Harbor Freight Band Saw

[davecaz]

I checked and HF parts wants $85 plus shipping for their riser so I am still looking into the Grizzly kit.

[dbhost]

For that price, I would go with the Grizzly kit and either just deal with the color, or paint it...

At the time I bought mine, the HF kit was about $10.00 cheaper after S&H than the Grizzly, the color matched, and I knew 100% that it would fit my saw...

[LCHIEN]

... the HF kit was about $10.00 cheaper after S&H than the Grizzly, the color matched, and I knew 100% that it would fit my saw...

HF Is never 100%...

[Cochese]

I checked and HF parts wants $85 plus shipping for their riser so I am still looking into the Grizzly kit.

Ouch. Guess I'll be ordering from Grizzly as well.

[bullethead1964]

Lots of great advice here. I bought a returned to HD Ridgid BS yrs ago and these BS are the weak link in an otherwise very good Ridgid wwing tool line.

Vibration is a huge issues with the orange band saws.

I did many of the things you have. Added cool blocks, and link belt. I also balanced my wheels and added Hartfield tools orange poly tires.

Then I had to stiffen the base and from the pics on my links you can see that I actually mounted the BS on a rolling work table that also houses my planer.

Last thing was adding an upper end blade. I did get a Timberwolf and it is very smooth running now and resaws like buttah :-)

I really enjoy my orange BS now.

I have to say all the talk about Iturra has me really curious about getting one.

Congrats on a nice bargin, and I know you are enjoying the rehab. You'll enjoy that saw for years.

[davecaz]

Thanks for all the info on the bearings. I stopped by the local Timber store to see if they had neoprene tires for the saw. They only had Delta EOM tires, but they did have the corrects size bearings. So I got some and will install tomorrow.

Dave

OK, replaced all the saw's bearings except the two used by the the lower drive wheel. I'll need a puller to get to them. Only things left are the tires and saw blade. I don't think I have gone overboard with this saw. I have only replaced those items that were worn out or rusted beyond reason. Again, thanks to everyone for their encouragement and advice.

The riser kit will still have to wait awhile, of course Father's Day is next month

[BrazosJake]

Once again I must come to Ridgid's defense: I bought my old grey saw in 2003 when they closed them out. That 60%-off deal has cost me a fortune, because like Lays potato chips, no-one can buy just one stationary power tool.

I haven't had a bit of trouble with mine. Maybe I'm just lucky. It even passes the "nickel test".

The last time I checked Iturra, they were selling Lennox blades, except for the "Bladerunner", which is the same blade as the Highland Woodslicer. Both of these are premium resaw blades. I wouldn't use them for general purpose work, and especially not cutting curves.

I've used Timberwolf, Lennox and Starrett (flexback in the last two). Starrett is as good as the Timberwolf, IMO, at about 1/2 the cost. The hard part is finding someone who sells finished blades. I used to get them from BCSaw in Canada until shipping got too expensive. I just ordered two for $12.77 each from a guy I found on Ebay. If his welds are good, I'm back with Starrett. I'm also eyeing the Olson MVP bi-metal for a general-purpose blade, but may have to upgrade my tension spring.

[davecaz]

Stopped by the local HF with my 25% off coupon and bought the mobile base kit for my band saw. It requires 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 inch wood for the frame. I just glued some 3/4" and 1/2" plywood scraps together and cut my 1 1/4" strips from that. Worked great and fits like a glove. Very pleased.

[dbhost]

You went fancier than I did... I used cheap 2X4s ripped to size...

[RMCWoodWorks]

Circle Saw on Ella in Houston does custom bandsaw blade lengths quickly and easily and reasonably priced, all via phone and mail ...

[Cochese]

Thought I would update the thread with the current pricing for the riser kit. $71.84.