HF band saw

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Date

05-07-2008

Posted by Michael Koblic on May 8, 2008, 11:36 pm

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> >http://www.homier.com/detail.asp?SessionKey=du8oVgPO%2fRgJG8iRZn0JAiL...-
> >Hide quoted text -

>
> - Show quoted text -

>Does it cut square? Also, would a "portable" metal cutting bandsaw
>like the Porter Cable at Lowes clamped to a table cut as accurate?

I have seen four 4x6 bandsaws today (I started looking since this group
opened my eyes to their possibilities). The price ranged from $249 - $599
(Canadian). Also, for the first time today I saw a portable band saw
(Milwaukee - $399).

I have also gone through a lot of the stuff referenced in this thread. I am
more confused than ever.

1) My "gestalt" is that the Chinese band saws are a an uncertain bet at
best, but one can minimize chances of malfunction by replacing the blade and
adjusting the various guides etc.

2) The portable band saw does not seem to be capable of cutting accurately
(in terms of angles) unless supported in a stand. Or unless I do not
understand the technique of their use right. The only company that seems to
make a stand for the portaband is Milwaukee. The stand costs almost as much
as the saw. Furthermore, I have not been able to look at the stand "in the
flesh". On the web site it is hard to see how well it performs the necessary
tasks.

3) There is always the question of how would a dry-cut saw for $275 compare
with all of the above for cutting stock up to 3"X3"?

Has anyone here either used a portable bandsaw in a stand or has anyone
built a stand for one? There is a slew of portable "HDC" band saws on Ebay
for under $80. Even with a saw blade replacement this should be a good
solution provided one can solve the problem of stabilizing the cut.

--
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC

Posted by Richard J Kinch on May 9, 2008, 3:18 am

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Michael Koblic writes:

> 1) My "gestalt" is that the Chinese band saws are a an uncertain bet
> at best, but one can minimize chances of malfunction by replacing the
> blade and adjusting the various guides etc.

I don't think it is uncertain. They provide the stuff you can't make, like
a big casting, and you can always correct things like bearings and guides
if you're a machinist.

HF also makes a portable that is a decent clone of the Milwaukee. Nice to
have both the 4x6 and the portable.

Posted by Maxwell Lol on May 9, 2008, 8:29 am

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> I have seen four 4x6 bandsaws today (I started looking since this group
> opened my eyes to their possibilities). The price ranged from $249 - $599
> (Canadian). Also, for the first time today I saw a portable band saw
> (Milwaukee - $399).

Harbor Freight has one as well, and it's 1/4th the price. I bought it
on sale, with a 15% coupon, for about $58 (US). Wait for the sale, and
use the 15% coupon, if you can find one.

I also have the 4x6, and the portable is very handy at times when you want
a quick freehand cut.

> 2) The portable band saw does not seem to be capable of cutting accurately
> (in terms of angles) unless supported in a stand. Or unless I do not
> understand the technique of their use right.

Well, it's like a hacksaw. You can get better at cutting square. And
you can use a file to clean up the edges. Since you may want to do
that anyway, you can use the file(s) to square the ends as well.

The question is - how much do you have to file away?

Posted by stryped on May 9, 2008, 10:46 am

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> > I have seen four 4x6 bandsaws today (I started looking since this group
> > opened my eyes to their possibilities). The price ranged from $249 - $59=

> > (Canadian). Also, for the first time today I saw a portable band saw
> > (Milwaukee - $399).

>
> Harbor Freight has one as well, and it's 1/4th the price. I bought it
> on sale, with a 15% coupon, for about $58 (US). Wait for the sale, and
> use the 15% coupon, if you can find one.
>
> I also have the 4x6, and the portable is very handy at times when you want=

> a quick freehand cut.
>

> > 2) The portable band saw does not seem to be capable of cutting accurate=

> > (in terms of angles) unless supported in a stand. Or unless I do not
> > understand the technique of their use right.

>
> Well, it's like a hacksaw. You can get better at cutting square. =A0And
> you can use a file to clean up the edges. Since you may want to do
> that anyway, you can use the file(s) to square the ends as well.
>
> The question is - how much do you have to file away?

What acuracy is needed in terms of building a trailer???

Posted by Jim Wilkins on May 9, 2008, 12:52 pm

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>
> What acuracy is needed in terms of building a trailer???

I cut the steel for my saw mill to tape measure / pencil line accuracy
and straightened out welding distortions with a jack.
The axle seats were aligned parallel with a framing level. I had the
blade tracking properly 5 minutes after assembly. Your trailer can't
possibly be as demanding as getting a bandsaw blade to track straight
on motorcycle tires and that was done with carpentry tools.

When you weld a tapered, badly fitted joint it's likely to warp out of
square as it cools. As long as you cut each piece to fit you can
compensate for the distortion. For a trailer this is more of a
nuisance than a real problem.

Jim Wilkins

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