HF 4x6 cheap chip tray & oil change

[burtonbr]

I hadn’t had this saw long, used to 4 or 5 times now. Wanted a chip/catch tray so this is a cheap & quick way I could see To do it.. These 1/2 sheet alum baking pans are less than $5 and a piece of 1/8” scrap I split since I only had 1. Milled a few small slots for a little adjustment and couple pieces of edge trim for dampening. I think it will work pretty well and only took 30 mins tops. While I was at it I took the gearbox cover off to take a look at the shape of the gears and see if there was any grit in there, but it looked good, gears nice and tight. Seemed like a lot of brass or bronze in the oil, so drained it and added fresh oil..

 

[darkzero]

Nice. Reminds me of my old Enco that I did the same thing too. The pull out chip pan came in very handy.

https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/enco-rf-128-4x6-bandsaw-mods.11001/#post-91131

BTW, be sure not to use gear oils with EP additives. The sulphur is not good for the bronze gear.

 

[WesPete66]

Nice addition to the saw!
I've been watching for a horiz band saw myself, but no luck on used ones. With what you've seen on yours, would you recommend it?

 

[burtonbr]

Oh yea, really for the money it is the best option.. I avoided buying one for a while now, looking for a better option and had just about talked myself into a G4972 but at almost $800 shipped, I just couldn’t justify the extra cost, every other option I saw was at least twice as much and really not much better of a tool. At full $259 price it is still a good deal, but if you can find the $60 off coupon like I did it makes it even better

 

[Surprman]

I have the same type of chip pan. I just placed it on the lower shelf. I like your braket though. I got my saw on Craigs list for $50. I think it had been used twice. Felt like I stole it. Did a little tume-up and removed some paint on the pulleys that seemed to cause the blade to slide off and it has worked fine ever since. (Did change the gearbox oil (with non-sulfur).

Rick