SuiteSuccess Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Part of my bucket list with recent retirement is learning to weld. I purchased the above steel cutting band saw and it works well but not real accurate on true cuts. Has anyone ever built a jig or frame to make it more like a permanent saw but still removable for travel? BTW I do have a cutoff saw but sometimes need the Portaband. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Just like a hacksaw, keep a constant eye on the blade/line interface, and make small corrections as needed. They're not really a precision machine, but can be a productive tool. I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 A cut off blade on a grinder will make a truer cut. Lots of sparks though. Much more dangerous too. More construction worker are injured with cut offs than portaband. Some construction companies have banned them. You are warned. I use a cutoff saw a lot. Don't even own a portaband. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadfitter Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 HI Carl HAPPY RETIREMENT!! I'm not sure if the fixtures are still available but Milwaukee and Greenlee both offered the accessories your asking about. Try port-a-band band saw stand??? Better yet call those companies customer service depts. I have used them in my past life. KEN roadfitter roadfitter 2000 T-2000 10 speed autoshift DD430/500 H.P. 2001 Alfa 39' Toyhouse http://community.webshots.com/user/roadfitter597 Holiday lite trucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclord2002 Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Carl, swagoffroad.com has a couple of portaband tables. Charlie Don't ever tell a soldier that he doesn't understand the cost of war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Carl, Here's what you really need. Maybe Donna will get it for you for Christmas? http://victortechnologies.com/thermaldynamics/products/prodList.html?brand=TDC&W2Code=TDC200500&W3Code=TDC301250&W4Code=&W5Code=&W6Code= I have had one for several years now, and love it. ain't cheap, but any thing worth having never is....... KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted May 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Thanks for the replies. Glen: in my former life was in the medical field and saw way too many injuries with a grinder and cut-off blade. Already had one major accident since retiring requiring trip to ER. Wife says no more stupidity. What she doesn't know it (stupidity) sometimes comes easy for me. Rick: maybe when I get good at this. Ken (Roadfitter) can attest I am still taking baby steps. Bill, Charlie, Ken. Will check your suggestions out. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHIEFWAHO Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Carl, swagoffroad.com has a couple of portaband tables. Charlie I have one of the SWAG tables for my Dewalt. Absolutely love it. http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-Portaband-Tables-Accessories_c_35.html 1999 Volvo VNL610, Cummins M11 - 350/400 HP, 10 speed Rockwell - 'CHIEF' Custom flatbed with TrailerSaver air hitch. 3 cyl 8000 watt Kubota diesel generator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronbo Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 I carry plasma cutter, wire feed welder, ports and and handheld grinder. You can cut slightly over and bring to precission with hand held grinder Ron C. 2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3 2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Carl, If you and Donna come to the Cornfield Rally, we can run up to my shop and play with welders and such. It's only about 15 miles from the campground. I have hook-ups there too. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted May 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Rick, Thanks for the invite. Gotta go to Texas and help with some family issues. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shorts Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 The unmentioned alternate tool is a sawsall, with a little practice and a high quality blade they will cut straighter and faster than a portaband. I'm also a big fan of a 4" grinder with a cut off disc, just know going in that it is also commonly referred to as "the wheel of death" Wear your protective gear and never get your body inline with the cut off wheel that is properly rated for the speed of the grinder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverEasy Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Carl, What kind of welding are you going to tackle? Stick, mig, tig, ??? If you are going to get a stick machine, be sure to get a AC/DC welder. I like my Miller but there are many that work well. Get yourself some 1/8 inch 7014 (sometimes referred to as "beginners rod" because it does not stick at touch so readily as something like 7018) and do some welding. There are classes at a lot of community colleges and at your age you can probably audit them for little cost. On edit, I failed to say something about the portable band saw. Sure, it will cut faster with the saw at 90 degrees to the steel but it will wonder. Try potting the blade in at the far end of the material and begin lowering the saw down the line. It will track much better. If you are going to do much cutting, buy a band saw. Even the cheap ones at Harbor Freight will do a decent job IF you never let the work slip while cutting. The result is an instant kink in the blade and some lost teeth. This one is a little expensive : http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200365544_200365544 Chet Chet & Deb '01 Volvo 660 w/ Smart '19 Forest River Columbus 320RS 5th wheel 2022 Chev 2500HD Long Bed Retired CWO4, USN and federal service Electronics Tech/Network Engineer/Welder/Machinist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I weld professional and hate a 7014. Know it has a place but is "junk" in our profession. 