Milwaukee porta band blades

[dubnutty]

Just purchased this Milwaukee porta band and had a question on blades. What brand do most of you use? I'm going to be using this with the SWAG holder for cutting some materiel. Mostly 16 gauge sheet metal and light bar stock for some small projects. I was also wondering if wood cutting is OK with this? I've purchased the same brand but was wondering if there is some other brands out there that can be used.

 

[LG63]

I have Morse bimetal at the moment. The only other brand I've used is Starrett. Both worked well but my usage isn't real demanding. I'd error on the side of more teeth per inch for a given material thickness and take it slow and blades will last a long time.

 

[foghorn1966]

My compact Milwaukee porta band is really hard on blades, they crack. I have only tried the Milwaukee ones as thet are the only ones sized to fit it around here. Wood should be ok for small jobs with the right tooth count.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have four Milwaukee portable bandsaws in three different sizes. So far, I haven't found a better blade for the money than Lenox. They are way better than Milwaukee and Morse. There are more expensive blades, but I haven't used them.

 

[LXCam]

Lenox than Milwaukee second. And I’d suggest a 14tpi for what you’re doing.

Fog, by chance are over tightening them?

 

[nadogail]

Lenox is a very well respected maker of blades and hole saws.

 

[Ingram306]

Morse and Milwaukee

 

[BreeStephany]

I have an older Milwaukee V28 bandsaw which I used almost every day until I discovered Makita's cordless 5-3/8" carbide saw and absolutely love it! I still use it for cutting 3"~4" conduits. The Milwaukee portaband is great for larger conduits as I can make much straighter, square cuts with it than I can with my carbide saw.

I have only ever used Milwaukee's bimetal blades and they seem to work great on it!

I don't use my V28/M28 tools that much anymore now that I have 6.0Ah and 5.0Ah batteries for my Makita tools, but they still serve their purpose and still work great every time I pull them out!

 

[wxm]

perfect timing. My porta band is calling for a new blade. Any chance someone could include the Lenox part number?

 

[foghorn1966]

Lenox than Milwaukee second. And I’d suggest a 14tpi for what you’re doing.

Fog, by chance are over tightening them?

Not sure on that LX, It is more like fatigue cracking. I'll have to read up on adjustment.

 

[sparky 1971]

perfect timing. My porta band is calling for a new blade. Any chance someone could include the Lenox part number?

Which saw? Or do you know the blade length? Also, how many teeth per inch?

LENOX® | Hand Tools & Power Tool Accessories

Eat metal for breakfast with the new LENOX® hole saw and reciprocating saw blades. Now available at a retailer near you.

www.lenoxtools.com

 

[wxm]

Which saw? Or do you know the blade length? Also, how many teeth per inch?

LENOX® | Hand Tools & Power Tool Accessories

Eat metal for breakfast with the new LENOX® hole saw and reciprocating saw blades. Now available at a retailer near you.

www.lenoxtools.com

6242-6, I mostly cut aluminum T-Track and steel stock for lathe.

 

[metaldad]

agreed on lenox. they last.
not impressed with starrett branded blades
milwaukee and morse are acceptable
i have 1 more saw than sparky

 

[liliysdad]

I will echo the Lenox recommendations....they last.

 

[sparky 1971]

6242-6, I mostly cut aluminum T-Track and steel stock for lathe.

I have the cordless version of that saw. I cut EMT and unistrut along with the occasional chunk of PVC with it and use 14 TPI blades.

Amazon.com

 

[Jland]

Done this before... bought Lennox from my experience..****! Poorly welded and broke on the weld... 2 of them... bought Olsen no issues at all... use them on my portal and and my 12 in band saw...

 

[Mr.N]

I was also wondering if wood cutting is OK with this?

It my go to for a quick cut of 2x4's in the shop. Not great for precession cuts, but very quick.
Also, get a foot pedal to turn it off an on. I mount mine on the cart, not the floor.

 

[Mr.N]

Which saw? Or do you know the blade length? Also, how many teeth per inch?

LENOX® | Hand Tools & Power Tool Accessories

Eat metal for breakfast with the new LENOX® hole saw and reciprocating saw blades. Now available at a retailer near you.

www.lenoxtools.com

Thanks for posting!

 

[sparky 1971]

Thanks for posting!

I just realized I posted the page for the big band saw blades. Here is the portable saw blade page. I use 14 TPI in my M18 compact, 10/14 TPI in my big corded model, and 18 TPI in both of my little M12's, but as far as I know, those blades are only available by Milwaukee.

LENOX® | Hand Tools & Power Tool Accessories

Eat metal for breakfast with the new LENOX® hole saw and reciprocating saw blades. Now available at a retailer near you.

www.lenoxtools.com

 

[dubnutty]

THANKS! Everyone who gave their input. I finally got to set the blade and SWAG table up. I did get the foot pedal and that makes cutting easier. I think I'm going to try the Lennox and then possible the Olson. Let's get to cutting and making stuff!

 

[Renegade1LI]

It is important to match the blade to the work, my guys are always using the wrong type of blade, it makes a difference.

 

[Indexmill]

^^Kick your guys ***...

 

[matt_i]

First its murder on any bandsaw blade to cut sheetmetal. Yes we have all done it and paid the price with ever-growing sections of blade missing all of the teeth. The lesson that a shear is the best tool to cut sheetmetal will be repeated until its learned

In general you want 3 teeth engaged in the cross-section at all times.

I suggest using a 24tpi blade for your noted useage as I think that's the finest tooth pitch sold. You can jump up to lower-numerical = coarser blades if cutting wood, which it will do with any-tpi blade just not quite a smoothly as your classic wood cutting bandsaw.

 

[Al Borland]

Make sure you face the teeth the right way. It doesn't take long for a backwards blade to ruin the wheels...