I just purchased the model that can handle the Hercules HE79 corded bandsaw and it works perfectly. A quick note: the 2 screws you need to take off the foot plate on the Hercules, can also be used to attach the Hercules to the Swag plate. I found the bolts provided did not line up right, or could sink below the bolt hole's.
Just bought one of these. Yes it's expensive. But its quite thick steel, and well made. Those grooves are well cut straight. There is real care put in to forming and fitting. For such a low volume specialty tool this well made, its fair. Leveling screw works really well and is a complex nice touch that looks simple, but as a toolmaker I can tell the level of design that was put into it. Well made, worth the $.
Did anyone else noticed the table flex under weight of the saw? I would put good to have some kind of flat cross bar underneath with same thumb screws to keep both halves even.
This is one of my complaints with it too. It works well as is, but honestly, it could use a single crossbrace. This thing should be rock solid with as thick as the steel is, but they left this off. A second screw to keep the saw from wiggling 2 degrees once bolted down would be nice too. It doesnt bind the blade in slot, but might over time move cut.
Just obtained the V4.0 and am very impressed with the overall quality; however, I wasn't pleased with the fit of the fastening knob that goes underneath the table. Mine just barely catches the tip of the saw's original "shoe"- even with the saw's shoe moved to its most forward position. I don't know why they chose to place the threaded hole so far out when there is ample room to have made it closer, thereby allowing the knob to catch more of the shoe. I can't say that I was enthused with the response from the company as well - basically "nobody else has had a problem with it" type of response. I'll either use a large washer or eventually drill and tap another hole.
I thought I had the same issue at 1st. But realized my Milwaukee saw has more than one lock position for that peice that slides out t hff at the knob mounts through. Had to slide it a few times back and forth with the release button held down before it slid to the furthest locking point. Then it mounted right up to the table.
Nice. Too many people complain about the price but realistically how long would it take you to build one? First you got to purchase the stock then lay it out, cut, drill and assemble. My guess is minimum 3-4 hours if your good and you want it done nicely or you can just spend the money and have a professionally kit mailed to your door and take 10 minutes to get it set up. Me ill soend the money because quite frankly I make more money in 4 hours at work than I would spend on this. Hey though to each his own.
I used my matched ground Brown and Sharpe 1-2-3 blocks to measure squareness to the table sub 0.001" by eye quickly. If you know what you are doing, the blade on this can be squared very precisely. Even the instructions show 1-2-3 blocks being used for this. A rare example of a simple but robustly well made tool.
Out of all the tool channels on UA-cam dmcguinn1, Tools in Action, and Toolcrazy are my top three favourites. You guys tell the truth and don't bs your viewers like other channels out there do.
Cody Robertson I appreciate that Cody! Toolcrazy & TIA are two of my favorites also....always very entertaining and informative. I actually first saw the SWAG table on TIA!
dmcguinn1 Hey on UA-cam search type in "regrip it" a company regrip will come up. Check out their product would like to see you do a review of their product. Available on Amazon. Can regrip shovels, floor jacks, jack hammers, pneumatic impact wrench, hammers and many more items .
Wow....another thing I didnt even know I needed until I saw it! :) I sent them an email, hopefully I can make a review on some Re-Grips soon. Thanks a lot Cody!
dmcguinn1 another cool company is Reciprotools check them out on UA-cam under "Reciprotools" they make attachments for reciprocate saws. They have scrapers, sanding pads, metal brushes, nylon brushes, wood files and metal files. Available at menards,Amazon and Northern Tool.
