Best Portaband Stand?

[Bigblue&Goldie]

The SWAG is cool and built to last. I have one of the original versions that's probably 15yrs old at this point. I'd recommend carrying extra blades as I've had a few occasions where a piece will drop into the lower blade guide roller, bind the blade, causing it to break. Also, I just made the change to Lenox blades from Milwaukee blades and they are way better!

 

[GeoBruin]

The SWAG is cool and built to last. I have one of the original versions that's probably 15yrs old at this point. I'd recommend carrying extra blades as I've had a few occasions where a piece will drop into the lower blade guide roller, bind the blade, causing it to break. Also, I just made the change to Lenox blades from Milwaukee blades and they are way better!

I actually ordered a couple extra lower blade guide assemblies for this reason. The bolt the lower roller bearing rides on would get bent when a piece slipped down through the table between the blade and the guide. I could just bang it back in place most of the time but eventually it would break.

 

[Firebrick43]

The SWAG is cool and built to last. I have one of the original versions that's probably 15yrs old at this point. I'd recommend carrying extra blades as I've had a few occasions where a piece will drop into the lower blade guide roller, bind the blade, causing it to break. Also, I just made the change to Lenox blades from Milwaukee blades and they are way better!

You should try the Morse variable pitch blades. I have the 8/11 and the 12/16. They make the Lenox look rough and slow. While the 8/11 are great on thicker material the 12/16 are so good I will probably just order those from now on. Insanely smooth cut.

 

[PugetDude]

I like the Starrett 10/14 variable pitch blades.

 

[Firebrick43]

I like the Starrett 10/14 variable pitch blades.

I missed those.

I have used starrett larger variable pitch blade stock on big DoAlls which is where I was introduced to variable pitched blades.

I always thought they were a pretty good blade and if they had come up in a search last time I bought some porta band blades I may have bought those instead.

The Lennox blades are good lasting blades, much better than the stock dewalt ones, just not as smooth and fast as the variable pitch blades!

 

[paulsomlo]

Just bought a used Milwaukee, came across this plywood hanger for the saw on Youtube, thought it was worth sharing:

 

[paulsomlo]

Here's my version of the wall mount I posted above - not much difference; he uses screws into the end grain of plywood, I prefer to use pocket hole screws into face grain. I extended the "tail", so that I could also hold it in a vise. The table is a piece of 3/8" aluminum fixture plate off ebay, although 1/4" probably would have been sufficient.

 

[Rockable]

Here's my homemade stand. I use it just about every day. The saw hangs on the wall next to my bench until I need it. Then, I grab it, tighten it up in the vise and go. It also has a HF foot pedal.

 

[GaryM909]

I made one a few years ago. I leave it on the bench until it is in the way. It’s only held on by one bolt going through the shoe. I put a hinged piece of channel at the front to keep it from sliding. Also put a switch on the front and zip tied switch on the saw. Works pretty good for what I use it for.

 

[BTL-A4]

+1 for Swag Offroad table. I bought a foot pedal for mine. I use it all the time. I painted mine to match the portable bandsaw (Makita).

 

[jaybrown48]

This portaband discussion can lead to something I have been struggling with for a while. Follow me on this. So I have been wanting to get a portable band saw stand for a while to use with my Milwaukee 2729 saw in my shop at home.

I like the options of getting the most uses and tools for my money considering I don't have an exact use for the tool. Horizontal v/s Vertical saw use....

So I narrowed down my choices to the HF Hercules model mentioned above. Or an American made model Portaband Pro Deluxe.
There is a link to both pages.

These are the things I am struggling to consider.
1. Should I spend 500$ for the American made model? Shipping and tax to my location. Or 150$ and pick up HF at my location store?
2. Do I spend more money on the USA model? Because I am keeping my fellow Americans working? At their factory.
3. Do I spend money on the HF model? and keep my local Americans working at the HF store? They are my neighbors?

What if there were " Tariffs " or penalites on the HF saws and it caused the HF models to go up in an inflated price, so that it was then going to cost me 500$ to buy the HF model? How would that price difference influence my purchase? I would most likely buy the American made item!

Do you guys think about stuff like this?

American made Portaband

Harbor Freight portaband

 

[tiredoldironworker]

What I find ridiculous is that the 20v Hercules bandsaw was on sale all last month for 99 bux and adding an Insider coupon brought it down to $85. It seems to perform just as well as my $300 Milwaukee,

 

[jives]

5 years ago or so I built a prototype stand for my HF Bauer portaband. Took about 20 minutes to build from wood scraps. Worked so well the prototype is still in use. What I have problems with is buying something at a high price that I can produce myself. Of course, time and convenience and product quality all matter, and sometimes ya' just need it now, but probably too often I filter things through, "Can I make that better/cheaper?"

 

[NUTTSGT]

This portaband discussion can lead to something I have been struggling with for a while. Follow me on this. So I have been wanting to get a portable band saw stand for a while to use with my Milwaukee 2729 saw in my shop at home.

I like the options of getting the most uses and tools for my money considering I don't have an exact use for the tool. Horizontal v/s Vertical saw use....

So I narrowed down my choices to the HF Hercules model mentioned above. Or an American made model Portaband Pro Deluxe.
There is a link to both pages.

These are the things I am struggling to consider.
1. Should I spend 500$ for the American made model? Shipping and tax to my location. Or 150$ and pick up HF at my location store?
2. Do I spend more money on the USA model? Because I am keeping my fellow Americans working? At their factory.
3. Do I spend money on the HF model? and keep my local Americans working at the HF store? They are my neighbors?

What if there were " Tariffs " or penalites on the HF saws and it caused the HF models to go up in an inflated price, so that it was then going to cost me 500$ to buy the HF model? How would that price difference influence my purchase? I would most likely buy the American made item!

Do you guys think about stuff like this?

American made Portaband

Harbor Freight portaband

Your HF porta stand, I paid that for an older Wilton horizontal bandsaw 3575. Sometimes shopping frugally means buying used.

 

[mrvm]

Should I spend 500$ for the American made model? Shipping and tax to my location. Or 150$ and pick up HF at my location store?

Regular HF price $119 and sales price have been less