Harbor Freight Band Saw Mods

Doing some mods for Kevin on his saw and thought others may like to do the same so I'm putting them in here. 

First thing was a new longer gauge setup.  The original was metric, a little under 1/2".  A longer piece of 1/2" was used and turned down a little on the lathe to fit the original hole, that way both could be used.  A larger hole was punched in a piece of 3/16 steel, then a 1/2 split collar was welded only on half of it so it could still pinch.  Easy mod and better than the original plastic one. 

 

Next up was some new wheels to make it easier to move around.  This a bolt on setup that bolts to the floor mounts so it can be easily removed,  The angle iron on the bottom helps make the legs stronger and gives a place for another storage shelf on the bottom. 

 

A few more pics and setting it up on the machine.  Don't take anything for granted by measuring, this one started off with the rear legs having to be moved out 1" to match the front.

A little paint and some wheels and it was ready to bolt on.   The bottom of the original legs have to be notched if you want the biggest shelf possible, you can see it in the second to last pic. 



 

After all that it's time for a shelf to hold what's being cut to make things easier.  This is proving to be a challenge as the casting for the machine is not straight, and there is more of an angle coming up at the rear than there is at the front.  This setup will bolt to the same place as the holders for the spring adjustment handle. 

I think the pics are pretty self explanatory of how this one is getting done. 

 

Had to make some spacers to make up for the casting problems...  

 

All wrapped up and on the machine.  I used a couple of specialty automotive graded bolts with heavy washers made on them and long threads, and included another nut on the inside to lock them and make sure everything stays put.  The only things welded (other than spacers to make it fit right) are the 2 bolts in the angle iron that mount the top plate.  The angle iron can be removed separately in case those bolts get damaged and need to be replaced.  The plate sits below the machined deck a little so it never affects the cut.  To put it on you just put the punched hole over the bolt then swivel it over to the notched hole and tighten the wingnuts.  Taking it off is the reverse to make more space in the garage when not in use, easy as can be.  It's a lot longer than need be but it also serves as a good place to keep some tools on it while you work.

It's turned out to be a lot more stable, easily movable, and usable machine than when new, along with some more storage space.  

 

Just some before + after shots.