control issues
New member
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2014
- Messages
- 2
I'm considering buying the Swag Portaband table and would like to hear any comments/reviews.
Thanks
Thanks
SWAG Portaband table reviews
- Thread starter control issues
- Start date
Boost Creep
Well-known member
i've got one. its been great so far. i had to take the two washers off the bottom plate that holds the bandsaw on because it spaced it out too far to sit level and then grind the bolts down shorter that hold that plate on
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
I've had one for about 5 years and I love it. Mine is the old design, so I can't comment on the new tables.
Boost Creep
Well-known member
good call. i should include that mine is a v4.0 with the appearance package
I've only used mine for 3-4 things so far but I am really impressed with it. I still haven't worked out how to get a perfectly true 90 degree cut yet but that was before I worked out how to adjust the mitre gauge to fit the slots tighter.
woodstockva
Well-known member
Here is the review I did & the modification video so it would work with the M18 FUEL ---- I am not sure if they have changed the design to work with it right out of the box yet.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2IndxfCSWJ8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dde0-WRxiOo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2IndxfCSWJ8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dde0-WRxiOo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Boost Creep
Well-known member
i see one little difference between yours and mine woodstock. i've gotten mine after you just a couple months ago but i see a small change they've made. i have a small set screw right near the red knob on mine to adjust the blade angle to get it right at 90 from the table. i'll snap a pic of it next time i'm out there
velocipede
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Got one for Christmas. Version V3.0 to fit the Dewalt. It's very well made and sturdy. I really like it. The only problem so far is that I also purchased the Incra V27 miter gauge along with it and the built in miter slots in the table seem too wide for the bar of the gauge. I have not been able to adjust out the slop. Even cranking as hard as I dared on the 3/32 hex adjustment bolt there is still a good 1/16 of side to side slop remaining. I wouldn't be happy with that much slop on my table saw, but don't know how it will affect this set up. Been meaning to call SWAG to see if it was normal.
Drake9
Well-known member
I got the cheap clamp in the vise version. I like it but wish I would have gotten the better version with built in stand. Now I just need to build a stand for it. So my advice, buy the better version with side stands and built in miter gauge.
Had same issue with mine. . . Amount of torque it takes to expand those is WAY beyond what I was comfortable with but they did expand enough. . .fwiw
Please post a photo.
I have had a few issues.
1 The miter tracks were not narrow enough and my adjustable Incra miter gauge with adjustments all the way out were loose
2 the table top around the blade is not flat so cutting small pieces can end up with truing up on a grinder
3 my blade was no where near vertical when mounted as intended.
I got a new table that sorted out the first problem, but I realized the other 2 afterwards.
Maybe the set screw that was mentioned in a previous post solves the blade not square problem.
Outside of these issues, it's a good solution for a small home shop. With the saw mounted in the stand, it is a heavy package.
1 The miter tracks were not narrow enough and my adjustable Incra miter gauge with adjustments all the way out were loose
2 the table top around the blade is not flat so cutting small pieces can end up with truing up on a grinder
3 my blade was no where near vertical when mounted as intended.
I got a new table that sorted out the first problem, but I realized the other 2 afterwards.
Maybe the set screw that was mentioned in a previous post solves the blade not square problem.
Outside of these issues, it's a good solution for a small home shop. With the saw mounted in the stand, it is a heavy package.
velocipede
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Update on the one I got for Christmas. Had trouble getting the Incra V27 miter gauge to fit without a lot of slop. Went out there and really cranked down on the 3/32 hex bolts that control the expandable washers on the miter gauge and ended up stripping out two of them and breaking the hex wrench in a third. Finally decided to measure. My SWAG table slots measure from 0.787" to 0.789". The specs on the V27 from Incra say it will adjust to fit a slot from 0.74" to 0.76"....there's the slop. Standard miter gauge slots are supposed to be 0.75". I'll see what SWAG says tomorrow.
the gypsy
Well-known member
I needed to go ahead and take a couple washing machines over bottom level dish that holds the bandsaw about mainly because it distribute out.
