overheats the blade and removes the temper, and completely dulls the blade, a wood bandsaw runs to fast - thanks for subscribing !
Thanks, just bought this unit and this helps.
I really like this saw, I end up using more than my 14 inch delta - thanks for subscribing!
Can this saw be used to cut meat and bones?
yes it could, bigger saws are used in butcher shops, my only question would be the power of the saw, you might have to allow more time for the cuts, and cleaning might be a challenge, but not impossible - thanks for subscribing!
Great video, thanks!
That was super detailed! Thank you! Did you or could you post an update on how that thing held up? Also, do you think a better blade would make a cleaner cut? I know HF cutting accessories aren’t the greatest! I’m not super thrilled with the plastic on a tool that literally has the words “Central Machinery” on it!
the plastic is a dust cover, no need for metal, and it keeps the price down, I have HF blades on the saw and I think they do as well as other blades, but they might keep sharp as long as others might - I sharpen my blades, so it not that big of a problem, most bandsaws have a rough cut on an 1/4 inch blade, and a 1/2 blade is had to fine at a reasonable price for this saw - I use this saw a lot, I'll try to do an update video - thanks for subscribing!
Have you used this bandsaw for cutting metal ? -- If so, how did it go ?
I have not used it for cutting metal, and I don't recommend using it to cut metal, you might cut a few small pieces cut before the blade is ruined and it won't cut anymore - wood bandsaws have to high a speed for cutting metal, it will overhead the blade and ruin the temper, the teeth wear down and not cut anymore, to cut metal you will need to slow down the motor, a different pulley on the motor is the first thought, but that changes the length of the blade - so there is a way, the cheapest alternative metal bandsaw is the bauer portable metal bandsaw, ~$100 or so, I went that route and it needs a stand for any kind of accuracy, next I bought the floor model HF metal bandsaw ~ $200, and very happy with it, but takes up oh so much space, prices are what I paid in the past current prices are more I'm sure.... you can also get a metal cut off saw that uses abrasive disk, several sizes, not a very 'clean' alternative, as it needs cleanup after the cut - hope this helps - thanks for subscribing!
Ok-- Thanks for the reply and info. -- I had hoped that since the Central Machinery will take a 1/2 inch wide blade , that perhaps it would then cut metal. -- Since a lot of the metal cutting blades are 1/2 inch wide. -- I could see that the Ryobi, Crafsman, and Porter Cable and others only took up to a 3/8 inch wide blade. And it's hard to find 3/8 wide metal cutting blade. Again thanks for the info.
@@jackdraper2849 if you are cutting copper, brass or soft aluminum and can a few cuts, not sure how many, but if cutting steel, you'll be lucky to make one cut before the blade is shot - thanks for subscribing!
And......I still have no idea what this saws limitations might be for resawing......
Limitations for resawing? I would not plan on using this for resawing, a 1/3 HP motor with a 1/2 in blade, max - for resaw you need at least 3/4 inch blade, and 3/4 HP motor, and a bigger saw, the max board I would try to resaw on this band saw is maybe 2 inches wide, you would also need a fence at least as tall as the wood is wide, using the bandsaw, you would have the advantage of a thin kerf, but if that is important, a tablesaw would would be better for 2 inch wide boards - thanks for subscribing!
Would this cut 3/8 inch thick metal with th right blade? if so then would someone link me a blade to buy
I would not recommend cutting metal with this saw, wood band saws like this one run at a higher speed then band saws for cutting metal, cutting metal with this saw, even with the right blade, will over heat the blade and ruin it for cutting anything - probably the cheapest alternative would be to get the bauer portable metal cutting band saw, if you want a stationary metal cutting bandsaw, HF has one that I bought for $200 on sale central machinery - btw 3/8 metal is going to tax just about any metal saw, you'lll need to use cutting oil, and go slow, letting the saw do the work, thanks for subscribing
I would like a more up close view on the blade so I know exactly where to place things when I do it myself.
