Best method for cutting bar stock

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dzlvs8

Joined
Jun 13, 2013
Messages
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Currently I have to take my knives into work and use the band saw to rough out the shape of my knife out of my bar stock. I'd like to buy something that I can use to cut my blanks out with at home. I'd also like the tool to be able to be used to cut other metal so I can start doing other metal work as well. Note: I live in an apartment and a grinder will not work. I have one and it creates too much smoke and dust.

I visited a knife maker a while back who used a 6amp Milwaukee portable band saw and a SWAG table and he said it worked awesome. I'm wondering if there ar cheaper options than this out there. #1. I don't know if I need the biggest and baddest Milwaukee portable band saw to cut through thick bar stock or whether I can get something cheaper and less powerfull. I found this 6 amp Harbor Freight portable band saw (supposedly same power as the Milwaukee 6230) for only $83. I'm wondering if anyone has used this and whether it would work with a swag table. I'm also wondering if there are cheaper options that will get the job done and can also be used for thicker stock for general metal working use.
http://m.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=portable+band+saw
 
dzlvs8, I bought Harbor Freight angle grinders and some other tools like 4x36 sanders and 1x30 belt sanders. If you are serious about making knives or even using these tools for other purposes you will decide to "buy once and cry once". I gave all my Harbor freight tools to friends who only use them occasionally. Do yourself a huge favor and shop for a deep throat model of Dewalt or Milwaukee for your portaband saw and get the SWAG offroad table as well.(and foot switch) You will not have to replace it for a long time and it will perform much better. I know some forum members will write in saying their HF portaband works fine ( for right now) but how long will the tool last? I would rather have a used Dewalt or Milwaukee saw than a new HF saw. Lastly, if you buy a quality tool and change your mind you can sell it quickly and for nearly full original price. There is a good reason why. Most guys want a dependable and high performance tool.
 
I've used the HF saw

One good saw, one bad saw


They do not fit the SWAG table, but I just clamp it in the vise
 
I bought a used Milwaukee for $125 and swag tables can be had for $50 for the lesser models. for $175 you could have a heck of a nice setup. you may find cheaper milwaukees on craigs.
 
Obviously, I'm freaking aware that if I spend more money I will get a better saw. And that's great that you have a nice Milwaukee. But my goal is not to spend much money because I don't plan on using it much and have better things to spend my money on. I did notice that the harbor freight model won't fit the swag table so that one is pretty much out of the question for me. I don't want to ghetto right my band saw to my vise.

So again, are there other handsaws besides the Milwaukee 6230 that are adaquate for my needs? Will basically Anny deep cut porter cable or dewalt work fine for up to like 3/8" or half inch stock?
 
First ,people are trying to help you and give you good advise so give a little slack . If you do want a heavy duty portaband for cheap try the pawn shops. Spending money the first time will save you time and frustration.
Btw- I cut 1/2 titanium on my Milwaukee mini
 
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If you get he HF, get the warranty, usually pretty cheap, and take it back at the first sign of trouble. Their quality control is pretty bad, some don't work straight out of the box and others work fine, you get a 1 year replacement and its worth the $$.
 
Just get the HF with the warranty. If it starts to act wonky, take it back. I use one all the time. It's my only band saw. Perfect, no. But it's miles ahead of an angle grinder.

If you have ~$200, but the expensive option. If not, buy the $80 HF and make some knives.
 
I got a HF Porta-Band at Christmas and fabbed up a simple frame that I bolted to my work bench. I also made a small table for it that bolts to the existing guide thing that it comes with. works like a charm. I have even cut 1/2" bar stock with it w/out issue. Buy hearing protection though, that thing is loud!
 
So you dont want to spend alot of money but you want to buy a dewalt or porter cable and you want to spend the money for a swag table because you dont want to "ghetto rig" it? :confused:


I have the HF portaband hose clamped to some 2x4's that clamps into my vise. under $100 and has cut dozens of profiles just fine. just make sure you buy high quality blades.
 
Yes, if you get the HF, buy good Lennox or similar blades. Also, it is really freaking loud, no joke.

I cut 5/16" x 4" angle with mine a few days ago. Worked like a charm.
 
I have the HF portaband and loud is definitely an understatement. I use the unit boat shop here at the mobile unit and it is located in a hangar on the base flight line. One of the techs thought the bandsaw was a jet taking off. Wear hearing protection.


Having said that I have been happy so far with the HF portaband clamped in a vise.
 
I too live in an apartment. I use a hacksaw. 1/4" stock it is a bit of a pain, but 1/8" and less, quick and painless. A good high tension hacksaw with good blades is all I need. However, I'm not crankin' 'em out in quantity, either! Would LOVE to have a bandsaw!
 
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