A couple comments on this product. First concerning the "It's Too Expensive" comments. It's a bit pricey yes. However, I defy anyone to buy the steel on their own and produce a similar product with miter slots for significantly less. If you are a home gamer DIYer, you probably don't have metal just lying around. You're going to have to source the steel. And you're not going to want 12 ton of steel either, your going to want just enough. I wouldn't be surprised if the steel to do this project as a home gamer was $50 or more. Then, you actually have to fabricate it. Is your time worth anything to you? And do you have the ability to fabricate a product at least AS GOOD as this one out of steel complete with Miter Gauge slots? Adam Savage has a one day build video where he builds a rig out of some aluminum plate, a bit of brass and plywood. Is it functional? Sure is. But it was a considerable amount of effort and it didn't have Miter Gauge slots. Here is the link to another video of a pretty nice and fairly simple build. ua-cam.com/video/dOXQizjSsb8/v-deo.html . That's a pretty nice set up, but again, unless you have the steel kicking around, I figure about $50 in material, plus your time and you still don't have miter slots, which I admit isn't really that big of a deal, but if you have them you don't have to use them. If you want to use them and don't have them, it's a bit of a different story. You can fabricobble a benchtop table for a portaband out of tin cans and bailing wire if you have a mind too. You can make a table as quick and dirty or as fancy as you like. But what I am suggesting is that your $150 is buying you more than you think. The ma and paw business selling these have laser cutting cnc machines, metal breaks, employees, a building, overhead costs and they actually need to make a dang profite as well. I don't know how much they make on this table, but lets for the sake of argument say that it costs them $75 dollars to build the table, and they make $75 profit on every sale. Find me a fabricator ANYWHERE that will make a one off product for you for $75 in labor. If you don't see $150 worth of value in this product, don't buy it. But if you have a need for this product, if this product would make your life easier and save you from having to by a whole new dedicated metal bandsaw, than I suggest that this product isn't nearly as expensive as some people make it out to be. Second, it's unfortunate that Swag Offroad has not adapted this table to the compact version (2829-20). With a bit of a minor modification in two places, a variant of this table could be produced for the Milwaukee compact portaband. As it is, I purchased this table and modified it myself. If anyone is interested, here's basically what I had to do. Using my Mig, I welded shut the original thrum knob hole and about an inch and a half of the blade slot. I grinded the welds down smooth. Luckily you can buy a raw steel table that you don't have to sand off powder coating to do the welds. I then had to drill and tap a new hole for the thumb knob. Lastly, I had to modify the tab at the back of the table to fit the recess available on the compact portaband. I had to cut some metal away, I had to add a bit of meat to the tabs (now two) that were left because the distance between the top of the tabs and where they lock into the bandsaw was a bit short. I grinded the extra weld that I added down so it was flat and pretty and fit well. Lastly, I primed and painted the whole thing. The set up works just fine. As I said, for $150, it's a real shame that you have to spend a few hours modifying this product to adapt it to a different portaband. Swag Off road could easily adapt this table and sell it. But alas, that's not the case. And for me, even having to modify the product to suit my needs, the finished product is still more refined and practical and frankly easier than having to fabricate something from scratch.
It's not just the cost of material, you've got to factor in the more expensive shit it takes to make something like this aswell, like the CNC table and the press-brake and the powder coating, there's more to this tool than just some rinky dink cuts on some aluminum sheet with your ryobi angle grinder.
I encourage people making their own tools- but the people doing this typically don't even have accurate calipers for measurements laying around. This thing has a well fitting complex cutout that perfectly mates to the saw body, maybe a degree or two of play. Id like it to have an anti wiggle screw in addition to locking screw, but its really well made. It would be difficult to make a well fitting one on your own. Not easy contours to measure
Do you really think think that people interested in a table for their portable bandsaw need to be told how to tighten a screw? give your viewers some credit.
You spent two minutes out of a ten minute video showing how to install four bolts. All you had to do was show the three parts, and say "bolt together with the included hardware". I almost punched out of the video during those first few minutes. We're not six years old. Otherwise, nice job.
I was having issues with the screwing of the plastic thingy. Thank god I found this video, I was turning counter clockwise the whole time.
I just purchased the model that can handle the Hercules HE79 corded bandsaw and it works perfectly. A quick note: the 2 screws you need to take off the foot plate on the Hercules, can also be used to attach the Hercules to the Swag plate. I found the bolts provided did not line up right, or could sink below the bolt hole's.
Just bought one of these. Yes it's expensive. But its quite thick steel, and well made. Those grooves are well cut straight. There is real care put in to forming and fitting. For such a low volume specialty tool this well made, its fair. Leveling screw works really well and is a complex nice touch that looks simple, but as a toolmaker I can tell the level of design that was put into it. Well made, worth the $.
Of course they're cut straight, they were done on a CNC table lol.
I'm glad I watched this. I almost bought one until I saw what I would get for 150 bucks. Thanks for saving me from a bad purchase
I like it....but maybe not the best for you. Thanks for commenting!
The little table with a few pieces of metal that costs more than the band saw.
So true
I guess it is kind of off topic but do anybody know of a good website to stream newly released series online ?
@Hudson Wells flixportal :P
@Elian Christian thank you, I went there and it seems like they got a lot of movies there =) I really appreciate it!!
@Hudson Wells Glad I could help xD
Great explanation
Wouldn’t facing the feet “”backwards”” on the outside make it easier to mount down say with screws?
Did anyone else noticed the table flex under weight of the saw? I would put good to have some kind of flat cross bar underneath with same thumb screws to keep both halves even.
This is one of my complaints with it too. It works well as is, but honestly, it could use a single crossbrace. This thing should be rock solid with as thick as the steel is, but they left this off.
A second screw to keep the saw from wiggling 2 degrees once bolted down would be nice too. It doesnt bind the blade in slot, but might over time move cut.
