?
Hello, I'm new to this group. I've had a YouTube channel for a while (Winky's Workshop) which is mostly metal working although I include some woodworking. For several years I used a power hacksaw I restored and then decided to upgrade to a bandsaw. I bought a Harbor Freight saw and while I didn't expect top quality I was somewhat disappointed. Anyway, I used a little intuition and did some reading and watched a few videos on setting up a horizontal saw. Oddly one of the best info was from Grizzly. They did a good video on one of their high end saws but what they said about blade tracking also applied to any horizontal bandsaw.?
Anyway, basically the problem with my saw was the blade guide set up. The blade guides were deflecting the blade too much downward. Ideally the guides should only twist the blade to vertical and the back bearing should just kiss the back of the blade unless you are actually cutting. So the guides don't have enough adjustment to achieve this setting but I was able to get much closer.?
THE PROBLEM: Moving the blade guides up created a depth of cut issue. Adjusting the down stop helped but then the blade cover hit the base. I removed the blade cover and then it hit the switch. I ground the upper casting around the switch a bit and got more travel but still not enough. Then I added a spacer plate (elevating plate) under the vise and everything works perfect now.?
Anyway, this is manufacturing issue. Perhaps the machining was slightly off where the wheels mount of perhaps the pivot point for the head was off some (or a combination of both).? I have no idea how many saws are effected but I'm guessing there could be a large amount. My saw is less that a year old so I'm guessing all the new saws are effected.??
I got a quote for laser cutting 20 Elevating Plates out of 1/4" steel and it was a good price. I'm hoping to be able to sell them for less that $30 each (hopefully including shipping in the US). I still need to get a price on the steel but I'll know soon.?
The QUESTION: How many have this problem and how many would be interested in buying a plate. Let me know if you are interested based on a cost of less than $30.?
Also watch these videos. They will give you a clear idea of this problem. There are 3 parts.
1) Bade tracking
2) Making an Elevating Plate and
3) A very cool Quick Change table option.?
Thanks, Mark
Links??https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz2A001hMBoQjJrC268cd6IzjxXQYZJEk