What are you talking about??????
Swag Off Road
Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2009
- Messages
- 18
Thanks for calling us on this fitment issue yesterday. The width of the miter guage track is not a perfectly snug fit by design and this is allow for the powder coated and non powder coated tables as well as different brands of miter gauges to be compatible with our Portaband tables
By rotating the plastic expandable washers and having the split seam pointing out, it will allow you to get a snug fit in our tables with out stripping out the threads on the miter guage or snapping the allen head fasteners.
Thanks again for the call yesterday.
Troy
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jeepinerdeep
Well-known member
I heated my plastic inserts up, this helped immensely. A strong heat gun would do fine......
velocipede
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Troy,
Thanks for the response, but I'm still an unhappy camper. My table is powder coated and at 0.789" the slot is still too large. You offer the Incra miter gauges as compatible with your tables and now you tell me that I have to do something special to get them to work with your tables...beyond the range of what the Incra specs say they are designed for. Nowhere in your instructions does it suggest aligning the expansion washers as you suggest. As a result of that, I ruined my gauge. Standard miter slots are 3/8" x 0.75" Asking me to tweek another company's product beyond design specs to make up for a production error (per my telecon with Patrick) in your product is less than honorable. Either stop selling the Incra gauges as compatible, warn people they will have to adjust the gauge beyond spec, or manufacture a product that is compatible without extraordinary measures. How tough is that?
pl_silverado
Well-known member
I haven't had a chance to fiddle with mine much, but just tried my miter gauge on mine and have the same issue. My slot measures out at 0.789" also.
I second this post.
When I got mine, I read the instructions that came with it and it took all of 5 minutes to make the miter gauge work correctly... I have no problem with it. It is a very well built table and works as advertised.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
velocipede
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Coop. That's exactly the experience I expected. You got one from a good batch. I think we are looking at a product manufactured on demand in batches with poor or non-existent incoming goods inspection. Perhaps an anomaly, but troubling nonetheless when the customer is expected to absorb the error. It doesn't speak well for the company's quality control...or their customer service.
welder4956
Well-known member
I have had version 3 with a DeWalt saw for a year and have no issues with the miter gauge. I did have to adjust it to fit the slot when I got it, but it works just fine now.
I also bought a HF foot switch and mounted it on the side of the table with some screws. The switch just got in the way too much when it was on the floor.
I also bought a HF foot switch and mounted it on the side of the table with some screws. The switch just got in the way too much when it was on the floor.
velocipede
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Out of curiosity, can you measure the width of your miter slots with a good caliper? I'd love to know what they measure on a table where adjusting the miter gauge has not been a problem.
Boost Creep
Well-known member
my miter gauge fits fine. needed to tighten the screws some to expand them like the instructions say but it runs good now. i'll get some measurements next time i'm out there. didn't see this before i was out today or i would have done it. i did get the pic of the new set screw that adjusts the blade angle. its the one next to the blade here. the other one is the red thumbscrew in front of the blade. i had to grind down both some to get them to sit flush/slightly recessed to they don't get in the way. you can see the two in back that stick up from where i had to take the washers out that still need to be ground. took a little tuning with my table but its running good now. will be better once i grind down the other bolts
My v4 measures .753. I had to send this back due to the exact problem you have currently. Troy sent a new table that had tighter miter slots. I too stripped a screw in the miter gauge. My replacement predates the set screw addition.
There is only one solution. Sendi it all back for replacement and have him set it up the way he thinks it should be set up. If it works, then you are squared away. If the tables are out of spec enough then this won't work. There should be no problems getting this resolved hopefully peacefully. If swag won't take it back then call your credit card company and tell them then this package does not work as expected and you want to return it. You shouldn't have to keep,something that doesn't work the way it is supposed to. It's a good thing that you,bought everything from one place. I think things will work out for you in the end.
