Port-a-band saw stand. Why didn't I make one of these sooner?

KMinAF · Mar 16, 2014

I had seen it done before and always thought it was a great idea. Little did I know how great an idea it really is until I made one! Its just your basic HF port-a-band saw and some left over pieces:

Conor · Mar 16, 2014

now fab up a little 6x6 table top for it and it will be perfect!

I have a milwaulkee + swag off road table after seeing Jack Olsens one. LOVE IT

LouieD · Mar 16, 2014

Yep. As Conor said make yourself a little table and you're good to go. I built a similar one to yours and it has paid for itself a dozen times over in time saved.

erat · Mar 17, 2014

This is a great idea. I'll have to do this.

vettelvr75 · Mar 17, 2014

That's awesome! I have been wanting a band saw really bad but I am transferring to University of Oklahoma next fall and I will be moving from California to out there in the summer. So don't really have the space for a full size bandsaw! This will allow me to have what I want! Thanks for posting it looks awesome! Put up pics if you end up making a table for it!

motobilt · Mar 19, 2014

Here is one I made.... I guess some other companies liked the idea because a few of the features were incorporated into their design. I made this one a few years ago for myself. I sold it and the saw. I bought a Dewalt about a year ago. I guess I need to make a table for it.

Jack Olsen · Mar 19, 2014

That's nice!

I have the older Swag model, but I like the fact that the saw/table combo stores on a shelf pretty easily and just drops into a vise when I need to use it.

Makes it easy to do more precise work than if you were holding the thing.

-Brent- · Mar 19, 2014

Yep, Jack, that's exactly what I want to do with mine. I'll have to get a hold of SWAG and get one. It's easier to buy one at this point, for me.

Rhyno · Mar 19, 2014

-Brent- said:
Yep, Jack, that's exactly what I want to do with mine. I'll have to get a hold of SWAG and get one. It's easier to buy one at this point, for me.

But there is something about making one, too.

I'm gonna start a one soon., and probably say the same thing....."Why didn't I......"

-Brent- · Mar 19, 2014

Rhyno said:
But there is something about making one, too.

I'm gonna start a one soon., and probably say the same thing....."Why didn't I......"

100% agree.

For the price of that vise mount $45 (plus 16 if you want the slide), it makes more sense (to me) to just get it and get to fabbing. $45 is a fair price since I don't have scrap in that size. If I had a scrap piece suitable, I'd get after it.

paranoid56 · Mar 19, 2014

i also have the swag table and love it. I am a huge fan of making things, but this was to cheap to pass up. i now have two portabands one on the table and one by is self for remote work.

-Brent- · Mar 21, 2014

I pulled the trigger on some SWAG stuff yesterday. I got the 1st version (V1.0 vise mounted table), a miter guide attachment, and a pedal.

What do you all think, paint, powder coat, or keep it raw?

willymakeit · Mar 21, 2014

Does anyone make one for the Porter Cable brand?

Kevkx125 · Mar 22, 2014

-Brent- said:
I pulled the trigger on some SWAG stuff yesterday. I got the 1st version (V1.0 vise mounted table), a miter guide attachment, and a pedal.

What do you all think, paint, powder coat, or keep it raw?

Keep it raw.

machine_punk · Mar 22, 2014

Great job on your bracket. You will be amazed at how handy it is to have a mini, vertical, metal-cutting band saw.

+1 on making a table for it.

I went a little different route on the portable bandsaw bracket. I built the table first (drilled and countersunk a piece of 1/4" aluminum plate), then built a plywood bracket for the whole thing.

HF has a couple of footswitches for cheap. Get the 'latching' version (press on, press off).

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Kev

Joe69 · Mar 22, 2014

machine_punk said:
HF has a couple of footswitches for cheap. Get the 'latching' version (press on, press off).

Kev

I never knew HF sold those, I've been wanting a momentary version for my drill press for a long time. I used one at work for years, it acts as a dead man switch. Once I got used to it, I loved it. Thanks for mentioning it!

Just looked it up on the HF site, it's only $12.99!

Joe

Richard D · Mar 22, 2014

Kevkx125 said:
Keep it raw.

Why on Earth would you not paint it???

Buckgnarly · Mar 22, 2014

Paint it, and add a switched outlet. That's what I did with mine, gotta get pics....

-Brent- · Mar 22, 2014

I got a foot pedal for ease of storage. I considered making a "switched" cord but the pedal cost less than a switch and a plug to go on my scrap cord.

DPG · Mar 23, 2014

willymakeit said:
Does anyone make one for the Porter Cable brand?

http://welding-tv.com/2011/10/14/portable-band-saw-stand/

srmofo · Mar 23, 2014

paranoid56 said:
i also have the swag table and love it. I am a huge fan of making things, but this was to cheap to pass up. i now have two portabands one on the table and one by is self for remote work.

the newer swag version features a small foot plate that is permanently bolted where the original foot is. That plate then attaches to the table and releases with a thumb knob. You can use the saw remotely by quickly unscrewing it from the table. The new foot is a little larger than the original but it shouldn't interfere with any work. It does require a little shimming to get it to sit flush with the table, but it was worth the minor hassle to keep from buying 2 saws or rendering useless for remote jobs

patent pending · Mar 23, 2014

I want a Portaband so bad......

Jason280 · Mar 23, 2014

I just want a stand that converts the Portaband over to a chopsaw style...

larry4406 · Mar 24, 2014

Jason280 said:
I just want a stand that converts the Portaband over to a chopsaw style...

This! - but also adds a miter box function.

JTH · Mar 24, 2014

http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8692
Bought this one several years ago and used the **** out of it. I need to build a stand to fit it with a table would be very useful. Vise wont cut angles in the stand.

