Harbor Freight Band Saw

[davecaz]

I found a used, and neglected, Harbor Freight T32208 band saw on craigslist for $40. I cleaned the dirt off the saw with 409 and got rid of most of the rust by sanding with one of those green 3M pads and some tool cleaner. After cleaning the saw blade thrust Bearings, they did spin, somewhat. I replaced the guide blocks and bought new inserts. I had to modify the inserts to fit flush with the table top. I replaced the large V belt with a links belt I got at my local HF store. The saw seems to run smooth at this juncture, but the only things moving are the motor, middle pulley, and lower blade wheel.
I need to order a 14 inch tire set from Rockler for $34, also thinking of the Olson All Pro Band Saw Blade Assortment from Rockler on sale for $38. Are these good choices?
Costs so far:
Craigslist HF 14” Band Saw $40.00
Woodcraft Olson Cool Blocks $15.00
Woodcraft Inserts pk of 3 $10.00
Harbor Freight Links Belt w discount $20.00

Projected Total $157.00

[dbhost]

I found a used, and neglected, Harbor Freight T32208 band saw on craigslist for $40. I cleaned the dirt off the saw with 409 and got rid of most of the rust by sanding with one of those green 3M pads and some tool cleaner. After cleaning the saw blade thrust Bearings, they did spin, somewhat. I replaced the guide blocks and bought new inserts. I had to modify the inserts to fit flush with the table top. I replaced the large V belt with a links belt I got at my local HF store. The saw seems to run smooth at this juncture, but the only things moving are the motor, middle pulley, and lower blade wheel.
I need to order a 14 inch tire set from Rockler for $34, also thinking of the Olson All Pro Band Saw Blade Assortment from Rockler on sale for $38. Are these good choices?
Costs so far:
Craigslist HF 14” Band Saw $40.00
Woodcraft Olson Cool Blocks $15.00
Woodcraft Inserts pk of 3 $10.00
Harbor Freight Links Belt w discount $20.00

Projected Total $157.00

I have that same saw that I bought new a couple of years ago... It's actually not a bad saw at all. You either replaced, or are in the process of replacing the weak spots which are the blade, and guide blocks. I have no experience with Olson band saw blades, so I can't comment on them. I have had mixed results with their circular saw blades. I guess good enough is what comes to mind...

I am not sure about the Rockler tires. Let me know how well they work, I plan on upgrading to them when I wear out my OEM ones...

I know it's no antique Rockwell or anything like that, but these HF saws really do work very well.

Are you considering adding the riser block kit? If so, hold off on buying blades until after you add the riser block as the blades for that are much longer... And while you are at it, upgrade the tension coil...

if you have them, post up before and after pics....

[sweensdv]

Replace the thrust bearings also or at the very least lube them with some lightweight lubricating oil. When I replaced the OEM thrust bearings on my Rikon it eliminated the squeaking noise I was experiencing altogether.

[drillman88]

A friend of mine has that saw. He changed the guides and got a set of Timber Wolf blades, coarse and fine, and it works like a charm. FWIW, He is an experienced woodworker and told me these are the best blades he's ever owned.

[toolguy1000]

in the interest of political correctness, let me say that timberwolf blades were not up to par in my case. 4 brand new blades had defective welds. not until i got a new lennox blade from iturra design did my 18" jet ($40 [not a typo] CL find) begin to perform properly. sounds like you got a great deal on the HF which will provide you with a great deal of functionality for a modest cost. congrats again.

[LCHIEN]

I'd skip the Olson blades and try some really good blades.
HIghland woodslicer, Iturra, are way up there in quality,
With the exception of toolguy1K most people say the timberwolf blades from Suffolk are also really good.

[dbhost]

Sorry to hear about toolguy1000's experience with Timberwolf blades. I have had excellent service from mine... I can certainly see where bad welds can ruin your day though...

The point about bearing lube is one I forgot to make... The lube I got from MLCS for router bit bearings works great!

[Cochese]

Sounds like you are on the right track.

You might look into nylon washers on the motor mounts to help silence and smooth out the saw even further. I know the V-belt (HF as well) really did a number on cutting vibration, as well as taking the time to make sure everything was aligned down below.

