Any opinions on this Milwaukee portable band saw?

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I'm thinking about getting this saw.  Anyone ever use this?  10.5 amps, seems pretty good for light fabrication work for my "lawn art" projects.   Any  pros/cons or opinions would be appreciated?  Thanks.Link for the specs:http://www.milwaukeetool.com/Product...%3a++Band+SawsLincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:I prefer the dewalt "heavy duty" line of portabands for the sight light, speed control and the thicker blades, but for what you want to do the milwaukee should suite you just fine.  The one I used to use was a bit older than that model but got the job done and quick.
Reply:It's a very good saw. I've got an older one that I just recently rebuilt the blade drive wheels and sprockets. Nice to be able to get parts and schematics easily.They cut very well although the cut does wander if you aren't careful.AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Originally Posted by SmokinPRanchThey cut very well although the cut does wander if you aren't careful.Al
Reply:I have the older style as well and I am very pleased. It does a good job of cutting and if you watch what your doing you can get accurate cuts. My portaband hasnt ever had a problem in all its years and has good power and cuts like a champ, I say go for it.Miller Dynasty 300dxSpeedglas 9002XMiller Spectrum 375 XtremeLincoln PowerMig 255xtLincoln PowerMig 140cMilwuakee Portaband
Reply:I have the one that uses V28 batteries.  Looks pretty similar to the corded one shown above.With the battery it's a bit heavy, but it cuts metal really well.  I cut a bunch of metal over the weekend.  It buzzes right through 3/4 square tube, and 2" angle isn't too hard with it - less than a minute.  For light fabrication I think it's great.  much easier than hacksawing.
Reply:I've seen attachments for these saws to make them into a vertical band saw and a horizontal saw. Never used one but the vertical one might be handy for small stuff. Seems the thin blade might wander too much for the horizontal type cuts of any accuracy.Maybe someone here has tried the attachments?AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:Originally Posted by SmokinPRanchI've seen attachments for these saws to make them into a vertical band saw and a horizontal saw. Never used one but the vertical one might be handy for small stuff. Seems the thin blade might wander too much for the horizontal type cuts of any accuracy.Maybe someone here has tried the attachments?Al
Reply:http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=&oq=&gs_rfai=I like my milwaukee bandsaw, had it for 10 yrs.   Great if you need a couple pieces at a time or the part won't fit on a band saw However, it doesn't beat a horizontal or vertical band saw if you need multiple identical parts.
Reply:I almost bought the compact version of that saw this weekend to keep on the welding truck, $220 at Home Depot, untill I found out one of my customer's checks bounced and I had no money in the checking acct!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by slimneverdiesWhere can I find the attachment to make it a horizontal saw?
Reply:get it !! Great tool.  I bought mine about 15 years ago. I use the $#(t out of it. replaced the rubber wheels once.  make a plate to fit where the guard gos, then put the "D" handle in the vise. poors mans vert. bandsaw. you can cut some pretty wild shapes.  Dewalt are nice. the light pretty cool but, they have a delay start when you pull the trigger, not a big deal if your used to it.  Drivers me nuts!  We use port-a-bands everday at work , Milwaukee's domanat the jobsite.Daye
Reply:I have one of the older models. It does a good job. If you have a vice or a decent table to clamp your material to, it will do just fine. I don't know if your familiar with the company, but PLATT electric co. http://www.platt.com/ExternalLink.as..._192150_192137Has the corded deep cut saw with case on sale for 189.99Will
Reply:Originally Posted by SmokinPRanchhttp://www.toolauthority.com/Milwaukee-48-08-0260.htmlhttp://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...0&marketID=234Looks like for the price probably be better off getting one of the regular smaller horizontal bandsaws. A lot of guys like the Harbor Freight model.Here looks like a nice vertical unit from another forumhttp://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=717910Al
Reply:My Milwaukee portaband is one of my favorite tools.  I have the swag offroad modular stand for it and Love it.
Reply:Originally Posted by slimneverdiesThanks,That one looks as if it only cuts 90* cuts. I would like to be able to cut at least a 35* angle if possible
Reply:I have a horizontal table for a milwaukee.cost twice as much as the saw(350$) and I never use it.It's well built and heavy,but you can't cut angles.tractor,loader.dozer,backhoe,and all the tools to keep em movin
Reply:Well guys, I just got the BEST band saw ever!  My buddy is comming over tomorrow and wants me to weld up some racks for his truck bed.  As a surprise, he bought me the big Milwaukee band saw that I have in the picture.  He saw me looking at it on the internet on my break at work.  So he bought it!  I always say,,,,,, Food tastes better when it's free and tools are just look better on my work bench when they're FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!This is my buddy's payment he wants to give me for helping him out with a few simple welds!!!Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Free is good      You'll enjoy it.AlA man is judged by what's between his legs...always ride a good horseMiller DialArc HFLincoln Classic 300DThermal Arc 181iPowermax 45Scotchman Ironworker(2) BridgeportsOkomota Surface GrinderAutoCAD 2010
Reply:I need some NEW buddies like superarc has.Maxus Pro-125 MigChicago Electric 90 amp DC flux-coreLincoln Electric AC 225 tombstoneO/A torchM/O mini-torch10 acres of flatland15 acres of holler
Reply:Grizzly has a portable bandsaw and it comes with a stand for $160,I looked at it and it looks almost like a chop saw except it uses a bandsaw.It model G8692.Maxus Pro-125 MigChicago Electric 90 amp DC flux-coreLincoln Electric AC 225 tombstoneO/A torchM/O mini-torch10 acres of flatland15 acres of holler
Reply:The standard sized Milwaukee is semi heavy so the tendancy is to just let it fall through the piece being cut, and that works, it eats it up, but it's pretty harsh on blades that way. If you hold it back a bit you can control the course of the cut better and it's easier on blades. You'll need some blades anyway tho. Handhelds tend to snap a blade now and then."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyThe standard sized Milwaukee is semi heavy so the tendancy is to just let it fall through the piece being cut, and that works, it eats it up, but it's pretty harsh on blades that way. If you hold it back a bit you can control the course of the cut better and it's easier on blades. You'll need some blades anyway tho. Handhelds tend to snap a blade now and then.
Reply:I have the older deep cut model and it's work great, I've used it in the field and boat docks. My brother's now ex-father inlaw asked me to build him a boat dock for him. So I welded up 2x2x1/4" steel frames and had the epoxy coated and mounted them to 2" pipe that was welded to old 15" diameter rims that were placed in/on the water/bottom. He bought the stock and parts and I cut/welded it at his place in Wisconsin. I bought the Milwaukee to assist, as that I was going thru mucho cut off wheels on my Makita chop saw. The Milwaukee worked flawlessly and as Sandy listed, it will overchew if you allow it, but as to speed and accuracy, no problems, matter of fact it made me mad at myself for not buying one sooner. I now have a Wilton 7"x12" wet horizontal bandsaw in my shop, so the Milwaukee only comes out for outside project.TheGrooveking