[TheForge] New Bandsaw question

[Jay Hayes]

Chris,

I have a 25 year old Enco, a 5 year old HF, a high dollar Ellis and just 
got the new Homier saw (#03111) for $199. The Enco and HF are nearly 
identical but the guide brackets on the Enco are cast iron vs stamped 
steel on the HF. They both cut well and for square cuts even better than 
the Ellis. The Homier saw  has a much better vise, miter adjustment, 
hydraulic down feed, and sturdy stand, making it a hands down winner for 
the money. As with any saw made in China, dump the oil from the gear box 
and clean out any junk. Get a good blade and if the saw doesn't come 
with a hydraulic down feed replace the spring down feed with a hydraulic 
cylinder from Surplus Center. Forget the flaky 6x6 table for cutting 
with the saw in the vertical position. Replace the normal small 2x2 
plate on the lower blade guide with a 2x3 plate and you can go from 
horizontal to vertical without changing anything. The stands on the Enco 
and HF saws are very flimsy. If you want to add cooling it is easier to 
just replace the stand with a shop built stand that has a built in drip 
pan. You might want to check out the yahoo 4x6 bandsaw group at: 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4x6bandsaw 
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4x6bandsaw>

Jay Hayes


Chris Kilpatrick wrote:

>Hi Dan,
>     Not having any problems, just getting ready to buy one.  It is a central machinery one that can tilt to with  pressure or stand vertical so you can cut on a table.  I have read online that they are actually good machines for the money, but needed better bushings out of the box and have worked with these kind of bandsaws with coolant and really like the cutting ability and really hate the mess that sometimes accompanies cooling systems.
>
>-Chris K.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Dan Hayes" <dhayes at dthayes.com>
>To: "'Sponsored by ABANA'" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: RE: [TheForge] New Bandsaw question
>Date: Tue, 2 Nov 2004 18:18:03 -0500
>
>  
>
>>Chris,
>>
>>Which Harbor Freight bandsaw? I've got one of their Central Machinery
>>(Taiwan made) 7x12 horizontal models that works just fine. I've had it over
>>ten years and it's got quite a few hundred hours of cutting time on it. The
>>"secret" to success with my saw is proper adjustment and good quality
>>variable (multi) pitch blades. The secret to long life seems to be not
>>abusing it and keeping the gearbox well lubed. Mine cuts fast, and as true
>>as any saw I've ever worked with. As far as cooling, mine came with a pump
>>but you can get add on units easily enough. What problem(s) are you having?
>>
>>Dan
>>
>>    
>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-
>>>bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Chris Kilpatrick
>>>Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 5:05 PM
>>>To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
>>>Subject: [TheForge] New Bandsaw question
>>>
>>>For those that have the Harbor Freight Bandsaw, two questions, first: what
>>>do I need to change on it to make it work and second: Is it practical to
>>>add a system to cool the blade?
>>>
>>>Thanks in advance,
>>>Chris K.
>>>
>>>It is I who formed the blacksmith,
>>>who fans the flame into a fire and
>>>fashions a weapon fit for it's work.
>>>
>>>--
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>Find what you are looking for with the Lycos Yellow Pages
>>>http://r.lycos.com/r/yp_emailfooter/http://yellowpages.lycos.com/default.as
>>>p?SRC=lycos10
>>>
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>>>      
>>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
>>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>>theforge mail list group photo site is
>>http://www.photoaccess.com
>>Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>>password:  anvil
>>___________
>>
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>
>
>
>It is I who formed the blacksmith, 
>who fans the flame into a fire and
>fashions a weapon fit for it's work.
>
>  
>