As the title implies, I have a portaband I'd like to make more use of. It's currently handheld and needs a stand. I would just jump on the Swag Offroad stand as it's the traditional gold standard. But the relatively new Harbor Freight offering adds the ability to use it horizontally like a crazy chop saw. If you had a portaband but no table right now which one would you order and why??
And the harbor freight is on sale for 99 this weekend
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
Thanks for the tip, I ended up ordering one last night before the sale ended. If I don't like it, I can probably send it on and get the Swag table.
I'm curious about this as well. I have the Swag stand and use it often for smaller stuff but also have access to a horizontal bandsaw when I need to cut stock.
The HF version looks versatile but from the pics seems sort of flimsy in the upright configuration. One nice addition to either of these is a simple foot switch to toggle power to the saw.
enginenerd said:One nice addition to either of these is a simple foot switch to toggle power to the saw.
Oooh, good tip. I don't know how I would add that switch since I'm using a cordless saw, but I'll think about it. Maybe a pull cable.
I have had the Portaband Pro that the Harbor Freight stand is based on for about 8 years now and absolutely love it. I paid $350 for mine and it was worth every penny, I would pick up the $100 HF version in a heartbeat if I ever had to replace that stand. The versatility to go from cutting stock to length as a horizontal to standing up and cutting vertically is outstanding for how compact of a tool it is. It stores much better than the Swag Offroad table and I'd argue that the way trigger lock switch works negates the need for a foot pedal which is pretty much a must have on the Swag mount.
Adding picture. The switch linkage on the Portaband Pro is really slick and I have never once wished I had a corded saw with the footpedal.
I bought the Swag table and I've been super happy with it. Made from heavy stock and easy to fit the saw to it - however, my older Milwaukee's mounting screws did not line up straight with the slot cut in the top - so it sits at an angle and I can't use the guide I bought......to their credit they sent me a new top plate with only the slot in it so I could drill my own holes and get it lined up straight.
I also originally ordered the powdercoated top plate, but sent it back in exchange for a non coated top plate. The shards would get caught in the powdercoat and it made it difficult to slide the metal being cut into the blade......it would stick to the plate or get bound up.
I do like the small size and portability of it, and I really like how easy it is to use and to get accurate cuts. I think that HF stand is too bulky for my shop.
Life is a learning experience, isn't it?
I drew one up in Fusion, had SendCutSend make it, welded it up, and hung it off the side of my welding table.
Just an update, I finally got the saw mounted in the HF table and like it. I'd prefer if it was easier to remove the saw from the stand but studying it, I don't think there's a way they could make it that much easier and still have the saw secure in the table. It does seem to be a direct rip off of the Portaband Pro which is disappointing, I didn't realize it was such a direct copy. But it's nice, and seems high quality. The trigger mechanism works. A remote switch would be nice but I don't see how I could do it with the cordless saw without a lot of modification. I've used the saw more in the last month than I used it since getting it, so the table is a hit. It does take some getting used to, especially when cutting round stock.
And since pictures make a post interesting - saw mounted in stand:
And a modification I made to the stand; I was unhappy with how far it let the saw go down in the chop saw mode. It would let the saw hit the table. So, I put a rubber foot on an unused extra bracket that came with the saw and mounted it to limit travel. It's adjustable.
And then the saw helped me add some triangulation to a metal bracket that I wanted to use as a canoe wall mount:
The white part is new. Cutting the tubular steel was so easy with the band saw in the stand. Welding it on to the bracket turned it from a noodly weak mess into a bracket so strong I can put the canoe and a tandem kayak on a pair of them and still put my weight on it without it bending. SO much better. All welded and painted:
They're installed and work great but the back of my shop is such a mess I'm too embarassed to post photos. You'll have to imagine it. They're great.
Does yours cut square? I seem to get slightly angled cuts, I'm thinking I may need to shim something.
I've wanted a Swag mounted portaband for a long time, but since I don't own a saw to mount to it, I would need to buy both at the same time.
Now that the Harbor Freight stand has been given the thumbs up, what would be the dream saw to mount to it?
I suspect that I would use it vertically more often than as a chop saw.
In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :
I have the Portaband Pro and rarely ever use it as a chop saw, like maybe once.
Japanspec said:Does yours cut square? I seem to get slightly angled cuts, I'm thinking I may need to shim something.
I have no idea, I haven't done anything really accurate enough to care yet. I'll check the next time I chop! It's all very adjustable which is good and bad - bad in that dialing it in would be a tedious hours-long process.
@Woody: I'm partial to Milwaukee power tools, but any good quality brand would suffice I'm sure.
I've used both, and while I own the Harbor Freight table, I wish I had bought the Swag. The Swag table is larger, it suits what I do better.
The HF unit is good for using as a chop saw, but the table is itty-bitty, with no options for a fence.
Swag is where its at. Support USA small businesses.
Harbor freight has a time and a place, but a portaband table isnt it.
I am using mine with an M18 bandsaw and couldnt be happier with the combo. So much nicer than carving stuff with an angle grinder.
For chop saw usage I still use my DeWalt corded chop saw, it works just fine, I am not cutting thick stock where a bandsaw would be a better option.
You'll need to log in to post.
