Port-a-band question

[theoldwizard1]

I have been contemplating buying a band saw, but it must be dual purpose, wood and metal. The older Craftsman, Delta or Porter Cable were fine, IF you could get a speed reducer box (or hook up a variable speed DC motor).

The newer portable metal band saws (DeWalt, Milwaukee) look very nice, especially with a SWAG stand. Because they are designed for metal, they do not move the blade as fast. Is this a problem for cutting wood ? What else am I missing ?

 

[rlitman]

Huh? I own a Porter Cable two speed Port-A-Band (and used to have a second one that was variable speed), and an OLD Milwaukee two speed, and they all turn at a rate suitable for metal on the highest speed setting (far slower blade speed than on my standing 14" wood cutting band saw). I don't think newer models are any slower than the old ones.

You'll just want a suitably coarse blade for cutting wood, though as a wood cutting bandsaw, these are REALLY small.

 

[sberry]

I hadn't ever considered cutting wood with one. Spose it can be done.

 

[scooternut]

I've been using mine for knifemaking, it is excellent for this purpose. Along with this includes cutting out hardwood scale (handle) shapes jig saw style. It has worked well for this purpose. I actually like the slow nature of the cut.

Also. I just replaced the guide with a piece of plate, say 4x8. This becomes my "table" and I just chuck this plate in the vise and walla, my own "swag" for free, which still can be hung up taking up no space.

I have the higher end dewalt.

 

[csp]

Considering that cutting wood by hand is much slower than any bandsaw, it should work fine with the right kind of blade.

 

[koditten]

I cut kindling all the time with mine. Just lay the saw on its back on the bench, push the wood against the saw. The saw is too heavy to hold, but the wood is light.

 

[hippie2cams]

my dewalt is a variable speed that slows way down when you turn it down but run pretty quick when turned up. My swagg table is a little disappointing to me but I may be trying to cut to big of stuff with it.
All I seem to do is break blades, but in all honesty they are pretty old.

 

[zkling]

:

 

[exmaxima1]

:

+1

 

[jack stand]

I have a "dual purpose" stationary band saw that has an extra gear box that you have to enguage and move a "V" belt to gear it down to cut metal. It rarely get's used, I mostly work with metal and every other metal cutting tool in my shop cut's metal better than it!

I'm confused if you are talking about a "porta-band" (title) or a stationary saw, like it seem's in your post.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'm confused if you are talking about a "porta-band" (title) or a stationary saw, like it seem's in your post.

I was talking about a porta-band because it is difficult to find a 12-14" stationary band saw with 2 speed drive at a "reasonable" price.

 

[motofool33]

used plenty of metal cutting band saws to cut some wood when needed.

 

[ND80]

Yea when in a pinch at work and don't want to run all over it works.

The cut wont be straight without more effort then its worth. "Thin blade"

 

[gorilla]

I was talking about a porta-band because it is difficult to find a 12-14" stationary band saw with 2 speed drive at a "reasonable" price.

Lots of write up's about slowing down a wood cutting bandsaw to cut metal. You may want to google it.

 

[gtg082y]

Also. I just replaced the guide with a piece of plate, say 4x8. This becomes my "table" and I just chuck this plate in the vise and walla, my own "swag" for free, which still can be hung up taking up no space.

(quote trimmed)

I just got a used Milwaukee as a 'throw in' to a compound mitre saw deal on CL and have been looking at the SWAG tables. I'll be trying this before throwing any money at the SWAG stuff. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Lots of write up's about slowing down a wood cutting bandsaw to cut metal. You may want to google it.

Yes, I know. But finding a good used 12-14" band saw, at a reasonable price, is hard.

 

[motofool33]

I just inboxed my swag table on thursday. Been in box for 2 years almost.

Simple install sturdy design.

My milwakee has 5 speed.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[ilovevocs]

I traded from a do-all to my portaband with stand when i downsized shops. For its size, and cost im impressed by what I am able to accomplish with it. I'm not a wood worker and work mostly in metal but will build wood fixtures from time to time. For a guy with a small shop I couldn't ask for much more given the upfront investment.

 

[MrGreen]

I have a 16" Walker Turner wood/metal BS. It is pretty sweet for a smaller saw, just use to my 36" oliver. I use my milwaukee portaband for most metal cutting tasks.

 

[matt_i]

The saw you want is a Powermatic 143. (not a 141). Its a 14" dual speed saw but is built like a tank.

My question would be: can you even get a wood cutting blade (tooth pitch and form) for a portaband. Obviously the saw will cut whatever you throw at it but its not efficient to have to rip several feet of wood on a 24tpi metalcutting blade.

Also, the guides on a portaband are suspect, tiny rollers placed far apart, nothing like the roller or hardfaced "V" guides on a proper stationary saw.