Budget beginner, are these a good choice for D-press & Band Saw?

BryFry

BryFry

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Jul 29, 2009
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Hello, I'm gathering up tools to start making knives using stock removal, and send out for heat treat. I have a Craftsman 2x42, and some basic hand tools. I am looking to pick out a drill press, and band saw, but I know very little about them as far as what will work for my needs and what will not.

I am trying to get away with spending as little money as I can, trying to keep my set up and tools under $800'ish. The less I spend the better, but I can spend a little more if I need to.

So I've been looking around at Sears and spotted these, and I am wondering what you guys think? They are cheep, but do you think they will get the job done? And if not, what is the most affordable I could get by with?

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...e=Power+Tools&sName=Bench+Power+Tools&prdNo=1

Will either of these work, and is the larger one worth the few extra $$$? :
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921419000P?prdNo=2
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921400000P?prdNo=3

Also, what kind of saw blades do I need when dealing with 1080 bar stock?

Thanks,
Bryan
 
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Like the "numbers man" (above) stated: You are good to go on the drill press. Consider this rig:
P5190084-1.JPG


Moe versatile than the bandsaw you are considering.
 
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I spent a total of 90$ on a harbor freight model with a foot pedal from harbor freight.

IMG_0059.jpg
 
Anyone?

That thing looks cool but I cant tell what is what when I'm looking at it. I checked out the site in the link, but I can't really tell what it is they are selling? Just parts for it, or the whole unit? I can't tell.

I have been reading other threads about that thing, but I still can't quite figure out what's going on with it, seems to require a lot of fabricating and mounting things that I do not quite understand since I've never seen such a thing.

I'm feeling a bit frustrated since I just want to be able to cut some steel, and that thing seems a little paradoxical: i.e.- To get one of those, I have to build it. But to build it, I need to already have one.

Pluss I wouldn't even know where to start with making whatever it is I would need to make????

.....I'll keep looking and researching, but I could use some help on this one!
-Bryan
 
there are quite a few people who are happy with their little harbor freight. that would be what i would go for.

as far as blades go, you need bimetal blades. nothing else will last long, or so I read.
 
thegeek574 said:
there are quite a few people who are happy with their little harbor freight. that would be what i would go for.

as far as blades go, you need bimetal blades. nothing else will last long, or so I read.
Click to expand...

Reading through threads here, I keep hearing how much people hate their HF's, haha... I'm rather confused on the issue, and don't know what to think since I'm not very knowledgeable on power tools.

Just to clarify, is it this HF that you are reffering to? :

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/band-saws/9-inch-benchtop-bandsaw-96980.html

Because this other one looks like it would require the same amount of modding/fabricating and mounting that the dewalt would. Am I right? :

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/band-saws/portable-variable-speed-bandsaw-47840.html
 
I'm pretty sure this is the saw they are refering too.
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...tal-vertical-metal-cutting-bandsaw-93762.html
With this saw in the upright position you can add a table to cut your stock. I honestly don't know much but from what I understand the bandsaws you have listed are really only good for handle material. Granted they do make bimetal blades for those benchtop models but I don't know how long they would last. You could do what I do which is the drill many holes and hacksaw method. Its not the easiest buy it does work.
Thanks
 
BryFry said:
Reading through threads here, I keep hearing how much people hate their HF's, haha... I'm rather confused on the issue, and don't know what to think since I'm not very knowledgeable on power tools.

Just to clarify, is it this HF that you are reffering to? :

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/band-saws/9-inch-benchtop-bandsaw-96980.html

Because this other one looks like it would require the same amount of modding/fabricating and mounting that the dewalt would. Am I right? :

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/band-saws/portable-variable-speed-bandsaw-47840.html
Click to expand...


