What is a good portable band saw?

[Dargo]

I'm serious. I did the stupid human tricks with the Horrible Freight band saws and they voided my warranty after the 3rd replacement in a week. For $10 and the price of shipping I'll send you the last one. It has about 3 minutes run time on it but is shot. The cheapo internal rubber wheels are shredded (again).

Anyway, I didn't start this post to slam obvious cheap junk, but ask what you guys have to report as far as a good portable band saw. It appears that I need one more than I thought and it's painfully clear that going the cheapo route isn't for me on this tool. I'm obviously looking corded, but single phase 120 volt. Milwaukee? DeWalt? Hitachi? Just looking for some feedback from someone who has some experience.

 

[crazyal]

I have the new model Milwaukee band saw. It's a deep cut with two different variable speed controls. The trigger is variable but it also has a wheel you can turn that also slows the speed down. I think the trigger is for easing into work while the wheel is there for cutting continuous slower speeds with the trigger pulled all the way in. It also has a larger motor (10.5 amp) than the older Milwaukee saws. I can check the model number if you would like. I think I paid $250 for it with the case a little over a year ago.

The saw is a tank. It cuts anything thrown at it. I've cut 1" plate with it like it was butter, well not that fast but it sliced right through it without warming the saw up. It's not too old so I can't tell you how long it will last but the bulk of the people I see using porta-bands are using Milwaukee saws. My only wish would be if they could make a way to adjust the angle of the blade. It's nice being able to cut a 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" tube in the middle but I would also like to be able to slice a 1" strip off the side of a piece of plate a foot or two long.

If you're looking to save a little money buy the bulk packaged blades vs. the single and 3 packs. You can find the Milwaukee blades on-line for $4 this way.

 

[CharlieS]

I use a DeWalt that i've had several years. Dont remember the model number but its been trouble free.

 

[hr3]

We have the Milwaukee cordless and plug in units,,, The plug in is about 15 years old and still runs great,,Maybe because we all take the 28v cordless one every time we need one,,:thumbsup:

 

[mustangsallysdad]

Milwaukee is tough to beat...same one in a shop environment for over 15 years...changed brushes twice...just about bulletproof.

 

[77bronco]

I've got an older Milwaukee port-a-band that I picked up used a few years ago from a fab shop that went belly-up. Don't know how old it is, but I haven't had a lick of problem with it, even when cutting a piece of train track in half. Ya just can't go wrong with a quality tool.

 

[tessiers]

I work for a 50 million a year steel building fabrication and erection shop. we run both milwaukee and dewalt porta bands, both real good tools. You won't go wrong with either tool.

 

[kennyd]

I have a PC at work, and a Milwaukee deep cut at home. Either will serve you well.

 

[Dargo]

I work for a 50 million a year steel building fabrication and erection shop. we run both milwaukee and dewalt porta bands, both real good tools. You won't go wrong with either tool.

That seems to be the trend of the suggestions. Most of my power tools are Milwaukee, DeWalt, Bosh or Hitachi. Since I didn't have much of a need for a portable band saw (have big old stationary one - not really convenient at times), I bought that POS at Horrible Freight hoping it would do occasional jobs. I guess you can say I missed on that one.

Any real advantage of a Milwaukee over DeWalt? If not, I may just shop price within the same specs for a father's day present to myself.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have a Porter Cable portaband which I bought in 1988, works great with no issues other than replacing the power cords.

I would vote for Milwaukee as well, have a ton of both brands corded and battery operated. I think the older corded tools were made much better.