Thinking about How to Cut Metal? A Portable Band Saw might be in your Future

Seriously, whether you are a fabricator or weekend warrior metal worker, you will find a portable band saw to be indispensable. Pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, boilermakers, and especially motorsports fabricators all use portable bandsaws to cut pipe, tubing, all-thread, round stock, pvc, square tubing, angle iron…basically anything and everything.

I remember one of the fab shops I worked a long time ago had a stand that converted their Milwaukee portable band saw into a handy little vertical bandsaw that worked great for trimming little sheet metal parts and round stock.

For a long time I was sorry that I didn’t make a sketch of that thing so I could make one…but now portaband stands like this are easy to find either as a “portable bandsaw kit” or as an aftermarket add-on.

If you are tooling up in your welding shop and are wondering how to cut metal, this is one tool you need. A porta-band is one of those tools you think you can do without until you get one. Once you have one, you will never want to do without it again.

Personally, if I was shopping for a porta-band, and didn’t need a cordless one, I think I would choose the Milwaukee Deep Cut Band Saw — 10.5/5.5 Amps, AC/DC, 2-Speed, Model# 6236N .

It has a deeper throat than the rest.

.... and more balls too.

But what if you need a cordless porta-band?....

This little Stout X-Band Bandsaw kit is made to swap back and forth from a regular porta-band to a vertical band saw in like... 2 seconds…pretty sweet!

prices on portabands.....

Makita Portable Band Saw, Model# 2107FK $359.99

Stout Tool Corp X-Band Cordless Portable Band Saw — 18 Volts, Model# STX-250C $299.99

X-Band Cordless Portable Band Saw DIY Kit — 18 Volt, Model# STX-250B $169.99

Northern Industrial Portable Band Saw $119.99 USD

If you need even more portability than a corded saw offers, a cordless portaband could be your answer.

The Stout X-Band Bandsaw offers portability, a unique handle that makes it easier to use one-handed, and a stand that lets you convert quickly from hand held portaband to a vertical portable bandsaw.

The throat on this thing is not very big but not everyone needs a deep cut.

If you need deep cutting capability along with more power and long lasting batteries…

The Milwaukee V28 Band Saw has one BIG set of Cajones

What do you think? Does this testimonial for the Milwaukee portaband convince you? Testimonials are pretty easy to fake, but this guy seems like a good ole Joe.

Besides, I have used Milwaukee power tools like portabands, drills, and grinders for a long time. They are tough and powerful. Its not much of a stretch for me to believe this cordless portaband does what they say.

Congratulations, you reached the end of the page...now you get the bonus...

These 2 links are really handy for how to cut metal tubing...fish mouth cuts...saddles...whatever you want to call them

1. Patterns for cutting fishmouths and saddles for handrails etc... a calculator that prints out a pattern that you wrap around the pipe, scribe a line, and make the cut.


2. Angle calculator for cutting round tubing This is a little calculator that spits out angles for mitre cuts on tubing. Then you cope the rest with a grinder.

leave the portable band saw page and learn about the Hobart Handler 115 volt mig welder