Craigslist Porta-Bands

[blackhawkdriver]

Picked up these two today for 75 bucks off craigslist. I had been searching for a portable band saw and came across these two. They both run good except the nicer looking one is having an issue where the motor is turning but he blade wont. I'm going to tear them both apart clean them up and if worse comes to worse put them both together to make one really nice one. So how did I do? I feel like I got a pretty good deal. any ideas on whats wrong with the not running one?
Pics

 

[signcrafter]

Does the drive wheel turn with the motor? Take the blade off and try to turn the idler wheel by hand, is it bound up? Check the blade tension, if the blade tension isn't tight the blade won't spin.

But ya you got a good deal as long as you can get them to work.

 

[uniballer]

I have the same one. I the broken one cant be fixed, sell it to me. My band saw looks like hell and probably getting ready to go. PLEASE!

 

[Bib Overalls]

You did good.

 

[tedsters]

i got the same saw with 3 new blades off from CL also mine has a little more wear on the paint but works nice i did not get a case with mine either

 

[TurnipTruck]

If its anything like a Milwaukee, there is a chain between the gearbox and drive wheel that could be broken.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

I have a similar older model I got off of ebay about 12 years ago for $20 which included shipping. I will run this saw until its wheels fall off.

 

[kenburkholz]

I have the same model of Portaband and it skipped while running , upon disassembly I found the ring and pinion gears were the problem. The pinion is steel and the ring gear is brass, totally worn out,and needs to be replaced. Does anyone out there know who sells replacement parts..I have already called every parts supply and factory supply, but either don't sell these parts,or only sell for the newer models . Please help! Ken.

 

[454ragtop]

Probably buy another saw off CL for less than the cost of the parts. Picked up my Milwaukee *********** off CL years ago for $50.
Jim

 

[rustyjames]

Try this place for parts: http://www.ereplacementparts.com/search_result.php?q=Portaband
I have the same saw but it's a Greenlee.

 

[skruft]

This is about half price if they will both work. I have one that is like those but variable speed, which to my surprise continues to work properly. Good tools in the right application.

 

[kenburkholz]

Thanks for your help, Ken.

 

[blackhawkdriver]

Well the I got the broken saw torn apart and have isolated the problem to something in the bottom around the drive pulley. Idler pulley turn fine and tension was good. If I give the drive pulley a little turn while the motor is running it takes off and turns on its own but any resistance to the blade and it starts slipping immediately. when its turns there is a clacking sound coming from the lower housing. Any body got any ideas?

 

[gus1962]

Got problem with an older band saw of an old pal. The motor just hums then turns off. Can't figure out what could be the possible solution to your problem. Good luck!

 

[rustyjames]

Gus, they're pretty simple to work on, I'd take it apart and see, might be something simple like a seized bearing.