It is not correct that all Chinese machine tools have metric fasteners. My HF
4x6 bandsaw has mostly fractional inch fasteners. The screws which form the
pivot for the motor mount, however, have a bastard thread which is 1/2"
diameter and fewer than 13 threads per inch. One of these screws was missing,
but a 1/2-13 UNC cap screw fitted the sheet metal captive "nut."
There is no stop to maintain the saw in an upright position. I took a
seven-inch-long piece of 1/8 x 1 flat stock, drilled a #19 hole 1.25" from one
end, laid it flat on the table near its end below the motor, pivoted it on an
8-32 screw tapped into the table, and filed a bit off the top of one corner.
Now when the saw is vertical, I rotate this steel bar to fit one corner under
the cast arm which holds the big spring. This locks the saw in a vertical
position, and is out of the way during normal use.
You need to make a spacer to fit above the clamp screw so that there is a
minimum amount of slop in the movable vise jaw. My saw came with no spacer, so
that the moveable vise jaw was immovable or floppy, depending on how tight its
hold-down screw was adjusted.
I braced the legs and put a 6-32 screw on the face of one leg to serve as
a hanger for the saw table when it is not in use. Some people make a new
table, but I find the one that was supplied to be adequate.
After these mocifications, this is a better saw than the U.S. made Wells
that I used in the shop many years ago.
Rupert
Rupert N. Evans
101 W Windsor Rd. #4107, Urbana, IL 61802-6697;
217-337-7833
Author of Book-On-Demand Publishing
I love to print and bind books and make model stationary steam engines
