Got my portaband, suggestions?

galadduin

galadduin

Joined
Dec 25, 2004
Messages
1,363
Just received Makite 2107FK portaband today. It is a giant step for me as cutting and profiling costs too much time and money (lots of 40X zircon belt usage and one angle grinder cutting disc per blade).

I didn't setup this beauty yet but tried on various materials freehand. It has a 18TPI blade inside the case. I cut some ebony with it then tried to cut 1" dia 304SS rod. Man why didn't I buy this before....

OK, here are some questions;
1 - I seached everywhere on internet and on local suppliers, no band saw blade available, so I have to import some. I guess from Amazon.com. There are various blades there, Milwaukee, Lenox and Dewalt brands are first I noticed. All has both tool steel and bimetal blade choices I guess. I thought of some 24 TPI for thin stock cutting and some 18 TPI for general usage and some 10 or 14 TPI for heavy burl and micarta cutting would be enough to buy but what do you use mostly?

2- Bimetal or tool steel blades?

3- On users guide it doesnt recommend of using cutting fluids. I does mention of cutting wax. Do anyone use it and where can I find it? I couldn't find it on amazon. Maybe I should search more...

4- Do any one use this machine, any recommendations??

Thanks, all in all I am more than happy with my purchase...

Photos are coming after I set it up...


Here is how it looks like:
makita2107f.jpg


Here is specs:

http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=586
 
galadduin said:
OK, here are some questions;
1 - I seached everywhere on internet and on local suppliers, no band saw blade available, so I have to import some. I guess from Amazon.com. There are various blades there, Milwaukee, Lenox and Dewalt brands are first I noticed. All has both tool steel and bimetal blade choices I guess. I thought of some 24 TPI for thin stock cutting and some 18 TPI for general usage and some 10 or 14 TPI for heavy burl and micarta cutting would be enough to buy but what do you use mostly?

2- Bimetal or tool steel blades?

3- On users guide it doesnt recommend of using cutting fluids. I does mention of cutting wax. Do anyone use it and where can I find it? I couldn't find it on amazon. Maybe I should search more...

4- Do any one use this machine, any recommendations??

Thanks, all in all I am more than happy with my purchase...

Photos are coming after I set it up...


Here is how it looks like:
makita2107f.jpg


Here is specs:

http://www.makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?ID=586
Click to expand...

I will say just order some Lenox Diemaster 2 blades in say a varitooth for anything thicker than 1/8" in a 10/14 tooth. For thinner stuff maybe an 18tpi or 24tpi like you said. Will definitely break some teeth off cutting 1/16 if using 10/14 tpi. (ask me how I know :D)

You can order them here to a custom length.

http://www.toolcenter.com/diemaster.html

They are made from M42 steel and will last a long time.

You can get cutting wax from a local saw house. Comes in a stick and you push it up.

http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Product/LUBE_TUBE.html
 
Leu Custom said:
I will say just order some Lenox Diemaster 2 blades in say a varitooth for anything thicker than 1/8" in a 10/14 tooth. For thinner stuff maybe an 18tpi or 24tpi like you said. Will definitely break some teeth off cutting 1/16 if using 10/14 tpi. (ask me how I know :D)

You can order them here to a custom length.

http://www.toolcenter.com/diemaster.html

They are made from M42 steel and will last a long time.

You can get cutting wax from a local saw house. Comes in a stick and you push it up.

http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Product/LUBE_TUBE.html
Click to expand...

I'm a bit confused... I couldn't understand how to order from there. How do you specify the custom length, via email??
edit:
Oh BTW they also only ship to US. All Amazon and ebay sellers also doesnt ship to Turkey. I'm searching internet to find a saw blade for almost 6 hours. I'm exhausted, tomorrow I'll continue to search but hour by hour I'm getting pissed off. To find something in my country is not an easy task. Knifemaking here need an extra dedication...
 
Last edited:
galadduin said:
I'm a bit confused... I couldn't understand how to order from there. How do you specify the custom length, via email??
edit:
Oh BTW they also only ship to US. All Amazon and ebay sellers also doesnt ship to Turkey. I'm searching internet to find a saw blade for almost 6 hours. I'm exhausted, tomorrow I'll continue to search but hour by hour I'm getting pissed off. To find something in my country is not an easy task. Knifemaking here need an extra dedication...
Click to expand...

sorry I posted the wrong link to you !

Use this link instead.

http://www.toolcenter.com/BI-METAL_DIEMASTER.html

You have to enter the length of blade in inches. Don't know what measurement you guys use in Turkey !

I was also unaware you are even in Turkey !

Looks like they don't even ship to Turkey !

I guess you could ship them to someone you know here and then have them send them to you after they get them!
 
Thanks a lot Leu, I have a relative living in US, I guess I'll send those blades to them, even I hate to be a burden to others I need those badly.
 
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