Can anyone recommend a good portable bandsaw

[DHkorn]

I have a good size 700 wiremold project coming up and I'd like to get a portable bandsaw. I've used the wiremold cutters in the past but they are a pain when they get dull, which happens pretty quick. I saw a nice looking saw made by stouttool (8lbs) but I'm thinking twice about bringing a new type battery tool in, most of mine are dewalt. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks.

[ItsHot]

Milwaukee is a good one!

[jayrad1122]

I second Milwaukee! Corded or Battery.

[jdsmith]

I recommend the Milwaukee as well. There's a few different corded models, they all work well as long as they're variable speed. I haven't used the V28 portaband, but I have a couple V28 impacts and a V28 sawzall and they work well.

I like the looks of that little green one-handed saw also, but I haven't bought it because if the same hesitation with having another battery system to maintain. The one-handed part is what I like, but after a while with a strong wrist you can use the Milwaukee kinda-sorta one-handed:D.

[ultramegabob]

As everyone has been saying, you cant go wrong with milwaukee, but I like my porter cable.

[JES2727]

As my power tools need replacement, I'm replacing them all with Makita.

[ultramegabob]

Has anyone ever used a wiremould bender? I bought a couple of them off an electrician that retired, I have had them laying around the shop for a couple years, havent had the need to use them yet....

[ultramegabob]

which ever brand you pick, try to get one with that has the deeper cut, comes in handy for cuting larger materials, and I second that on the variable speed....

[cadpoint]

I'm not going to recommend a name, I will say that you should probably use a corded device, I had a co-worker give me a hard time about purchasing a corded right angle drill, "I said look, if I need to use this I want power", I think the same applies...

[quogueelectric]

Milwaulkee deep cut.

[DIRT27]

Milwaukee, we have the 28v cordless and it last a really long time and is nice not to drag a cord around. The corded ones also work well. It seems like Milwaukee has market for band saws, just like makita with the impacts. When there good people will buy them.

[infinity]

Has anyone ever used a wiremould bender? I bought a couple of them off an electrician that retired, I have had them laying around the shop for a couple years, havent had the need to use them yet....


I've used them several times. They're good for shallow degree bends like offsets. I wouldn't plan on bending any 90's with them.

[iwire]

For the Wiremold job I suggest a cordless metal cutting circular saw.

http://www.toolking.com/images/products/bigMW0740-22.jpg

Milwaukee 0740-22 28V Cordless Metal Cutting Saw Kit, (http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_27_40028_-1_735037_192140_192137)

[cschmid]

Man I must be old school I do allot of wire mold and I still carry a hacksaw..on bigger stuff I have tried it all and I think the band saw gives the best finish cut but it is kind of cumbersome..the circular saw is good but it is like the chop saw leaves a pretty good burr on the material..reciprocating saw with 32 tooth blade which is hard to find normally have to order them 24 tooth is standard stock does best all around job on medium to small wiremold..I use chop saw for bigger stuff normally..but the circular saw is easier to carry around..

edited to add on bigger stuff chop saw give more accurate cut..

[ITO]

Dewalt also makes a nice deep cut band saw. I bought a bunch of them last year on a tool buyout deal, and now most of my guys prefer them over the the Milwaukee.

[SmithBuilt]

I second the metal cutting circular saw. Quik clean cut. Everyone should try one out for themselves. From conduit to strut.

[Cow]

I second the metal cutting circular saw. Quik clean cut. Everyone should try one out for themselves. From conduit to strut.

I agree, I have the 18v Dewalt version and it works well. It'd go through Wiremold like butter.

[e57]

Milwaukee is my vote for one reason - in a finish situation with a circular saw you end up with the kerf all over the floor - 1/8" wide tiny platelets that stick to the bottom of your shoe. I do a bit of welding as a hobby, and cut 3/16 flat and tube steel on a table saw (miters etc.) and have to change my shoes so as not to track the chips up and around the house. Band saw is a fine powder and gives a good clean cut - very little prep after that. Circular saw, depending on the sharpness of the blade will give a straight, cut, but needs to be preped with a file. Also a lot louder.

