M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Deep Cut Dual-Trigger Band Saw Kit with Two 5.0 Ah Batteries

SUMMARY: A GOOD PORTABLE BAND SAW BACKGROUND: I’ve been using a large band saw, but I don’t use it enough for the shop space it takes up. The chance to evaluate the Milwaukee M18 Deep Cut saw was too good to pass up. FIT AND FINISH: In general, the tool has the same top quality and feel as my other Milwaukee tools, with one noticeable exception. The removable blade guards are some of the worst I’ve ever seen. The plastic construction doesn’t bother me, but the guard have a TERRIBLE mounting system. The injection molded guards have tabs that are supposed to drop into recesses in the housing. I found them difficult to push on far enough for the tabs to reach and they would pop loose and start to work off the tool during use. They popped off every time I set the tool down. I felt it was more hazardous to keep them on that to fight with them all the time. FEATURES: From the Home Depot page, with my comments as appropriate. • Dual-trigger designed for 2-handed operation ◦ I great safety feature, but makes one-handed operation impossible. • POWERSTATE brushless motor: increased cutting speed and power through the toughest applications ◦ In keeping with the new brushless trend. I like it. • CPT (Constant Power Technology): maintains cut speed in the toughest applications for optimal performance ◦ I couldn’t see a change in blade speed...so I guess it worked. • Over 90% same parts as Milwaukee's corded deep cut band saw ◦ I hope the corded saw doesn’t have the same terrible blade guards • Jobsite armor technology: proprietary composite material and crush zone barriers provide long-lasting rugged protection ◦ It certainly felt rugged to me...except the blade guards • REDLINK PLUS intelligence: the most advanced system of cordless power tool electronics, provides optimized performance and overload protection using total system communication between tool, battery and charger • All metal direct drive: delivers maximum tool life with all metal direct drive gearing system, while requiring less servicing than a chain drive ◦ I like metal parts. • Tool-free locking adjustable shoe: button actuated tool-free design allows user to quickly adjust from an extended shoe to no shoe in seconds ◦ Although a little hard to reach (practice will make perfect) I found it easy to adjust. • Industry's largest cut capacity: versatility to cut up to 5 in. x 5 in. material in 1 pass and adjustable shoe allows for less tool rotation when cutting material above 5 in. ◦ The capacity on this saw was almost exactly as much as my bench mounted Enco Metal Cutting Band Saw. • LED light: illuminates work surface for increased accuracy and productivity ◦ I didn’t really need it for my testing, but it is visible and will probably be great in reduced light conditions. • Part of the M18 system of 175 plus tools • Compatible with all M18 batteries ◦ I used several different M18 batteries from 3Ah to 6Ah. All powered the tool fine, but the amp hour of the battery will determine how many cuts you can make. OPERATION: Using the saw revealed a possible major issue. The first few cuts I made went fine. But after about 5 cuts the saw started throwing the blade off. I looked at both drive tires to make sure the cogged drive wheel was meshing with the cogged drive tire. Everything was good there. (There is no tracking adjustment.) I tried mounting the blades different ways (in the guides first, then on the tires first) to try see if that made a difference. I threw the blade off a dozen times in a half-dozen cuts. But the last time the blade came off it threw the drive tire completely off the drive wheel. I remounted the tire, reinstalled the blade, and made over 50 cuts with no further problem. The band saw if fairly easy to use although it is one of the heavier cordless man-held tools. It’s not a tool I would want to hold above my head to make a cut! I decided to make as many cuts as I could until the 5Ah battery was drained. I made over 50 cuts in various sizes and shapes of metal. That’s more than I would personally cut on a single DIY job so I feel confident the batteries have sufficient power to last me through any of my projects without recharging. SUMMARY: A good tool, but in need of a redesign of the blade guard covers. PROS: Good weight and balance. CONS: Blade covers don’t secure well enough

Milwaukee bandsaw features a dual trigger design (both triggers have to be activated or it will not operate) for safe cutting. There is no competition to this tool; no other battery operated bandsaw can handle five by five material. Having two five amp batteries will give one a day of cutting; no interruptions. This beast weighs almost fifteen pounds so there is no need to bear down while cutting. My fisrt cut was on a five inch square fence post, just like cutting soft butter. We use an A/C powered bandsaw in the shop, but we have found that occasionally the measurements are off and we have to modify a carport or patio cover install, but with this we can measure and cut on the job site!

