Best Benchtop Band Saw - SWAG Off Road Portaband Table w/ Bauer Saw by Harbor Freight!

[@RonCovell]

Alan - very well done! It's always great to know which moderately-priced products have decent quality. Many are lousy, and you often can't tell the difference by looking at pictures online.

[@HotRodHippie]

Yea, the regret of buying a bad tool really does sting. I’ve still got to make that video I talked to you on that topic. Maybe soon. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@zachsagurs3384]

Alan, I bought a Swag Table top for my Dewalt cordless Portable bandsaw, and just love it. The guys there are super helpful, and somehow I ordered a wrong configuration, so for an extra 25 dollars they sent me the correct plate for my saw. They also sell the foot control for the corded saws, and I bought one for my drill press. It works really well.

[@thadstuart8544]

I have exact same set up. Same saw and same table. I bought pedal from HF which i just tap once to start and tap again to power down. I noticed my band saw blade's right side is against the table top, but yours is too. I was going to Dremel it out, but maybe it's supposed to be that way to keep the blade perpendicular to the table. Great review. I love the set up

[@oldestnerd]

I've had the exact same setup for little while now. So far, my only problem is the SWAG part developed a little bit of rust before I'd noticed it. I used steel wool to remove the rust and applied a little lubrication. So far it looks good. In retrospect maybe I should have bought the power-coated model.

[@ddacombe4752]

I have the same pairing, excellent for my small setup. I also added an industrial start/stop button on the front which the saw plugs into and a magnetic sewing machine light.

[@HotRodHippie]

Sounds like a solid setup. I should consider making a light assembly. Good idea.

[@allensketchclub8579]

what i truly enjoy most about the content produced by the fabricators i follow is how much they value the input from the followers as well as take the time to answer questions. in particular the 3d printed idea for addressing the holes was fantastic. the answers to the table top bandsaw also addressed the same exact question that i had. i am looking forward to not only the exhaust video, but also your mentioned bad tool content.

[@DouglasClaude]

WTF... I just found out you have over 20 videos that KZbin never informed me about. -_- On the plus side, I now have a bunch of videos to watch.

[@jimmyrogers4177]

I have had mine a couple years and the single bold has never failed. If the holes are a problem put bolts in them.

[@thomassmith2239]

I’ve had one of these Bauer saws for 5 or 6 years. I had always planned to buy the Swag table but as an interim solution I’ve been holding the saw in an old bench vice and made a table out of a piece of plate. Been working great and didn’t cost anything...

[@bigd2203snuffy]

I use this setup for scrap metal art. It's the first thing I go to for cutting. Much cleaner and precise than a abrasive cutoff wheel.

[@HotRodHippie]

I don’t abrasive cut unless I have to these days. I’d rather save the spark burns and cleanup mess. Getting old I guess. 😂.

[@bloop6812]

Bought the HF saw last month during their sale with the membership. Cost me $89 so with the savings I purchased a 2 yrs. Warranty for it and still saved money! Didn't come with a saw blade though.

[@HotRodHippie]

I should have noted the lack of a blade. And their pricing on blades is meh. Quality Lenox blades at Lowe’s are cheaper per blade. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jasonblume2707]

I have been on the fence about the swag kit ever since I sold my horizontal for more room... I think I just need to get it already, Thanks for this video, big help and good info!

[@luzgonzalez2838]

I ENJOY AND LEARN A LOT WITH YOUR VIDEOS.GBY!👍👊😍

[@Matt___Mason]

Same setup here. Extremely handy.

[@HotRodHippie]

Glad I’m not alone in liking this. (I knew I’m not but still 😅😅)

[@johnhawkins9226]

I put my order in !! Hopefully they still have these in stock

[@darrenrust7038]

You could tig weld some counter sunk head screws in the plate so it’s not a hole

[@HotRodHippie]

Someone else suggested 3D printed plugs, so that’s what I’m going to do. They should nip up find and be easy to remove if I change saws.

