If you work in the shop doing any sort of metalworking and/or fabrication, then you know the value and benefits of a handy band saw. In addition, having a cordless band saw at arm’s reach can be even more efficient. The problem with a cordless band saw is that it limits the ability to cut any intricately detailed parts. One hand must always operate the saw, and the other needs to hold the tubing, angle or plate for cutting. Using some angle and scrap metal lying around, we show how to build a cordless band saw stand for the DeWalt DCS371.

This type of stand or holder can work for any flavor band saw, however, this is specifically for the 20V DeWalt. This DeWalt DCS371 20V Max band saw has plenty of power and cuts anything put in its path. With a 2-1/2″ cutting capacity, the DeWalt handles most of the angle and tubing (square or round) that we do. Rectangular steel and larger round stock, we use the JET Dual Miter Band Saw. Even having a larger band saw in the shop, it’s much handier to use a smaller, portable band saw for smaller pieces. One option is to build a more permanent stand to accept/hold the DeWalt DCS371. We opt for the option to build an even more portable stand, which we’ll use to clamp in the vice to hold the DeWalt band saw.

Building a Cordless Band Saw Stand

Work Stop – Two Bolts

One of the benefits of the DeWalt DCS371 is that it’s fairly light for it’s cutting capacity. That being said, much of the body is made from composite material, not metal. For the job it’s manufactured to do, this is a positive. Making a stand or holder for a cordless band saw is nothing new, and plans can be found many places, including YouTube.

Most of these I find use the work stop on the band saw, converting this to more of a table, once the tool is vertical. Typically, the “new” table will have a lip or perpendicular (to the table) protrusion, allowing the table to be clamped in the vice. This is a very easy option, just drilling a couple holes in the work stop and countersinking screws in a larger plate for a table. The problem wth this method is how the work stop mounts to the DeWalt DCS371. First, the work stop is small with right angle and two small-diameter bolts running through the work stop, through the composite, and threaded into a small single piece of steel. This design lacks the strength to use the larger table method for mounting. No problem, we have a better idea.

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DeWalt DCS371 Cordless Band Saw Stand

Two 12-inch Pieces of Angle

What the DeWalt 20V Max DCS371 does offer us is a large D-style handle. Furthermore, at the top is a T-handle for comfortable two-hand operation. We’ll take advantage of this T-handle and the rest of the handle for mounting the DCS371 in this cordless band saw stand.

Without any drawings, and really not much forethought, I just grab a couple pieces of 1-1/2″ angle-iron. After a quick measure, two 12-inch pieces will work just fine. In addition, a couple small pieces (2 or 3 inches long each) of angle, as well as some scrap steel plate are needed. The idea here is simple, use the long pieces of angle, opposing one another. These 12″ pieces need to be welded together, using a couple pieces of scrap steel plate. The scrap pieces I use are roughly 1″x2″. If you don’t have a welder, these can be drilled and bolted. We want the inside width of the angle-iron walls to be just bigger than the T-handle width.

Contours to a “T”

Fabbing T-handle Stops

Once we weld the two pieces of angle-iron together, we need to match the contour of the DeWalt DCS371 handle. The D-style is somewhat flat, but then includes a ramp as it meets the T-handle. We want to somewhat match this contour to ensure as solid of a mount as possible. To do this, we just cut a relief cut on each side of the mount. After the reliefs are cut, a quick clamp in the vice and the mount bends by hand. No measuring or special tools needed. Bend, match to the DCS371, bend some more, match, repeat until you’re happy. Once we have the contour acceptable, we welded a couple scraps in the “V” shaped relief cuts.

Just Stop It

Now, we need to make a couple of stops to hold the T-handle in place. This will just use the weight of the DeWalt band saw on the T-handle for holding the saw. We used a couple more pieces of angle, about 2-1/2″ to make the stops. We used a cutting wheel in our grinder to cut a relief about half the length of each stop. After this, we place each piece in the vice to bend an appropriate angle. Using some vise-grips, we clamp each into place, testing until we have the proper angle. Make sure these pieces are opposing matches.

Using some vise-grips, we clamp each stop into place, testing until we have the proper angle. Make sure these pieces are opposing matches. Depending on the size of angle, you may need to trim the sides (width) to make room for the handle. Just keep mocking this up and trimming and bending as needed. No rocket-science here. A quick weld of each piece nears the completion of the cordless band saw stand.

Extra Strength and Stability Please

At this point, you could mount this in a bench-vise and hang the DeWalt 20V band saw on the stand. We choose to make it a little more stable and also make it easier for mounting. While the T-handle seems to support the saw very well, we also wanted to add walls for the rest of the handle. Using some more of the leftover angle-iron, we cut some 2-inch pieces, then slice off all but 3/4″ of the angle. These pieces are then welded in our stand, opposing one another. This creates a tighter channel for the D-handle of the DeWalt, adding stability.

This stand is very near complete, but we take the opportunity to tweak one more area. Since the idea here is to clamp the stand in a vise, we decide to make it easier to do so. As it sits, it requires the vise opening to be at least the width of the angle. This is a pain when the vise is usually shut while not in use.

Using the cutoff wheel in our grinder, we slice opposing sides of the angle off, hence making a flat area for clamping. Doing so, this creates a weak spot, since the rigidity will only come from the thickness of the angle. We use a piece of scrap 1/8″ steel plate to weld on the back side of the main frame. Make sure this additional bracing spans across the area that is cut out. This connects the angle area to the flat area, creating a much stronger stand.

Voila! We Have a Cordless Band Saw Stand

The stand or mount is now complete. Sure, if you want it to look nicer, you may choose to grind the welds and shoot some paint on it. For us, we just put it to use cutting some plate to do some cap-welds on another square-tube project. Place the stand in the vise and tighten down. The DeWalt DCS371 can now be placed in the stand, hanging by the T-handle. Using a spring-clamp, we pulled the trigger and clamped the trigger in the on position. Please use caution, since the tool has a clamp in the “On” position.

The next step for us will be to make a larger “table” to go over or replace the work stop. Even though we choose not to use the work stop for clamping, it’s definitely strong enough for a larger table. A larger table keeps pieces truer when cutting using the cordless band saw stand.

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This is a quick little stand to build. Using a welder like the Miller Multimatic 215, it makes short work of joining the pieces together. Most of all, the DeWalt DCS371 20V Max band saw is a great option for a portable and cordless band saw. We give the DeWalt band saw two thumbs up.

You can purchase the DeWalt DCS371 cordless band saw here, or at your local Home Depot.