Topic: Metal cutoff band saws

[junya92toy]

I have a cheap harbor freight 64 1/2 metal cutoff bandsaw. Ive had it for awhile, but as of lately I keep breaking blades, a lot after less then a dozen cuts. It never did this in the past, I made sure everything is good with the saw itself. So Im thinking that that small of a blade length is the problem. Anyone recommend a good saw to get? Im tired of this.

[emsvitil]

What about getting better blades (not from Harbor Freight)....

[junya92toy [OP]]

I have been getting better blades. The last 3 that broke in less then 12 cuts are good blades from a actual tool supply place, bi metal blades too.

[Steve_925]

your talking about a portable band saw right? i have a millwakee, its the . i can get at the very least 100 cuts per blade

[junya92toy [OP]]

No the horizontal/ vertical 4x6 saw.

[kneedownnate]

Are they breaking because they're too tight or too loose and binding? 

[emsvitil]

Link to Harbor Freight so we can see which one you're talking about........

[yjay]

I have a friend with a HF wet bandsaw. Initially he had a lot of problems with it and found that it was because the guides were out of adjustment and not holding the blade straight. He went through and aligned and tightened the little bearings and all and has had no other issues other than the pump for the coolant went out. He just uses it without the coolant now.
We have a small Jet 4"x6" saw at work that is a gem. No coolant which is fine for most people. I think it was around $350. Morse blades seem to work well.

[junya92toy [OP]]

the guides seem straight and ya its the same size as that jet bandsaw. It will cut very very square but the blades break. I tighten them pretty hand by hand not so much as im do it as hard as i can but very firm.

 I think im going to get this
http://www.cpojettools.com/products/414454.html?ref=jettools414454

[possume22]

sound like cheap blades or you got it to tight

[junya92toy [OP]]

Honestly buy hand you cant over tighten them. On the bigger saws that use a one inch blade you really tighten them down with a big handle.

[possume22]

hope you figure it out my freind has one from harbor freight if he buys cheap blades its few cuts and break good luck

[junya92toy [OP]]

I got a couple of home depot blades, seems to cut good now. I know they have bad lots of blades. I exchanged the higher quailty ones for new ones,  havent used them yet.

[possume22]

good to here some shops can reweld some if there broke clean just a thought have seen lots break at the weld where put together

[IronClad]

sounds like to much weight on the cut ?  try backing off on the "pressure" it will take a little longer to cut but thats better than breaking blades

[junya92toy [OP]]

I dont have any pressure on it. Just enough. Usually when too much pressure it wont cut straight.

[junya92toy [OP]]

I still couldnt get it to stop breaking blades so I said screw it and got this.