I've been looking around for some band saw, i know the good ones are very expensive but right now am just starting. I've been looking at this one any feedback, I did some research and they say for the price it's not bad at all it just cut's a bit slower then the leading brands and to buy a better blade.Am tired of using the chop saw

Thanks

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-hp-7-...saw-97009.html

 

Is the 4" x 6" too small?

 

I wanted the water cooling for the blade but if the 4x6 does the job then i don't mind buying that one

 

There is a yahoo group that is pretty popular (but I can't navigate it worth a damn so I don't bother) that mods these saws and a coolant mod is the first thing anyone does to it.
The blade it comes with sucks, so throw it out or do I did and use it until it snaps.

Spend a LOT and I mean a LOT of time tweaking this machine to cut straight and after that it's just maintenance. I cut a piece of 1" square aluminum that was .009 on one side and .012 on the other. (maybe it was bigger than 1"?, I don't remember) but after that I only had to make a little tweak here and there.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this saw. Well worth the money.

and here is a 20% off coupon (good until 3/31/13) that you can use on it.

Oh and the stand for the saw is JUNK. I don't see how people use it to be honest. Build one or buy something else. I use a craftsman mitersaw stand and welded on some brackets to bolt it down. Only downsides to this saw is 1) the stand 2) the weight. It's HEAVY.
other than that it's awesome!

 

so over all for the price the green one is good?

 

we have abused the hf one, still going strong. we have that green one above and the smaller one. the only upgrade was we strengthened the legs on the smaller one.

 

so does the smaller red one work good besides the blade it's really only going to be cutting sch10 and exhaust pipes that's all

 

Yes it's a great machine.
You will be replacing blades a lot if you are cutting stainless steel anyway.

 

regardless if it's water cooled?

 

how long do the blades last on the one that's not water cooled?

 

Add a water cooler. If you plan on cutting something bigger than 4x6 go with the green, but if not go with the red.

Blade life depends on what you cut, what speed, cutting fluid etc.
On aluminum I get a long life out of my blades and mild use. Haven't changed mine in at least 6 months. It's about due for it.
I know a guy that does a lot of fabrication and any stainless steel project he does he prices out another blade in his quotes.

 

so bought the green got a good deal on it for $600 + taxes and 2 year warranty came out to about $800 did about 5 cuts with aluminum then 3 cuts on sch10 till blade broke LOL very happy the way it cuts. BTW was cutting on pipes with welded els on them

 

Were you forcing it? I made my own cooler for the small one. A blade should last about three months with moderate use.

 

nope just very slow ill just buy another one

 

Can you post some pics of the water cooler you made? And which red one is being discussed?

 

you can use a small windshield wiper motor and some cutting fluid, then a tray under the sawing area

 

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