ordered Makita 18 volt band saw!

[ArlyA]

Just ordered me a makita 18 volt band saw! It was slightly used and on ebay. I used these for years and loved them. (not mine) Finally got one for myself. Its like my birthday.

 

[Snobdds]

Deep thoughts with Arly...

 

[ArlyA]

What tpi are you guys running? I thought I'd order some 14 and 18's.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

Fancy!

I am apparently the worlds worst operator of porta bands though. I always end up killing a blade every time I use one at work.

 

[Runner]

What tpi are you guys running? I thought I'd order some 14 and 18's.

Might depend on what you are going to cut, but I use 18 tpi on my HF bandsaw for cutting mild steel. It's pretty aggressive, but I like getting through stuff as fast as possible.

 

[ArlyA]

I started using hand held saws like this many years ago, may be 20. Mostly with this model but did have a milwaukee at my last job. Didn't break many blades, one per year at the most.

 

[ArlyA]

Might depend on what you are going to cut, but I use 18 tpi on my HF bandsaw for cutting mild steel. It's pretty aggressive, but I like getting through stuff as fast as possible.

What thickness materials?? Seems 18 is for thinner.

 

[Runner]

What thickness materials?? Seems 18 is for thinner.

I cut everything with that blade, from 1/16"x2" all the way up to 1/2" x 2", 2x2 3/16" wall tubing, you name it. If it fits in the old 4 x 6 bandsaw, it gets cut.

 

[ArlyA]

What tpi is everyone else using?

 

[ArlyA]

Not many comments so I ordered 18 and 14 TPI blades. Also some "weld on" tie down loops for this project I'm working which is a implement dolly.

 

[bigtiller]

Let us know how it went after the new wears off. I'd like to have one also.

 

[ArlyA]

I've been using them for about 20 years and finally got one of my own. Ya, I'm slow.

 

[aesanders]

Used to have a corded Milwaukee, that I gave to my brother when he needed one. Am thinking of getting a Hercules 20v model.

These porta saws are very handy when you need one.

 

[D&D]

Used to have a corded Milwaukee, that I gave to my brother when he needed one. Am thinking of getting a Hercules 20v model.

These porta saws are very handy when you need one.

I just have a corded one. 90+% of use in the shop. I have a little Honda eu2000 if I need to go out of the extension cord reach.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I just have a corded one. 90+% of use in the shop. I have a little Honda eu2000 if I need to go out of the extension cord reach.

I do the same thing as I have a corded Milwaukee and a corded 2 speed Rockwell.

My Rockwell is on a tri-pod with a chain vise to hold what you are cutting, so you can walk away from it while it's cutting.

The little Honda's are really handy for jobs like that.

SR

 

[JohnP3616]

My bands are 18tpi. I have used them to cut metal, plastic, PVC, and just about everything else. Even wood occasionally. My saw is a corded Milwaukee deep cut that I picked up used a dozen years ago. It usually resides on a stand I made for it, but can go from stationary to portable in about five minutes: two screws at the top hold it in, unplug the cord from the switched outlet, and remove the wood block holding the throttle open. Good luck with your new purchase, I hope it serves you well.

 

[ArlyA]

What a nice tool that showed up today and I put it right to work. No sparks! (I had been using cut off wheels)

 

[ArlyA]

I bought it used off ebay, it did have some marks, but I'd call it 95% new.

 

[WinterDeere]

What tpi is everyone else using?

Optimal performance is with 3 teeth in the kerf. I bought a 3-pack each, of maybe four different TPI's when I got my bandsaw (Milwaukee corded version of what you have), and just swap blades depending on what I'm cutting.

You can get away with 2 teeth in the kerf, but much coarser than that, and the thing gets real grabby and tends to make a ratty cut. You can also get away with 4 or 5 teeth in the kerf, it just cuts slower, and gets the blade hotter.

If you cut a lot of 1/8" structural steel (angle, square tube, pipe, etc.), then a 24 TPI blade is your sweet spot. Start with that, and maybe stick an 18 and a 36 tpi in the case, to swap in for thicker and thinner materials.

 

[Jason280]

I can't remember for sure, but I think most of mine have 18tpi blades (really need to check to be sure). I think I'm up to four Milwaukees and one DeWalt now, the Milwaukees are an older 24v, two 18v, and a 12v. The DeWalt is also a 12v, they are probably the ones I use the most.