small bandsaw

I already have a Dewalt chop saw.
 
One I recently completed. The solid aluminum rod from table to mounting plate was a great addition to really sturdy this up.









 
Why no love for the HF 4x6 horizontal/vertical? Literally the same cost maybe even a little cheaper then the porta-bands from Milwaukee and dewalt.
 
Must be just the space used. I love the HF 4x6 but I'm thinking of getting a porta band cause you can get finer blades and I'd like one set up just for real thin metal. Mostly for jewelry making and misc. shop stuff.
 
I just got a Dewalt portaband/swag set up and love it. My only wish is that Dewalt would make a model that doesn't have the twist in the blade. I keep hitting the frame when cutting anything longer than 5inches.
 
You can get 24 TPI blades for the 4 X 6. Same as the portaband. I'm not aware of finer blades for either.
 
I'm gonna buck the trend here and say Look into a harbor freight 4x6 band saw I've had one for 6 or 7 years, (whenever they started painting them red), It's a top quality tool it's $249 but you can use the 20% off coupon or wait for it to go on sale, (saw it last year once for $199) the portable saws are nice but noisy. the Milwaukee is $250 new. used I've seen them beat up on Craigslist for $150. the throat is bigger on the 4x6 it already has a stand and can be used horizontal too. Avoid the Harbor Freight portable like the ebola. the wheels are on bushings not bearings the gearbox has plastic parts that fail.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
You can get 24 TPI blades for the 4 X 6. Same as the portaband. I'm not aware of finer blades for either.
Click to expand...

Either their inventory changed or I got it switched around in my head. Either way, you can get 32 TPI for the 4x6 on this page, part #000666:
http://www.grithappens.com/products.php?m=mkmorse&mid=70&cat=1581&ps=41

I wish it was the other way around. I'd rather have the fine tooth blade on a small saw mounted on a bench. Maybe I can have them custom made, or learn to weld them up myself.
 
Interesting! I'm on my way to a show. Do you know if those 32s are bi metal?
 
Dewalt Deep Cut here too. Go with the SWAG Off-road table. Love mine. I just bought the top and added 2x2's for legs and saved like $50
 
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...

You can use the portaband for other projects like cutting fence posts and other stuff. You cant do that with a fullsize saw
 
The SWAG tables are great. The one advantage to going with their 4.0 version that uses only Milwaukee saws is that you don't have to remove anything on the saw to mount it in the table. A bit quicker to swap back and forth if you will be using the saw with the table and without.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top