4"x6" Bandsaw vs. Portaband?

[ElectroPulse]

Hello, all,

I picked up a harbor freight 4x6 horizonal/vertical bandsaw a year or two ago, and am just now revisiting it (stuff came up before I had a chance to unbox and use it).

Floor-space is at a premium at this point, and I'm starting to wonder whether I should go with a portaband with the harbor freight horizonal table and the SWAG Off-road vertical table. The main problem is that'll cost even more than I put into the saw that I already own (and wouldn't be able to recoup as much of the cost for).

My question: What advantage does a stationary 4x6 saw have over a portable bandsaw with the tables? I've not been able to find anything concrete - just a handful of dudes saying they use it more than their portaband, without giving reasons why. Looking for any reasons why I shouldn't ditch the 4x6, aside from cost.

Thank you

 

[whateg01]

Depends what you intend to do with it. The 4x6 has more capacity. I've never seen a portaband cut square even in the jig for it. If you plan to make a lot of repetitive cuts, the 4x6 is better. If floor space is king then the 4x6 loses.

 

[Firebrick43]

The biggest plus is if well tuned you start a cut and can walk away from the 4”x6”. You shouldn’t actually leave but you can do other things while it’s cutting

A 4x6, again well tuned, and with equal quality blades is going to have its blade last significantly longer. Not only because the is more blade but the wheels are larger diameter and the additional length allows for better cooling

 

[vwpieces]

Harbor freight has the stand/table like SWAG now. Fits the Hercules, red and yellow. Saw it in a SEMA vid clip. Not certain it is in stores now.

 

[RMERR]

I've had that HF saw a couple of times over the years, though not now. I think the 4" X 6" will produce more accurate cuts than the portaband solutions, particularly with guide bearings properly dialed in as has been mentioned. This will be more noticeable with larger and longer stock, maybe not an issue if you mostly cut smaller stuff. The sheet metal stand for the HF saw is **** of course, I reinforced it with tubing and angle iron like many people do. It does take up floor space which is why I got rid of it each time. I use Makita metal chop saws on a bench with the carbide blades for most metal cutting now.

 

[Monza Harry]

My answer is the same as @Firebrick43's like the commercial says "set it and forget it!" The stop features of bandsaws is worth every other inconvenience, in my opinion. My saw is an older one of these though: https://vanderzielmachinery.com/product/w-f-wells-7-x-11-horizontal-saw-model-ac-7-new/, my youngest brother recently acquired an "HF" saw and we haven't played with it much. Saw accuracy is initial set-up, and then the blade is everything after that! That HF saw has a table for [uncomfortable as it is] vertical use does it not? 2 tools one foot print is also a win, I know the same could be said about the smaller capacity portaband though. Harry

 

[GeoBruin]

My proposed solution is not going to save you money, but it's very practical and you'll make great cuts.

Check out this mitering horizontal/vertical Hemsaw.

It won't take up much more space on a benchtop than a portaband on a swag table, but will work in vertical mode with the addition of an add-on table. But perhaps most importantly, it makes super square cuts in horizontal mode, and the head miters, which is way nicer than using a swivel jaw vise on a 4 x 6.

I don't have this exact saw, but I have the slightly larger Femi branded cousin and it's one of my most used tools exclusively in horizontal mode.

https://www.trick-tools.com/Femi_782XL_Benchtop_Mitering_Bandsaw_F_782XL_000_00_0_000_2209?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAr8eqBhD3ARIsAIe-buOc_Ycf3GfqnSgUBMDNpa5rwwRBkNuZEaLf2PTF7r4iQ5EqoezNhgEaAr_FEALw_wcB

 

[no704]

Agreed with the previous posts. The hf saw will do a good job if set up correctly and put a decent blade on it. Not the one it came with.

 

[dogdog]

Harbor freight has the stand/table like SWAG now. Fits the Hercules, red and yellow. Saw it in a SEMA vid clip. Not certain it is in stores now.

It's $89 now till mid nov for ITC members...

 

[Jehannum]

It's $89 now till mid nov for ITC members...

I actually just bought it, and it has some shortcomings: the fence is junk, it's not nearly heavy enough to use the hold-downs they expect you to use, and there's no graduated angle marks for the fence.

I put some 1/4" steel on the fence and put together a parametric angle stop (here) so that I can overcome the things that will limit my usage. For $90, it's a bargain I can live with.

 

[cannuck]

I have several bandsaws including a 4x6 and Milwaukee portable, As others have said, accuracy, blade life, operator involvement strongly favour the 4x6, but when you need portable you need portable. That said, it is no replacement for a fixed vice, swivel head 4x6. Ours gets used so much it wore out its drive belt (that no other saw has done in 40 years).

 

[dogdog]

I actually just bought it, and it has some shortcomings: the fence is junk, it's not nearly heavy enough to use the hold-downs they expect you to use, and there's no graduated angle marks for the fence.

I put some 1/4" steel on the fence and put together a parametric angle stop (here) so that I can overcome the things that will limit my usage. For $90, it's a bargain I can live with.

I still have mine in box, when it first came out for $99... the display model seems to be very heavy duty or good enough for average DIYer... not sure, I am just an average diyer.

 

[MongoTA]

Penalize me 15 yards for piling on, as I agree with the others.

If you want set and forget, if you gang cut material, or if you expect any sort of production or repetitive work? Stick with a tuned up 4x6.

 

[ElectroPulse]

Thanks, for the replies, all! Sounds like for squareness of cuts (of importance to me), the 4x6 has the advantage. That alone is good enough reason (on top of not spending more money) to just stick with what I've got.

 

[danielbuck]

yes, once you get the 4x6 saw tuned up, you will be able to make repeatable square cuts every time. Portabands have their place, but if square cuts are important to you, you'll enjoy a horizontal bandsaw. you CAN leave them outside (mine lives under a carport). I have a larger bandsaw that is kept indoors, but I use the cheap HF 4x6 outside all the time. I have a much lower TPI blade on my larger saw, so any time I need to cut real thin wall tubing, I use the HF saw outside with a highter TPI blade on it. Low TPI blades seem to get wrecked when cutting thin wall tubing.

 

[LopezBart]

I've had a 4x6 bandsaw for nearly 30 years. The flimsy sheet metal stand was frustrating enough that I put the saw on a piece of plywood w/ casters; this way it could be stored under a bench. When I want to use it in the vertical position, I end up sitting on the saw, which actually works quite well. Some time ago the power switch died; I wired up a relay, microswitch and a proper on/off set of push buttons mounted on top of the unit. When I work with heavier stock 20' long having the saw low to the ground is a win.

Low TPI blades seem to get wrecked when cutting thin wall tubing.

The standard rule of thumb is three teeth need to be engaged in the cut at once, so thin wall tubing is going to pose a problem. One can slowly guide the saw through the cut.... angle of course is cut with the point up as this keeps the material in the vise.

 

[tarbellb]

@GeoBruin has my vote

Tabletop bandsaws are a incredible hybrid that solve your problems.

Femi/HEM Ddo it best, but Tractor supply and others have more economical versions

 

[GeoBruin]

I believe the Dake saws are the same as the femi/hem saw as well. But only the larger sizes are available.

Dake SE 5X6 RCT Benchtop Horizontal Bandsaw - 983107-1

The Dake SE 5X6 RCT Benchtop Horizontal Bandsaw offers precision cutting in a compact design. Engineered for efficiency and accuracy, it's perfect for small-scale metalworking projects.

www.penntoolco.com