Milwaukee portable stand

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I was looking at my portable band saw today and was trying to figure out how to make a stationary stand for it.  Milwaukee makes one, but is fixed at 45deg and is very expensive (could get 2 chop saws for what they want for the stand).From what I can see so far is that I'd have to clamp the handle in a sortof vise, and come up with a swivel type base.  The gears are turning in my head, but would appreciate any ideas or input.
Reply:I don't believe the base milwaukee makes is fixed at 45º, it's just that the arm for the saw does some wierd contortions that makes it appear that way. At least the couple that I've seen any way. But, like you say, at $250ish they aren't the most attractive option out there. You could buy one of the low budget horizontals for that price.I have one of the milwaukee portables and just love it. I made my own base for it and it has done a lot of good duty so far. It's my main means cutting and sees quite a bit of use (hobby wise). On mine I made a fairly heavy deck/table and the saw quick mounts to an arm so the saw moves up and down very similar to a conventional horizontal band saw. But (there's always a but), having done this I wouldn't recommend this as a real practicle option to just buying a low budget band saw. To obtain any amount of sturdyness and moderate precision it's a fairly intense project. Especially for a guy like me with limited talent and using as much scrap as possible. The only thing that prevents me from buying the proper saw right now is space. My shop is running out of space. Don't get me wrong. Mine works great and I have the advantage of being able to easily take it anywhere with me if needed or break it apart for hand held use. It's just after having been down that road I can see the practicality of having both a portable and a stationary unit available. I never was a big fan of "combination" tools. I have seen a couple of other designs done by guys altho I can't say right off where you could get any pics. Search this board or one of the others maybe. I probably have or could come up with some pics if you would like. Think it over.
Reply:Space is my problem too.  I work in my 2 car garage, and believe me, cars rarely get in it.  I have this huge work bench that I could probably cut in half, I made it when I was 22 ish and went way overboard.  Anyway, I do luv my portable, but doing 45deg cuts is something of a chore with it.  Maybe if I just make a jig to hold it so the fence is square when doing 45 cuts..hmmmSure, if you have a couple pics available, let me take a peek.Last edited by Doolittle; 11-25-2006 at 01:56 PM.
Reply:Anyway, I do luv my portable, but doing 45deg cuts is something of a chore with it. Maybe if I just make a jig to hold it so the fence is square when doing 45 cuts..hmmm
Reply:Prototype jig for 45's Attached Images
Reply:http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/...ad.php?t=21370Here is a link to the one I made, and info from other people's suggestions.My pictures didn't have the clamp yet but I bolted a drill press vice to the table.It doesn't allow for degreed mitre cuts, but I made a jig at the 20degree angle I need to cut. I cut angle iron and just clamp to the jig with vice grips. Crude but it works.I actually have very little use for a portaband, and am looking to buy a regular horizontal saw. HF is supposed to have theirs on sale.I do have to say that even in all its crudeness, it is still my most used tool. I haven't used the chop saw since built.
Reply:thanks for the response petersonj20.  It looks great, but I never thought of the blade travel..  That little 45 jig works to keep the blade from binding and jumping but doesnt help in the vertical.  I still just eyeball it.  Sandy, saw your setup as well.  Thanks!  Im thinking of a clamping system with perhaps a miter jig and drill press vice.Thanks again
Reply:Im bringing this thread back. Has anyone figured out a way to make the portaband a horizontal saw that can cut 25-45 degree cuts?I cant search anymore, my eyes are tired
Reply:Not sure if this will give you the angles but an idea....http://swagoffroad.com/Porta_band_Mo...t_Product.html
Reply:Originally Posted by CUOFFROADNot sure if this will give you the angles but an idea....http://swagoffroad.com/Porta_band_Mo...t_Product.html
Reply:Originally Posted by slimneverdiesYeah, Ive watched that for a while but would rather have my saw horizontal.With that setup its near impossible to get an accurate angle cut. Im sure theres an easy DIY setup but im having a brain fartI bought this saw just to basicly cut square tubing but while cutting with my hands as a guide the cuts are never straight