Looking for Portaband

jmw101 · Jul 8, 2009

I've search and read some older posts, many suggesting the benefits of the portable band saw.

In looking around online, I can not seem to find the Porter Cable PortaBand than many have mentioned. Has this product been discontinued ?

Anyone have recommendations of other brands to use / stay away from ?

I am a rookie/newbie/nugget fence builder and have been researching the site a bunch. Thanks for all of the great info and assorted opinions on this site. It has already saved me a lot of headaches.

Jon

zman007007 · Jul 8, 2009

Milwaukee makes a good porta band saw. I have one and it works great. used it on doing my FEL mod job yesterday.

Big Bri · Jul 8, 2009

zman007007 said:
zman007007 said:

Milwaukee makes a good porta band saw. I have one and it works great. used it on doing my FEL mod job yesterday.

Click to expand...

i've had my Milwaukee for years, and it was one we used for my fence company.
never had any trouble with it, they even make it easy to change the power cord if you cut it

which i've done many times, just plug in the new one and twist.

Big Bri · Jul 8, 2009

Big Bri said:
Big Bri said:

i've had my Milwaukee for years, and it was one we used for my fence company.
never had any trouble with it, they even make it easy to change the power cord if you cut it which i've done many times, just plug in the new one and twist.

Click to expand...

sorry my milwaukee band saw doesn't have the quick plug. . . but my milwaukee saws all does. that also is a awesome tool as well.

have_blue · Jul 8, 2009

A friend scored a Porter Cable at a pawn shop, and it was in great shape. Saws real nice too. If you can't find one, maybe you will have good luck at a pawn shop.

John_in_TN · Jul 8, 2009

The Porter-Cable Porta-Band product line was discontined a couple of years ago, after B&D bought PC. There are likely still a lot of good used ones around. The Milwaukee models have a great reputation and are still available new.

wroughtn_harv · Jul 9, 2009

I've had two Milwaukees. One was stolen. That was a blessing. After I got a Porter Cable I gave away the other Milwaukee. One of the Milwaukees was always in the shop. I work by myself so it wasn't abuse.

I have a DeWalt and the Porter Cable now. I bought the DeWalt because of its handle over the Makita. I do a lot of one handed cuts. I wouldn't buy another DeWalt. I will buy a Makita next. All the new saws seem to be deep throat and we need that occasionally. The Porter Cable is shallow cut. Even the Porter Cable goes to the shop occasionally, that's why the need for two.

The biggest problem I've found these days is the blades. They used to last a long time. Now it isn't unusual to go through three or four in a hard day.