Does the 17" HF vert bandsaw go on sale? Thinking of metal conversion.

[hoohaa]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3179

I do not remember seeing this bandsaw on sale. Does anyone own one? Is it decent for the money? It seems like it might be one of those tools that are well worth the money from HF. With the 15% off coupon I have it seems like it might be worth snagging.

I want to convert a wood saw into a metal cutting saw, probably with a DC motor and a controller with a potentiometer for speed setting. If not this then a gear reducer with a C face motor.

[coilcj]

No offense but for that money (even with the 15% off coupon) by the time you buy the parts to convert it to metal you could have gone to a machine shop auction and bought an older Rockwell or DoAll and be much better off. Just my .02 good luck either way.

[geberhard]

why not just get their metal bandsaw? I have been running one for years, and for the money, it works great! there is a giood thread here on how to make some quick at home upgrades to improve the saw.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/93700-93799/93762.gif

[hoohaa]

No offense but for that money (even with the 15% off coupon) by the time you buy the parts to convert it to metal you could have gone to a machine shop auction and bought an older Rockwell or DoAll and be much better off. Just my .02 good luck either way.

If this machine goes a couple hundred off on sale plus a 15% coupon I would think it would be a pretty good deal if it is as nice a machine as I think it is.

I've looked at some DoAll saws but they have a ginormous footprint. i don't have room for that in my attached garage shop.

How can I find machine shop auctions in my area?

[hoohaa]

why not just get their metal bandsaw? I have been running one for years, and for the money, it works great! there is a giood thread here on how to make some quick at home upgrades to improve the saw.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/93700-93799/93762.gif

I'm really looking for a vertical saw with a nice large and sturdy table. Those horizontal saws are ok for the price and for horizontal work but I've heard the tables are really flimsy. Basically I want a decent vertical saw but I can't afford the cheapest delta or dake or jet, so I figure converting a wood saw will give me a good sturdy saw for a good price.

I've already got a gear reducer that will bolt up to a C face motor. Match that to a variable step pulley and the conversion would not be difficult at all.

[my name is mud]

I'm really looking for a vertical saw with a nice large and sturdy table. Those horizontal saws are ok for the price and for horizontal work but I've heard the tables are really flimsy.
Isn't that one of the things that can be fixed quite simply?

[hoohaa]

I'm not buying that horizontal saw to use as a vertical saw. :laughing: It's a fine saw for horizontal work but why polish a turd and try to fix the flimsy table?

[coilcj]

If this machine goes a couple hundred off on sale plus a 15% coupon I would think it would be a pretty good deal if it is as nice a machine as I think it is.

I've looked at some DoAll saws but they have a ginormous footprint. i don't have room for that in my attached garage shop.

How can I find machine shop auctions in my area?

If you know any local machinists, many of them subscribe to a local sales new letter. I have a friend who is a machinist and lets me know when these auctions come up. Also, try a google search for your area.

[geberhard]

I'm not buying that horizontal saw to use as a vertical saw. :laughing: It's a fine saw for horizontal work but why polish a turd and try to fix the flimsy table?

youcan use it both horizontally or vertical... not bad for what it is. Ithink you can build a solid base for less than $50... so still not a bad deal.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/geberhard/cutwheelgui.jpg