If you need a dependable portable band saw or porta-band, then you have a Milwaukee. They’re known for their reliability. This saw is as reliable as the corded; in fact it uses many of the same parts as their corded. It cuts faster than the corded and uses the same blades, the 44-7/8”. It has an adjustable dial for speed control that you can pre-set the speed. The speed is then controlled by the rear trigger. The further you pull it, the faster the speed, according to what you preset was. When you pull the rear trigger, the LED comes on, the saw starts when you pull the front. Both triggers must be held to keep the saw going. If you release one, the saw stops. You have to pull the rear trigger first, then the front to operate. This deep cut model means you have the largest cut capacity out there. The dual triggers means less chance for injuries, as it takes both hands to operate. This uses the popular and dependable Milwaukee M18 battery. Two are included in this kit, along with a charger, blade, blade covers and a well-made contractor bag. No more drop cords or looking for drop cords, no more generators. All you need is the saw. This is THE saw. It’s rugged, dependable, fast, has the largest capacity, cordless and safer. It’s very impressive and everybody wants to use it. Read the manual and use it correctly. I love this saw!

This portable band saw is essential for making deep cuts in heavy steel. In the past I have used a circular saw with a metal blade. It worked OK for small pieces but for anything over about 2 1/2 inches you had to make more than one cut. When doing this the cuts never lined up and the cuts would tend to close up and pinch the saw. I recently installed a large ground mount solar array and had to cut pipe that was about 3 1/2 inches. If I had been able to use this it would have been a lot easier. This saw cuts quickly and once you get the hang of it makes very clean and square cuts. It is heavy if you are working free hand. The only negative to this saw is the trigger system. You have to pull the main trigger then pull the secondary trigger to get it to run. If you release either trigger you must release both triggers and then redo the trigger pulling in the proper order. This is not a deal breaker but is is more complex than necessary.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Deep Cut Dual-Trigger Band Saw Kit with Two 5.0 Ah Batteries is a serious tool. The band saw has a 5-inch cut capacity opening. It comes with a 1/2-inch wide by 44-7/8-inches in length blade. It can handle different projects up to and including the toughest ones, too for auto mechanics, plumbers and contractors. The big advantage is that it is cordless, no need for extension cords, portable power using any of Milwaukee's standard 18-volt batteries. It has an all metal direct drive gearing system. The main housing is a metal casting with the plastic not overdone. A small annoyance for me is their blade covers, plastic that don't lock properly. They didn't come off in using, but seemed loose and couldn't snap them in place securely. The saw opening is large, five inches wide, five inches long. Lighter weight band saws have half that capacity and tons of plastic in the construction. It means this one can fit larger pieces in the saw throat without having to readjust the work. The kit includes the band saw, a blade, blade covers, two 5.0 Ah batteries, charger and tool-bag. For safety the saw has mandatory two-hand operation, desirable as these saws can catch and twist in a moment of distraction. You always want two hands on the tool. The more help staying in control the better. There is a lock out button preventing start-up for storage or when working on it. Another feature I like is the undercarriage that has a full guard over the spinning blade. This helps keep debris, metal dust, from easily fouling the blade and in the mechanism as it spins. I've seen other saws missing this common sense feature. The saw feels solid and comfortable to hold, well designed, but the tool body is pitched slightly when the blade is correctly perpendicular over the cut. So in the beginning watch the blade position, not the tool, then it isn't an issue. The blade change is a plus no tool feature. The saw blade is kept in tension with one lever on the top of the tool. It it easy to replace the blade with this lock/unlock lever. Loosen the lever take out the old blade and thread the new one, then tighten the lever again, double checking that the blade is set in the roller guides. I tried it out cutting with what I had in the shop, some pipe, angle iron and bolts. The tool is easy to position, blade angle issue aside, had no vibration and was unusually quiet when running. All I had to do is hold it in place with the weight of the tool doing the cutting and me guiding it. Their large shoe guide is useful to position the work. An LED is there to light the cut line. The cuts were all clean, better than with a sawzall which can leave the edges much rougher. This is a tool I'm glad to have because before was using a reciprocating saw . A recip saw is fine, but some jobs go better with the power of this portable band saw. The power and smooth operation is the preferred way to work.

Milwaukee bandsaw features a dual tigger design (both triggers have to be activated or it will not operate) for safe cutting. There is no competion to this tool; no other battery operated bandsaw can handle five by five material. Having two five amp batteries will give one a day of cutting; no interruptions. This beast weighs almost fifteen pounds so there is no need to bear down while cutting. My fisrt cut was on a five inch square fence post, just like cutting soft butter. We use an A/C powered bandsaw in the shop, but we have found that occassionally the measurements are off and we have to modify a carport or patio cover install, but with this we can measure and cut on the jobsite!

Great saw just hate the dual trigger function

Very surprised at the power and battery life.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser