Do I need a portable band saw?

[will gilmore]

I have a paying job that requires cutting some aluminum tabs off some equipment. I think a porta band would be optimal for the job but I could probably get away with a jig saw.

I have a 5x7 horizontal / vertical band saw in the shop now plus a 36" vertical do-all in storage. At some point I'll probably replace the 5x7 with a slightly bigger horizontal and bring in the do-all.

I have a sawzall. Should I spend a few hundred on a porta band? If so, corded or cordless? What jobs have you done that you really liked having one or wished you had one?

 

[LXCam]

I have everything in the world you can imagine for cutting and without a doubt, my porta band gets used the most. Matter of fact, I own three and all of them are corded. But i think with the latest and greatest battery technology I'd go cordless if I were to do it again. The difference being I'm not making a living with this stuff anymore day in and day out, that would be the deciding factor for myself.

 

[cwlo]

One alternative is to check out those carbide tipped diablo sawzall blades. Don't have personal experience yet, but the videos show them going through different metals with ease.

Chris

 

[zkling]

Do you need it? Probably not, but you will most likely find it very handy. For long term investment I prefer corded for most power tools.

 

[MrGiggles]

Portabands are great. My first preference for cutting steel, they're safer, quieter, and faster than most other cutting methods.

I don't know how well they do with aluminum though. On a regular band saw you need a really coarse blade, and I don't know if a Portaband has enough horsepower. Hopefully someone that has done it or tried will chime in.

 

[zkling]

Only thing they don't work so well for is wood, due to the low SFPM. Aluminum, steel, copper, brass, etc solid or tubing they fly through. They really shine on ~1/4" thick and up material.

A bit off topic, but does anyone know who came out with the first portable bandsaw?

 

[ernie2525]

See if you can rent-borrow one for a couple of days. 90% you'll go and buy one.

 

[BD1]

Post your location. If your near me you can try mine.
Depending on conditions and placement a cutting wheel on a grinder maybe a alternative.
As for buying one, best tool out there. I also have multiple. I have a early Milwaukee that is made before the *********** model. They are awesome ! Have one set up as a vertical and is the handiest for small parts. Money well invested.
If you have craigs list check them. I have seen corded ones as low as $100.00 with case for a *********** corded. Mine are corded.

 

[DuroChrome]

I love mine. Get one!

 

[bcradio]

Love mine as well. Definitely get corded

 

[the gypsy]

Only thing they don't work so well for is wood, due to the low SFPM. Aluminum, steel, copper, brass, etc solid or tubing they fly through. They really shine on ~1/4" thick and up material.

A bit off topic, but does anyone know who came out with the first portable bandsaw?

I am going to try and guess the original Porta-Band saw was invented by PORTer Cable. Thereby giving us a Porta-band saw.

 

[srmofo]

I love mine too, expressly with the swag table

 

[the gypsy]

Excuse me. I forgot to answer the question. Do I need to buy a portable band-saw? Do you understand you are on the Garage Journal, we can all agree that you must buy a portable band saw, if you need it and if you can afford it. LOL

 

[TheEquineFencer]

I am going to try and guess the original Porta-Band saw was invented by PORTer Cable. Thereby giving us a Porta-band saw.

LOL, I guess JIG invented the Jigsaw then, I'm pretty sure Skil invented the Skil saw too...What else? LOL

 

[stage20]

why stop at one, buy two!

 

[sberry]

I would be battery and if you think o need it probably do. While large pieces of machinery are nice for production the hand held stuff gets a lot of use. I can make it thru life without a drill press but loss of a battery drill would drive me insane.

 

[bcradio]

I believe the Porta-Band was a Milwaukee creation.

 

[zkling]

I am going to try and guess the original Porta-Band saw was invented by PORTer Cable. Thereby giving us a Porta-band saw.

I think you are actually right on that. Although I think the porta is short for portable.
http://www.deltaportercable.com/AboutUs/pc_history.aspx

PORTER-CABLE continued to create new solutions for hardworking Americans during the 1950s. With Emmons still driving product development, the company pioneered another first-of-its-kind power tool, the portable band saw. Again, his vision of bringing the tool to the work yielded another breakthrough that is still widely used today.

I believe the Porta-Band was a Milwaukee creation.

I don't think so. Every reference I've ever seen was that they "revolutionized" it. I think the tools they have to their name were the 90° drill and of course the Sawzall. :

 

[bcradio]

I think you are right... from wikipedia:

Porter-Cable is an American company that manufactures power tools in China . The company is known for introducing a number of noteworthy power tools, such as the first portable belt sander, helical-drive circular saw, and portable band saw. It is a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker.

 

[the gypsy]

LOL, I guess JIG invented the Jigsaw then, I'm pretty sure Skil invented the Skil saw too...What else? LOL

I am feeling a little insulted. But then again if you think the Skil saw was invented by some one else, like Hitachi or Hyundai, that is your opinion.
Perhaps the facial tissue Kleenex was made famous by Khrysler.

 

[the gypsy]

My belief is that when the old tool manufacturers invented a new tool they tried to incorporate their names into the tool or in some way create a recognizable brand for themselves like Sawzall for Milwaukee.

 

[the gypsy]

I think you are right... from wikipedia:

Porter-Cable is an American company that manufactures power tools in China . The company is known for introducing a number of noteworthy power tools, such as the first portable belt sander, helical-drive circular saw, and portable band saw. It is a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker.

This description in Wikipedia is recent, but Porter Cable was an American Company with many great tools made in America. It has undergone many name changes, including Rockwell amongst others and now is under the DeWalt brand because they were purchased some time ago.
I know there are many details in between but this is an overview.

 

[56rpm]

I didn't think I needed one, even after my buddy gave me a new unused Milwaukee. It sat around for a few months until I needed to cut some steel. Holy ****! One of the best tools I own, use it all the time now. I haven't had a use for my Milwaukee sawzall since. Buy one, you'll love it!

 

[stage20]

I think you are right... from wikipedia:

Porter-Cable is an American company that manufactures power tools in China . The company is known for introducing a number of noteworthy power tools, such as the first portable belt sander, helical-drive circular saw, and portable band saw. It is a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker.

its sad when you look up what used to be a well respected usa company with usa tools to see this.

 

[the gypsy]

My sentiments also.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

I am feeling a little insulted. But then again if you think the Skil saw was invented by some one else, like Hitachi or Hyundai, that is your opinion.
Perhaps the facial tissue Kleenex was made famous by Khrysler.

https://www.kleenex.com/BrandStory.aspx

I didn't mean to insult you...Just trying to inject a little humor on this 100* day...

 

[zkling]

I am feeling a little insulted. But then again if you think the Skil saw was invented by some one else, like Hitachi or Hyundai, that is your opinion.
Perhaps the facial tissue Kleenex was made famous by Khrysler.

Even though you arrived at the correct solution I don't think your reasoning was valid. I think they could have easily stretched to "Porte-band", but to me the "porta band" is clearly a shortened version of portable bandsaw. By your reasoning Porter Cable would have also invented the porta potty.

Additionally "porta" is a dictionary recognized word.

 

[the gypsy]

You may be 100% right. I do agree that Porta-band being an abbreviation of portable band saw makes a lot of sense, But I was distracted and thinking outside the box. For example Chef BOY-AR-DEE. He was an Italian and his name was BOIARDI, but thinking people may not be able to pronounce his name he modified the name of his product.

We do not know, only he who named it knows.