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View Full Version : First metal hacksaw


rreidiii
05-25-2010, 06:03 PM
What is a good (entry level hacksaw) for my shop, one that will last for a while? I'm fairly lazy and will not use a manual one.
Thanks in advance
Steven Janik
05-25-2010, 06:52 PM
I personally don't own one, but the Port-a-band from Harbor Freight seems to be popular on this site.
And cheap too!

Steve
Les George
05-25-2010, 07:01 PM
I have a Dewalt porta band that I clamp in a vise to use. It works fantastically! :)
rpaladin
05-26-2010, 05:29 AM
could you post a pic or two, showing how you set it up ..

tnx/ al
whiteeugene
05-26-2010, 07:37 PM
I made a stand out of uni-strut and tie raps.
http://dougwhitesworkshop.com/images/stories/knife/cimg0123.jpg
http://dougwhitesworkshop.com/images/stories/knife/cimg0124.jpg
Les George
05-26-2010, 08:01 PM
Mine works great!
JSteiner
05-28-2010, 07:00 AM
swagoffroad.com also makes a pretty trick mount for the portaband
joe sangster
05-28-2010, 05:36 PM
Portaband , hands down ! You can fashion a wooden stand & get a Harbor Freight & be in business for less than $100 . Where are you ? I have a dedicated Jet metal bandsaw that I'll sell you for a $100 .

Joe
rreidiii
05-29-2010, 09:43 AM
Portaband , hands down ! You can fashion a wooden stand & get a Harbor Freight & be in business for less than $100 . Where are you ? I have a dedicated Jet metal bandsaw that I'll sell you for a $100 .

Joe

San Diego CA Harbor freight has their vertical/horizontal one for sale for $179 is this good?
Johnny Roberts
06-08-2010, 07:38 AM
I didn't pay much more than 179 for my Dewalt. It has been a workhorse.

I bought an stand and mounted it to some plywood. I can move it if I need to and it clamps easily to my benchtop.

You will love it but I would recommend a using a push stick to move your material around. I had to learn the hard way.

http://www.knivesbyroberts.com/web_images/img_0349.jpg

Check out Swag Off Road (http://http://www.swagoffroad.com/Porta_band_Product.html) for a great mounting plate. The guy that fabs them is nice and will let you know if it is going to work with the portaband you are considering.

Johnny
Gary Miller
06-28-2010, 09:57 PM
I don't have any pics but I used a harbor freight horazonal/ vertical saw for 15 years. keep in mind a saw designed to cut metal will cut wood but most saws designed to cut wood run to fast to cut metal. with all tools get the very best that you can afford.