Bauer 14 inch band saw review

[rjweb]

I saw this on youtube today if anyone is looking at Harbor Freight band saw, RJ

 

 

[Micah Schutz]

Based on the above video, I picked this one up last week with their 15% discount for Presidents Day.  It is my first band saw, so I don't have hands-on experience to compare against better or worse saws, but here are my first observations:

1. While the price I paid my skew may opinions (~$420 after discounts), I can't believe how good this is.  Having a 1hp motor at this price point is incredible, and the fit and finish is (mostly) punching above its weight class.
2. While assembly was straightforward, I had issues getting one of the 4 bolts holding the table in place to thread properly.  After backing out and repeating several times, I just torqued it in.  On one hand, it's secure.  On the other, I likely will not be able to remove it.  So there's that.
3. Following Snodgrass's technique, I got the saw nicely tuned, and it cuts great with the stock blade. The tool-less adjustments are very nice!  I've ordered a 1/4 skip-tooth blade for tighter turns. 
4. The stock fence is very short, so if you're doing re-saws, you'll need to upgrade or fashion your own.  There is a t-slot at the top that you can rig up to attach an extruded fence (or piece of wood).  Some people have complained that the fence guide has to be removed each time you change the blade, but the bolts holding it in place have large knobs that allow you to do it quickly without tools.  This is a non-issue.
5. Dust collection is not good, but again I don't have a comparison.  It might be like miter saws where they are just fundamentally bad.  I have a 4in hose connected to the dust port, but it looks like I need a second hose to connect to the table, not unlike those you see on a router table with both above and below dust collection.  Sometimes when I start it up, I'll have sawdust "snow in" from above out of the upper wheel housing.  There is a brush on the lower wheel to remove the sawdust near the dust port.  If this gets to be an issue, some weather striping on the doors will take care of that.
6. It's red...very red.  Kinda wish it was a more muted color....but $400 bucks!!!

I was previously considering the Rikon 10" benchtop for $500, so the fact that I can get a 14in, 1hp BS for the same price is an easy win.  Highly recommend.

[rjweb]

Thx for your opinion, it may help others who are on the fence weather to purchase or not, RJ

[OCtoolguy]

I already have a Delta saw and like it but thanks for taking the time to offer up a critique. Keep us updated on how it goes as time flies by. I bought mine 12 years ago, used, and had to do a major clean and adjust on it but it has done a great job for what I use it for. I have not done any re-sawing yet but plan to at some point. I use it mostly for those quick cuts that I would otherwise have to set up my jobsite table saw. Mine does not have any drift so it works well doing cut-offs and short rips. At this point, I still don't have a fence but I do use one of the 18 inch bar magnets purchased from H/F. It works just fine.