Widest blade on a HF bandsaw

[betacrash]

Anyone know what is the widest blade that I can use on my HF bandsaw? Thanks in advance.

[wassaw998]

1/8" --> 3/4" provided you have item # 32208

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=32208

On the above, you can download the pdf manual, which lists the specs. Now if what you are really asking is will it really take a 3/4" blade, that is another question. Some folks have problems with a 3/4" blade.

[JR]

The specs may say 3/4", but I don't remember anyone being brave enough to try it. 1/2" would be plenty for most applicatons.

JR

[Ken Massingale]

Anyone know what is the widest blade that I can use on my HF bandsaw? Thanks in advance.

The manual says 3/4", I believe. I was one of the ignorant ones that tried it, won't work.
With the stock tension spring it's pushing to properly tension a good quality 1/2" blade. I suggest getting a good tension spring from Louis Iturra at:
Iturra Design
Jacksonville 904-642-2802
888-722-7078
It's around $15 and one of the best improvements to the HF BS.
The 'catalog' they send is a wealth of BS information. They also have guide rollers and other improvements for most 14" bandsaws.
HTH,
ken

[maxparot]

I have had some success with a 3/4" blade. I do have a quick tension release, tire sweeps and roller guides set up on my saw. Since it is so easy to release the tension I don't keep any pressure on the spring or tires when not in use. This keeps the spring and tires in better shape and probably allows me to drive the wider blade. A stronger spring will probably be in my future considering the load on the stock spring.

[dkhoward]

The problem I had with the 3/4" blade on my HF bandsaw was getting the drive belts tight enough to pull the big blade without slipping on the sheaves. The tensioning mechanism is the pits and is on my list of "re-engineering" projects for this spring or summer.