There is only one solution. Sendi it all back for replacement and have him set it up the way he thinks it should be set up. If it works, then you are squared away. If the tables are out of spec enough then this won't work. There should be no problems getting this resolved hopefully peacefully. If swag won't take it back then call your credit card company and tell them then this package does not work as expected and you want to return it. You shouldn't have to keep,something that doesn't work the way it is supposed to. It's a good thing that you,bought everything from one place. I think things will work out for you in the end.
my miter gauge fits fine. needed to tighten the screws some to expand them like the instructions say but it runs good now. i'll get some measurements next time i'm out there. didn't see this before i was out today or i would have done it. i did get the pic of the new set screw that adjusts the blade angle. its the one next to the blade here. the other one is the red thumbscrew in front of the blade. i had to grind down both some to get them to sit flush/slightly recessed to they don't get in the way. you can see the two in back that stick up from where i had to take the washers out that still need to be ground. took a little tuning with my table but its running good now. will be better once i grind down the other bolts
Your blade is square left to right and front to back?
Boost Creep
Well-known member
yup.
I have a v4.0 with the appearance package for my new style (red with black over-mold and rubber bumpers) Milwaukee Portaband. I also purchased the Incra miter gauge and foot switch from Swag.
Pros: The table is worth every penny. It is especially suited for small shops and garages where spaces is a premium. And you can just as easily cut wood as well as metal.
Most the of stock I cut for my lathe and mill is cut on the Swag table. Recently I used it to cut some new tool rests for my Baldor grinder and they came out better than the factory units even though several curves had to be cut in the metal. I also used it to cut equiangular (or logarithmic) spiral belt adjusters for a Craftsman 9x6 Belt Sander. (These nautilus-shaped adjusters are no longer available from Sears.) I do wish the saw throat was wider, but that's what stationary metal bandsaws are for. I have yet to take my Portaband off the Swag table. This is one of those accessories that's pricey at the outset, but the price is quickly forgotten compared to the utility of the unit.
Cons: If I had to purchase it again, I would not waste money on the Incra V27 miter gauge. The table slots are too wide apart to make it useful-- especially for the right-handed; if you try to cut round stock, the stock will usually spin unless clamped to the gauge which is just stamped sheet metal; and you can fab your own -- and stronger -- miter gauge easily. The Incra gauge is really made for woodworking on saws and routers and in my opinion is just too flimsy and finicky for this application. I also think it is grossly overpriced.
The Swag guys are fabricators and I don't understand why they don't make their own miter gauges. Take a look at the simplicity of an old Craftsman table saw miter gauge and copy the design. It would take about five pieces to make-- the slot runner sized to fit the table, the miter gauge protractor which could be laser cut from angle stock, handle, pinch bolt and dowel pin pivot, and throw in a couple washers. Blade wander on any of the portable band saws that the Swag tables fit negate whatever "precision" of the Incra gauge is supposed to offer.
Most of my cutting is freehand with the metal stock backed by a scrap block of wood to keep my fingers away from the blade. (Hold round stock very tightly or clamp it to the sacrifical backer until the kerf is established, or it will get away from you and spin on the slick powder-coated table.)
The powder-coated deck looks nice, but it does load with metal swarf and chips and they can be stubborn to brush away...and can also scratch your stock, not to mention wearing the powder-coating. But like I said, it does look pretty.
I have mixed feelings about the foot switch I also got from Swag. I wish the cords were longer and made of more flexible material than their stiff Chinese plastic covering. And the foot switch is very light and easily tipped over unless bolted to a heavy plate. You can get the same switch from Harbor Freight for less with a 20 percent off coupon.
Stationary bandsaw tables have provision for a removable blade insert because inevitably the blade slot takes a beating with time. With the Swag table, the entire table top has to be replaced since there is no such provision for blade kerf wear. I would be curious about what Swag would change to replace a table top.
Hint: Get a 2 1/2-inch HF plastic spring clamp to hold the trigger down with the Milwaukee. Too bad there isn't a factory option to override the trigger switch.
All that said, I heartily recommend the Swag table. Once you own it, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.
