Chop saw alternative

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After having a chop saw and not being happy with its accuracy and cleanup after each cut, I thought I try a bandsaw.  Well I bought a used 4x6 bandsaw and could not get it to cut accurately.  Tried adjusting the guides ruined a couple of blades, I just couldn't get i to work right.  I was then tempted to possibly buy a chopsaw that uses the carbide tip blade but theblades seem to be expensive and delicate.                                                    I did a search for bandsaw and found a model g5010 which is like a portaband mounted to a table that allows it to work like a mitersaw.  In continuing my search I found a review of the saw on www.thehobbyistmachineshop.com and covers the tool pretty well.  Idid buy one and have had it for couple of months.  It cost me around $260.00with shipping.  The only thing that I've built were some tables for my garage and only used the cut ends to square everything up.  The first table was out of square by 1/16" the second table was 1/8" off on diagnols and both were easily squared up before I finished welding them.  Table size was 30"x60" and was made out of c channel that was 2.5"x1.62" using 2" square tube to make the corners.  This little machine definitely has power and cuts faster than a chopsaw and is as easy to use as a wood mitersaw.                                       Thanks for reading,                                                  Jay
Reply:Jay, what brand is the saw, and where can I buy one? Also does the table allow the saw to swivel like a miter-saw for cutting on an angle?I'm in the same position you were in, about to strap an M-80 to my HF chop-saw or hit it with the trusty 12 guage.Edit, I guess if I read the links that would have answered my question. It's now down to this or the Grizzly saw, I like that the Grizzly can actually be used as a Portaband, but this one looks to be better for mettering tube.Last edited by maxyedor; 12-05-2007 at 01:51 AM.
Reply:I could not find an actual brand name but all the info I found was by looking by the model #.  It does miter to 45 degrees but the pointer is cast into the base, kind of a neg..  It would have been better if it had an adjustable pointer but it does have adj. stops at 0 and 45 degrees.  There is a company called Kama, that is probably the original, and they sell their unit for about $900.  From the pics that I've seen this seems to be a import copy.                                                         JayO
Reply:I have the HF portaband and have been thinking about making a base similar to those.  I found that Milwaukee$$$$, Jet$$$ and Grizzly$$ make them.  The only thing I was thinking for mine was to pivot it from the other end to minimize dead weight on the blade, relocate the switch for auto shut-off and put an adjustable drop-feed cylinder on it so I could set it and walk away like the larger horz band saws.  I would just buy the larger horz saw, but I don't have the room.  These don't take up much floor space and I agree, bandsaws cut quieter and cleaner than chops, if you aren't in a big hurry.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:I think a lot of the accuracy of a chop saw is taking your time with it. The blade is going to move and not cut square if you are forcing the cut at all. If you just get it on the metal and push as it cuts it will cut square. Band saws are a great thing to have though, I wish I could buy one.
Reply:Originally Posted by JayOI did a search for bandsaw and found a model g5010 which is like a portaband mounted to a table that allows it to work like a mitersaw.
Reply:Does anyone know how often the guy at www.lathemaster.com imports those saws? i am looking to get one and his is the cheapest i have seen ive found a few that dont miter, but i want one that miters. Anyone know how often this guy imports these? Thanks