[@tightfitfab]

Thanks for the video bro! This totally helped me out. I'm buying the SWAG set up for my Baur saw right now. I was trying to see if I needed their foot pedal. I think I'll just buy the momentary pedal from HF. Thanks!

[@keithbusch4014]

Awesome video brother..... Maybe for the inconvenience at the end of video you could get some counter sunk screws and lock nuts and just fill in the holes??????? I don't know just a different thought for ya and ya mine will be on order thanks for your time...KMFNB

[@heyallenify]

I was thinking that if the nuts would block mounting the saw, a thin epoxy could be used to fill the unneeded holes, and could be flush with the table if done carefully.

[@HotRodHippie]

Like Hey_allen noted the issue is the holes line up with parts of the saw so you can’t do that. But someone else suggested that I 3D print some plugs and I think that’s a great idea. I’ll do that and glue them in. I can always pop them out if I change to another saw. Thanks though. 👍🏻

[@felixf5211]

A timely video. I could really use this tool right now. Thanks!

[@HotRodHippie]

Awesome, hope it does everything you need.

[@iraadams7459]

Thanks for this! I already have a Dewalt saw, so this would be extremely handy. The foot switch is a great idea.

[@HotRodHippie]

Glad to be of help. I use the saw like this wayyyyy more than I ever did just as a portaband. For my needs anyway it’s just far more useful.

[@larryr8492]

Looking at this set up for a while now, thanks! Extra hole problem, plug weld OR epoxy fill. New or different saw you can open holes up by simply popping epoxy out easier than drilling welds out. I’d like a rear locking tab or second thumb screw also.

[@TBOSU]

Or drill them all the way through, so debris falls to the table.

[@ODGColornChrome]

You can either weld up the extra holes or make a backing plate with threaded holes to accept screws in the unused holes. Great vid though!

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video. Have similar setup and love it. Way better than using a grinding wheel. Mahalo for sharing! 🙂🐒

[@nanafalke]

Also great for stock removal knife making. Awesome review!

[@jeantodt666]

I have looking for this kind setup for my garage..

[@heyallenify]

Thanks for this review, and your experience in using the setup in a fab shop. I have been considering one of these stands for a couple years, and I think you just pushed me to order a stand, since I have an engine swap I'm working on and will need to fabricate exhaust on it this summer.

[@HotRodHippie]

Vs a hacksaw, sawsall or cut off wheel this is so superior for exhaust. You have to be careful and go slow so the pipe doesn’t spin in your hands but that’s easy enough. My video on. The c10 exhaust will show just how much I cut with this. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@heyallenify]

@@HotRodHippie I also have an Evolution Rage chop saw which I can use, as long as the parts are small enough to cut, but a 10" blade only goes so far, once you subtract the drive clearance.

[@HotRodHippie]

@@heyallenify I have an Evolution chop saw also. It’s a great tool but so loud and makes such a mess. Maybe I’m just weird but I’ll spend a few more minutes on something to avoid the fuss of it. I use it for structural tubing and roll cage work where the speed can’t be beat.

[@markmeier4206]

Is the band square with the table or have you checked some say they have to massage the saw to sit square.

[@tomvana4270]

Fill those holes on the table with screws and a nut on each one to hold them in place.

[@Drekoushranada]

How is this with making pie cuts? I see they have a miter degree attachment.

[@user-pk2fg8im4u]

looks to me like a pretty slick small bandsaw setup. If the chamfered holes are a problem, fill them with a welder or JB Weld and grind them smooth. :)

[@slelliott14]

Silicone, then you can easily remove later if you want to change saws

[@danielchambers1958]

I have this setup as well. Video was on point👍

[@walter2670]

I had to shim the table were it mounts to the saw. It sits very crooked otherwise. Swag said it’s likely from Bauer being of lesser quality that other brands. Been a solid table and saw nonetheless

[@CGphotoOp]

Could you weld fill those extra screw holes?

[@norcalbowhunter3264]

You could always just fill in the extra holes with something like jb weld

[@metalbob3335]

It might make a mess but what of a neodymium magnet to hold it down for a bit more security ?

