What should I Look for in a Bandsaw?

J

Jemblade

Joined
Aug 29, 2013
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143
I need a bandsaw... Ok, that is what I will tell my wife. Between you and I, I just really want one:D. What would a knife hobbiest as myself be looking for to help at my workbench? I am looking to cut profiles mainly. But, I would also like to use it for cutting out scales, bolsters etc... I would prefer to go used, so I don't mind waiting for the right deal on that one guy's list or eBay. I am sure there is other information that might be required to help me with my question as I am pretty devastatingly ignorant on this subject as of now, so please steer me in the right direction.
 
You can use the "Search" function for "Portable Bandsaws" there are a number of threads with lots of good ideas and finding one used at the pawn shop or classifieds is easy enough or you can purchase new. The nice part about the portable bandsaw is the small footprint for a workbench and the low price even for a good brand like Milwaukee or Dewalt. Compared to an industrial Metal cutting bandsaw which are generally over the $1200-1500 basic model price.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...dvice-on-a-bandsaw?highlight=portable+bandsaw
 
Plenty of folks have portaband set ups where they rigged them vertical with a little work platform to cut out. If you have the space the 4x6 from Harbor Freight is a pretty good workhorse for a hobbyist and even a part time maker. http://www.harborfreight.com/horizontal-vertical-metal-cutting-bandsaw-93762.html Looks like they have a 25%off deal going for April 5th but you can almost always find 20% off coupons fairly easily. Looks like the price has gone up I bought mine probably 5 years ago and with the coupon I seem to remember paying somewhere around 160 for it.
 
Busto said:
You can use the "Search" function for "Portable Bandsaws" there are a number of threads with lots of good ideas and finding one used at the pawn shop or classifieds is easy enough or you can purchase new. The nice part about the portable bandsaw is the small footprint for a workbench and the low price even for a good brand like Milwaukee or Dewalt. Compared to an industrial Metal cutting bandsaw which are generally over the $1200-1500 basic model price.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...dvice-on-a-bandsaw?highlight=portable+bandsaw
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That sounds about right for me. Thanks for your help! I am a little leary of HF power tools, I have their DP that you really have to keep an eye on to get a semi-true hole.
 
I am a hobbyist and I bought a HF Portaband and made a small table for it and rigged it up to be a vertical band saw. I cut profiles, scales, etc on it and even though it is loud, it is a pretty good little tool and really helped reduce the amount of hand sawing and grinding on my profiles and scales. I even set it up w/a small fence and it will rip scales pretty cleanly if you go slow w/the speed up as high as it will go. Wear hearing protection! Oh, use a push stick ALWAYS! It really sucks to jam your thumb into the blade while it is moving! Don't ask me how I know that!
 
HF portaband works great. Everybody seems to want to build a stand for them but I find it works just fine horizontally. I just clamp it to my workbench, cut what I need to cut, and put it away.

Only complain is changing blades is a pain. But for $80 I will not complain.
 
+1 and maybe the Swag table if you don't want to fabricate one.I'm partial to Milwaukee saws tho. Good Luck. Lu
 
the SWAG Table is nice for the Milwaukee I've been using it for couple of years and you can keep an eye open for use saw at the pawn shops....the kicker is to get a foot switch there are two different models the one with the variable speed is nice for slow starts and slowing down to cut a curve if needed harbor freight has them for just under $20 might be one of the best additions to this set up...:thumbup:
 
I bought. HF 4x6 and while it's not perfectly true, for the price it can't be beat. I made a table attachment for it using a piece of 3/8 plate I had lying around, and some 1 1/2 square tube. It mounts in the vise in seconds, and provides a really solid work surface. I do a bit of general fabrication, and it's one of my most used tools. Easy to switch from vertical to horizontal.

Just ditch the blade that comes with it and buy one if the better quality blades they sell.
 
Jemblade said:
That sounds about right for me. Thanks for your help! I am a little leary of HF power tools, I have their DP that you really have to keep an eye on to get a semi-true hole.
Click to expand...