Also you can - if willing to pay $250 more - get a stand/chop vise for the band saw - great for larger conduit and production on other jobs - nice straight cuts!

[DHkorn]

I settled on the DeWalt 934K-2. For two reasons, I got a recommendation from a recently hired apprentice from a flatting shop. And the advantage that our cordless tools are all 18v Dewalts. I have reservations about the $50 blades but the 9.5 lb weight sounds nice. Thanks All.

[mdshunk]

I have a good size 700 wiremold project coming up and I'd like to get a portable bandsaw. I've used the wiremold cutters in the past but they are a pain when they get dull, which happens pretty quick.
How much 700 you running? I know I've got probably 5,000 feet on my 700 cutter blade, and it's not a bit dull. No burr whatsoever. I'd use a regular 700 cutter if it was me. No secondary deburring operation required, unlike a portaband.

[peter]

Nobody has mentioned this yet but Harbor Freight sells an orange portable bandsaw. It sells for about ~$70 but somethimes goes on sale for ~$60.
I mention this because all those other saws cost around ~$300 and you can get five of the Harbor Freight models for the same price. Some people have limited budgets you know. Especially for a specialty tool which you might not need much.
I would [and did] replace the blade with a quality, fine tooth blade. After all, all these things are is a motor and a couple of wheels and some guides and a frame to hold everything together. Kind of like a little motorcycle.
~Peter

[LarryFine]

I mention this because all those other saws cost around ~$300 and you can get five of the Harbor Freight models for the same price.
That's a good thing, since it may well take that many to last as long. :rolleyes:

Translation: They're cheap for a reason.

[peter]

Mr. Fine,
It is true that the Original Poster asked for a "good" bandsaw. However, he also stated that this was for one particular job. In such a case, perhaps a $60 Harbor Freight bandsaw may just fit his current needs.
This would be a savings of about ~$240 which will [currently] pay for about 3 tanks of gas! Some people do not have unlimited wallets.
~Peter

[mdshunk]

This would be a savings of about ~$240 which will [currently] pay for about 3 tanks of gas!
Depends on your tank. :wink: I can't fill one truck for that at the moment.

[jrannis]

Has anyone ever used a wiremould bender? I bought a couple of them off an electrician that retired, I have had them laying around the shop for a couple years, havent had the need to use them yet....

I used them for offsets years ago. From what I remember they work very well.

[cschmid]

Mr. Fine,
It is true that the Original Poster asked for a "good" bandsaw. However, he also stated that this was for one particular job. In such a case, perhaps a $60 Harbor Freight bandsaw may just fit his current needs.
This would be a savings of about ~$240 which will [currently] pay for about 3 tanks of gas! Some people do not have unlimited wallets.
~Peter


peter I can not even fill my wifes car for that..she drives a Toyota so were are you getting Gas so cheap..

[Dennis Alwon]

He is a one man band saw and a more complex 3 man band saw.

http://www.foolsparadise.co.uk/fools07pix/pix2007/dennisteeth1D.jpghttp://www.jewsharpguild.org/images/PNP2006/saws_sm.jpg

[JohnJ0906]

He is a one man band saw and a more complex 3 man band saw.

http://www.foolsparadise.co.uk/fools07pix/pix2007/dennisteeth1D.jpghttp://www.jewsharpguild.org/images/PNP2006/saws_sm.jpg

I'm sorry Dennis, those are saw bands. :D

[Dennis Alwon]

I'm sorry Dennis, those are saw bands. :D

Yeah but that was the best I could do. You have to use your imagination a lot to understand me. :D

[JohnJ0906]

Yeah but that was the best I could do. You have to use your imagination a lot to understand me. :D

Yeah, I know. :D