Pros: The table is worth every penny. It is especially suited for small shops and garages where spaces is a premium. And you can just as easily cut wood as well as metal.
Most the of stock I cut for my lathe and mill is cut on the Swag table. Recently I used it to cut some new tool rests for my Baldor grinder and they came out better than the factory units even though several curves had to be cut in the metal. I also used it to cut equiangular (or logarithmic) spiral belt adjusters for a Craftsman 9x6 Belt Sander. (These nautilus-shaped adjusters are no longer available from Sears.) I do wish the saw throat was wider, but that's what stationary metal bandsaws are for. I have yet to take my Portaband off the Swag table. This is one of those accessories that's pricey at the outset, but the price is quickly forgotten compared to the utility of the unit.
Cons: If I had to purchase it again, I would not waste money on the Incra V27 miter gauge. The table slots are too wide apart to make it useful-- especially for the right-handed; if you try to cut round stock, the stock will usually spin unless clamped to the gauge which is just stamped sheet metal; and you can fab your own -- and stronger -- miter gauge easily. The Incra gauge is really made for woodworking on saws and routers and in my opinion is just too flimsy and finicky for this application. I also think it is grossly overpriced.
The Swag guys are fabricators and I don't understand why they don't make their own miter gauges. Take a look at the simplicity of an old Craftsman table saw miter gauge and copy the design. It would take about five pieces to make-- the slot runner sized to fit the table, the miter gauge protractor which could be laser cut from angle stock, handle, pinch bolt and dowel pin pivot, and throw in a couple washers. Blade wander on any of the portable band saws that the Swag tables fit negate whatever "precision" of the Incra gauge is supposed to offer.
Most of my cutting is freehand with the metal stock backed by a scrap block of wood to keep my fingers away from the blade. (Hold round stock very tightly or clamp it to the sacrifical backer until the kerf is established, or it will get away from you and spin on the slick powder-coated table.)
The powder-coated deck looks nice, but it does load with metal swarf and chips and they can be stubborn to brush away...and can also scratch your stock, not to mention wearing the powder-coating. But like I said, it does look pretty.
I have mixed feelings about the foot switch I also got from Swag. I wish the cords were longer and made of more flexible material than their stiff Chinese plastic covering. And the foot switch is very light and easily tipped over unless bolted to a heavy plate. You can get the same switch from Harbor Freight for less with a 20 percent off coupon.
Stationary bandsaw tables have provision for a removable blade insert because inevitably the blade slot takes a beating with time. With the Swag table, the entire table top has to be replaced since there is no such provision for blade kerf wear. I would be curious about what Swag would change to replace a table top.
Hint: Get a 2 1/2-inch HF plastic spring clamp to hold the trigger down with the Milwaukee. Too bad there isn't a factory option to override the trigger switch.
All that said, I heartily recommend the Swag table. Once you own it, you'll wonder how you ever got along without it.
velocipede
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I had to grind down the bolts on my table too. No big deal though.
I wish it were this simple. Troy didn't offer this option. When I first called them I asked for a replacement table that had good slots and they said the entire batch had wide slots and they didn't have a good one to send. Bear in mind that my problem is with the V3.0 table, not the V4.0. Since then, I have received the replacement adjusters from Incra...ordered two sets of four and actually received a total of 16 adjusters. I guess they threw in a few extra for good measure. Now that's good customer service.
I put in the new adjusters and tried Troys recommended fix. Still sloppy, so I tried the heat gun per jeepinerdeep and got a little more and then added a layer of foil faced self adhesive duct tape.....Finally, that did the trick!
In Troy's defense, he did PM me with an offer of a full refund, but I don't want a refund. I want a table that lives up to SWAG's reputation. I'm sorry they are stuck with these tables, but I shouldn't have to mickey mouse the miter gauge to make up for it.
Boost Creep
Well-known member
i measured mine today and got .761 and .764. i use my miter in the .764 side and its a snug fit with no play
velocipede
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I'd be happy with that!