SWAG portaband table vs. Harbor Freight

[fourjeepin]

Anybody used both or have an opinion on the HF table? I have been considering the SWAG table for a while. I currently use an abrasive saw or recip saw. I don’t have a portaband currently and don’t have the space for a large horizontal bandsaw. I do have a small, older vertical Delta bandsaw but only use it for wood.

 

[GeoBruin]

Apples and oranges right? The SWAG table is intended for vertical use. It won't allow the saw to be used for horizontal "cut off" type cuts. The HF stand will ostensibly do both, though will perhaps not be as solid in the vertical position.

A better comparison might be with the Portaband Pro table which is likely what Harbor Freight copied.

https://www.trick-tools.com/EZ-CUT-Jig-for-Portable-Band-Saw-ezcut-jig-9360

 

[kaymccampbell]

I have the HF red cheapaband, and it's been really good. I've been clamping it in the vise for vertical use, but that's getting old, and it'll probably break the handle sooner or later. And, I'd love to have the chopsaw kind of bandsaw, but no room for a big one. Guess I know what I'll be dropping money on in the near future.

 

[larry4406]

I am waiting for HF to get the stand in the store for me to look at.

I am leaning towards buying it and one of their Bauer deep cut saws and leave it mounted once set up properly. Buying both will be about $200 clams. Then keep my Milwaukee band saw for portable use.

 

[BukitCase]

Holy ****, the trick tools base is more than I paid for my deep cut Milwaukee - I'm with Larry, if I didn't already have 3 horizontal bandsaws (4 including the Milwaukee) including an 8x12 I'd probably check out this

Combination Benchtop/Hand-Held Metal-Cutting Bandsaw at Grizzly.com

<h1>G8692 Portable Bandsaw with Stand</h1> <h2>Just the right size metal-cutting for most small cutoff jobs.</h2> <p>The G8692 Portable Bandsaw converts from a bench-top metal cutoff saw to a hand-held portable metal cutting bandsaw in just seconds! <p>Two blade speeds of 190 and 262 feet per...

www.grizzly.com

instead of an overpriced base. At least the Grizz wouldn't tie up the portaband... Steve

 

[TRLKC]

Looks interesting but I agree, apples and oranges. I really like my SWAG porta-band table for cutting steel both straight cross cuts and free handing shapes. I think it with my Milwaukee porta-band has been one of my best tool purchases in the past few years.

 

[sparky 1971]

Anybody used both or have an opinion on the HF table? I have been considering the SWAG table for a while. I currently use an abrasive saw or recip saw. I don’t have a portaband currently and don’t have the space for a large horizontal bandsaw. I do have a small, older vertical Delta bandsaw but only use it for wood.

A little late to the party, but I did pick up the HF table to use with my Milwaukee deep cut corded that has been collecting dust for quite some time. The table seems nice, but I haven't really put it to work yet. It does have the ability to make it a vertical table like the SWAG, but I'm not interested in that, at least yet. I kept the parts just in case. The one thing i don't like is the switch mechanism. it takes both hands to turn it on, it could get easier one handed with practice. I don't like practice so I locked the switch on threw a momentary foot switch on it.

The farting around getting everything l lined up wasn't bad, but enough of a hassle that if I need a deep cut for something that won't work in this, I now have an excuse to buy the M18 deep cut. I rarely used the corded because I have the M18 compact and two little M12 sub compacts. Once in a great while (last week) I need the deep cut for conduit larger than 2-1/2".

 

[driftpin]

I have an old Porter-Cable porta-bandsaw, but it supposedly doesn't fit the SWAG. I suppose I could see if this HFT tabletop would accept it. One way to find out.

 

[vwpieces]

I have an old Porter-Cable porta-bandsaw, but it supposedly doesn't fit the SWAG. I suppose I could see if this HFT tabletop would accept it. One way to find out.

Whats the Model?



I have an Old PC 724 recently acquired (free) and the SWAG is on my wish list.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have an old Porter-Cable porta-bandsaw, but it supposedly doesn't fit the SWAG. I suppose I could see if this HFT tabletop would accept it. One way to find out.

I already tossed the paperwork in the fire pit so I can't check. I don't remember PC saws listed. The two HF's, Braun and Hercules, Milwaukee, and Dewalt are all I remember seeing, I think there were two brackets for different saws that I pitched. It wouldn't be too hard to modify one of them to fit if needed. It's pretty much take the bandsaw handle off, put a bracket in it's place, bolt the bracket to the base, and tighten up some adjusters at the back.

