Two HF bandsaw questions inside...

[JohnV]

OK guys I got in on the HF bandsaw deal...I could'nt resist, but now I have two questions about the saw. Ok first question...the instructions talk about tensioning the drive belt on the HF bandsaw first buy tightening the adjusting screw until you get the right tension...I got that fine, but I cannot find where they are talking about tightening the locknut....where is the locknut? The label in the picture in the instructions points to one of the bolts on the pulley cover which is wrong correct? I thought you just tighten up the two bolts that hold the motor bracket to the base of the unit? am I correct?

Ok second question? When ordering new blades at Enco what model saw do I specify? I saw someone else mention Morse...is that the one I should use? I came up with this blade below...is it the correct one?


Bandsaw Blade at Enco Model #371-0404

[Fla Jim]

John;
Adjusting the belt tension, There should be a nut on the tension adjustment bolt. adjust belt tension with the bolt, then tighten the nut against the motor base, locking the bolt.
The blade looks good. You might want to get a finer tooth also for thin stock, maybe a 14-18 tpi.
Also I use a spanner wrench on the blade tension knob to get a tighter blade. a tight blade will cut truer.
Good luck on your saw. a good project that some of us have done is a better base. look through past posts.

[Pat]

JohnV,

Yesterday I set up my new HF bandsaw, and pondered the same question you asked about in regards to the "lock nut" "A". On page 17 they provided a pretty worthless picture. To me it looked as if the "A" is pointing to a bolt holding the gearbox cover on. After a bit of pondering, I figured out (at least I think I did) they meant the 2 lower bolts (part #61 page 27) that fasten the motor to the motor mount plate (part #60 page 27), so therefore I think you are correct.

I ordered 2 Morse blades from Enco (part # 371-0404) which are 10/14 pitch bi-metal blades. When they arrived I noticed that they didn't have any markings on the to identify them as MK Morse blades. Maybe Enco receives them from Morse without identification because they order them bulk. I have not tried these blades yet, but did test the HF supplied blade while cutting off a 1/8" slice of copper from some 2" square solid bar stock. It actually cut it pretty decent leaving a somewhat machined look. There is a HF 4x6 bandsaw forum on Yahoo. I will e-mail you a link to it. There is some usefull info there.

[Pat]

Jim,

On my saw there is not a locking nut on the bolt that adjusts the belt tension. The bolt appears to be just threaded into the motor mount without any nut welded on the bottom. Maybe they just forgot the nut on mine.

JohnV,

Dose yours have a nut on the vertical bolt used for tensioning the belt?.........thanks

[Fla Jim]

I just went out looked, and took a picture. I'm trying to think if the saw came with a lock nut on the tension bolt, or I put one on. Anyway I checked and. a 5/16"x 18 nut will work.

[Pat]

Jim,

Thanks for the picture. In all honesty, the quality of that nut appears to be superior to anything HF would use. Now that I have my digital camera fixed I am going to try and figure out how to get the pictures loaded in the computer, then learn how to post the pictures in this forum. Boy you were quick getting the picture and then posting it.......thanks again

[mozark6]

pat-- i also just have a bolt and no nut on mybelt tension, not a bad little saw .i stacked up 5 2x2x1/8 angle and zipped through them in a few minutes with the stock blade,ya'll are right the stand is way lame. does anyone know if lennox makes a 64.5 blade? use them on my porta band and like them.tim

[Fla Jim]

You can get a lennox 10-14 blade from MSC.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All you fellow Chicom bandsaw owners check the oil in the gearbox. I checked mine, and found a noticeable abount of brass paritcles in the oil. I drained it, flushed with mineral spirits. and refilled with new gear lube.

Picture of gear case dirty lube

[Fla Jim]

Drained gear box, prior to flushing. Some wear noticeable on the brass bull gear

[Pat]

Jim,

I have a couple of jugs of Amsoil gear lube that I scarfed out of a friends dumpster while helping him move. He said he tossed it because it was a few years old. Think using this old stuff would hurt the gear box any?

[Fla Jim]

I think it would probably work like a champ. Amsoil in great stuff. I use it in my Dodge truck, air compressors, and Ranger 8 welder.

[Pat]

Thanks Jim,

I will open the gear box tonight and drain / clean all of the old oil out of it and put in the Amsoil. I think while I am at it I will install one of the new Morse bandsaw blades and see how the Chi-Com Deluxe handles some 2x2x .250 square tubing...........thanks again.

[Pat]

mozark6,

I kind of think they probably quit supplying the lock not. How old is your saw. The reason I ask is because it may help pin point when they stopped putting the nut on. In regards to the legs on these things, they are not only flimsey, they are also way too short. I think another project will be making some roller stands for holding the stock. I will have to do a search to see if anyone has made and submitted plans for them............thanks

[mozark6]

pat ---picked up my sawlast week,actualy cut some nice miter's with it.tim

[Chopper136]

Well at least you get to use yours, I got mine delivered on 12-24-03 and I went out to set it up on Christmas Day (with a bunch of projects on hold waiting for the saw) and found the supporting plate seat was broken. This holds the body frame to the base. I called HF on Friday and there sending me a new part so at least I'll find out how good there customer service is...