I just got a new metal bandsaw a couple weeks ago from HF. The 4x6 horizontal model. I have read quite a few good things about them for the price. Anyways, as anyone who has read any other of my posts knows... I got a noob question.

Basically when I set it up the cuts were pretty far off on the vertical axis. Placing a 1/4"x4" piece of 6061 flat bar vertical (4" side perpendicular to the blade) it was cutting off vertical by about 3/4" across the 4" cut! So I tried changning the blade to a another 24tpi blade. Same thing. Then I moved to a 14tpi blade, same thing. Then I tightend up the tensioning spring and got down to about 1/16" across 4 inches. Next I slowed it from 200fpm to about 120fpm and adjusted the guides a little more. Now it is basically off by about 1/32" across 4".

So here are the questions (in no particular order).

1) Is 1/32" across 4" reasonable for this machine? Should I expect more (or less as the case may be)? Also the cuts are almost perfect for about 2" and then start to wander.
2) It seems that something is STILL off center as now it is noticibily louder when actually cutting and the cutting noise seems to "pulsate" (for lack of better term... it just isn't constant).
3) The motor gets pretty darn HOT. Is that normal? I know it is a chinese POS, but still...
4) Should I just flat out return it and get something like a Clarke from TSC? I know that they are basically the same, but I have heard some people say that the TSC saw has a better motor and better guides as well as a more stable base. They are basically the same price.

Thanks for any help,

mjarus.

There is a Yahoo Group for these saws that can often be helpful:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4x6bandsaw/

Best,

BW

Is the vice square with the blade and the blade bearings relatively snug against the blade?

I had a similar problem, it wouldnt make a straight cut, I bought a bimetal blade from grizzly and that fixed that problem.

The motor is pretty crappy and will get hot, just make sure not to let it jam becuase it doesnt have any overload protection and will melt, happened to me. It is normal for that motor to run 60 degrees C.

Your not gonna get the best saw out of this 4x6 bandsaw but it'll work decently.

Jon

1) Is 1/32" across 4" reasonable for this machine? Should I expect more (or less as the case may be)? Also the cuts are almost perfect for about 2" and then start to wander.

about the same for me. cutting slow with less weight helps. But could add on tons of time.




2) It seems that something is STILL off center as now it is noticibily louder when actually cutting and the cutting noise seems to "pulsate" (for lack of better term... it just isn't constant).

hmmm is this a harbor blade ? maybe the teeth aren't flat.. With a 4inch stock you really should have less tpi.





3) The motor gets pretty darn HOT. Is that normal? I know it is a chinese POS, but still...

Ya so does mine and it will burn out and melt down if you get it stuck.
There are a couple pictures of this on the web. So don't trust it always be in the room with it.



4) Should I just flat out return it and get something like a Clarke from TSC? I know that they are basically the same, but I have heard some people say that the TSC saw has a better motor and better guides as well as a more stable base. They are basically the same price.



I would buy somthing like a 10-14 blade enco has them onsale
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INLMK32?PARTPG=INSRAR2

if you buy 50 bucks worth of stuff you can get free shipping code is WEBNRJN6 i think might just be for today but they have them every month.


Also i think if you really need somthing flat you're going to have to go with a chopsaw.

Thanks for the replies all.

I am currently using a 14tpi blade made by Rigid. I do not believe it is bi-metal, maybe I will give that a shot.


Is the vice square with the blade and the blade bearings relatively snug against the blade?

Check on both accounts. I think I will just have to deal with the 1/32 and clean it up on the mill. Could be worse I guess and I don't imagine that I could do any better myself with a hacksaw ;).

mjarus.

I can count on mine cutting to within about .010, but only with good blades.

Okay, I've got the same saw....and you have to make sure you have the teeth of the blade oriented in the correct direction......1/32.....I haven't measured it......but that seems to be what I'm achieving......as with any thing if the drop mechanism is not square to the cutting surface....then all bets are off.