I recently bought the Harbor Freight 14" bandsaw on sale. It's an
okay saw, but the blade that comes with it is JUNK!! It takes an odd
size (92-1/2") that not even Harbor freight sells, believe it or not.
They don't sell the 92-1/2, they sell a 93". Weird, I know. I can't
find a stock 92-1/2 blade around here. Can someone point me to a
source? I orderd one from our local woodcraft, that get's them from
sur-set. I have used their blades before, and I am not impressed
with them. They don't have a very narrow kerf, and the weld broke on
me after about 2 months of use.
I'd appreciate any help at all.
daveturns05 wrote in message
<[email protected]> on Friday 06 May 2005
04:00 pm:
> I recently bought the Harbor Freight 14" bandsaw on sale. It's an
> okay saw, but the blade that comes with it is JUNK!! It takes an odd
> size (92-1/2") that not even Harbor freight sells, believe it or not.
> They don't sell the 92-1/2, they sell a 93". Weird, I know. I can't
> find a stock 92-1/2 blade around here. Can someone point me to a
> source? I orderd one from our local woodcraft, that get's them from
> sur-set. I have used their blades before, and I am not impressed
> with them. They don't have a very narrow kerf, and the weld broke on
> me after about 2 months of use.
> I'd appreciate any help at all.
I have that saw. You can use the 93" blade that HF sells without problem. It
won't be a "Timber Wolf" (or other name-brand) blade, but it won't cost as
much, either.
Don't get a custom blade made up for a Chiwanese band saw bought on sale.
It's money down a rat hole.
When you get a Rikon or an Incra or any of the other 'top shelf' bandsaws
you'll have plenty of opportunity to pay through the nose for blades ...
but at least then it will make sense to do so.
BIll
Look at Sears, they sell 92 1/2" blades.
"Bill C." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> daveturns05 wrote in message
> <[email protected]> on Friday 06 May 2005
> 04:00 pm:
>
>> I recently bought the Harbor Freight 14" bandsaw on sale. It's an
>> okay saw, but the blade that comes with it is JUNK!! It takes an odd
>> size (92-1/2") that not even Harbor freight sells, believe it or not.
>> They don't sell the 92-1/2, they sell a 93". Weird, I know. I can't
>> find a stock 92-1/2 blade around here. Can someone point me to a
>> source? I orderd one from our local woodcraft, that get's them from
>> sur-set. I have used their blades before, and I am not impressed
>> with them. They don't have a very narrow kerf, and the weld broke on
>> me after about 2 months of use.
>> I'd appreciate any help at all.
>
>
> I have that saw. You can use the 93" blade that HF sells without problem.
> It
> won't be a "Timber Wolf" (or other name-brand) blade, but it won't cost as
> much, either.
>
> Don't get a custom blade made up for a Chiwanese band saw bought on sale.
> It's money down a rat hole.
>
> When you get a Rikon or an Incra or any of the other 'top shelf' bandsaws
> you'll have plenty of opportunity to pay through the nose for blades ...
> but at least then it will make sense to do so.
>
> BIll
daveturns05 wrote:
> I recently bought the Harbor Freight 14" bandsaw on sale. It's an
> okay saw, but the blade that comes with it is JUNK!! It takes an odd
> size (92-1/2") that not even Harbor freight sells, believe it or not.
> They don't sell the 92-1/2, they sell a 93". Weird, I know. I can't
> find a stock 92-1/2 blade around here. Can someone point me to a
> source? I orderd one from our local woodcraft, that get's them from
> sur-set. I have used their blades before, and I am not impressed
> with them. They don't have a very narrow kerf, and the weld broke on
> me after about 2 months of use.
> I'd appreciate any help at all.
I've had a HF 14" bandsaw for about 5 years and haven't had any problem
finding blades. I've orderered them from HF, bought them at the local
HF store, and bought some at Sears. I dont remember the exact size
but I think about all 14" saws use the same blades (or can be adjusted to).
Lance
"Joe_Stein" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have a Delta 9" bandsaw that uses 52-1/8" blades. Grizzly doesn't sell
> those either. I've found some at my local ACE hardware. Also try EBAY.
> I've gotten VA and Delta blades on eBay.
> Good luck.
> Joe
Dave's saw is probably adjustable within a particular range say plus/minus
an inch. I've worked a few of the clones with 92 1/2, and they'll take a 93
1/2. They just start to compress the spring later than a 92 1/2. About a
half inch later.
donald wrote:
> Look at Sears, they sell 92 1/2" blades.
Both BORGs sell 93" blades as does Woodcraft. The Olson blades
are pretty good as are the woodcraft brand ones. Both are
inexpensive and way better than the one that came with it.
Dave in Fairfax
--
Dave Leader
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/
PATINA
http://www.Patinatools.org/
daveturns05 says...
> I recently bought the Harbor Freight 14" bandsaw on sale. It's an
> okay saw, but the blade that comes with it is JUNK!! It takes an odd
> size (92-1/2") that not even Harbor freight sells, believe it or not.
> They don't sell the 92-1/2, they sell a 93". Weird, I know. I can't
> find a stock 92-1/2 blade around here. Can someone point me to a
> source? I orderd one from our local woodcraft, that get's them from
> sur-set. I have used their blades before, and I am not impressed
> with them. They don't have a very narrow kerf, and the weld broke on
> me after about 2 months of use.
> I'd appreciate any help at all.
I have the HF band saw and 93 1/2" blades work just fine. Have you
actually tried it? I have five blades now, all 93.5". The tensioner
compensates for some variation in blade length. And no it doesn't throw
the tensioner off if you supposedly need a 93" and you use a 93.5",
because the tensioner doesn't begin to register until there is actually
some tension on the blade. I recommend Timberwolf blades for the HF saw
because they are designed for low tension and this saw has rather wimpy
wheels.
"daveturns05" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> They don't sell the 92-1/2, they sell a 93". Weird, I know. I can't
> find a stock 92-1/2 blade around here. Can someone point me to a
> source?
www.suffolkmachine.com They will make any size you want. Man other sources
make blades to order also.
[email protected] (daveturns05) wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> I recently bought the Harbor Freight 14" bandsaw on sale. It's an
> okay saw, but the blade that comes with it is JUNK!! It takes an odd
> size (92-1/2") that not even Harbor freight sells, believe it or not.
> They don't sell the 92-1/2, they sell a 93". Weird, I know. I can't
> find a stock 92-1/2 blade around here. Can someone point me to a
> source? I orderd one from our local woodcraft, that get's them from
> sur-set. I have used their blades before, and I am not impressed
> with them. They don't have a very narrow kerf, and the weld broke on
> me after about 2 months of use.
> I'd appreciate any help at all.
>
Comment #1: The blades shipped with _MOST_ bandsaws are junk, because
they can be. Exceptions likely come on multi-thousand dollar saws.
Comment #2: Making bandsaw blades to fit is something that almost any
sharpening service can do. Strangely enough, it is often cheaper than a
premade retail source. It often comes with expert advice, as well, such
that you get the proper blade for the task. The downside is that you
may have to wait a day or two to get your blade.
Comment #3: Bandsaw blades are consumables. Buy several of the type
you need, and you'll probably have one on hand, when you kink, dull or
otherwise trash the blade in your saw.
I have purchased blades from Hastings Saw, in Rohnert Park, CA, and from
Bay Area Carbide, in Concord, CA. Both sources were far cheaper than
the woodworking stores to which I have ready access, and the quality was
superior to what the retailers had on hand. In each case, the owner of
the shop answered my questions, and filled my orders quickly. Can't ask
for more than that.
Patriarch
On Fri, 06 May 2005 20:17:55 GMT, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote:
I strongly suggest he buy from Iturra Design. Call Iturra at 888-722-7078
or email them at [email protected]. also ask for their wonderful 218 pg.
catalog (note it may take as long a 6 mths for them to mail you their
informative catalog).
>
>"daveturns05" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
>> They don't sell the 92-1/2, they sell a 93". Weird, I know. I can't
>> find a stock 92-1/2 blade around here. Can someone point me to a
>> source?
>
>www.suffolkmachine.com They will make any size you want. Man other sources
>make blades to order also.
>
Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> "daveturns05" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
>
>>They don't sell the 92-1/2, they sell a 93". Weird, I know. I can't
>>find a stock 92-1/2 blade around here. Can someone point me to a
>>source?
>
>
> www.suffolkmachine.com They will make any size you want. Man other sources
> make blades to order also.
>
>
To use the 93 instead of 92-1/2, you would have to raise the top
wheel only and extra 1/4 inch while setting the tension. Since the
tension scale has a length of about 1-1/2 inches, the 93 inch length
should work for all but the very widest blades.
I have a Delta 9" bandsaw that uses 52-1/8" blades. Grizzly doesn't sell
those either. I've found some at my local ACE hardware. Also try EBAY.
I've gotten VA and Delta blades on eBay.
Good luck.
Joe
daveturns05 wrote:
> I recently bought the Harbor Freight 14" bandsaw on sale. It's an
> okay saw, but the blade that comes with it is JUNK!! It takes an odd
> size (92-1/2") that not even Harbor freight sells, believe it or not.
> They don't sell the 92-1/2, they sell a 93". Weird, I know. I can't
> find a stock 92-1/2 blade around here. Can someone point me to a
> source? I orderd one from our local woodcraft, that get's them from
> sur-set. I have used their blades before, and I am not impressed
> with them. They don't have a very narrow kerf, and the weld broke on
> me after about 2 months of use.
> I'd appreciate any help at all.
>