Make a portaband into an vertical band saw

A protaband is an amazing tool!  It cuts all sorts of materials (metal, platic, wood) in a much faster, cleaner, and generally more controlled way than alternative cutting tools (sawzall, jigsaw, scroll saw).  The right way to use a portaband saw is to secure what you are cutting and hold the saw as it cuts.  Unfortunately, this is not always the most efficient way to do things and I often found myself wishing the saw was fixed and I was controlling the material.  This is my solution.

This is my fast/easy/portable/using scrap materials solution. For better designed solutions, check out these vertical mounted portabands on the Internet:
http://www1.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=12048963
http://www.swagoffroad.com/Porta_band_Product.html
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=623605

Step 1 The Portaband

This is a portable band saw.  A portaband.  While most tool suppliers make them now, Milwaukee was one of the first.  Mine is battery powered, but most on the market plug into the wall.  The two main concerns with making it vertical will be fixing it to a base plate and controlling the trigger in a safe manner.  

SAFETY
Safety is very important, especially when using tools outside of what they were designed.  Modifying power tools is how people get maimed and die.  If you are responsible enough to buy a tool, you should be responsible enough to know your limits in using it.  Please think through any modification you do and what risks there may be before starting a project like this.

Comments

[streetrod5]

Joren, I know Milwaukie sells kits to do this, but they seem pretty small and wimpy. I'd rather do it your way. Wish I'd seen this before I started building my Willys wagon.

[profpat]

can we use a portable angle grinder and do some machine work to fit a portaband blade?

[snowluck2345]

lol. no you can't very different tools.

[TexasBaconMan]

Is the saw variable speed? If not, you could zip tie down the trigger and use a powerstrip with a switch.

[rimar2000]

Good work. I like your simple pedal control. I follow when it is possible the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid. It is a very good tactic.

[knife141]

I built a similar contraption 20 years ago for a Porta Cable portable band saw. After using it daily, I eventually wore out the saw, and replaced it a few years ago with a Milwaukee similar to the one on your picture. This little saw can cut through a lot of steel! I keep mine mounted on the corner of my main workbench. It takes up very little room (and no floor space!). Nice instructable!