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Every second tooth is stellite tipped, (similar to carbide) which give a good cut and lasts a long time. You MUST set up the drift on this saw, on the fence, and you must make sure the tension is high enough on the saw, the tension control knob, could be a bit bigger, to make it easier to crank up.Is it expensive, you bet, but the used one I have (the older series) is over 30 years old, and all it needed was a little paint, and a new blade, and it was slicing like it was new, and it had lived in an outdoor shed, in a lumber yard. The blades cost me about $100, here in Japan, but I get them sharpened, for about $15, and, if I don't hit a nail, they last a long time. I have the older version of this saw, the B601, I've had occasion to use this saw, the CB75F a number of times, and it is one heck of a good saw.You can cut all day with it, and it never slows down, I've cut 12" thick wet logs on it, and it never slows down. I'll get the blade resharpened 6 to 8 times before I have to replace it.If I were buying a CB75F, I'd try hard to find a used one, as the initial price is a bit expensive, but it is a VERY good saw for it's intended purpose, that is to cut large chunks of wood into smaller chunks, and for cutting veneer.Cheers. I have also cut thin, VERY thin veneer (1 mm thick) on this saw, and it cuts very consistently, without a problem. Yes, the 110V motor seems wimpy, but it is not, it is geared correctly for the work the saw does. One thing I'll mention that I dislike about this saw the most is the noisy motor, yes, the universal motor and gear box are noisy, but you should be wearing ear protection anyway, so I do not consider this noise a deal breaker, just worth mentioning.One day, if I get a good deal on a three phase motor, I'll swap it out, but only for the quite factor, the stock motor has enough grunt to do the work.This saw needs to be properly set up, it is not the same as most bandsaws, as the wheels are dead flat and 3" wide, the blade is also very thin, 0.55mm while being very wide.
It is a great saw for resawing veneers and making accurate stop cuts. The Hitachi CB75F gets criticized for being under powered and over priced. I was very satisfied purchasing the CB75F from Amazon.com and would recommend this saw for resawing and making accurate cuts which could otherwise be dangerous on a tablesaw. There is an optional blade guide for 1/4" blades, but I would keep the saw set up with the 3" wide, 1/16" kerf alternate stelite blade and cut curves with some other dedicated bandsaw. I agree that this saw is greatly improved by replacing the stock motor with a 5hp 1725rpm motor. As for the price, one only has to look at the 3"x3" heavy wall tubular steel frame and large shaft/bearing sizes to see its value.
4 failuresin two years. Nultiple bearing failures. This destroyes the expensive stellite blade.The motor is too noisy. bearing should be rotated 90 degrees as in the 1 inch guide position. Guide bearings overheat and turn blue before seizing. Failures occure in the top rear position.
I took the saw apart and rebuilt it. I obtained this saw from one of my Doctors hobby shop. At this pice it is worth the money. Happy Sawing.
I use a 3" carbide skip tooth blade on the saw. I never take it off. The quality is top notch, no complaints in that department. It shoud come with a 3hp motor and the price shoud be under $2,000 with all the guide attachments.
It is great for matching pannels. If you find a used one and need a dedicated resaw this one is great for the small shop. I got it for $610.00. There is no vibration and it cuts streight as an arrow.
I was a tool and die maker with General Motors in the 60's. I am a one man shop building custom furniture. It is underpowered for production.
I knew the motor was underpowered when I bought the saw. I have owned the resaw for six months now. The motor never stalls and the resaw runs smoothly My shop is a one man shop, with not many time restraints, so not to big a problem for me. I have used the saw to resaw maple and birch. The saw cuts the 8" plus wood nicely.
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