Best Bandsaw for cutting metal

S

slathrop

Joined
Nov 7, 2021
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Aloha,

I have been forging knives for a few years now and slowly building up my shop. I was looking for a good bandsaw for cutting 1/8 inch steel as my Ryobi certainly cant cut it, no pun intended. I have read that a good method is to use a portable bandsaw with a portaband table. My question is, what portable bandsaw is most recommended? Keep in mind that I live in Hawaii so we are limited on what we can have shipped here.

Mahalo!!
 
Milwaukee deep cut porta-band saw is probably the best. The Harbor Freight Porta-band saws work, too. Mount the saw on a SWAG table.
 
I'm in agreement with Stacy on the Milwaukee. I suggest a Foot Pedal from Harbor Freight the variable speed model works well to slow down a cut better than the ON/OFF model pedal.
 
Scaniaman said:
Also keep an eye out for used floor standing units, industrial stuff 👌
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He lives in Hawaii so finding a used industrial metal cutting saw will be more expensive than a car.
 
I bought the Milwaukee then made my own table.
It is fantastic, cuts everything I've tried with ease.
 
probably going to change things up a bit with this set up, but it's worked out pretty well. Built a little trigger latch from a bike spoke so the machine stays on without holding the trigger. Hell of a lot better than a hacksaw
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The Dewalt deep cut is about the same thing as the Milwaukee only with a different color. I happen to be a Dewalt guy so that's the one I got. It's great on the SWAG with a foot pedal. Either of these 2 would be my choice no question.
 
Dewalt guy with a Swag table too. A very useful tool. Ya be surprised at how much ya end up using it and not for just cutting steel. I use it on all knife components. Pins, handle materials, spacers, liners, bolsters etc. Everything.
 
Horsewright said:
Dewalt guy with a Swag table too. A very useful tool. Ya be surprised at how much ya end up using it and not for just cutting steel. I use it on all knife components. Pins, handle materials, spacers, liners, bolsters etc. Everything.
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100%....Everything! Lol.
 
I have a wen portaband, made a work surface for cutting and a mount that it slides into. Works like a champ.
lots of great ideas on the web for this kind of thing. my stand
is kind of like this one in the
 
Second portaband with swag table. Make sure to get a corded one. I lived on Oahu for about 2 years and never had any issue getting normal things off Amazon or from Home Depot.
 
i bought an expensive jet 14" variable speed bandsaw, and it does not cut steel any faster than the inexpensive portaband with the table. :(
 
Absolutely on the corded one. I plug mine in to a light bar and use that switch as the on and off. I've zip tied the trigger. Run it for hours at a time. Got 85 knives right now to cut out. Daughter is coming up in a couple of days to get going on that for me.
 
Horsewright said:
Absolutely on the corded one. I plug mine in to a light bar and use that switch as the on and off. I've zip tied the trigger. Run it for hours at a time. Got 85 knives right now to cut out. Daughter is coming up in a couple of days to get going on that for me.
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Dave, with your Dewalt set up..... are you happy with the mounting to the swag table?

My father in law recently picked up the Milwaukee, and ponied up and bought the swap table (I believe for it).
I was thoroughly unimpressed how it mounted. Seemed Very rickety. cheap, and possibly dangerous?

almost held on by just a finger tip......

I'm curious if the dewalt mounts better.
I know You use good stuff.
Thanks.
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Dave, with your Dewalt set up..... are you happy with the mounting to the swag table?

My father in law recently picked up the Milwaukee, and ponied up and bought the swap table (I believe for it).
I was thoroughly unimpressed how it mounted. Seemed Very rickety. cheap, and possibly dangerous?

almost held on by just a finger tip......

I'm curious if the dewalt mounts better.
I know You use good stuff.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Yes the right model is important. I added a cupped washer to the thumb screw that holds the work plate attached to the saw to the table. Solid as can be.
 
A.McPherson said:
Crag the Brewer Crag the Brewer

Did you buy the right model? Each swag table is made for a couple of different makes of saw.
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I know they make various models. and each saw manufacture makes many models.

To be honest, idk?
he said he originally Didn't have the right model, and had to exchange it.
That's why I'm asking. Even the newer version didn't pass my standards...... I was curious which ones I wanted to buy for myself.

as of Now, I'm leaning to making my own base/mounting plate.
 
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