Hand held band saw

[Mills]

I bought a milwaukee and am very happy with it. I even ran over it with my trailer and it still goes. I have purchased a HF 4x6 that I will be setting up in the garage but that means the porta band will now be dedicated to the field where it is at its best.

[stretch]

You can get any length of blade you want. On the big blades they are never a certain size. They always cut and weld them when you order them. Just a few days and there are your blades. Odd sizes don't matter. I always buy 2 blades when I buy them so I am never out of a blade. Don't buy carbon steel blades, you will be sorry, they hardly last a cut and if the steel is hard forget it. HSS steel for the teeth and I have got a year out of a $60 blade.

[bigjohn]

After wearing out 3 Milwaukees in 14 years I would have to say they are by far the best saws. I use 10-14 varipitch bi-metal blades.They are just pure evil on solid bars of steel. Definitely buy two. One for hand use away from the shop and one beater to convert to a vertical with a foot switch for the welding table or I use two h beams for my layout table. Pawn shops are usually a good spot to score porta-bands.

[LITTLEJOHN]

I have used a Milwaukee and liked it, was a bit heavy but the weight helped keep just enough pressure to help in cutting. They are great to cut short stock if steel is kept in a rack or pile and you don't want to wrestle it out of the pile or are where you don't want to use a torch.

[hammerkid]

I ordered a hf porta band the other day for my smithy. I have a 4x6 clarke from TSC in my welding shop but sometimes A porta band is nicer. I like your design on the table you got HdWarner. So you get one yet Larry?
Thanks<chris

[larrynjr]

I did get the one from Northern Tools, it is very handy but even though I know the weight, it was heavier to work than I expected. I'll need to fabricate a mount system for it so I can save my strength for swinging my hammer.

[hammerkid]

cool! i ordered one from hf