7018 and tig is my favorite. Mig can look good, very good, and be very faulty. It can do a great job but you really can mess up if you don't know it. Stick is forgiving. It will burn in. It can be ugly and strong. Got a gap, 6010 pass and then 7018. Can do a good looking weld downhill with a 6010 also. Works great with thin metal. Tig can do beautiful work. It is expensive. Low skills, stay with stick welding. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncohauler Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 2nd on swag off-road He makes great products and customer service is killer. The compact milwakee is a great saw I love mine. But they have there place. What are you trying to cut? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Gonna be mig welding and later aluminum when I get some semblance of good at it. I bought a Hobart 190 Handler and will get a spool gun for the aluminum later on. Spoke to Ken and JW Morgan at length and seems the 190 will do everything I want to do. Basically will be welding angle, plate, occasional round pipe for minor projects for the truck and trailer. Will probably never be doing my own hitches like BMZero but there are just too many times when something welded up nicely is so much prettier than something bolted up, if you know what I mean. Cutting probably not more than 1/4" so if projects get bigger will consider bigger toys. Do plan on a community college course maybe when it's cold out. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix2013 Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Carl, welcome to FRC, Flunked Retirement Club. Did you know I am considered it's unofficial Chairman. Are you in the running for the position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted May 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Carl, welcome to FRC, Flunked Retirement Club. Did you know I am considered it's unofficial Chairman. Are you in the running for the position. Hey Phoenix, just trying to get all the fun things into my life that I've never had time for. Remember my father welding before with a torch and a coat hanger. He passed away a few years back and had a lot of old time skills and tricks that I just didn't take the opportunity to learn. He could carpenter, fix any motor, weld, design. These skills are being lost. Hopefully will be a skill I can pass on to my grandkids--something that doesn't have electronics or a keyboard attached to it if you get my drift. That's why I admire all you folks here that have "jack of all trades" skills. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Carl, A light weight plasma cutter and a straight edge can cut anything you'll be doing. Nice clean cut, easy to work on inside angles, plus its another item (toy) to have. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 I agree. They do leave a bevel on the cut though. Not very noticeable on thinner gauge 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncohauler Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 Your off to a great start and the handler is a good light duty welder Perfect for learning. Practice practice practice. And in no time Henry will be hiring you to help him build hitches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dollytrolley Posted May 31, 2015 Report Share Posted May 31, 2015 In high school we had a Old-time Douglas Aircraft and Kaiser Ship Yards welder that was sooooo smooth with torch, stick, mig, submerged arc. brazing, silver , Ni-rod , hard-face he was a Master........ We had a 40 HP hot-saw and for the first month of class we had to saw all of our welds in half so that the Ole-man could grade them.......like Glenn said some welds look good but if you turn them upside-down they might just fall off......... The ole-man had a lot of companies donate steel rems and big scrap items for us kids to cut and weld so we were never short of metals. The final test of flame cutting was to write your FULL name in 6 inch high letters on old 24" pipe 3/8" wall and trace the lines outlined 1 inch wide then cut the name out AND........the name had to fall free without hitting it with a slag-hammer........boy oh boy did we murder many tons of scrap pipe......it was really hard.......unless you were the "ole-man". We had a Dutch kid who's name was Neco Put he was the first to get his name "clean-cut-out"...........My name has 15 letters ......... I had a lot of slag burns on my chaps by the time I had my name drop free inside the pipe........ Enjoy the heat...... 97 Freightshaker Century Cummins M11-370 / 1350 /10 spd / 3:08 /tandem/ 20ft Garage/ 30 ft Curtis Dune toybox with a removable horse-haul-module to transport Dolly-The-Painthorse to horse camps and trail heads all over the Western U S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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