bigtiller
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Let us know how it went after the new wears off. I'd like to have one also.
ordered Makita 18 volt band saw!
- Thread starter ArlyA
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ArlyA
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I've been using them for about 20 years and finally got one of my own. Ya, I'm slow.
aesanders
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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.
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
Super Member
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
Bronze Member
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.
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ArlyA
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What a nice tool that showed up today and I put it right to work. No sparks! (I had been using cut off wheels)
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ArlyA
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I bought it used off ebay, it did have some marks, but I'd call it 95% new.
WinterDeere
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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.
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.
