portaband

[IslandTractor]

I have to confess that I went a bit nuts with portabands. I wanted to get one to use in a mini table (Swag Off Road: SWAG Portaband Tables) so bought a new Milwaukee. Works very nicely with a HF foot switch just as CNC Dan says. After I was all set up and happy, a killer deal appeared on Craigslist on a second used Milwaukee with the Milwaukee pipe cutting "chop saw" table Milwaukee Portable Band Saw Table-48-08-0260 at The Home Depot . I guess I just had a GAS attack, (gear acquisition syndrome). In any case, both are great tables that allow a portaband to do precision cuts.

 

[swick1]

Thanks! That horizontal table is just what I need!

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks! That horizontal table is just what I need!

Be careful to note the differences between the four types. the first just clamps into a vise. Cost effective but limited. The second and third types are more flexible. The fourth type is super easy to get the saw in and out of but only works with the most recent model of Milwaukee portaband. Swag also sells the HF foot pedal for not much more than HF and they sell a nice Incra miter gauge too that fits the higher end table models.

 

[grsthegreat]

thoise are pretty cool. but i have a jet bandsaw in the shop. the portable one is for work only. super straight cuts arnt required.

 

[IslandTractor]

thoise are pretty cool. but i have a jet bandsaw in the shop. the portable one is for work only. super straight cuts arnt required.

For those of us with limited space and non production levels of use, the portaband in a dedicated table is a very nice tool.

 

[grsthegreat]

For those of us with limited space and non production levels of use, the portaband in a dedicated table is a very nice tool.

no, i agree. looks like a cool tool.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

To make a square cut on pipe, etc, use a pipe wrap. It's a flexible sheet with a straight edge you wrap around the pipe to mark for a square cut. Even paper will work but a little heavier is nice.
Jackson Safety 14752 Wrap-A-Round, Medium, 4' Length x 3-7/8" Width, Black: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Morse blades are good too.

 

[swick1]

What's a morse blade?

 

[woodlandfarms]

Love my porta band... made these to augment

 

[swick1]

Love my porta band... made these to augment

Too cool! I need to build one with a matching work support to sit on my concrete floor. I just need to figure out how to hold my saw. It doesn't seem to have any orthogonal edges.