Best Porta Band???

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
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I've got the new Jet 7X12 for all my horizontal cuts (that the chop saw doesn't get). And I've got my old 4X6 set up in the vertical position....

But I am planning on getting a Porta Band and building a stand for it. Better quality saw, cheaper blades than the ones for the 4X6... etc.

I've been trying to research it, and it looks like the DeWalt D28770K is the best one on the market.

I doubt you could go wrong with Milwaukie, Makita, Porter Cable, etc... but I'm wondering if any of you have any opinions on the subject.

I'm not going to buy the HF version. I know you can get them for like $70... but I'd rather just buy ONE of these things... one time ;) :)

I bought one of those HF 9" angle grinders and it turned out to be a 1 year tool. Not knocking them ALL that much ;) But my daddy taught me you should work hard, save your dollars, and buy the good tool that you really want :)

THANKS! :thumbup: :)
 
I use a Milwaukee at home, and we have Porter Cables at work. They are both really good tools. After using both types quite a bit, I prefer the Porter Cable. Its just my personal preference, but to me it feels better in the hand, is lighter, and seems to cut straighter. If you are using a stand, weight really shouldn't matter. Best thing is to try them all out if you can.

Good Luck,
Scott
 
If you are mounting it, use a Milwaukee. That is what i modified into a mini bench band saw.Bought mine at a pawn shop for $20.
Stacy
 
I prefer the Milwaukee's myself but, having 2 of them and having used many of them over the years I am a bit prejudgest. Just make sure you keep good tires on them and everything will be good. A trick on the tires is to when the drive on gets a little worn,put it on the idler and a new on the drive. The deep cut variable speed is a nice unit.
 
Hey Nick, I have the dewalt and really like it. It has a trigger lock so no need to make something. The motor sits down out of the way so that you can cut a little wider. And mine is variable speed.
 
Nick, After the fire I lost the Milwaukie I had used for years. To fill the hole I bought one of HF Saturday night specials. I was shocked at how well that piece of crap cut not to mention it lasted a 1 1/2 years before it blew a tire. I'm back to another Milwaukie now. I'd go with the Dewalt mainly because Bill likes it. Hold on button is a big plus.
 
Milwaukee is what we use, 120 of them that almost run 24 7 the maintenance is pretty low with compared brands, but now Dewalt is filling in a lot of spots due to the speed control, but the Milwaukee's are built good, and setting up jigs and tables for them are easy.
 
Nick I have a Milwaulkee but if I were going to replace it I think I would go with the DeWalt because of the trigger lock and I think it might have a little deeper cut capability also. Any of them will do a great job and it makes profiling so much easier than w/ the bigger ones. I have found the best pricing of blades locally is at Western Tool. Three bi-metals for 14 bucks as I remember. Same blades fit all the major brand saws.
 
Nick,

If you're planning to set this up in the vertical position for profiling, go to the stores and compare the clearance you'll get from the body with it vertically. I've got the Milwaukee, but I believe that the Porter Cable has better clearance...just be sure to check them all...

:)

-Darren
 
Hi Nick,
I have an old Porter-Cable porta-band that is still going strong.
They make two types of porta-bands. One type has the motor parallel to the
blade. The other type has the motor perpendicular off the bottom wheel.
The perpendicular style can split wider material because the motor doesn't
get in the way. It also has a trigger lock, and is easier to build a stand for than some other saws.
Good luck,
John C.
 
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