I bought the Rockler inserts and they didn't quite fit either. It's the only part of QC that's not there on the saw. I tried to grind down the hole itself so I wouldn't have to modify each insert as I go. A hole saw did a decent job.

[jussi]

Read the title quickly and thought it said Harbor Freight Band. Wonder what kind of music they would play.

[davecaz]

Thanks for the info on the Olson Blades, I'll hold off on those and get something better. Yes I do hope to add the riser kit. Read somewhere that the H7316 from Grizzly is a true fit. I have to get my piggy bank full again before I get the riser and that will take a while. Any advice on where to get the upgraded tension coil and also wheel bearings?

Thanks for your, and everybody's help.

Dave

Good idea. I'll get some router bearing lube as suggested by dbhost. Maybe it will work on the wheel bearings too. Thanks for the info.

$40 for an 18" jet! And I thought I got a good buy an my $40 HF 14 inch. I am envious...

Dave

[toolguy1000]

before trying to upgrade everything in site, contact iturra design:

http://www.manta.com/c/mmc3znn/iturra-design

there are few people more band saw savvy than louo iturra. he'll provide you with good advice and, where warranted, the product to address whatever issue you're confronting. his prices are a little above average, but the advice and counsel are worth the premium, IMHO. and if you make a purchase, i believe he still includes a copy of his current catalog. with it, you won;t need to waste money on a band saw book or other reference guide. it's full of products and useful articles about all things band saw related.

[dbhost]

before trying to upgrade everything in site, contact iturra design:

http://www.manta.com/c/mmc3znn/iturra-design

there are few people more band saw savvy than louo iturra. he'll provide you with good advice and, where warranted, the product to address whatever issue you're confronting. his prices are a little above average, but the advice and counsel are worth the premium, IMHO. and if you make a purchase, i believe he still includes a copy of his current catalog. with it, you won;t need to waste money on a band saw book or other reference guide. it's full of products and useful articles about all things band saw related.

Probably the best advise yet!

I was going to say Iturra sells an upgrade coil as does Carter. Woodcraft has the Carter coil which is what I have installed in mine...

I am not sure what issues the OP is having with the wheel bearings. I assume it is from the outside storage. Again, call Iturra, they can walk you through it. I believe the bearings are standard size for a Taiwan import 14" band saw, and available at just about any machine parts outlet like Grainger, McFeeleys, McMaster Carr, and I am sure Iturra will be able to set you up, and most likely, Harbor Freight parts.

On the riser block kit, yes I understand that Grizzly one will fit and work, but it has a very different shade of green paint. IF they have them available still, call Harbor Freight parts, and order #24536-0ZZA, at least that was the item number I bought in August 2008. I paid $61.90 after s&h for it.

Another project I have well documented here and elsewhere, is adding the Grizzly G0555 tension release assembly to the 32208. I do NOT recommend that modification unless you are VERY comfortable metal working, and fixing / modifying machines.

On the bearing lube. I am not 100% certain, but I will say the lube that MLCS ships is pink, and smells like transmission fluid. Chances are they just rebottled some Mercon / Dextron type ATF in a tiny bottle and shipped it out. If you can, maybe clean those bearings up, and soak them in a small jar of transmission fluid... Clean them up real good and reinstall...

[AlanWS]

Many people are happy with Timberwolf blades, so most of them must be fine. The one I tried had a weld that was not straight, so the blade wobbled a lot and did not cut smoothly. I've used a reasonable number of blades from Woodcraftbands and from Iturra, and all have had good welds.

I have a Grizzly riser on my HF bandsaw and am happy with it. But there is a real question as to whether you need to be able to resaw more than 6", and if you don't see yourself doing that, why bother with the riser block?

[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

[davecaz]

Some guitars are 14 or more inches wide at the lower bout, that means a book matched soundboard or back would require a saw with a resaw capacity greater than 6". I can't afford the riser yet, but I'll get there. Until then, I will make dulcimers and other more narrow instruments.

Errr, I am building a double bass, but that is another story...