Thinking about a portable bandsaw

[pfrederi 17,642]

I know several of you have them...Question should I get battery or plug in???

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,203]

2 or 3 years ago I'd have said to stay electric for consistent power. 

 

Nowadays...

We've been using Ridgid brand battery powered tools for several years. 

The battery life has gotten better. 

Last year (?) Trina bought herself a Kobalt brand battery powered chainsaw. 

It's.  Excellent.  

 

 

IF you're going to use it for intermittent cuts AND you can keep a good watch on battery charge...

Get a battery powered saw and you'll be happy.   

 

 

Edited March 3, 2023 by ebinmaine
Edit FAT finger syndrome

[pfrederi 17,642]

Thank you

[SylvanLakeWH 25,485]

I have Dewalt 20 v battery powered chain saw and pole saw. Outstanding performance and the batteries fit all my Dewalt hand tools...

[squonk 41,016]

I have a little 12V Milwaukee band saw that works great for the little jobs that I do. My last job we had a 20V Dewalt. While it worked well it was cumbersome. Job before that we had a corded Milwaukee that was great. 

[Handy Don 12,125]

My advice before buying is to think carefully about the battery platform.

 

Look at all the power tools you’re likely to want to replace over the next 3-5 years--then add the “nice to haves” in there as well!

Look for brands that use the same battery(ies) across all the tools on your list. (Unless you are planning commercial- or industrial-level usage, all the major brands will serve you.)

Check warranties (HD’s Rigid brand is notably good here)

 

Be sure to get the models with brushless motors, as these give much longer battery life and permit electronic speed control. (As an example, the Milwaukee M12 Impact Drivers use pulsed current and a torque sensor instead of a slipping mechanical clutch to create four different strengths of impact and not overdrive the screws. Other brands include similar capabilities.)

 

Then consider personal preferences.  I like the M12s (drill/hammer, impact driver, multitool, circular saw, band saw, hacksall) but for folks with smaller hands, the thicker handles may not be as comfortable. And, they won’t handle the biggest jobs that 20v tools (some using dual batteries) tools--like a chainsaw or hedge trimmer--can handle handily! Others in my family like the M18’s and DeWalts, despite what I consider awkward battery placement. Horses for courses.

 

Lastly, if you are shopping big box stores, make sure to speak with the tool department manager to see if you can negotiate a discount for a multiple-tool purchase or to take a display model of an infrequently used tool. I saved about 40% by buying four tools, an extra battery, and some accessories together.

Edited March 3, 2023 by Handy Don

[WHX?? 48,749]

46 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

I like the M12s (drill/hammer, impact driver, multitool, circular saw, band saw, hacksall) 

I'll second that and go with cordless. The handiest tool I have is a 4 inch M12 grinder. 

The cord comes out for blade sharpening but for quick jobs like removing burrs, cutting a rusted bolt off or even cut off work nothing like the convinces of grab n go. 

I could see the same thing in a band saw. 

 

[Handy Don 12,125]

8 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

I could see the same thing in a band saw. 

 

That was last year’s tool that I never knew I needed. Just wow!

2-½” throat (vs. 5” on the M18) but for what I do it’s terrific.

A lot of what I used to do with the M12 recip saw is easier and more accurate with the bandsaw.

Maybe the grinder is this year’s tool! 

[wallfish 16,980]

The battery powered bandsaws have a pretty small throat. Great for cutting pipe and angle steel and stuff like that but certainly more portable.

The bigger electric unit will have more power and can cut much bigger stuff, plate etc. Plus I clamp mine in the vise by the handle and feed material into for certain things.

My preference is the bigger electric saw. Not to often I need to do anything with it very far away from a power outlet.

[ebinmaine 67,203]

2 minutes ago, wallfish said:

The battery powered bandsaws have a pretty small throat. Great for cutting pipe and angle steel and stuff like that but certainly more portable.

The bigger electric unit will have more power and can cut much bigger stuff, plate etc. Plus I clamp mine in the vise by the handle and feed material into for certain things.

My preference is the bigger electric saw. Not to often I need to do anything with it very far away from a power outlet.

Mr Fish has a very good point.

When it comes to bandsaws, size DOES matter.

[wallfish 16,980]

Ha, yes, size does matter!

I bought a used Milwaukee saw 6-7 years ago. Much cheaper than new and those things are built well so no worries about it being used.

