small bandsaw

Charlie Mike

Charlie Mike

Sober since 1-7-14 (still a Paranoid Nutjob)
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 1, 2000
Messages
28,365
I need something to cut steel and Ti. I have heard of people using porta-band sized units and some aftermarket vertical mounting stand. I'm tired of drilling holes and cutting between with a Dremel cutoff wheel.
 
I think you have your own answer. HF port-a-band has the most bang for the buck. Loud but worked very well. Plenty of ways to mount it (I did a WIP somewhere on here). Milwaukee and Dewalt are both popular and I use the Milwaukee now on a Swag table with no complaints.

Mark
 
CM, what I'm pretty sure you've heard of is people using a Milwaukee or whatever brand of saw in a SWAG OFFROAD table--just google SWAG OFFROAD and you'll find their tables. They are pretty slick, and actually make on specific to one certain saw, which I believe is a Milwaukee--I've heard a fair amount of positive comments about this setup, and it doesn't take up a lot of space if real estate is at a premium for you.

Good Luck--Don
 
Yep. Dewalt porta-band here mounted on a post in the shop with a homemade table (easy to make). Order one right away, you'll never regret it. If mine died, I would have another ordered within the hour.
 
Get thyself to your local pawn shop. I bought a nice Delta 10" bandsaw for $100. Changed the blade guides and tightened and its a great little saw.

Larry
Tinkerer
 
Swag Offroad it is!
 
Just ordered the Swag and a Milwaukee compact bandsaw with extra 24 TPI blades.
 
Aaw, and I was gonna give a thumbs up for the HF portaband. I love mine for cutting Ti, although hearing protection is a must.
 
my milwaukee is excellent. mounted on the v4 table, it is quite heavy. I might try to reinforce the legs since they are a bit wobbly. it's a good set up.
 
Charlie Mike said:
Just ordered the Swag and a Milwaukee compact bandsaw with extra 24 TPI blades.
Click to expand...
I was just comparing the Milwaukee and the Dewalt - couldn't see much difference between the two. Was there a particular reason why you picked the Milwaukee? Just curious.
 
dejard said:
I was just comparing the Milwaukee and the Dewalt - couldn't see much difference between the two. Was there a particular reason why you picked the Milwaukee? Just curious.
Click to expand...

Found one used on Amazon.com for a great price.
 
Hey Guys, is there any advantage to using a portable over a full size bandsaw? Just curious as I see a lot of posts on them.

Thanks!
 
Augus7us said:
Hey Guys, is there any advantage to using a portable over a full size bandsaw? Just curious as I see a lot of posts on them.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

A full sized metal bandsaw is quite expensive and takes up quite a bit of floor space and has expensive blades. Small is right in size and cost.
 
I'd like to chime in here. I ordered a new Milwaukee portaband for a SWAG table because at the time it had a deeper frame which gives more clearance for cutting larger piece of metal. I understand that since that time that Dewalt has made a model that is as deep or deeper in the frame size so I would buy the one that is the larger. Yes, it makes a difference as I have had to cut sheet metal pieces for building grinder work rests more than once. Both Dewalt and Milwaukee are good saws so look for a deal. Larry
 
The porta-bands are powerful saws. Try to get the one that uses 120 volts, not battery packs. They seem to cost a little more, likely because they know you won't be coming back for batteries in the future.
 
choose a Deep throat name brand Porta-band with a Swag Table. Just buy this once and never look back. Also get the foot switch from Swag or HF. The foot switch is the icing on the cake. have fun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top