The work surface plate on the SWAG is substantially larger than what comes with the HF, but that could probably be modified also.

 

[driftpin]

It's actually a Rockwell Model 728 type 1 which I believe is what became the Porter Cable.

https://hybrisimages.toolcommerce.com/documents/English/Instruction%20Manual/Porter-Cable/692268-588,724.pdf

 

[sparky 1971]

It's actually a Rockwell Model 728 type 1 which I believe is what became the Porter Cable.

https://hybrisimages.toolcommerce.com/documents/English/Instruction%20Manual/Porter-Cable/692268-588,724.pdf

It might work with the Milwaukee bracket. Take the knob out and use a bolt the same size. I had to use the bolt that I took out of the handle. Then it was too long and bottomed out before it was tight. Three 3/8 washers fixed that problem.

https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/59000-59999/59640-193175506610.pdf

 

[mattbal]

I have an old Porter-Cable porta-bandsaw, but it supposedly doesn't fit the SWAG. I suppose I could see if this HFT tabletop would accept it. One way to find out.

I have a 725 that fits the SWAG, from our pictures they look pretty darn similar. Have you reached out to SAWG?

 

[Kpaige]

I made my own stand don’t have pics but it holds the Milwaukee ports band by its handle it just drops in place super easy to remove and reinstall but I do like the HF stand and the ability to use it both ways

Mine is similar to this

 

[Nutria]

I have an old Porter-Cable porta-bandsaw, but it supposedly doesn't fit the SWAG.

I have an older Porter Cable that also doesn't fit the SWAG. But I have another garage sale bandsaw, a Milwaukee, that does. As it turns out, I really like leaving one on the SWAG table permanently and having another that I can use freehand. A ridiculous luxury if buying new, but inexpensive if purchased at yard sale prices.

 

[driftpin]

I may try the HFT one w/my Rockwell. Thanks for the suggestions. Headed this morning to a AACA car show in Miami, by Biscayne Bay. The weather is gorgeous, couldn't have a better day to look at old cars.

 

[Kpaige]

I may try the HFT one w/my Rockwell. Thanks for the suggestions. Headed this morning to a AACA car show in Miami, by Biscayne Bay. The weather is gorgeous, couldn't have a better day to look at old cars.

Extreme jealousy wants me to give you the bird……..

 

[neophyte]

It's actually a Rockwell Model 728 type 1 which I believe is what became the Porter Cable.

https://hybrisimages.toolcommerce.com/documents/English/Instruction%20Manual/Porter-Cable/692268-588,724.pdf

Porter Cable became Rockwell around 1960 when Porter Cable was purchased by Rockwell International.
In 1981 Pentair purchased Rockwell’s power tool division, and the tools were rebranded to Porter Cable.
Some tool models survived both rebrandings.

 

[driftpin]

Extreme jealousy wants me to give you the bird……..

It was almost a perfect day for viewing cars. First thing in the a.m. when the botanical gardens opened, the weather was cool, and as it warmed up a bit, it was a great time to attend the AACA meet.

Some pics, my favorite car of the meet, a 1935 Riley 4 cyl., built for racing. This is owned by a famous local attorney, who has a fantastic collection of vintage cars. Pay no attention to the palms providing shade for the exhibitors and the attendees.




The Jaeger instruments, with their contra-rotating slim needles for the tachometer and the speedometer, appear to be identical to those of my brother's Jaguar XK-120 roadster. Dig those spoked wheels!

Take a look at the front of the engine (to the left) and see the bare aluminum casting, and the chrome-steel large-diameter tube curving up and over the casting, where it ends in a square flange. Behind the chrome pipe you can see the multiple closely-spaced fasteners so-common on British machinery. Now what do you suppose that is?


This picture of the opposite side of the engine may offer clues as to the purpose of that bit of kit.

Note the SU carburetor behind the mesh air filter. The black tubing on this side has something to do with the cast-aluminum, bolted-together machinery and that chrome tube on the left side of the engine.

There were many other cars on display, mostly post WW II, but there was a good representation of between-wars automobiles also.

Porter Cable became Rockwell around 1960 when Porter Cable was purchased by Rockwell International.
In 1981 Pentair purchased Rockwell’s power tool division, and the tools were rebranded to Porter Cable.
Some tool models survived both rebrandings.

Thanks for the specifics.