I'll try to post a closeup video this weekend
Not quite catching your website for the manuals at 0:55. Could you type that out please?
www.snapwhole.com - HF has manuals online for all active items - I have manuals for all HF items, active and discontinued, if its a discontinued item and I don't have the manual, it does not exist, and I add manuals for new HF items each month
@@snapwholeharborfreightreviews Thanks!
thanks for a good review. it's a bit too much plastic for me, but if you want a cheap benchtop saw with coupon available it'll fit the budget
most %off coupons are not good on central machinery, they started that about 1 month after I bought this one - the doors are plastic, along with the up/down adjustment on the guide - I use this saw heavily, like several hours a week and my only fair complaint is the bottom door does not make an airtight seal, which would improve dust collection - I have a lot of unfair complaints - like not enough power for fast cutting large stock, but its 1/3 HP so I really shouldn't expect that, and the dust port does not fit my dust collection without a custom adapter - again, not the saw's fault..... thanks for subscribing!
This saw is marketed by many Different companies. They just slap their respected logo & color scheme on it. I got mine at Menards under the Performax Brand. Decent Hobby/ Budget bandsaw so far.
HF buys from factories that sell to a lot of distributors, Skil and HF share a lot of the same router and router bit lines for example, this is a great saw and use it a lot and I'm very happy with it - thanks for subscribing!
Why would u want the blades touching the guides…
lot of personal opinion on that, mine is guides have to touch to guide (just barely), if they don't touch, too much slop, and this way does not cause wear or heat, check out mathius wondel's recommendation, someone I trust - Thanks for subscribing!
I have always adjusted my blade to guide distance by using a dollar bill. Not too far away to be sloppy yet doesn’t rub consistently either.
The Ryobi is EXACTLY THE SAME unit. Buy Harbor Frieght. Its a good hobby machine.
I've heard from views there are many HF tools that are also sold by other distributors - I'm assuming that a chinese factory is making these tools and offering them to anyone willing to sell them - thanks for subscribing!
The Performax sold by Menard's is the same too.
I spent a better part of an hour attempting to adjust this.
I couldn't get it.
My friend who is a very proficient at various tools couldn't get it to run.
We tried a dozen times.
can you give more details on why it would not run, no power? motor not working? other viewers will be interested in the details that might help them make a decision on buying this tool - thanks for subscribing!
That Saw has gone from $139 to $159 in 10 months
and % offs usually don't apply to this saw, either because of the brand or the price, HF has changed alot in the last year, I think they are putting do much money into launching the bauer brand, its impacting their core business and they stopped coupons, went virtual on catalogs and raised prices to help with cash flow, I think they are losing what made them popular to begin with - Thanks for subscribing!
@@snapwholeharborfreightreviews It’s crazy about the coupons. From almost weekly to absolutely nothing. And I am an inside track member. At first inside track members were getting a few coupons but now we’re not getting any.
But what was really weird about the coupons before they went extinct….The excluded merchandise….Before it was A few non-Harbor freight brands… But one of the last 20-25% coupons excluded the Chicago brand which is made by Harbor freight super odd
@@greginfla_1 Not sure if its covid related and having cash flow problems, or they are just getting greedy, but they have changed ALOT and lost a lot of what they built their business on - notice drill master is dead, all the products left were moved to warrior, chicago electric is slowly being phased out, I think they have staked their future on bauer, and I think they are making a mistake
Well, one think you might consider for a review is that we don't all have band saw experience. We rely on folks like you to review the INSTRUCTIONS and see if they mesh with your experience. If you can't assess the value of the instructions, can you leave your phone number so we can call you when we want to set it up?
I could spend the entire video complaining about how bad the manual is, or I can actually show you how to setup the tools and basic use of the tools, everything needed to setup this tool and use it is in the video, if you need a phone call, contact HF customer support and they can send you a manual, you are the absolute first individual to request I review the manual, not the tool, most are glad I show how to setup the tool, and its basic use - Thanks for subscribing!