Please only post useful info. Hope this can help some people out.



Harbor Freight
Powerful 1 Horsepower Motor
Three speeds to cut everything from brass and aluminum to rugged alloy and tool steels! In horizontal position, use the gravity feed adjustment to increase or decrease cutting pressure. 6-3/4'' x 6-3/4'' table for use in vertical position. Blade and heavy duty stand included.

* Cutting Capacity: 4'' x 6'' (rectangle), 4'' (round)
* Blade size: 1/2'' x .025'' x 64-1/2''
* Blade speeds: 80, 120, 200 FPM
* Bed width: 7-1/2''
* Vise: 7-3/4'' x 6-1/4''
* Overall length: 37''
* Height: 38'' (horizontal); 54'' (vertical)
* Shipping weight: 137 lbs.
ITEM 37151-7VGA
$199.99
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...37151


JET
* 1/2 hp, 1 phase, 115/230V motor.
* 3 blade speeds: 80, 120, 200 sfpm; blade size 1/2" x .025 x 64 1/2".
* Vertical work table, rear wheels attached to stand, adjustable material stop.
* Features ball bearing supported blade wheel, adjustable ball bearing guides, heat treated steel worm gear and bronze drive gear, automatic shut-off after cut, shelf built into stand.
329.99
http://www.ben.com/tools/hvbs-463.html


Northern H/V
Cuts metal at 80, 133 or 200 FPM! Operates both horizontally and vertically. Powerful 1/3 HP, 115 Volt motor and oil bath gear box. Mitering gauge allows cutting from 90-45°. Capacity: 4 1/2in. round stock, 4in. x 6in. rectangle. Sealed ball bearings. Adjustable blade guides. Truck Ship.
EDIT: Blade, 0.5 x 0.03 x 64 1/2 in
In Stock
Ship Wt. 126.0 lbs
Item# 15574
$199.99
http://www.northerntool.com/we...20885


Northern
* Slices most metals smoothly and quickly!!
* Straight & angle cuts, horizontal & vertical cuts
* Base swivels for easy stock handling and set-up
* Rugged 1/3 HP motor delivers 1720 RPM
* 3 blade speeds: 65, 95 & 165 FPM
* Saw cuts up to 4in. round stock at 45° and 4in. x 8in. rectangular stock at 90°
* Blade is 1/2in. deep; 64 1/2in. loop; has 14 teeth per inch
* Miter plate, vise with handwheel plus steel stand
* Assembly required
* Truck Ship.
Ship Wt. 143.0 lbs
Item# 15507
$349.99
http://www.northerntool.com/we...35758

 

so how expensive is the shipping on one of these things?

 

1 HP 7" x 12" HYDRAULIC FEED METAL CUTTING BANDSAW



NEW HYDRAULIC CYLINDER DESIGN IMPROVES CUTTING EFFICIENCY BY UP TO 30%
This horizontal/vertical bandsaw has all the features needed for professional results. Some include: built-in coolant system, heavy cast iron machine table, roller cabinet, and hardened and ground worm gears. Comes with a full complement of belt and blade guards for safety. The machine automatically shuts off when your cut is complete. Ball bearing blade guides provide quick changes from vertical to horizontal. Adjustable vises: 45° to 90°. Equipped with 2 wheels for easy storage. Ball bearing blade guides for quick change from vertical to horizontal.

For replacement blade, order Item 03096.
Speeds: 85, 130, 180, 2S85 FPM
Capacity: 7" round, 7" x 12" rectangle
Motor: 1 HP
Volts: 110/220
Amps: 7 (14 at startup)
Blade: 3/4" x 93" x .032"
Overall dimensions: 48"L x 19"W x 40"H
Table: 10" x 9-1/2"
Shipping weight: 315 lbs.

ITEM 34272-3VGA

$749.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...34272


^^^ I use this band saw every day for the past 2 years.. Never has let me down. I Highly suggest it. Very strait cuts, very reliable, has water pump and tank for coolant which is a HUGE + when cutting. Use enco blades with it for best results.

