cafoose 3,323 #1 Posted May 17 A few years back at the Steam-O-Rama show in Windsor, PA I got this horizontal band saw for $20 at the auction. Since all my time was taken up by moving to Tennessee and not really needing it right away it was on a back burner. I got a 1/2" by 8" by 14" steel plate from a local machine shop to use on my sickle bar to 953 project that I needed to cut for the rear mount. I got a new blade from amazon for $19 and installed it. I also put an automatic shutoff toggle on it that shuts it off when the cut is finished which needs some adjustment. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,039 #2 Posted May 17 Getting one of these old girls to track properly can be an adventure. Best done with 2 coffees and the cell phone off...!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,323 #3 Posted May 17 4 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Getting one of these old girls to track properly can be an adventure. Best done with 2 coffees and the cell phone off...!! I didn't fool with any adjustments other than blade tension and it seemed to cut pretty well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,039 #4 Posted May 17 Buy a lottery ticket!! Even the blade itself can have a negative effect on tracking. My then new HFT saw would NOT track at all with the supplied blade. Switched to a premium blade - no issue. Switched back to the OE - all problems. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,323 #5 Posted May 17 1 hour ago, ri702bill said: Buy a lottery ticket!! Even the blade itself can have a negative effect on tracking. My then new HFT saw would NOT track at all with the supplied blade. Switched to a premium blade - no issue. Switched back to the OE - all problems. I got this blade from amazon and it had good reviews: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G429C9K?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 Also found this online: http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=5221 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 37,281 #6 Posted May 17 4 hours ago, cafoose said: I got this horizontal band saw for $20 at the auction I think I paid $40 or mine. Mine lead off with the blade that came with it. Not difficult to understand why when I looked at the blade teeth. There was no set at all on the side that was against the wheels. I think the PO had the blade running too deep on the wheels and over time mashed the set off that side. I bought the same 14-18 tpi bi metal blade and it cuts perfect. I also made a small table to I can use it as a vertical band saw. I can't believe I used a 4.5" angle grinder to cut steel all these years. Also added a couple wheels to made it easier to turn to cut long stock. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,870 #7 Posted May 17 Mine is a $12 road side special. Needed a little work but has cut a lot of metal. Some things that i have found out. Olson blades seem to last forever....are pricey. I use 18TPI Hardback, no lube. (I like to keep the oil out and away from welds.) I have tried those cheaper blades and they work ok for the money. I use the slowest speed. and as far as tracking, The cam guide rollers need to be a little on the loose side. I have had to replace the guide bearings just this year. And those cheap bed frame angle irons can ruin the best of blades in a hurry, I think they make those from old junk leaf springs?? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,323 #8 Posted May 17 55 minutes ago, JoeM said: The cam guide rollers need to be a little on the loose side I read that in my manual I downloaded. I did see a little smoke while cutting. I think it shows up in the video. Seems to be coming from the rollers closest to the motor. Rollers didn't feel warm though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,870 #9 Posted May 18 11 hours ago, cafoose said: I did see a little smoke while cutting Might be a little to much down pressure? How hot was the blade? Mine gets pretty warm and is uncomfortable to the touch. I have seen some use WD40 for cooling oil, have used it a couple times on thicker material. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,323 #10 Posted May 18 The blade wasn't even warm. I played with the down pressure adjustment which does work and holds the saw in place if I close the valve completely. I had it moving very slowly. Took several minutes to do the cut. I poured come motor oil into the cut while it was cutting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites