Band Saw - Harbor Freight or Grizzly?

[JeffF]

I have been shopping for a 4X6 metal band saw and have found one at Grizzly (Model #G0622) for $404.00 shipped and at Harbor Freight (Central Machinery Model #93762) for $249.00 (and I think I can pick that up at a local store).

For those of you who might have one or the other, is the Grizzly the better choice at the higher price, or doesn't it make any difference? I don't want to spend more than I should, but I also don't want to skimp on quality and regret it later. I am just a hobbiest, so usage won't be that heavy.

Thanks in advance for any help! (As always)

Jeff

 

[bazzz]

I have the Harbor Freight version of that saw. I changed the stand and made a few adjustments on the blade guides. Ended up with very usuable saw that cuts well. I was able to buy mine on sale and used a 20% coupon to make the choice easy for me.


Here is the link to the thread I made showing how I attached the saw to a cart.


http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/f13/modifications-my-hf-band-saw-13960/

Dave

 

[Philjoe5]

My experience with the Harbor Freight 4x6 bandsaw covers 6 years. I used it a lot for the first 5 years and all I ever did was change blades (buy good ones). Then the motor burned out. I replaced the motor with an old 1/3 hp motor that a friend had laying around.

and have used that for a year without problems. I put the replacement motor on, and the shaft diameter didn't match the hole in the original cone pulley so I just put a single pulley on the motor that's about midrange speed. I rarely changed cutting speeds with the original setup.

Bottom line - the HF saw works fine and has held up well.

Phil

 

[RonGinger]

I have had a HF one for several years and it has been a good machine.

Recently it seems to like to throw off the blade if there is the slightest snag while sawing. That drives me nuts. Anyone have any fixes for this? The wheels seem to run true, and the bearings for the blade guides are smooth and tight- no slop anywhere.

 

[Tonnetto]

If the blade seems to throw off too easily, check the wheels for excessive rounding or alignment issues, the JET brand saw that I have is almost identical to the Harbor Freight one. On my saw there is a setscrew adjustment for the tilt of the slave wheel, as the bearings wear the slave wheel starts to tip slightly outward causing frequent blade slip-off.

 

[Metal Butcher]

Hi Jeff. I did a part by part comparison of both on their web sites and they appear to be made at the same factory, with identical parts. Just different paint.
If its identical to the one shown on the web site, and you can pick it up in person, I would seriously consider buying from HF.
If you should need a replacement part, or worst case senerio need to return it for a refund, buying locally could have a big benefit.
-MB

 

[Troutsqueezer]

Hi Jeff. I did a part by part comparison of both on their web sites and they appear to be made at the same factory, with identical parts. Just different paint.
If its identical to the one shown on the web site, and you can pick it up in person, I would seriously consider buying from HF.
If you should need a replacement part, or worst case senerio need to return it for a refund, buying locally could have a big benefit.
-MB

MB, so...you ARE still alive and kicking, I see.

Trout

 

[Sshire]

My HF has been fine since I got it over a year ago. Three biggest improvements: Junk the stand. It was too scary. Made a stand with metal storage underneath and 3" heavy duty casters. Starrett bi-metal blade and a hydraulic down feed.
Since it is a twin of the Griz, there's your 2d parts source.

 

[Entropy455]

http://www.grizzly.com/products/7-x-12-Geared-Head-Metal-Cutting-Bandsaw/G9743

I purchased this model machine several years ago. I have cut probably over 200 square feet worth of steel on this saw, and I just recently replaced the original blade. The liquid coolant is a must. I use Koolmist additive mixed with water. I have used this machine so much that the blade-guide ball bearings are finally starting to get noisy. Thankfully replacement bearings are super cheap.

I like this saw so much, that if it ever breaks, I’m goingto purchase another one – the same exact model number.

This saw will slice through 7” diameter solid steel round bar with little effort. It’s perfect for making flywheel starting billets.

The down side is that the saw is heavy. You’ll need a cherry picker to unload it from your truck.

Yes, it’s very expensive – but worth every penny!

 

[Tin Falcon]

Grizzly has a better rep for support.
The only support I would expect from HF is a total replacement if it breaks if you buy the extended warranty. but like other have said if you go HF and need a part grizzly should have it and it will likely fit.
you should probably include the extended warranty cost when buying from HF and comparing to grizzly price.
I have had a couple minor issues with grizzly if it is under warranty an a part breaks, call them they ship a replacement part.

The main difference between Grizzly and HF is customer service and support. that is what you are paying the "extra" for.
Tin

 

[RCupp]

I use a Grizzly G4030 6x10 saw, had it almost 10yrs use it almost daily and have never touched it except for a couple of blades. It had a good oil filled 3spd direct drive gearbox on it, cuts as straight as it always has with no problems...More money but it works in my opinion as I used to have one of the small saws from someone and it lasted a couple of months before the gears wiped out of it.
Robert

 

[JeffF]

Thanks everyone! As always, it is great to get input from those who know what they are doing!

Jeff

 

[jpeter]

For several years I've owned a Harbor Freight horizontal/vertial small band saw. Cuts perfectly. I replace the blade from time to time, otherwise it just works. I use HF blades too. They hold up as well as any.

 

[rtp_burnsville]

Another happy HF owner here. A good blade and a few adjustments is all that mine needed. The stand is nothing great but none of the ones I have scene are. It has been one of the most used tools in the shop.

Robert

 

[rleete]

Note that the HF blades are made in USA. The Chinese ones didn't hold up, and so they switched.

 

[surfside]

What did you buy? Grizzly or HF? I used to be a fan of Grizzly but I tried Trajan band saw. No regrets at all.

 

[JeffF]

What did you buy? Grizzly or HF? I used to be a fan of Grizzly but I tried Trajan band saw. No regrets at all.

>
I got the Harbor Freight saw.

Jeff

 

[SmithDoor]

I had for 20 years a Post Tool saw till work gread some neeed more than I did and had to replace it with red one from HF
I think the all made by the same guy with a gray, red or green paint. I go for the low price

Dave

I have been shopping for a 4X6 metal band saw and have found one at Grizzly (Model #G0622) for $404.00 shipped and at Harbor Freight (Central Machinery Model #93762) for $249.00 (and I think I can pick that up at a local store).

For those of you who might have one or the other, is the Grizzly the better choice at the higher price, or doesn't it make any difference? I don't want to spend more than I should, but I also don't want to skimp on quality and regret it later. I am just a hobbiest, so usage won't be that heavy.

Thanks in advance for any help! (As always)

Jeff

 

[surfside]

I've heard that HF unit has some low end parts that usually break but they are repairable. Hope it's not true.

 

[V 45]

I also have a red HF...my only issue is the free pulley (non motor end) for the blade can't be adjusted (I think) and the blade Cerf runs on the pulley dulling it very fast on one side !! I was actually thinking of milling the wheel down about .030" to keep the teeth off the pulley. Anyone else have this issue ?
Thanx,
Dave