harbor freight portable band saw

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andrewfinnie13

Joined
Jun 20, 2009
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does anyone have/use the chicago electric variable speed portable band saw from harbor freight??? there pretty cheap which is what i need right now. and im always weary about cheap. but if its a good durable saw for cutting anything ide go for it. but i dont know jack about it.. does anyone know about this saw? if so, please let me know.

thanks

andrew
 
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If your talking about the 64.5" blade portable metal cutting band saw Yes. I have been useing one for about 4 years now. It works well. I do recomend 2 things: make yourself a more solid table for verticle use and also buy good blades.
As for the saw itself i have had no problems.
 
It works fine

I had no luck with the Morse Bi-Metal blades HF sells. The Lennox Bimetal blades have done a much better job
 
I i am talking about the 64.5 and thats awesome to hear because its hard to fund this great hobby and pay for a baby on the way. thanks guys!!!


andrew
 
oops, i take that back, its the 44 7/8 in portable band saw made by chicago electric. is the 44 7/8 in. one the same quality?
 
The 44 7/8" that I bought from HF was a piece of crap. I have used the horizontal/vertical 64 1/2" from HF for 3 years and love it. If you get the h/v 64 1/2", build a better stand for it.
 
nc_cooter said:
The 44 7/8" that I bought from HF was a piece of crap. I have used the horizontal/vertical 64 1/2" from HF for 3 years and love it. If you get the h/v 64 1/2", build a better stand for it.
Click to expand...

I see they have two different ones, both by Central Machinery...one is 1/3 hp and the other is 1 hp.....the 1hp is about $30 cheaper than the 1/3hp......??
Which would be the preferred one?
( I need to make a decision soon tween these and the DeWalt portable, I have read that thread and lots of knifemakers seem to favor the DeWalt over these HFers)
 
I have one of the variable-speed portable bandsaws set up for vertical use. When it works, it works fine, but it has a tendency to throw the blade behind the idler wheel, consequently bending the back of the blade along the guide bearing. Mostly this happens if I try to cut along too narrow of a curve. Minor modifications have reduced these malfunctions, but it has more than once come within an inch or two of savage beating with a partially-cut bit of O1.

It's a not a professional tool, but I am a hack.
 
I have the vertical/horizontal metal cutting bandsaw from HF and am looking to get rid of that piece of junk. It is definately more affordable and cheaper than most models made by other brands. But after breaking countless $25.00 blades, I think I have spent what I should have in the beginning. I have tried everyway imaginable way to make the bandsaw work properly and no matter what I do, it still breaks teeth and then breaks when I am cutting stock. I have went with the correct amount of teeth per inch depending on the stock you are cutting, etc. No luck for me. Save your money and buy a name brand.
I bought a used Portacable Portaband for $99.00 and am not even looking back. The new Dewalt portaband seems to be very popular and the blades are very affordable.
Good luck in your choice.
Bryan
 
I got one of the Harbor Freight bandsaws off eBay really cheap. No doubt about it, it's a really cheap bandsaw. The wheels that move the saw were 100% plastic and one broke within a few minutes of using it. I ordered a new wheel (aluminum) and it sort of works now. It is as finicky as an old cat if I push too fast. The 'variable' speed is full on or coasting to a stop.

Currently I only use it upright, with the handle clamped in my bench vise. It works better in this position and acts like a benchtop bandsaw.

With all that said, it is still so much better than hacking things out by hand and I would not give it up. Unless it's for a Dewalt.
 
well im taking all the advice and i found a miluwakee portable band saw model 6225 on ebay for $95 and took it. its used, hopefully its not a piece of crap.ill know in two days.


thanks everyone for the info
 
I would like to know if anyone knows who could make a porta saw stand....
If I could find one that would work on the HF machine I would buy it.
I can. but don't have welding resources here at the time.
 
I am on my second HF portable variable speed band saw. I love them. They aren't going to last forever, but they do the job well.
 
Mine's going on 2 years old and I've cut everything from Pipe to stainless steel with it. Love it. But you will need good quality Lennox or Milwaukee blades. I get mine from Home Depot.

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