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Tool Vertical bandsaw or Porta-band?

Tool
YYCHM said:
What size of stock can that portaband handle?
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Depends but the Milwaukee and King are 5"x5"
www.kmstools.com

Milwaukee Deep Cut Variable Speed Band Saw Kit

The 6232-21 Deep Cut portable band saw carries on the heritage of long-term reliability and performance that Milwaukee is known for. It features the exclusive Job Site Armor Technology and an all-metal direct drive system, providing game-changing durabili
www.kmstools.com www.kmstools.com
www.kmstools.com

King Canada 5X5" Portable Band Saw

This portable variable speed metal cutting band saw has a dial for 0-420 SFPM, it allows to quickly and precisely cut round or square metal stock with its large cutting capacity of 5 inch x 5 inches. It has an optimal speed range for cutting pipes, bolts,
www.kmstools.com www.kmstools.com
 
Some old school horizontal bandsaws had an additional hinge so it could rotate facing the same direction that the offcuts fall off, but I haven't seen one of those since the early 60s
 
Here's a bolt-on VFD and brushless motor kit:

"In this video we take a fully functional Craftsman 14" wood only band saw and upgrade it. The original induction motor runs at a fixed 1,700 RPM and it destroys metal blades because it only runs at 1,700 feet per minuet. When finished the the blade speed is variable between 200 feet per minuet and 2,600 FPM. Now it will cut steel and aluminum as thick as 8". There are two types of servo motors used. both of which will be available on eBay as a direct bolt on to fit this saw and several other brands that are the same actual band saw. These kits will show on eBay by searching for 14" Craftsman Band Saw Servo Motor. Make sure it is listed bt eBay member named: thecustomcrafter. Look up my contact information on my website: www.thecustomcrafter.com Actual eBay item numbers will be listed soon"


He also sells VFD and 1HP motor bolt-on kits for the 7x series mini lathes.
 
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I used to cut vertically on my 4x6 and now still cut lots on my 7x12 made a larger table for it (actual used the same one from my 4x6). I cut up to 1"x12"x18" AL plate to shape @ 34lbs to start. BTW the split between Horizontal and Vertical is about 50/50.

The secret to not tipping it is sit on it like a saw horse, I put a cushion on it so I'm comfy and safe. No tipping, no losing fingers.

As to what you should get, the small saw portable saws can be great, the bigger (even 4x6) is better.
 
He even didn't get that there are 2 pulleys available, a 1`.5 inch and a 3" for two speeds. His SFPM for the 3" should be about (14*pi*1700)/(3 * 12) or just over 2000 SFPM On the smaller pulley, just over 1000 SFPM

[edit: I made 2 mistakes and forgot about the master pulley size: it is usually 10"

so the revised SFPM for that saw should be 14/10 of 2000 sfpm or 2800 SFPM, approx.

(not too shabby, but he should have clarified)
 
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David_R8 said:
Did a quick test cut with the saw in the stand. Very impressed, maybe 20 seconds to cut through 1/2" x1" stock. Very square cut to boot.
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I have not owned a band saw till recently. Always used a hacksaw or chop saw or oxy-acetylene or paid someone to cut it for me.

When @thestelster got his King and everyone chimed in about how much better that was than a hacksaw, I started looking. I would have been happy with almost anything but managed to score one the same as his.

I'm ever so glad I did. It's missing a few parts but nothing I can't make. I love how square and how fast it is.
 
I just replaced a stolen 6.5" Milwaukee cordless circular saw with their 5 3/8" steel-cutting model. Also bought a wood-cutting blade for it - there are now a few for sale on Amazon. Watched a video of this new saw easily cutting through 3/8" steel plate.
 
Brian26 said:
I just replaced a stolen 6.5" Milwaukee cordless circular saw with their 5 3/8" steel-cutting model. Also bought a wood-cutting blade for it - there are now a few for sale on Amazon. Watched a video of this new saw easily cutting through 3/8" steel plate.
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Model number or link?
 
Brian26 said:
Milwaukee cordless circular saw with their 5 3/8" steel-cutting model.
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It’s been disappointing for me to see tools go mostly cordless. I always feel bad when the battery goes and a perfectly good tool goes in the garbage. Mind you, battery voltage and form factor seems to have become more standardized in the last few years, so it’s just the battery I‘ll be throwing into the garbage.

Except for my cordless drill and driver I still prefer corded for that reason. It would be a different story if I was a contractor going from site to site of course.
 
Batteries can be repaired, or recelled. I love my battery tools, especially the angle grinder, and am slowly switching all of my frequently used light/med duty stuff over as deals present themselves. There are corded tools I won't give up, like my big 1/2 drill, Milwaukee worm drive saw, and bigger grinders, but all the lighter duty stuff is cordless all the way. I rarely drag extension cords out for projects anymore.

As the the original topic, I'm a big fan of my porta band. It's probably one of my favourite tools. I don't think I'd have much use for a dedicated vertical metal saw, or a dual duty one. Space is pretty tight. I have a 14" taiwan delta wood saw in the basement with the cheesy trunions (I machined replacements for) that serves wood duty, barely. A porta band, horizontal 7x12, jig saw and plasma for metal cutting. A good jig saw with appropriate blades is often overlooked as a viable metalworking tool, but I've probably cut more metal with mine than wood over the years.
 
I really like my Milwaukee Porta Band (corded of course…LOL).

I’m thinking of adding a SWAG table when I have a weak moment.
 
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