SteveB wrote:

My reluctance to buy a HF bandsaw was that I like to research a product, and
then when I buy, I buy knowing that this thing is going to last a very long
time. I am skeptical and cautions of the metals used in these cheaper
products, and as you know, some have very high failure rates or short
lifespans.

However, I have heard it too many times that the HF bandsaws are a GOOD
bandsaw that will stand up to many years of use by a hobbyist. Even with
the minor tweaking, it is not like the bearings or main components are going
to wear out soon.

What actually wears out on these little saws is the gears in the gearbox. You
can get replacement gears from the Jet or Delta parts network, but I don't know
if they will fit an HF saw. I doubt you will be able to get replacement parts
from HF - heck, they have probably sold many different versions of the 4x6" saw
and don't keep track! However, if you clean out the gearbox when new, and keep
good gear oil in it, you should get decent life out of it.

Once you have a cutoff bandsaw, like a drill press, you will wonder how you
ever got along without it.

Grant Erwin