Anything welding

Yeah I'm torn between the evolution and a portaband. HF is having a New Years sale for a portaband for about 110$. I may go pick one up and see how I like it. If I decide I hate it HF has the best return policy and I'll go try the evolution.

 

i think my Regulators Have been on my Cylinders since I last swapped tanks 5 or 6 years .

One can also get those safety caps that allow the regulators to remain on safely

That works nice when the cylinders and torch are mounted on your truck

 

Funny story, I remember it like it was yesterday:

I bought my Milwaukee port a band in 1998. I had never used one before that.

I stuck a 4' length of 14 gauge 2 x 4" tubing in the vice and commenced to cutting.

It was awesome, almost orgasmic! That saw just "melted" thru that tube... Of course these saws are kinda heavy, so I wasn't prepared for the saw to fall so fast once I cut thru the tube. The saw swings down, and my finger is still on the trigger. The saw swings down and cuts into my brand new Porta Band power cord.

My cord is now 3' long and I'm standing in the dark because the breaker tripped.

I'm still using that saw today.

 

Since I got the band saw, the chop saw has seen limited use. I figure the HF chop saw will last a few years on easy duty...

I have a new welding project coming up the will require a bunch of accurrate cuts, I am making a new torch cart for the Victor Journeyman oxy-propane rig I have. The regular sized carts are cheap and available, the ones that will hold a decent sized bottle of propane are expensive. So 26" fat tires, bicycle style are coming, and bought the steel yesterday. Will give updates.

Howard

 

Younger People never seem to use Orgasmic to describe Fabrication tool performance
I know all to well

 

Was browsing online today and saw this. Had a 20% off coupon saved from my last trip to HF. Didn't think they would stack the coupons but they did. For 80$ and the feedback everyone here gave me I felt like I had to try it lol.

 

Guess I am the only one that doesn't mind a chop saw. Is it loud and messy, yes. Would I rather have a dry cut type saw like a Rage, yes. But I got my older Milwaukee chop saw for free and it cuts straight every time. I use this to cut all tube/pipe.

I also have a Milwaukee portaband with a Swag table which is one of the better tools I have ever bought. I use that exclusively when cutting small parts out of plate or sheet. It has never cut a straight line in it's time in my possession.

Pretty much don't be scared away from a chops saw. Just use it outside away from vehicles and anything you don't want to throw sparks on.

 

I agree with allen, if you use a chop saw right and know the limitations they are fine. Plus you can get them used cheap or even free, matter of fact i dont know anyone who has ever paid for one includeing myself lol. My friend has the rage and loves it, looks and works pretty badass. Saying that if you have room for a full size band saw, get one because they are better. I want to get a portaband with the swag table since i have tiny 2 car garage and have no room for a full size one, and currently cut all my plate and angle pieces with a grinder and cutoff disc.

 

I don't know anyone who would pass one down to me lol. I was initially looking at the evolution saw but after the feedback and the price I got on the portabandsaw I figured I'd give it a try. I've seen online people who makes stands for it so I'll give that a try as well and just experiment.

 

Chop saws work great for thin wall tubing. Tail pipe material is no match for a chop saw. Other than that I rally can't find a use for one.

I like my band saw, it makes no sparks, won't wake the kid if I'm using it in my attached garage late at night, makes no sparks, I can move it around the shop, I don't need a dedicated bench top for it and the things last a long time.

 

My free harbor freight chop saw handled 3/16 2x4 tube like a champ.

 

Swag table?

 

@Hugopreston check pawn shops. I picked up my Milwaukee deep cut for 140 and it's got the original blade on it. Has the les light and variable speed. Drove all the way to Clearwater to pick it up so a hour to hour and a half. Read reviews in the he one and only thing I noticed a lot of people said it was loud compared to others.

 

Cool. I'm going to give this portable bandsaw a try first since I've already made the purchase. Worst case scenario I'll make a stand for it and try a chopsaw if I really don't like it. Do you use oil when cutting?

 

On my portaband no I don't

 

I made that one myself, but the Swag tables are pretty sweet.

 

Anyone else use a spool gun?

I believe my gun is malfunctioning. Does the drive gear have lots of torque? Mine seems to stall out pretty easy, thus had issues pushing the wire out. I've only used 1 spool gun in my life, so I have no comparison. This gun has acted like this since new(20 years old).

I bought a new drive motor/gearbox today and they are spendy. I just want confirmation that I did not piss my money away.

Here is a vid showing me stalling the drive wheel with little pressure.
https://youtu.be/sRx7gm9G0vw

 

I used a spool gun at school but never applied pressure to the rollers like that, I do know they never stalled out even when the wire melted in the contact tip, the wheels would spin and tear up the wire.

I can hook our spool gun up to our 211 tomorrow and see what it does.

 

If it's not too much trouble, I would love to see if yours can be stalled with finger pressure.

You only need to hook up control power to check. No need to hook up welding lead.

Thanks in advance.
Kirk

 

Will do.