Opinions on HF Portaband?

PNWJimbo

PNWJimbo

Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Messages
714
Hey guys,

After settling on the OBM 2x72 for my first grinder (driving down to pick mine up from them on April 7th), I started looking at other tools to kit out the workshop. Moving onto another essential, the bandsaw, there seemed to be 2 ways to go: Get a full standing unit for a lot of money or get a portaband and convert it. Had seen people using Milwuakees mostly online but then a friend said that Harbor Freights are essentially the same exact unit for a lot cheaper.

Here are links to the 3 products mentioned... I believe I remember that it's okay to post links to retailers if you're asking a direct question about a tool or product... very sorry if I'm breaking the rules.

http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-V30-Portaband-Table_p_55.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-amp-deep-cut-variable-speed-band-saw-kit-62800.html

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Deep-Cut-Band-Saw-AC-with-Case-6232-21/203261029

At 130(table) + 140(HF) = $270, that's a pretty nice price for a bandsaw! At $430 for the milwaukee + table, I'm wondering if it's worth just paying a little more for a full variable speed unit. What do you guys think? HF quality up to snuff? See any other better bang for your buck options in the list of compatible tables on the SWAG V3 page?

Thanks in advance,
Jim
 
I have had 3 in 12 years of knifemaking the and I'm not friendly towards it my only complaint is the newest one maybe 1.5yrs old does not have the constant on switch so I put a gator clamp on the switch and attached a footswitch works like a dream! They do wear out but in a few years when this one goes I'm sure I'll buy another


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I'm not familar with the HF model so can't help you there but I have the Dewalt varaible speed model and I would say the variable speed is well worth it. I change speeds all the time depending on what I'm cutting. SWAG tables rock!
 
Horsewright said:
I'm not familar with the HF model so can't help you there but I have the Dewalt varaible speed model and I would say the variable speed is well worth it. I change speeds all the time depending on what I'm cutting. SWAG tables rock!
Click to expand...

Yeap this 10 amp HF looks to be Variable Speed also! I think that's what really makes the difference between a wood only and a metal capable bandsaw, the variable speed capability. Most of the lower costing standing units seem to be single speed which is why the portaband + swag table is the cheap way to rig one up :p

This is all just what I have gathered by talking to other people - obviously I'm a huge newbie :)
 
I would recommend the warranty. I've cut out a lot of steel over the last couple years and gone through three of them, the newest model has been a beast though, knock wood. With the warranty it's no questions asked replacements.. On the other hand, I bought and started using a 4x6 for better clearance and the harbor freight unit sits except for quick kydex cuts. Buying good blades is more important than the saw I think. The bi-metal blades from Lennox are great.
 
I shouldn't comment because I don't own one but I have several knife making buddy's that have the hf and love it!

Daniel.


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I've had both HF & milwaukee portaband saws. Not a lot of difference in the two but my next saw will be the bigger HF metal cutting bandsaw. A portaband works well but it bottoms out too soon limiting angle and depth of cuts.when you pay $130 for a piece of damascus you want as many knives as posible out of it.

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Josh Rider said:
I would recommend the warranty. I've cut out a lot of steel over the last couple years and gone through three of them, the newest model has been a beast though, knock wood. With the warranty it's no questions asked replacements.. On the other hand, I bought and started using a 4x6 for better clearance and the harbor freight unit sits except for quick kydex cuts. Buying good blades is more important than the saw I think. The bi-metal blades from Lennox are great.
Click to expand...

Are you talking about something like this? Looks to be about the same cost as the Swag and portaband!

http://www.harborfreight.com/horizontal-vertical-metal-cutting-bandsaw-93762.html
 
I've been using mine for almost 6 years now. I've had to replace the brushes a few times but other than that I can't complain.
 
I bought the HF porta band and the swag off road bench top. So far No problems. I paid for the warranty, since more than likely it will fail in 2 years or so.
I cut mostly untreated 80CRV2 .17-.212 inches and have had no problems. I also use it to cut g10
 
I have the HF unit and cut everything with it, on lowest speed. (steel mostly and G-10, wood and micarta). I didn't go with the swag, i just clamped it to my bench with a few angles, replaced the "shoe" with a 4"x4"x 1/4" plate for a work surface, Zip tied the trigger and plugged it into an outlet with a switch. I use it almost as much as my grinder. Sorry about the twinkly stars on these pics. I was having trouble with editing them.

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I think BF could use some more nicely edited photos with twinkly star and leaf frames :)

Well it sounds like HF is g2g! Now I just need to decide if I want to stick to my original plan or buy one of those 4x6's! They look super versatile. Is the only downside that it takes up more space? Space is not an issue I have (yet)

EDIT: Gonna stick with the table + portaband for now. 4x6 seems hard to attach a table to make sturdy vertical cuts on, unless anyone knows of an adaptor like the swag table for a 4x6?
 
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the HF 4x6 comes with a table for vertical use that is about 10" square. It has to be removed to use horizontal, I just leave mine in vertical.
 
Looking at those links, they have changed the HF portaband to be more like the Milwaukee and Dewalt

It's interesting to see Swag now covers it.


I have an older version of the HF saw that is incompatible.


PNWJimbo said:
4x6 seems hard to attach a table to make sturdy vertical cuts on, unless anyone knows of an adaptor like the swag table for a 4x6?
Click to expand...

A plate comes with it.
You can make a thicker table - Two drilled and countersunk holes in a piece of plate say 3/8"
 
If I had the space, i would have gone with the 4x6. Since i am doing more knives in batches, if i need another one down the road, i may go with that. (for instance, I don't tend to cut out one blank at a time, but rather will cut out a run of 6-12 at a sitting). So it wouldn't be a pain to have it in my larger separate shop.
 
Found a coupon online that gave me 50 dollars off the 4 x 6! Trying to figure out how to add the warranty to the cart too. I've also added some extra 18 tpi bands. Would you guys go with the multi purpose ones (for both wood and metal) or just the metal ones?

Also thinking about throwing this drill press in the cart while I'm at it... save a little on shipping. You have to add a separate warranty per item or is it on the items you purchase in that order? Thanks and sorry again for all the newbie questions... Don't have any friends or family that are useful at any of this stuff. Us cityfolk :rolleyes:

EDIT: Drill press link http://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-12-speed-bench-drill-press-60237.html
 
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