Harbor freight metal bandsaw 1 year honest review

[@deepnhock]

Your comments are spot on. The blade guide is indeed too short. The balance is terrible in the upright position. I built a more substantial cart that extended back so it won't try to backflip. Also built a vertical flat table that locks into the vice. Gives a good work surface.

[@IliadDreyfus-js9oe]

The auto off is easily set via the hex screw near the on/off switch. I love this saw

[@BrettObie]

You know you can just set the screw on the left to your bottoming height and keep the bracket square to the switch? Also the vice has that second hole for larger angles, just move the right hand jaw backwards and use that other hole to achieve greater angles. Your stand should be the other way around so your cutoff box is opposite to the weight of the bow and the motor.

[@jcournoyer2]

Great points you made except for the last one. When the box is full, I agree it would act as a great counterweight. When it is not, then it is still a tip hazard. Free body diagram shows the design is correct, I would have made it a little longer to the right to increase the moment arm

[@garrettslobey9204]

What if you 3d printed a spring loaded pad for the on off? That way you never have to adjust it

[@johnheckman6021]

Good concise review. The longer chassis sounds like project #1.

[@2ndshiftaudio300]

Just so you know. Jet, Wilton, Grizzly all use this same saw. With maybe little changes to it. But, the motor and gearbox are all the same on these saws. Like I say, there may be some features that change. Between each brand. But basically the same saw.

[@jacobacostamasterscribe2200]

Looks like Eastwood does as well

[@JeffLudwig-i5x]

I had their central machinery model. Only went through one blade. It was a great saw

[@c.j.1089]

How well does it work in vertical mode? I have a small bandsaw I use for intricate work, but ever so occasionally I really need a deep throat for larger panels. Is there a larger platen on it for vertical, or is there some bolt locations to add one in?

[@themetalmaverick]

Iv personally only used it that way a couple of times, I find it to be kind of awkward but it does come with a plate you can bolt on when using it in the vertical position.

[@c.j.1089]

@@themetalmaverick Thank you! I guess you would have to straddle the thing if you were feeding from the proper side, that would be awkward.

[@garytodd5605]

Just through a cloth rag over the screen. It will keep your chips out and let the coolant flow back to the holding tank.

[@JosephGreenleaf]

I read in the instructions that that little metal tab you don’t like is for shipping, and it is supposed to be removed.

[@BrettObie]

There's an extra bracket that is for shipping, this goes from the screw on the left and up to that empty threaded hole above it, the bracket he doesn't like is supposed to hit the off switch and you just adjust the screw on the left to set the bottoming height.

[@thomaskrause2468]

Good evaluation. I've been looking hard at one of these. What coolant are you running? Thanks again

[@themetalmaverick]

its called Rustlick, its about 45$ a gallon

[@goldminer71188]

Thank you for the honest review. I'm looking for a band saw for my business and your review sure helps me .

[@themetalmaverick]

Your welcome

[@davidmcgowan7500]

Just got mine. The manual Doesn’t say anything on how to fill/ setup the coolant? Do you just add water?

[@themetalmaverick]

no you definitely want some kind of cutting fluid, so the saw doesn't rust

[@IliadDreyfus-js9oe]

Coolant pump is cheap and easy to replace

[@richardrenneckerjr7684]

thanks sounds juck for the money it cost

[@ahmedosghir8211]

You have instagram ?

[@themetalmaverick]

metal maverick fabrication