A good machining practice is to check the spindle daily with this type of machine when you know it may be out of whack....just keep a 6" piece of 3/8" drill rod handy chuck it in the spindle and use a square to check your table for square and plumb takes 2 minutes saves on swearing and misaligned holes....:eek: :D
 
just a quick question since the only bandsaw I've ever used in the HF portable model. Are all bandsaws as ridiculously loud as the HF portable bandsaw? Other than the noise mine has been the best $80 I've spent since I started making knives. It by far better than any of my other HF tools I've purchased.
 
The Milwaukee and Dewalt( I own both makes and the Dewalt was being fussy with eating motor brushes so I purchased the Milwaukee) are less noisy by quite a bit which is surprising. A friend who does some minor fabricating picked up a HF portable on sale and I just happened to stop at his place when he was using it and I commented on how LOUD it was and he didn't realize it was that loud until he came by my shop and heard mine running....They are indeed a lot less expensive than the Milwaukee or Dewalt.
 
I've had both, I had the HF 4 x 6 and if you have the room its fine, Just remember that you need to buy Lennox, Norse or Starrett Merican made Bi-metal blades for the 64 1/2" or the 44" Portables. I sold the HF and purchased a Dewalt 44" portable and then got the SWAG table and foot switch for it when I had to down side to get back into my Garage.
 
Busto said:
A good machining practice is to check the spindle daily with this type of machine when you know it may be out of whack....just keep a 6" piece of 3/8" drill rod handy chuck it in the spindle and use a square to check your table for square and plumb takes 2 minutes saves on swearing and misaligned holes....:eek: :D
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A good point. I'll need to do this more often. I have only checked it a couple times. Although my biggest issue with it is that the chuck literally wiggles with about 1/8 of play. The trick for me is to veeeerrrrryyy carefully dimple my punch mark with the bit and then I am good to go (for the most part).

I gotta say you gentlemen are being very persuasive with giving the HF 4x6 a shot unfortunately, I don't really have the room with my current configuration. If I can't find a decent deal on a Milwalkee I will give the HF portable a shot.
 
Jemblade said:
A good point. I'll need to do this more often. I have only checked it a couple times. Although my biggest issue with it is that the chuck literally wiggles with about 1/8 of play. The trick for me is to veeeerrrrryyy carefully dimple my punch mark with the bit and then I am good to go (for the most part).

I gotta say you gentlemen are being very persuasive with giving the HF 4x6 a shot unfortunately, I don't really have the room with my current configuration. If I can't find a decent deal on a Milwalkee I will give the HF portable a shot.
Click to expand...

Regarding your wobbly spindle....Have you made any attempts to tighten the spindle nut? The reason I ask is that sometimes the assembly is not correctly aligned and tightened at the factory happens even on the most expensive of machinery. Try Loosening the spindle nut (Reverse threads more than likely) just a little and rotate the spindle with the chuck with your hand while pushing upward you may have to turn back and forth couple of times and then while holding pressure upward tighten the nut that may take some of the play out of the spindle.

I have seen a number of Milwaukee portables in a couple of the pawn shops around town....worth checking out...I saw one I should have jumped on for like $90 I would rate it at 7/8 on a 10 scale it was nice!!!
 
Busto said:
Regarding your wobbly spindle....Have you made any attempts to tighten the spindle nut? The reason I ask is that sometimes the assembly is not correctly aligned and tightened at the factory happens even on the most expensive of machinery. Try Loosening the spindle nut (Reverse threads more than likely) just a little and rotate the spindle with the chuck with your hand while pushing upward you may have to turn back and forth couple of times and then while holding pressure upward tighten the nut that may take some of the play out of the spindle.

I have seen a number of Milwaukee portables in a couple of the pawn shops around town....worth checking out...I saw one I should have jumped on for like $90 I would rate it at 7/8 on a 10 scale it was nice!!!
Click to expand...

I have honestly never done that. I will be checking that first thing in the morning thanks for the tip! You got me excited about finding a good portable one. $90 is gonna be a much easier sell to the boss. :p
 
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