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how did i ever live without a hand held band saw! after buying i have found a thousand use for it! what are some of the use that you have found for yoursSIN CITY METAL WORKSvisit my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/devvon
Reply:When I started the sprinkler trade 15 years ago was the frist time I had every seen a port-a-band. This was way cooler then sliced bread. My 1st paycheck. I bought a Milwaukee port-a-band.  Still have it and use it just about everyday.     We have a few Dewalts at work. I like them and the light is really nice for those poorly lit construction site.  I hate the delay on the dewalts when you pull the trigger.  Hard to get used to.enjoy and happy cuttingPound to fit, paint to match
Reply:Most used metal cutter. Mine is a cheapie and it sucks compared to a name saw but it's still great. Bimetal blades are so inexpensive and they cut pretty hard metal. Helps avoid risk to the more expensive blade on my horizontal saw.Use a pipe wrap and you can get nice square cuts.Lincoln SA200, HH135, Lencospot, HF80 Inverter, Rockwell 11x35 lathe, HF drill mill, Kama 554 tractor w/ FEL & BH, Belarus 250AS, lot's of Chinese tools
Reply:my milwaukee is 25 years old.. was heavily used for two years and moderate use since..makes a very nice cut..
Reply:I cant stand the d@mn things..... i wont even carry one on my rig.They make crappy cuts that are never strait, they always get pinched when making a cut, blade gets stuck and ends up popping off.I have used about every brand of hand held band saws out there and i have not been impressed with any of them.I can make a LOT better cut in about anything with a 4.5" or 6" cut-off disk and can do it quicker and more square.Granted they are  1 step better than a hack saw.... but that's about it..Steve1946 Shorthood  -  1958 Blackface  -  1962 Redface  -  1967 Redface  -  1968 Redface -  1970 Blackface  -  2005 300D -  2008 Vantage 300  -and a ton of other welding stuff
Reply:My Porta-Band sees lots of use.  I used one on the job for years and when retirement got close I ordered one of my own.  It is especially useful when working away from the shop, it then substitutes for the H/V bandsaw and does a good job of it.  In the shop I use it for some cuts that would be hard or impossible to do on the H/V bandsaw generate less heat than the plasma cutter or oxy/ace torch.  As someone already stated it is a step above a hacksaw.......and much more.Larry "I feel for the man who cannot spell a word more than one way."  by Mark TwainLincoln AC225-SLincoln Weldpac 100 Miller Matic 180 (auto set)Miller Spectrum 375 ExtremeMiller Spoolmate 100Victor Super Range II
Reply:Originally Posted by C6.7weldrigI cant stand the d@mn things..... i wont even carry one on my rig.They make crappy cuts that are never strait, they always get pinched when making a cut, blade gets stuck and ends up popping off.I have used about every brand of hand held band saws out there and i have not been impressed with any of them.I can make a LOT better cut in about anything with a 4.5" or 6" cut-off disk and can do it quicker and more square.Granted they are  1 step better than a hack saw.... but that's about it..
Reply:Lets see, got two dewalts in the shop, and a milwaukee in the truck.  Between my porta bands and my metal cutting circular saws.  I pretty much never used my torches to cut anything anymore.  Porta bands are one of those have to have tools.Lincoln 300 Vantage 2008300 Commander 1999SA250 1999SA200 1968Miller Syncrowave 200XMT350MPA/S-52E/xr-15Xtreme 12vs Millermatic 251 w/30A  Millermatic 251 Dialarc 250 Hypertherm 1250 GEKA & Bantom Ironwokers
Reply:Dont take what i said the wrong way.... there are times that i pull one of the Portabands out to cut something.... its just few are far between.I perfer my Porter-Cable bandsaw by FAR over my Milwaukee's and other brands... I have beat the crap out of my Porter-Cable and it just keeps on ticking.I just dont use any of them enough to carry one on my rig....I have quicker, easier, and better ways to make strait, clean cuts....Between my circular saw, carbide chop saw and cutting disks..Steve1946 Shorthood  -  1958 Blackface  -  1962 Redface  -  1967 Redface  -  1968 Redface -  1970 Blackface  -  2005 300D -  2008 Vantage 300  -and a ton of other welding stuff
Reply:We have 50 portabands in our shop. In some situations its the only thing we can use to make cuts. We use alot of metal skill saws. Sometimes there not good enough though. I prefer the new dewalts over any other brands we have. I have been thinking of buying a new dewalt  for home use but just rebuilt my old milwaukee for about 50 bucks so i cant justify a new one.