-Brent- · Mar 24, 2014

patent pending said:
I want a Portaband so bad......

Do what I did, keep your eyes peeled for a damaged one. The guy I got mine from "dropped" it. More like he never latched the case and picked it up. He sold it for $50 rather than repair it. I bought the parts and it worked like new. I've got a little less than $100 into it, including purchase. I just wish I got the metal case with it.

Stroked383 · Mar 24, 2014

To the OP, have you used the HF saw yet? I just tried mine for the first time and I about threw it down the driveway by the cord. Mines going back. After using a name brand I was sold. I cheaped out and bought the HF one only to be disappointed. Mine is ear piercing loud and the wheels don't seem to have any traction. It would be my luck to get a bunk one but after using a 'expensive' version I don't think I will ever be satisfied with the HF unit. What is your experience?

steel 35 · Mar 25, 2014

After seeing Jack's post of his a few years ago here is what 350 looks like; And a couple ways I keep mine ready to use, and I use it a lot. Thanks Jack.
I do like the Punks trigger lock instead of my clamp and will be upgrading soon thank you as well.

paranoid56 · Mar 25, 2014

Stroked383 said:
To the OP, have you used the HF saw yet? I just tried mine for the first time and I about threw it down the driveway by the cord. Mines going back. After using a name brand I was sold. I cheaped out and bought the HF one only to be disappointed. Mine is ear piercing loud and the wheels don't seem to have any traction. It would be my luck to get a bunk one but after using a 'expensive' version I don't think I will ever be satisfied with the HF unit. What is your experience?

i have a HF and the nice milwaukee and yea, the HF is total trash compared to the nice one. but one was 50 bucks and the other was 300ish. so i kinda expected it to be like that. the HF has major flex in the body. i bolted my HF one up to the swag table and its been fine, not great, but does the job. and the Milwaukee one stays handheld for the other jobs. I would also get the warranty on the HF one :lol:

after a year mine decentagraged all the guide bearings.

Rhyno · Mar 26, 2014

Rhyno said:
But there is something about making one, too.

I'm gonna start a one soon., and probably say the same thing....."Why didn't I......"

I almost completed it......except for the paint, and pedal switch.....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=241992

And yep, "why didn't I...."

steel 35 · Mar 27, 2014

& a few more to look at :wtf:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=101714&page=3

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=168860

vettelvr75 · Mar 27, 2014

Jason280 said:
I just want a stand that converts the Portaband over to a chopsaw style...

larry4406 said:
This! - but also adds a miter box function.

I was thinking the same thinig! So after a few hours of brainstorming, I have started the build. I started a thread called "my horizontal/vertical porta bandsaw stand" (http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3855783&posted=1#post3855783) I have already done the frame, and also the hinge that allows it so switch from vertical to chopsaw style, and for Larry4406, I am working right now on creating a miter box vise for it. Check out the thread ill have updates with pics tonight!

Richard D · Mar 27, 2014

Stroked383 said:
To the OP, have you used the HF saw yet? I just tried mine for the first time and I about threw it down the driveway by the cord. Mines going back. After using a name brand I was sold. I cheaped out and bought the HF one only to be disappointed. Mine is ear piercing loud and the wheels don't seem to have any traction. It would be my luck to get a bunk one but after using a 'expensive' version I don't think I will ever be satisfied with the HF unit. What is your experience?

The junk Chink **** is just that-****. Yeah they will make a cut, but you are way better off lookin on craigslist or a pawn shop and getting a Milwaukee for a hundred-hundred in a half or so. They are pretty tuff, not much to **** up on them, so if it's ugly and beat up lookin, no matter; just test that it works and you'll be fine. I'd pay full price for a new one if I couldn't find one used.

diebog · Mar 27, 2014

Thats an awesome Idea, Ive been wanting to get one of these port a bands for a while now and I will have to do the same thing. So anyone have a sugg on a good port a band to buy? Brand/model?

stage20 · Mar 28, 2014

foot pedals look like a great deal. i didnt know HF had them.
dont forget lowes is clearancing out the dewalt saws in some areas. my store had 3+display and by the time i got there i bought the display. 85 bucks and it was 329

t100 · Mar 28, 2014

paranoid56 · Mar 28, 2014

Richard D said:
The junk Chink **** is just that-****. Yeah they will make a cut, but you are way better off lookin on craigslist or a pawn shop and getting a Milwaukee for a hundred-hundred in a half or so. They are pretty tuff, not much to **** up on them, so if it's ugly and beat up lookin, no matter; just test that it works and you'll be fine. I'd pay full price for a new one if I couldn't find one used.

kinda funny the only reason i bought a HF one was to replace a broken less then one year old milwaukee. I needed something in a pinch and picked it up. it allowed me to finishes the job. I got milwaukee to fix it for free under warranty, but if it wasn't, the bill or parts was almost 200 bucks.

so far the HF one has lasted 2x as long (still has broke and was replaced under warranty) but it also gets used 4x as much as its on the swagg table.

KMinAF · Mar 28, 2014

I have been using mine very regularly with no problems. I agree it is insanely loud that's why I have a pair of ear muffs that I wear when cutting. I did up-grade the saw blade which really made a world of difference.

diebog · Mar 29, 2014

KMinAF said:
I have been using mine very regularly with no problems. I agree it is insanely loud that's why I have a pair of ear muffs that I wear when cutting. I did up-grade the saw blade which really made a world of difference.

Are you referring to the HF one? Is the sound coming from the motor or the blade/bearings assembly?

KMinAF · Mar 30, 2014

The HF saw is just loud over all, its a combination gear and motor noise.

Port-a-band saw stand. Why didn't I make one of these sooner?

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