Porta-band Vs. ?

S

sen2two

Joined
Feb 8, 2019
Messages
12
I'm looking at a few different options to cut my outside profiles. I would much rathher cut shapes with a band saw vs. angle grinder mainly for noise reduction. You know... being a good neighbor and all.

Anyway, the cost of a decent vertical bandsaw that can cut metal is pretty high for a hobbyist. But Portable bandsaws meant for cutting tube and pipe are decntly priced.

Anyone here use one and make a table to mimic a larger vertical bandsaw?

Ay recomendations on what one to or not to use?
 
Lots of makers are using a portaband + table combo. Myself included. You can easily make a table, or buy one from Swag Offroad.

I made my own table and purchased a foot pedal.

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Its a tool that if it died, I would go out and buy another without any hesitation. I use it on every build.

I am using a Milwaukee Deep Cut. No issues with it.
 
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I have a few Dewalt cordless (20Volt Lithium) tools.

I wonder if a cordless version will have enough power to be successful?
 
sen2two said:
I have a few Dewalt cordless (20Volt Lithium) tools.

I wonder if a cordless version will have enough power to be successful?
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It does. I bought the DCS374B a few weeks ago and have cut some things on it. The ability to move it around my garage without a cord is nice. And it's brushless, should last a long time.
 
I use a Dewalt portaband with a SWAG table. I have replaced it that day when mine died, it's that important even though that was a two hour roundtrip to get one. I use this combo for everything and I work at a very high volume compared to most. I cut out 92 blades over last weekend, it's efficient and durable. I also use this combo for handle materials, bolster material, pins etc. I had a full size free standing wood band saw that I would use on handle materials. I recently got rid of it as I'd not used it in over a year. I could afford a full size metal cutting band saw and have the shop space. Just really haven't seen the need honestly.
 
Horsewright said:
I use a Dewalt portaband with a SWAG table. I have replaced it that day when mine died, it's that important even though that was a two hour roundtrip to get one. I use this combo for everything and I work at a very high volume compared to most. I cut out 92 blades over last weekend, it's efficient and durable. I also use this combo for handle materials, bolster material, pins etc. I had a full size free standing wood band saw that I would use on handle materials. I recently got rid of it as I'd not used it in over a year. I could afford a full size metal cutting band saw and have the shop space. Just really haven't seen the need honestly.
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What brand blades do you use?
 
Total cost of this set up is around $300 (Less with the common %20 off coupon at HF).


SWAG V3.0 Stand: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LBFQERG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bauer 10 am Deep Cut from Harbor Freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/10-amp-deep-cut-variable-speed-band-saw-kit-63444.html

Works great... but not near as cheap as the angle grinder set up. You can get a 4-1/2 angle grinder from HF for under $25. Like this one: https://www.harborfreight.com/4-12-in-43-Amp-Angle-Grinder-69645.html

Edit: I've used the cheap 18TPI Lenox brand blades off of amazon... They work pretty good.
 
I am also using a Dewalt portaband, mounted upright with a custom made table. I love the thing. Works great.
 
kmf600 said:
What brand blades do you use?
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Lennox blades they have worked well for me. I use 14tpi for general use and steel 10tpi for handle materials.

Bow Commander said:
Just make sure you buy stock you can cut blanks on with a 5" depth lol. I made the mistake of buying 23x11 sheets from Alpha, but I'll find another way to get my blanks cut out.
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It's in the layout. I've used the 11" wide before but mostly I get the 6"x 23".
 
Harbor freight porta band with warranty plan I think an extra $10 or so and SWAG offroad table with bi metal blades.
I was cutting .25 inch 80CRV2 an 8670 with it with zero problems
 
Horsewright said:
Lennox blades they have worked well for me. I use 14tpi for general use and steel 10tpi for handle materials.



It's in the layout. I've used the 11" wide before but mostly I get the 6"x 23".
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Good point. Without thinking, I went for "use every square centimeter possible" approach, then realized how difficult it'd be to cut out lol. But that's alright, it'll yield 17 blanks!
 
Bow Commander said:
Good point. Without thinking, I went for "use every square centimeter possible" approach, then realized how difficult it'd be to cut out lol. But that's alright, it'll yield 17 blanks!
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I like to lay em out in vertical columns.

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Then ya cut a column free and then each individual blade from the row. Lately the wife has been helping me quite a bit cut out blades. She felt I was wasting steel by using the column technique.

After trying to cut this out, which was the first sheet she laid out, she agrees with the column technique now. Lots of holes were drilled to get these guys freed.

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We did get one or two more blades out of the same steel her way but the time spent wasn't worth it when you are working in large batches.

A pile cut out:

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Back from heat treat and finished grinding done on some:

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Working, all cutting and trimming of everything done with the portaband:

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Hand sanding handles:

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Clean up and sheath time after buffing:

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Sometime sooner than later I want to learn the steps of doing a different material bolster and spacer. Looks so good having contrasting or complimentary colors.
 
I wouldn't rule out a vertical/horizontal bandsaw either. I think just about all of them come with their own tables now days, for the vertical position, though one wouldn't be hard to make either. I picked up a used Wellsaw for about $250, and I probably use the horizontal position just as much (or more) than the vertical. That said, I do also have a porta-band with a homemade stand and table. It's an old Porter-Cable with a pretty narrow throat, but I've been able to cut just about everything I've ever need to on it. I think I paid about $40 to $50 for the saw, plus the price of a couple new tires. I still use it probably as much or more than the Wellsaw, but if I could only have ONE, I'd keep the V/H saw, do to being a bit more versatile and having a much deeper throat.
 
Bow Commander said:
Sometime sooner than later I want to learn the steps of doing a different material bolster and spacer. Looks so good having contrasting or complimentary colors.
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Just had another request for a WIP on how I do bolsters. I'm gonna try and take some pics on the next batch I'm starting soon.
 
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