Reply:My Milwaukee Portaband is simple, quick and easy. For quick fab work it is the 'go to' method of choice. I've a Ellis 3000, Hypertherm plasma cutter, gas axe and other equipment, but if speed and ease are factored in the Milwaukee variable speed Portaband comes out on tops.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Since you bought the dewalt, be aware that the dewalt "HD" blades are thicker and make straighter cuts in anything they will fit.  The thinner blades (pretty much everything else) have slack between the blade guides and do not make very repeatable cuts.Check out swag off road, they make an adapter to put the milwaukee & dewalt portabands on a vertical stand, and a guide to allow you to use a mitre gauge with them http://swagoffroad.com/I'm not associated with swag, I just bought one and love it.
Reply:I've got one of the older Milwaukee porta bands at work, and am thinking about picking up my own...Are the new DeWalts really that good? Anybody use both so we can compare apples to apples? The new Milwaukee band saws seem to match them in capacity and efficiency on paper.And it seems like the original "Porta Band" from Porter Cable is no longer made, as I can't find it on their site anymore and they are no longer for sale on Amazon.I'd like to go Milwaukee, as they have been good to me and most of my power tools are red, but if the DeWalts are really that good....thanks WW!
Reply:I agree that a portaband is an indespensible tool.  It is my humble opinion that they can make very good cuts if the operator allows..  When I worked for north shore there was a guy there that showed me how to use one properly.  And after my welder and a few grinders it was the first high dollar item I purchased for myself.  I like the norton blades.
Reply:ive gotten to use one once and it was slick!
Reply:I have the exact same Dewalt,The light is a great thing to have, O-yea, it can cut straight if ya guide it straight, does take a little skill, but it's great for salvage cuz gas is getting very expensive (O/A)......I have only broke one blade in the last year......
Reply:Originally Posted by C6.7weldrigI cant stand the d@mn things..... i wont even carry one on my rig.They make crappy cuts that are never strait, they always get pinched when making a cut, blade gets stuck and ends up popping off.I have used about every brand of hand held band saws out there and i have not been impressed with any of them.I can make a LOT better cut in about anything with a 4.5" or 6" cut-off disk and can do it quicker and more square.Granted they are  1 step better than a hack saw.... but that's about it..
Reply:Originally Posted by ncfhI've got one of the older Milwaukee porta bands at work, and am thinking about picking up my own...Are the new DeWalts really that good? Anybody use both so we can compare apples to apples? The new Milwaukee band saws seem to match them in capacity and efficiency on paper.
Reply:I made the table for mine.. works great since im doing a ton of stainless and my big saw spins to fast SIN CITY METAL WORKSvisit my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/devvon
Reply:Originally Posted by greenbuggyI bought the Dewalt DW28770k (the "k" means it comes with a case IIRC).  Before purchasing it ~2 years ago I had used a 6 mos old Milwaukee deep cut portaband that a contractor working for my company had.  I did like the milwaukee but as other posters have noted it couldn't make a straight cut to save its life.I ended up going with the more expensive dewalt because of the following deal breakers: - The sight light.  Being able to see your line instead of searching for it under the shadow of your upper body and saw has definitely improved my cuts.  With the swag off road adapter it works great as well in "vertical mode" - "HD" blades.  Takes blades that are .025 thick instead of .020, seems like a tiny difference but it makes a huge difference. - "bumpers" on the outsides of the aluminum wheel houses.  Mine has taken several spills off of workbenches and tailgates and survived no problem
Reply:i like useing  my saw a lot i see that you  made a biger table   http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=43455
Reply:I looked at both the Dewalt and the Milwaukee. I actually liked the Milwaukee a little better. The Dewalt was a little cheaper ($28.00), the Milwaukee had a little better specs.    (10.5 Amp motor vs 10.0 amp, and max speed of 420 sfpm vs 350 for the Dewalt). The Milwaukee came with a case but no blade included. Blades (10/14) were about $6.00 each. The DeWalt kit (with a case and blade) was $150.00 more than the Milwaukee with a case and no blade. The main reason that I bought the Milwaukee was the way it felt in my hands. Personal preference and we all have different size hands. I suggest that you handle both before purchase and see which one you actually like best. By the way, I own a lot of DeWalt tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by ncfhThank you!I think I will try out the DeWalt. Just have to compare cost of blades, I'm sure they are close enough thou.
Reply:I bought my Milwaukee fir 275$ and it came with a rebate for a free angle grinder.
Reply:This is what picked up for on site use.  Dont normally need really accurate cuts out on the job.  No its not a porta band, but its lite and packs up easily in the ute.The thin discs on my cordless and 5 inch seem to do ok where my small bandsaw cant be used.The crude table I built for it has gotten me outta trouble enough times to make it well worth building.In the shop there is its bigger brother if I wanna get a straighter cut. Attached Images