Wood not metal
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/band-saws/9-inch-benchtop-bandsaw-96980.html


Metal cutting but has problems.
I can't get a blade to stay on. Yes I know there are adjustments. It's a bigger issue than that.
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...tal-vertical-metal-cutting-bandsaw-93762.html


The Porta band - Lots of satisfied people -
Modifications ?- needs a table, a ziptie to hold the switch on and put it in your vise -
If you can make a knife, you can set it up to suit yourself.
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/band-saws/portable-variable-speed-bandsaw-47840.html
 
12345678910 said:
[

The Porta band - Lots of satisfied people -
Modifications ?- needs a table, a ziptie to hold the switch on and put it in your vise -
If you can make a knife, you can set it up to suit yourself.
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/band-saws/portable-variable-speed-bandsaw-47840.html
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm trying to wrap my head around the build-a-saw without already owning a saw thing. The thing is, yes I can make a knife, because I know enough about them and what I want in them to figure it out. However I know absolutely nothing about power metal cutting saws, and fabricating parts that I don't fully understand because I've never seen/used/or handled them. :o

Is the dewalt porta-thing considered to be better than the HF porta-looking-thing?

I'm still wondering not only how I would make the table and brackets and whatever else it takes, but also how do I know exactly what to make, and how to affix it? I see pics of a bunch of Frankenstien things thrown together, some in fancy rigs, some mounted to walls? ...and some stuck in a giant bench vise, but my vise is nowhere near that big.

Also, trying to research old threads, I keep getting lost in all the technical lingo that I do not understand. I need a very dumbed down version of what exactly I would require to get something like that working.
 
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Portaband saws are made by several manufacturers.... Dewalt and Milwaukie are two of the most common. They are used in the construction trades to cut pipe,steel,allthread rod etc. They are well built and should last years..... HF is a cheaper version but for the work it's put to should work okay. I have a Milwaukie and a Dewalt at work and both are nice.

To build a cheaper band saw you will need to buy a Portaband. Then you remove the guide bar and where the screws were make a small table for it. Then, you mount the saw/table up right, add a foot switch to turn the power on and saw away....The table does have to be designed to aloow easy replacing of the blades.

The benefit of a portaband is the readily available blades and compact size. And, lots of people have portabands arlready.
 
BryFry said:
Thanks, I'm trying to wrap my head around the build-a-saw without already owning a saw thing. The thing is, yes I can make a knife, because I know enough about them and what I want in them to figure it out. However I know absolutely nothing about power metal cutting saws, and fabricating parts that I don't fully understand because I've never seen/used/or handled them. :o

Is the dewalt porta-thing considered to be better than the HF porta-looking-thing?



I'm still wondering not only how I would make the table and brackets and whatever else it takes, but also how do I know exactly what to make, and how to affix it? I see pics of a bunch of Frankenstien things thrown together, some in fancy rigs, some mounted to walls? ...and some stuck in a giant bench vise, but my vise is nowhere near that big.

Also, trying to research old threads, I keep getting lost in all the technical lingo that I do not understand. I need a very dumbed down version of what exactly I would require to get something like that working.
Click to expand...

I thought I already replied to this thread, but I don't see it. Go buy a Dewalt or Milwaukee porta-band. Go to swag off-road and order the kit. It's a table that bolts to the porta-band. You don't need to know how to fabricate. If you can loosen and tighten screws you should be able to put it together.
 
Portaband is the way to go.Just cut a slot in a flat piece of stainless or aluminum sheet for a table.Youll figure it out.Mine is just c clamped to my workbench.Bought it used at a pawn shop more than 5 years ago.
 
Mooseyard said:
I thought I already replied to this thread, but I don't see it. Go buy a Dewalt or Milwaukee porta-band. Go to swag off-road and order the kit. It's a table that bolts to the porta-band. You don't need to know how to fabricate. If you can loosen and tighten screws you should be able to put it together.
Click to expand...

Does that table kit work with the harbor freight portaband saw?
 
The portable bandsaw you buy has three screws you will remove ( these are for a very small guide plate that comes w/the saw)you will then attach the big plate they are selling to the same screw holes and clamp one of the ends(90 degree bends on either side of the plate)then clamp it in the the vise and that's it you'll be ready to feed wood/metal into the bandsaw-the foot pedal would be a nice addition so you won't have to use any type of tie-down or clamp to the switch to keep it on while feeding material in.You won't need to fab anything they already did it for you which is the hard part
 
Thanks, it's starting to make a little more sense to me now.

...I think.

Sounds like the kit from swag may be the way to go for me. catsmasher already asked, but I would also like to know if swag's kit wil fit the HF saw too?
 
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