Porta band Mounts

[woodlandfarms]

Just sharing a welding project I got onto. Practicing thinner material. Built these two mounts for my portaband which I love dearly. Only complaint is that the Dewalt does not have a locking trigger so I have to figure a way to make a clamp.

also I have not put on the aluminum plate for the upright. Still figuring out how to cut it correctly.

Carl

 

[CNC Dan]

looks good carl. Very simmilar to the one i built a few weeks ago for my millwalkee portaband. i added a larger table for better support too.
the only thing that i don't like is that the motor is in the way if you make a long cut. i saw that the harbor freight portaband was on sale, plus 20% off coupon made it only $67.00.
its cheap and loud, but the motor is out of the way. i added a bigger table and will build a stand for if next chance i get.
also, harbor freight has a foot switch for cheap too. just use one of their $2 plastic clamps to hold the trigger down.

 

[BukitCase]

Dan, don't know if you've had one of the HF saws before, but their version uses plastic gears to drive the wheels - mine lasted for 3-4 cuts, then stopped working at all. Worst money I ever spent, or close to it. Fortunately that's one of the tools that got stolen 5 years ago, insurance was nice enough to replace it with the REAL one (milwaukee)

If it were me, I'd put that $70 toward one of the 4x6 metal bandsaws - I've had mine for over a decade, still going strong. Recently upgraded to a Jet 7x12, but still use the little HF a LOT. JMSBO (Just My Slightly Biased Opinion :=) Steve

 

[CNC Dan]

Dan, don't know if you've had one of the HF saws before, but their version uses plastic gears to drive the wheels - mine lasted for 3-4 cuts, then stopped working at all. Worst money I ever spent, or close to it. Fortunately that's one of the tools that got stolen 5 years ago, insurance was nice enough to replace it with the REAL one (milwaukee)

If it were me, I'd put that $70 toward one of the 4x6 metal bandsaws - I've had mine for over a decade, still going strong. Recently upgraded to a Jet 7x12, but still use the little HF a LOT. JMSBO (Just My Slightly Biased Opinion :=) Steve

Thanks for the warning, but i already bought one. At work we have two big band saws so these small saws are just for small cuts on small stock. I might pull it apart and see if it could use more grease or better alignment.

 

[CNC Dan]

this is a pic of the milwalkee stand.

 

[BukitCase]

I can see why the HF saw would be better for some things on a stand - for your sake, I hope they quit making the blade wheel drive gears out of mush.

Never paid any attention to motor positioning before this, probably because having two other band saws that can be either horizontal or vertical, I only used the portaband for what it was originally intended (Don't tell any of my friends that, I'm always getting flak for my "NTM" condition - NeedToModify :=) -

Typical converstation - (me) "Bought a ******, gonna cut/drill/weld/bolt #### and bend the &&&&&, so I can adjust the ^^^^^ to use it for >>>>>" (friend) " hehehehahahayukyukyukchucklechuckle.." (me) "aw, shut up..."

Interesting that I'm usually the FIRST one they call when they're trying to solve a problem :=)

 

[jwmorris]

I picked up this portaband table off of craigslist for $75. I added the counter weight to the rear so you could adjust the feed pressure, the limit switch that cuts it off at the end of the cut and the ability to make miter cuts.

To keep it running in the absence of a locking trigger, I just cut a section of wood to hold it down.

 

[BukitCase]

$75, huh?

Milwaukee 48-08-0260 Band Saw Table - Amazon.com

Sooo, didja KISS 'em afterward?? :=) If you were on another forum I hang out on, you would DEFINITELY earn a "you suck" award - good find... Steve

 

[Shield Arc]

This mount is posted on some of the welding forums.

SWAG V4.0 Portaband Table

 

[IslandTractor]

Just sharing a welding project I got onto. Practicing thinner material. Built these two mounts for my portaband which I love dearly. Only complaint is that the Dewalt does not have a locking trigger so I have to figure a way to make a clamp.

also I have not put on the aluminum plate for the upright. Still figuring out how to cut it correctly.

Carl

Nice project. I have a potential solution for you on the locking trigger issue. On my Milwaukee portaband, I used a zip tie to lock the trigger on and then plugged the saw into a HF foot on/off electric foot pedal. Works fine. You could put the foot pedal next to the saw if you prefer and operate it with you hand. Works well for me.

For those who don't have your welding or fabrication skills, an outfit in Oregon, SWAG OffRoad, produces a very nice table for portabands. They have a variety of models, some being stands and one being a simple device you just clamp in your vise. Very well made and pretty reasonable price.

 

[IslandTractor]

This mount is posted on some of the welding forums.

SWAG V4.0 Portaband Table

I have that SWAG V4 Portaband Table. That particular model, which is very nice, only fits the newest Milwaukee Portaband. The V1, V2 and V3 will fit all other Milwaukee and ?? other portabands. Very nice mini table. SWAG OffRoad is the manufacturer.

 

[IslandTractor]

$75, huh?

Milwaukee 48-08-0260 Band Saw Table - Amazon.com

Sooo, didja KISS 'em afterward?? :=) If you were on another forum I hang out on, you would DEFINITELY earn a "you suck" award - good find... Steve

$75-150 is possible off Craigslist. I got one that way. Nice device for cutting but limited to 90 degree cuts. I use a piece of 4x4 angle iron to fashion a 45 degree miter on mine. The pipe chain vise will hold the angle iron in place so it is a quick and easy way to make the table a bit more versatile. It was designed really more for plumbers just cutting pipe so there is no ability to make angled cuts with the basic table.

 

[jwmorris]

I drilled and tapped the base for my miter setup, it made it so you could just use a c-clamp to hold the material.

The chain is a PITA.

You can also setup stops for many sections the same length.

You can see the addition and extra hole in the table in post 7. Don't know why it loaded sideways. The hunk of metal with all the holes was left over from some garage door opener install.

 

[IslandTractor]

The chain is a PITA.

.

You can say that again. I suppose it is very useful for the primary purpose of this table which is cutting pipe in the field but it sure is a pain in the arse when trying to cut anything else.

 

[CNC Dan]

This mount is posted on some of the welding forums.

SWAG V4.0 Portaband Table

I had seen those, but thought they were too much money. And I didn't like how all the weight of the saw hangs on the little table mounting. Besides, I like to make stuff.

 

[IslandTractor]

I had seen those, but thought they were too much money. And I didn't like how all the weight of the saw hangs on the little table mounting. Besides, I like to make stuff.

Making stuff is good. However, the version 4 of the Swag Portaband table is very well built and the saw attaches more firmly and is more stable than with the factory Milwaukee chop saw portaband table. It allows you to make curved cuts as well as being set up to accept a standard mitre gauge for precision angled cuts. Nice attachment even if it does cost a hundred bucks. I like mine. http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-V40-Portaband-Table_p_63.html

 

[CNC Dan]

Making stuff is good. However, the version 4 of the Swag Portaband table is very well built and the saw attaches more firmly and is more stable than with the factory Milwaukee chop saw portaband table. It allows you to make curved cuts as well as being set up to accept a standard mitre gauge for precision angled cuts. Nice attachment even if it does cost a hundred bucks.

I thought it was more than that.
Any how i got mine built and i used the mill at work to make the holes so they are in line with the edge of the table so i could make a miter gage, but so far i haven't had trouble folowing layout lines. Might be handy when making miter cuts on square tubing.

 

[Shield Arc]

I had seen those, but thought they were too much money.

A lot cheaper than this thing I got setting in my shop.:laughing:

 

[IslandTractor]

A lot cheaper than this thing I got setting in my shop.:laughing:

Stop making us jealous!

 

[CNC Dan]

A lot cheaper than this thing I got setting in my shop.

Nice. At work we have a big horz. saw, but it doesn't do angles. Must be great for miter cuts on large heavy wall tubing.