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how about this SAW,,,does anyone have it

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 11:44 pm
by rodney
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=46225

the price seems good,,,,does anyone know anything about this thing,,,thanks so much,,rodney

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 12:26 am
by Clifford Ross
I've got that one because I lay brick, and occasionally cut a piece of pottery or glass. Get a better blade for glass. HF only sells el cheapo blades. The saw is plenty strong for what it normally sells for. See if you can get it on sale, or online at the HF auction site. good luck, Cliff

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 2:51 am
by Jack Bowman
Works fine for me.

Jack

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 9:52 am
by Nancy Juhasz
Since we are asking about saws at Harbour Freight is this one any good. I saw it in the flyer this week. Can you tell I have never used one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=40315
Will this be to small to cut pattern bars with? I haven't made pattern bars yet but am planning to as soon as I get a saw to cut them.
Thanks for your advice.

Nanc

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 3:16 pm
by Tami C
Hi Nancy, I have this saw-- I really have just started doing pattern bars, but it works fine for me. Although I do consider it a beginner saw and plan to get a nicer one someday. I really like that it has a fence (adjustable) instead of the sliding table of the bigger ones. Drawbacks are it is loud, I wear ear plugs and saftey glasses, and I do want a different blade--the one it comes with is pretty rough and chips glass. Just my opinion,
Tami

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 4:02 pm
by SteveZorn
I have this saw also. I like it because the blade runs right through the water and since there is no pump involved I can cut faster than with my MK. It is messy, requires face shield and earplugs. Also the metal fence works best with WD-40 every once and a while.

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 10:25 am
by Phil Hoppes
I have the 2-1/2 HP Chicago saw from HF.

On the + side you get the following:

1) Very cheap price
2) Acceptable motor

On the - side you get the following:

1) The water feed system is a joke. It WILL fail on you. It does not lubricate consistantly or evenly. The quickest way to fry a nice expensive diamond blade is to cut glass and not lubricate it. This system feeds water at the back of the blade and then expects it to be there as the blade rotates 3/4 turn to where it is in contact with the glass. To feed the water properly you should go to McMaster - Carr and get some Loc-Line (http://www.mcmaster.com/ page 2013). This system will feed water directly on the blade/glass interface and keep things well lubricated.

2) The stand they sell with it is way too low. Ok, ...I'm 6'1" but the stand they sell is approximately 1' two low so if you are 5'1" or maybe 3" - 5" less, the stand is probably ok for you. If not, you will be in a bent over position when you use the saw with their stand. If you are only making a few cuts, this is probably ok. If you are going to do an afternoon's worth of cutting you will be cursing that stand by the end of the day. For long repetitive motions on a task you want to think about ergonomics. Or just have a good chiopractor.

3) The guides for the table are not smooth. The system that is used is not precise and causes the table to be moved or pushed into a binding angle when you slide the glass. This can cause the glass to bind against the blade and the glass to crack. Also the system is not sealed well and the water/slug gets on the rod causing it to bind further.

For 1 & 2 above I fixed with a custom stand and Loc-Line fix. For 3, I could fix it with other parts but I'm thinking of selling it and just get an MK and say to heck with it. For me, it's not worth having a piece of equipment that does not work in a reliable fashion.

Phil

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 10:29 am
by Phil Hoppes
A note on that 7" HF saw. Any of you try to find a GOOD replacement blade for that 1" arbor??? Good luck. They are impossible to find. 1" is not a standard size for manufacturers. 5/8" is the prefered size. You may find A blade for it, but if you want a specific blade that is thinner or of a better quality, you will not find it. Also, the depth of cut on that 7" saw is very limited. About 1-1/2" will be about all you can get.

Phil

Blade Stiffener

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 11:05 am
by Steve Immerman
Phil,

On a slightly different topic, I just got one of those 6" blade stiffeners from HIS for my 10" Result blade, and it makes a huge difference in being able to cut accurately.

Steve

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 2:36 pm
by Phil Hoppes
Hmm....Viagra for tile saw blades huh?.......I'll have to look into that.

:)

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 10:40 pm
by blender bender
My 2 cents worth on both saws.... I wouldn't waste my money on the 7" one had I got the 10" first. Quite a lot of saw for $200 (sale price) after you invest in a good blade. My quick and cheap fix on the pump issue was to extend the plastic tubing through the existing holes and get them squirting the H2O onto the front leading edge of the blade, just over the glass. Took a bit of messing about but it didn't turn into a 'project'. And yes, the HF offered stand is a bit shaky. But the fact that you folks in the lower 48 don't have to pay freight on HF tools is almost enough to get me to move. BTW.... my first post.... wonderful resource! Thanks.....!!!

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 11:17 pm
by Steve Immerman
Phil Hoppes wrote:Hmm....Viagra for tile saw blades huh?.......I'll have to look into that.

:)
Yes. We men don't want limp tools.

Steve

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 12:03 am
by Brock
Steve Immerman wrote:
Phil Hoppes wrote:Hmm....Viagra for tile saw blades huh?.......I'll have to look into that.

:)
Yes. We men don't want limp tools.

Steve
Well, I don't want to leave you dangling there Steve, so I'll just say that good tools are Ridgid. Brock

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 12:28 am
by dee
Brock wrote:
Steve Immerman wrote:
Phil Hoppes wrote:Hmm....Viagra for tile saw blades huh?.......I'll have to look into that.

:)
Yes. We men don't want limp tools.

Steve
Well, I don't want to leave you dangling there Steve, so I'll just say that good tools are Ridgid. Brock
not only are good tool ridgid but they are long lasting too.....
D

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 12:38 am
by Doug Randall
You guys are just too funny.......Viagra, limp, rigid? You guys aren't joking are'nt you? Your talking about saw blades....right.....Really...tell me its not true! Hahahhaahha!

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 12:55 am
by Phil Hoppes
Hmmmm.....could be a whole range of new license plate covers there...

"Fusers do it long and hot"

:wink:

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:52 am
by Doug Randall
dee wrote:
Brock wrote:
Steve Immerman wrote: Yes. We men don't want limp tools.

Steve
Well, I don't want to leave you dangling there Steve, so I'll just say that good tools are Ridgid. Brock
not only are good tool ridgid but they are long lasting too.....
D
Well as good tools go.....yes, of course I agree....but then what would I know about good tools. :twisted:

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2004 3:17 am
by Jackie Beckman
Brock wrote:
Steve Immerman wrote:
Phil Hoppes wrote:Hmm....Viagra for tile saw blades huh?.......I'll have to look into that.

:)
Yes. We men don't want limp tools.

Steve
Well, I don't want to leave you dangling there Steve, so I'll just say that good tools are Ridgid. Brock
About 10 years ago (when I was single) I befriended a single dad of a teenaged son, and they lived in the house across the street from mine. The dad would help me out all the time with "guy" stuff I didn't know how to do (pool filter issues, trimming bushes, etc) and sometimes I would help his son with homework.

One night his son came over and I was helping him study for a vocabulary test. I'd say the word, he'd tell me the definition. One of the words was ridgid. He says, "stiff" and I said, "OK . . . or inflexible" and we continued on and he was doing very well. Until we got to omnipotent. The poor kid turned bright red. I watched him getting so uncomfortable and puzzled I repeated, "Danny, the word is omnipotent" and SO embarrassed he says, "Yeah. I know it - it's when ya can't get ridgid. :shock: I busted out laughing! Too funny.

In fact, the dad was just in town recently and came over for dinner. I reminded him of the incident and we were just cracking up over it - I'm sure he'll go home and tease Danny (now nearly 26!) that I still remember it.

:lol: