My harbor freight porta band

[David wulf]

We'll i have been needing a metal band saw for a long time now . I had a stair railing project to do and was going to have to cut 1/4" 2x2 tube , so I got a HF porta band for 99 bucks .
After all the pieces were cut down in length I got started on building a stand an table for it . You can buy a stand , table setup from swag off-road , cost to much . So I went online and found some pics of HF porta band setups .
This was pretty simple to make and only took a hour to do cause I already had most the stand built .

 

[jdogg]

Nice stand David!! I love my saw, I bought it to cut thick aluminum! Works great!! I'll have to make me a stand! Did you buy a good set of after market blades? The stock one is junk!!

 

[David wulf]

Thanks , yes I did the one that comes on the saw is for wood . I bought me some lenex blades , they cut killer .

 

[Docdc]

Hi David, you need to do a tutorial for some of us challenged folk. That saw would make life a lot easier around here.

Doc

 

[Biffmini]

:thumbsup:Very nice, Great idea thanks for passing it on!

 

[jdogg]

the one that comes on the saw is for wood .

I wouldnt know I threw my away upon unboxing! The blade that is!! :laugh:

 

[massacre]

Jody from welding tips and tricks has been building these for a while.
I have a full size band saw, and anything remote I have angle grinders and 1 cordless grinder. Otherwise I would build one for myself.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Psk5i3dMW2w

 

[danford1]

I have and use a multitude of saws. My go to saw is the tried and true 3" air die grinder cut off tool. Spend the extra money and get GOOD wheels. I use and really, really like the 3M 1/32" 3" thin wheels. They have a green color to them. They cut a nice thin kerf and last longer than you would think as long as you don't force them into what ever you are cutting. https://www.amazon.com/3M-1989-Gree...=1-1&keywords=3m+cut+off+wheels+3"+1/32wheels

For heavier cutting I use a good old Harbor Freight electric 4" angle grinder with a 4" cut off wheel. It cuts fast thru 1/4" steel.
I also use a sawzall and hacksaw. I do have a plasma cutter but haven't used it much. It is a cheapy that works Very well. I can recommend it as a budget plasma. The kerf is wider than an expensive plasma cutter but if you are just hacking something off it doesn't matter. Very fast quick cuts. If you use a straight edge as a guide you can get some straight cuts too.
Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter Dual Voltage 1/2 Inch Cut

I forget, I have an old cheap China horzontal/vertical bandsaw that works just fine as others have mentioned. I have it probably 20 years too. I use that when I think of it. It isn't as easy to get to in my crowed small garage. There usually is something in front of it I would have to move to get to it. I'm lazy so I'll grab my 3" die grinder most of the time. It is easy to get and cuts well.

Danford1