Any issues with metal getting stuck in between the table and blade slots?
Great review, to the point and honest
Professional video. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼
Just obtained the V4.0 and am very impressed with the overall quality; however, I wasn't pleased with the fit of the fastening knob that goes underneath the table. Mine just barely catches the tip of the saw's original "shoe"- even with the saw's shoe moved to its most forward position. I don't know why they chose to place the threaded hole so far out when there is ample room to have made it closer, thereby allowing the knob to catch more of the shoe. I can't say that I was enthused with the response from the company as well - basically "nobody else has had a problem with it" type of response. I'll either use a large washer or eventually drill and tap another hole.
It looks like @realtoolreviews also did this.
I thought I had the same issue at 1st. But realized my Milwaukee saw has more than one lock position for that peice that slides out t hff at the knob mounts through. Had to slide it a few times back and forth with the release button held down before it slid to the furthest locking point. Then it mounted right up to the table.
Have a Porter Cable 728. Wondering if this version would work. That 728 model not on compatibility list at Swag.
At Last we meet again Real Tool Reviews, where have you been? Where are you going? Last vid was 2 yrs ago, whats going on?
I took an extended break...... working on new stuff currently.... stay tuned 😉
Velcro the trigger. Make a switch box with a male pigtail to plug into power &. Female cord to plug the saw into.
great vid
Nice. Too many people complain about the price but realistically how long would it take you to build one? First you got to purchase the stock then lay it out, cut, drill and assemble. My guess is minimum 3-4 hours if your good and you want it done nicely or you can just spend the money and have a professionally kit mailed to your door and take 10 minutes to get it set up. Me ill soend the money because quite frankly I make more money in 4 hours at work than I would spend on this. Hey though to each his own.
Do you see any issues with using velcro on the switch, then turn the saw on and off by pulling the battery on/off ?
That's how I use mine but I use a hose clamp instead of velcro
Most Important Question: How square is the blade to the Table?
I used my matched ground Brown and Sharpe 1-2-3 blocks to measure squareness to the table sub 0.001" by eye quickly. If you know what you are doing, the blade on this can be squared very precisely. Even the instructions show 1-2-3 blocks being used for this. A rare example of a simple but robustly well made tool.
Might had been better for cross cut brace.
Nice ready to go
Thank you. Do you know of a USA (or non China, non Mexico made) portaband saw.
Will this fit a corded Bauer band saw?
I would've gotten a corded one man, cordless saws and grinders die so fast.
Another great review keep the videos coming.
Out of all the tool channels on UA-cam dmcguinn1, Tools in Action, and Toolcrazy are my top three favourites. You guys tell the truth and don't bs your viewers like other channels out there do.
Cody Robertson
I appreciate that Cody! Toolcrazy & TIA are two of my favorites also....always very entertaining and informative. I actually first saw the SWAG table on TIA!
dmcguinn1 Hey on UA-cam search type in "regrip it" a company regrip will come up. Check out their product would like to see you do a review of their product. Available on Amazon. Can regrip shovels, floor jacks, jack hammers, pneumatic impact wrench, hammers and many more items .
Wow....another thing I didnt even know I needed until I saw it! :) I sent them an email, hopefully I can make a review on some Re-Grips soon. Thanks a lot Cody!
dmcguinn1 another cool company is Reciprotools check them out on UA-cam under "Reciprotools" they make attachments for reciprocate saws. They have scrapers, sanding pads, metal brushes, nylon brushes, wood files and metal files. Available at menards,Amazon and Northern Tool.
A couple comments on this product.
First concerning the "It's Too Expensive" comments. It's a bit pricey yes. However, I defy anyone to buy the steel on their own and produce a similar product with miter slots for significantly less. If you are a home gamer DIYer, you probably don't have metal just lying around. You're going to have to source the steel. And you're not going to want 12 ton of steel either, your going to want just enough. I wouldn't be surprised if the steel to do this project as a home gamer was $50 or more. Then, you actually have to fabricate it. Is your time worth anything to you? And do you have the ability to fabricate a product at least AS GOOD as this one out of steel complete with Miter Gauge slots?