 

All sites listed truck delievery but the link to each saw will prvide more info.
If you don't have a Northern/HF near you, I'd look through the phone book and check out tool suppliers and see what they offer, home depot/sears isn't the only place that sells tools. Menards sells Jet products so they prolly carry the bandsaw too.

But these are not the only saws out there, just the entry level ones which get mixed reviews.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ExploitedRacing &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I use this band saw every day for the past 2 years.. Never has let me down. I Highly suggest it. Very strait cuts, very reliable, has water pump and tank for coolant which is a HUGE + when cutting. Use enco blades with it for best results.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've used many types of band saws, but most of them were big, industrial quality pieces that ran 3 phase power and cost BIG money....out of my price range. Do you think that this machine you use at work would frustrate much....like I'd be if I used an Econotig or PT185?

Also...would you say this is a durable machine that is "industrial quality"...but the best bang for the buck, without going with a $200 junker?

 

heres a useful link that I started a year ago with some info in it.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=685957

 

I like mine:

 

the first one from harbor freight is on sale for 170 right now.

 

I have a fairly large one, its old and hydraulic feed.

It cut the cam gear cover of my valve cover with ease laying flat.

 

grizzley has a good 7x12 for 600 bucks. and right now jet is on sale for $259. i have the jet and like it alot. SO much better than the harbor frieght jb i had 3 years ago. also added a hydrolic feed for the jet and its perfect now.

 

What are people using for blade coolant? It get cold here so it can't be something that will freeze.

I have seen very little talk about running a antifreeze/water mix and seen little talk about using windshield washer fluid but being flammable doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

 

Get a blade designed for dry cutting.

 

lenox bandaid. i wouldn't try using coolant unless your shop/garage is heated in winter

 

does anyone know how these saws control speed? im assuming its just a resistor box and not any kind of gearing change correct? and will a resistor box reduce the torque/HP output of the motor as well as the speed of the blade?

 

My one is a 3 speed belt driven gearbox.. As I think 90% of these are

 

so it has a "shifter lever" or is it just 3 position switch?

 

There is a pulley with 3 different sizes, think of a crank shaft pulley with ac alternator and ps on it.

 

JET Band Saw — 12in. Cutting Size



Overall Rating: 3 / 5

Jet 8x14 Horizontal Band Saw, August 2, 2008
By smartask from Bristol, VA (read all my reviews)


"I have had this saw for about 5 weeks and will say it has been used quite a bit. The coolant control switch was DOA out of the box but was stuck in the always on position so was still able to use the unit but had to unplug to turn off the coolant flow. Today I was cutting some small plate 3" wide x 1/4" thick and it locked up. A gear in the gearhead busted and locked the gear box up. I will say when it is cutting it does cut good and the features are nice. Also no flack when I ordered the replacement coolant switch but am currently down till I get the replacement gear."


What is your level of technical expertise?: Professional


Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report Inappropriate Review)
Overall Rating: 5 / 5

Fantastic, June 20, 2007
By AussieWelding from Cape Cod. MA (read all my reviews)


"I bought my Jet saw over 2 years ago when I started my Fabrication business. Looking for something economical in price but large enough to cut materials I knew I was going to come up against I settled on this machine on the idea that maybe 6 months down the track I would be able to afford something more heavy duty. Well that was 2 years ago and I can not even guess how many tons of steel this machine has cut for my company and have no intention of buying another one. Thanks Jet"


What is your level of technical expertise?: Professional


3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Overall Rating: 4 / 5

March 7, 2007
By mdanvil from Frederick, MD (read all my reviews)


"I have owned this band saw for about two years and i'm happy with my purchase. Good saw, accurate cuts, lots of power, and great blade life with the built in coolant system. The only problems I see are the hydraulic feed piston leaks (but still works) and the vise takes awhile to adjust for angle cuts (no quick release lockdowns, just 3 bolts - but it doesn't move on you). I recommend this saw if you have a small shop, do limited cutting (no production work) and want a good solid saw that will last."


What is your level of technical expertise?: Professional


Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report Inappropriate Review)

 

I don't plan to use the coolant all the time, just when I am cutting thicker materials or repetitive cuts.