[Handy Don 12,125]

36 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Mr Fish has a very good point.

When it comes to bandsaws, size DOES matter.

Fortunate to have a nearby friend with a stationary bandsaw with 11” throat that I get to use when needed!

[WHX?? 48,749]

4 hours ago, Handy Don said:

 

Maybe the grinder is this year’s tool! 

You won't regret it ... excuse me mine is a M18 & use the bigger battery packs. 

Brand I don't think matters as they are all junk when they go to hell or don't work. I just have Millwaukee as that's what I started out with and have batteries for when I was a workin stiff. Lots of my tractor buddies use  the HF cheapys when in hobbyist mode with no issues. 

3 hours ago, wallfish said:

Not to often I need to do anything with it very far away from a power outlet.

True... and if you got the man cave set up right you'll  have a couple those handy retractable cord reels hanging out. 

[ebinmaine 67,203]

28 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

those handy retractable cord reels hanging out. 

 

 

 

I have one o' them ...

It is. The bane. Of my existence.  

It will properly retract about 1 in 30 times. 

 

But... It's important to remember I am regularly defeated by cardboard.  

 

[953 nut 55,022]

I have been using my Milwaukee Port-A-Band for over twenty-five years, they are tough as nails and trouble free. The only way I'd have to replace it is if it were stolen because it will outlive me. If I needed to replace it I wouldn't think twice about buying another corded Port-A-Band. Battery powered tools just aren't as powerful as corded ones in my opinion.

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,295]

I have a Milwaukee Port Band corded, about 20 plus years old, getting heavier every year , but I would not replace with a battery unit. Always cuts straight and blades last a long time. 

[WHX?? 48,749]

27 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I have one o' them ...

It will properly retract about 1 in 30 times. 

You got robbed mine all work perfectly. 

[ebinmaine 67,203]

3 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

You got robbed mine all work perfectly. 

It was free. Likely has a bit too much cord in it.  

 

Also me as an operator.   

[8ntruck 6,986]

The high school robotics team I mentor got a pair of DeWalt corded band saws last fall.  They mounted them on bench top tables.  They work well, and they survived our build season - lord only knows what all the students ran through them.

[wallfish 16,980]

6 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Fortunate to have a nearby friend with a stationary bandsaw with 11” throat that I get to use when needed!

I found a nice Hz saw way back when building the hoe. Super nice to be able cut big heavy stuff more quick and accurate or multiple pieces at a time plus you can work on other stuff while it's cutting.

Found it used on CL too. Almost new Grizzly model. The guy had all the blade adjustments screwed up and even had it in his ad about how the thing won't cut straight.

[ri702bill 8,279]

10 hours ago, wallfish said:

I found a nice Hz saw way back when building the hoe. Super nice to be able cut big heavy stuff more quick and accurate or multiple pieces at a time plus you can work on other stuff while it's cutting.

Found it used on CL too. Almost new Grizzly model. The guy had all the blade adjustments screwed up and even had it in his ad about how the thing won't cut straight.

 

John - I have both the HF Portable 110 volt hand-held bandsaw an their 6" horizontal / vertical bandsaw.

No tracking issues at all on the hand-held; the other took a couple of tries, a few simple improvements and a half a pot of coffee.to get it right.... their detachable "cutting table" for the handy vertical setup is a downright joke - made a larger, more rugged version - works well ...

[Handy Don 12,125]

17 hours ago, WHX?? said:

excuse me mine is a M18 & use the bigger battery packs

From your comment, went online and discovered the same. But the M12 line does offer a Die Grinder that looks VERY neat, fitting nicely between a Dremel and an angle grinder! There are both straight and 90º versions. Not sure which makes more sense--the 90º is like a drill/impact shape; the straight is like a Dremel.

[WHX?? 48,749]

37 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

But the M12 line does offer a Die Grinder that looks VERY neat,

Now I gotta go look... might be handy for removing weld spatter?!?! 

[Handy Don 12,125]

11 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Now I gotta go look... might be handy for removing weld spatter?!?! 

I’ll be interested in your thoughts on this!

[WHX?? 48,749]

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/2485-20

I need to stay away from that site...talk about red porn... ' course that 3/8 M12 ratchet had a nice figure... 

 

Looks to be a bit bulky but no air hose to knuckle around. Prolly best with the bigger battery packs. 

Like the speed control but doesn't say what max rpm is. 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 4, 2023 by WHX??