Michael Koblic writes:

1) My "gestalt" is that the Chinese band saws are a an uncertain bet
at best, but one can minimize chances of malfunction by replacing the
blade and adjusting the various guides etc.

I don't think it is uncertain. They provide the stuff you can't make, like
a big casting, and you can always correct things like bearings and guides
if you're a machinist.

HF also makes a portable that is a decent clone of the Milwaukee. Nice to
have both the 4x6 and the portable.