Adam Savage has a one day build video where he builds a rig out of some aluminum plate, a bit of brass and plywood. Is it functional? Sure is. But it was a considerable amount of effort and it didn't have Miter Gauge slots. Here is the link to another video of a pretty nice and fairly simple build. ua-cam.com/video/dOXQizjSsb8/v-deo.html . That's a pretty nice set up, but again, unless you have the steel kicking around, I figure about $50 in material, plus your time and you still don't have miter slots, which I admit isn't really that big of a deal, but if you have them you don't have to use them. If you want to use them and don't have them, it's a bit of a different story. You can fabricobble a benchtop table for a portaband out of tin cans and bailing wire if you have a mind too. You can make a table as quick and dirty or as fancy as you like. But what I am suggesting is that your $150 is buying you more than you think. The ma and paw business selling these have laser cutting cnc machines, metal breaks, employees, a building, overhead costs and they actually need to make a dang profite as well. I don't know how much they make on this table, but lets for the sake of argument say that it costs them $75 dollars to build the table, and they make $75 profit on every sale. Find me a fabricator ANYWHERE that will make a one off product for you for $75 in labor. If you don't see $150 worth of value in this product, don't buy it. But if you have a need for this product, if this product would make your life easier and save you from having to by a whole new dedicated metal bandsaw, than I suggest that this product isn't nearly as expensive as some people make it out to be.
Second, it's unfortunate that Swag Offroad has not adapted this table to the compact version (2829-20). With a bit of a minor modification in two places, a variant of this table could be produced for the Milwaukee compact portaband. As it is, I purchased this table and modified it myself. If anyone is interested, here's basically what I had to do.
Using my Mig, I welded shut the original thrum knob hole and about an inch and a half of the blade slot. I grinded the welds down smooth. Luckily you can buy a raw steel table that you don't have to sand off powder coating to do the welds. I then had to drill and tap a new hole for the thumb knob. Lastly, I had to modify the tab at the back of the table to fit the recess available on the compact portaband. I had to cut some metal away, I had to add a bit of meat to the tabs (now two) that were left because the distance between the top of the tabs and where they lock into the bandsaw was a bit short. I grinded the extra weld that I added down so it was flat and pretty and fit well. Lastly, I primed and painted the whole thing. The set up works just fine.
As I said, for $150, it's a real shame that you have to spend a few hours modifying this product to adapt it to a different portaband. Swag Off road could easily adapt this table and sell it. But alas, that's not the case. And for me, even having to modify the product to suit my needs, the finished product is still more refined and practical and frankly easier than having to fabricate something from scratch.
How does it do cutting curves in sheets and plates?
Pretty much like a jigsaw
150.00 for couple sq ft of 3/16 sheet metal? Holy shit I'll make everyone one of these out of solid 1/2" aluminum for half that price.
ill buy one
its because of the track and switch
It's not just the cost of material, you've got to factor in the more expensive shit it takes to make something like this aswell, like the CNC table and the press-brake and the powder coating, there's more to this tool than just some rinky dink cuts on some aluminum sheet with your ryobi angle grinder.
Amazing how many people buy this when you can make a much better and simpler stand with quick change from metal for under 15 dollars.
I encourage people making their own tools- but the people doing this typically don't even have accurate calipers for measurements laying around. This thing has a well fitting complex cutout that perfectly mates to the saw body, maybe a degree or two of play. Id like it to have an anti wiggle screw in addition to locking screw, but its really well made. It would be difficult to make a well fitting one on your own. Not easy contours to measure
Why would you not have the legs facing outward. so they are easier to bolt to a table top or work bench.
You can do this, I did- but swag logo only correctly visible then from inside under table. The sides are reversable. Works well either way.
@@CaskStrength777 left leg on the right, right leg on the left.
Hello, this support Very good ! It would be nice also a system to transform a mobile saw band a tape saw band Horizontal , what do you think?
gwadaflat , check trick-tools.
Were I kan bay it?
Very nice but I can build it for $25 why spend an additional $100 plus shipping
Sawl?
only capatable wit milwaukee??
+Brandon Tackett They have multiple models.....this one happens to be a Milwaukee version. Check their website to see if yours is compatible.
Don’t know where
very nice
+Byrdee Entertainment Thanks!
That's what she said
“Basically Exactly 90 Degrees?” Lol
Way too much money. For 150 they should send a miter gauge but would still be too much.
Do you really think think that people interested in a table for their portable bandsaw need to be told how to tighten a screw? give your viewers some credit.
they must have the copyright , jesus christ 150$ for a stool
$150? the one I want is $259 plus shipping.....
+MrMikey1224 prolly cost 15$ to make
+b Tac so then make it yourself for $15
No. It doesn't.
Made my own and like it better than the swag.....it was fun making too.
But did you make a video ? 😁
You spent two minutes out of a ten minute video showing how to install four bolts. All you had to do was show the three parts, and say "bolt together with the included hardware". I almost punched out of the video during those first few minutes. We're not six years old. Otherwise, nice job.
Everyone does it too, 90 seconds of info stretched to ten minutes.
Shit man everyone in America needs a how to on everything. Everything needs a label... like coffee is hot...smdh
Wow what an overpriced item