I was getting tired of cutting small pieces of metal like bolts and screws with my angle grinder. So I went on Facebook Marketplace and found an incredible deal on a Milwaukee 6232-20 bandsaw for only $160!
There were several brands to choose from and while the Hercules brand at Harbor Freight is good, you have to buy a warranty. Brands like Dewalt and Milwaukee honor their warranty even on second hand deals. So I think it was a win/win situation for me. Milwaukee is a quality brand and I think it will be just fine. Besides it was only like $20 more. A no brainer in my opinion.
I was contemplating building my own table, but with the price of metal around me so high, it was less money to just buy a table. I went with Swag Offroad’s Pro Portaband table. This thing is top notch. I had some concerns about the 1/8″ side leg panels. But once everything is put together it’s solid. It’s even more solid with a plywood base. The base will help me clamp the table to my bences.
I got the Morse Master Cobalt blades for the Milwaukee and they are quality.
I also had some concerns about the saw being stable on the table. It’s held by only two bolts. One is the round locking cap and the other is a set screw that is just applying pressure to the top of the sliding plate.
But it works! Swag Offroad has a variety of fabricated tools to help in your shop. I would definitely check them out. I also had some concerns about my existing miter gauge working with the table. Meaning will the gauge interfere with the blade, or will it fit in the slot. For the most part the slots will fit all standard size miter gauges with room to spare. The design of the table is genius in my opinion. The sides curve around the top creating a base for the miter gauge to slide on.
I wanted a way to turn the saw on with out having to reach for the power switch or taking the included strap that Swag Offroad gives you off and on every time. So I got a pedal from Harbor Freight and made a plywood base with some rubber feet so it wouldn’t slide around.
I still plan on building my own table to challenge myself. As soon as I get my hands on some metal, I will make that happen.
Meanwhile, here are some photos of the table and how I set it up.