[@HotRodHippie]

I think I could probably make a clamp or lever using one of the unused holes in the table. Magnet isn’t a bad idea but would turn into a really hairy spot on the table quickly. 😂

[@michaelwhitfield609]

Hi. So how does this saw compare to a band saw

[@btrswt35]

The Bauer is a good saw. My only complaint are the blades. They don't seem to last to long before they break, and I used lennox blades.

[@HotRodHippie]

I feel like the Bauer saw ours the blades at a different angle than other saws when it’s twists them. Like I noted the difficulty of changing blades. It bay could be causing your breakage issue a Ive maybe broken one blade in it and was being hard on it at the time. That I can remember. I’ve been using a Bauer for a few months.

[@jayinmi3706]

You could 3d print some hole plugs for the extra holes.

[@HotRodHippie]

That is actually a great idea that hadnt crossed my mind. Totally doing that now. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@jayinmi3706]

@@HotRodHippie You could sell packs of 10 or whatever to people who have the same issue. (Or you could make the STL files available.)

[@HotRodHippie]

@@jayinmi3706 I’ll likely put the STL on my THINGIVERSE page when I do it. I’m aiming toward producing parts for sale but that’s one I’d gladly put out there for whoever.

[@jayinmi3706]

@@HotRodHippie Cool. That was why my first suggestion was to sell them. No reason you shouldn't get something for your work.

[@JohnDrach]

Good review

[@VR6NAVYVW]

Why not just tack welds in the holes you don't need. Things like this often need a bit of custom touches for the user.

[@johnhawkins9226]

Great content thanks!!

[@HotRodHippie]

Much appreciated 🙏

[@alandust2188]

Just curious, I don't know a whole lot about metal saws but why not just use a tabletop bandsaw with a metal blade? Thanks for the video!

[@HotRodHippie]

Metal cutting saws that use toothed circled blades have to very securely clamp metal in place when cutting. A table saw WOULD turn any metal you tried to cut into a deadly projectile. Most table saws wouldn’t be designed for that specific kind of load or the metal shavings in them. This allows you to cut curves, in the middle of bends, and odd shapes a table saw never could. The point of this isn’t just cutting in a straight line.

[@alandust2188]

@@HotRodHippie Sorry for the confusion, I wasn't referring to a table saw but a small tabletop bandsaw. I wasn't sure if that would work with a metal blade?

[@HotRodHippie]

@@alandust2188 ohhh sorry. Majority of tabletop bandsaws run far too fast. Metal bandsaws run gear reductions for the power and speed required when cutting metals. A standard bandsaw intended for wood can cut aluminum fine (to a point) but beyond that it isn’t a good idea. Wood bandsaws usually runs at 1000+ Feet Per Minute (blade speed). Where as steel is cut at 100-150 FPM. If you tried to cut steel on a wood bandsaw you will fry the blade fast and/or bog down the motor. Some companies sell gear reduction / pulley setups to make the conversion but that’s complicating the matter when these exist. Sorry for the earlier confusion. I have a vintage Craftsman saw I will be restoring on here eventually and discuss this in a video.

[@alandust2188]

@@HotRodHippie Great! Thanks again...that makes sense. I appreciate the help and the speedy response. Most of all, I really learn a lot from your videos.

[@jameswieler3295]

It would be nice if the table had a guide slot cut into it

[@HotRodHippie]

It has two. Look at it again. I just failed to make note of them. They accept a fairly standard bandsaw guide/push setup that swag also sells (or you can source elsewhere). Note the two approximately 1/2” wide slots on either side of the table.

[@jameswieler3295]

@@HotRodHippie Thanks Alan

[@yertelt5570]

Just drop some countersunk screws in the extra holes.

[@phillippearce9680]

👍

[@michaellavalle11]

Fill in the holes you don’t use and grind it flat

[@McChuckD]

🤘🏼🔧

[@LifeWideOpen780]

Sawl lol love the accent

[@HotRodHippie]

I am surprised someone didn’t comment on that sooner. 😅