For many years I managed without a horizontal bandsaw. The bulk of my projects used aluminum which I cut on a miter saw, I had a Porter-Cable "Portaband" for steel parts, and I could use a bandsaw at neighboring machine shops (we all share a common roof). But recently my Portaband broke and the parts are no longer available for that ancient saw that I bought well-used over 25 years ago. And since I used it on a stand, it had to be another Porter-Cable. So I went looking for a replacement Portaband in the classifieds.
No luck with a replacement P-C, but I found a Kalamazoo 9x13 bandsaw listed for $200 obo! It's a solid USA-made machine, 2hp, variable speed, coolant pump, mfg 1999. I figured there had to be a catch, so I went to the seller's warehouse and it looked great. Paid the asking price under the agreement that the seller would skid the 800 lb machine for me, and I sent a truck there to pick up (cost $100).
This saw is awesome, and I think I lucked out pretty well. Since then I picked up a Milwaukee Portaband and engineered a conversion bracket to mount it to my Porter-Cable stand. Very pleased with that as well, as it utilizes the same blades which I didn't want to toss.
No luck with a replacement P-C, but I found a Kalamazoo 9x13 bandsaw listed for $200 obo! It's a solid USA-made machine, 2hp, variable speed, coolant pump, mfg 1999. I figured there had to be a catch, so I went to the seller's warehouse and it looked great. Paid the asking price under the agreement that the seller would skid the 800 lb machine for me, and I sent a truck there to pick up (cost $100).
This saw is awesome, and I think I lucked out pretty well. Since then I picked up a Milwaukee Portaband and engineered a conversion bracket to mount it to my Porter-Cable stand. Very pleased with that as well, as it utilizes the same blades which I didn't want to toss.
