Milwaukee M18 vs. M28 portaband

[DieselSaves]

I have a rash of Milwaukee M18 tools accumulated over the last year or so and they have been perfectly adequate. Some of them are even really good, the Bluetooth radio and Fuel grinder are my personal favorites. I have the option now to buy a new V28 porta band for an agreeable price. I use my corded bandsaw often enough to see more uses for a cordless one and the opertunity would put me in an old stock 28 volt saw, charger, and battery for close to the price of a Fuel M18 bandsaw bare tool, the fuel version being somewhat comparable to the 28v in cut.

I already use two separate battery systems with the M18 stuff and with my older Snap On NiCad tools and one more is not a big imposition. Any one have experience with either/both battery saws? Any reason not to go with the 28v bandsaw?

 

[blackedout12v]

milwaukee claims that the fuel m18 will cut faster than their 11amp corded bandsaw. i have the corded two speed and man that thing sounds mean hen its running. if the fuel does cut faster than the corded i would say thats all a man would ever need.

 

[dnschmidt]

Go with the M18 FUEL. The FUEL brushless system makes a big difference. I would not be surprised if the M18 FUEL last longer and cuts faster than the brushed version M28.

 

[mobiledynamics]

M28 is a dead platform IMO. Even if it was a screaming deal, I would opt to put money towards the M18 Porta. I own the Fuel Porta and it's a bit heavy, but the performance is worth it

 

[bcradio]

don't even think about wasting money on old 28v stuff. go with the 18v fuel and be set.

 

[Jason280]

M28 is a dead platform IMO. Even if it was a screaming deal, I would opt to put money towards the M18 Porta. I own the Fuel Porta and it's a bit heavy, but the performance is worth it

I have to agree. I have the 28v bandsaw, and the batteries will no longer hold a charge. Replacements are expensive, and I can't decide whether to replace them or go with a new system...

 

[Ign]

Any V28 battery in existence today is almost surely dead, esp in the bandsaw which is high-draw.

If the OP already had other 28V tools I'd say go for it in a heartbeat. But if not you'll have to buy at least one new M28 battery (around $100 if you're saavy with sales or coupon matching).

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the V28 bandsaw otherwise (yes, I have it). The V28 tools are built like tanks and came about just before Milwaukee started seeing higher defect rates which has been, IMO, almost entirely because of moving virtually all production to China. We've all experienced it, but since defect rates are still relatively low and Milwaukee's warranty is top notch it's just a minor annoyance.

The V28 bandsaw is heavy, and from what I can tell shared virtually all components w the corded bandsaw of the same era. But I wouldn't be surprised if it will outlive today's MIC Fuel. Sometimes 18V brushless lives up to the hype, sometimes it's like an Ecoboost: a V6 trying to put out V8 power (and longevity).

I've got plenty of M18 and M12, Fuel and not, MIC. All I'm saying is that there's little question in my mind the build quality of the V28 portaband is higher, but it is heavy and it does draw down batteries quickly.

Pick your poison: are you an old-school go forever 6BT kinda guy, or do you want the latest, newest, unproven diesel complete w amazing promises and amazing complication and "smarts"? (Most of us have experienced trigger hesitation or false battery protections kicking in on the new tools).

 

[DieselSaves]

I've got plenty of M18 and M12, Fuel and not, MIC. All I'm saying is that there's little question in my mind the build quality of the V28 portaband is higher, but it is heavy and it does draw down batteries quickly.

Pick your poison: are you an old-school go forever 6BT kinda guy, or do you want the latest, newest, unproven diesel complete w amazing promises and amazing complication and "smarts"? (Most of us have experienced trigger hesitation or false battery protections kicking in on the new tools).

I own mostly 6.9L Diesels.

I like that the V28 saw looks as heavy duty as my corded one. I also see that Milwaukee kept the 28v configuration the same through the battery change. I like heavy, long lasting tools. One of my biggest questions is run time per battery between the 18 and 28v as I'm guessing power is similar.

 

[Bremon]

According to Milwaukee's PR the Fuel shares over 90% of the corded model's parts, and is an all-metal sealed direct drive. I would imagine it's lighter than the 28v solution as well. Fuel stuff hasn't let me down yet, I would stick with the M18, especially with 5.0 batteries out now, and if Bosch is any indicator, 6.0 is right around the corner.

The EcoBoost comparison isn't a great one, I would compare it more like moving from the 5.4 Triton to the 5.0 coyote. The newer one is just more efficient. Comparing it to EcoBoost suggests the tool doesn't back up the manufacturer's claims, and in my experience, Fuel isn't BS.

 

[Ign]

Some general blather here, so as not to derail this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4628176#post4628176

if the OP wants info specific to portabands, don't waste your time.

 

[Strouty]

Another v28 owner here. If you had other tools I would say get it. I have not touched the newer bandsaw, the v28 is essentially a corded version without the cord. I also feel it cuts faster than the corded version.

Since you have m18 buy the fuel version and you will be able to use your current batteries.

I love the v28/m28 and I would never say they are a dead platform. I am willing to bet Milwaukee will end up with m28 fuel versions too.

Makita offers 36 volt stuff and if Milwaukee added brushless to the m28 I would be all over it.

 

[cagullett1]

milwaukee claims that the fuel m18 will cut faster than their 11amp corded bandsaw. i have the corded two speed and man that thing sounds mean hen its running. if the fuel does cut faster than the corded i would say thats all a man would ever need.

I this really true... the Fuel is faster than the 11A corded?

 

[Bremon]

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2729-22.

They claim it cuts faster than corded. As per usual for their marketing they don't specifically point out their benchmark but I would think it's same to assume it's the model it's designed after. If it's like their claim for cordless hole hawg then it will be quite close.

I haven't seen any reviews to confirm or deny their claim.

 

[DieselSaves]

For what it's worth, I have made some headway on this question and made some stupid mistakes.

I started with the corded saw. Really like it. I ended up finding a cheap V28 saw bare tool that had been sitting since 2009. Not the deal I had first assumed but I bought it as "new", as in first purchaser. Found an abused V28 drill and one bat at a pawn shop going out of business sale for a steal. The battery held a charge, sort of. Saw worked awesome for about a minute per charge and I was hooked. But now I had cash ******* in too many things and not enough for new batteries and no need for more M28 tools to buy for the M28 batteries.

Traded the V28 to an equally gullible friend after explaining the entire situation including the albatross analogy. Later had the funds from an air compressor come through during a Fuel sale and picked up a saw kit. 80 percent happy with the way it worked out. I have lots of 18 volt batteries and the kit came with one plus a free one and $100 off on trade. But using the new saw is not as nice as the 28 volt one. The adjustable guide is a hindrance for some odd cuts and the power is just enough.

Long story. I wish I'd have looked harder for an M28 porta band kit but the M18 cuts stuff so I'll call it a wash.

 

[Ign]

Interesting, thx for your honesty. At least you're back into a well-supported platform now, although I keep wanting to put together a group buy for the foreign-market M28 5.0 batteries

I tried adding the M28 Fuel hammer drill to my cart at HD for the present $150 deal, but it won't trigger the discount. I have no idea why I need it as I have the brushed V28 SDS drill but that's never stopped me before.

 

[sberry]

The only thing I have I don't care for that I am stuck with is old 28 impacts. I wouldn't mind a screaming deal on a portoband.
We use 1 drill model for it all, may look for a lighter scheme for doing lighter jobs.

 

[Ign]

The only thing I have I don't care for that I am stuck with is old 28 impacts. I wouldn't mind a screaming deal on a portoband.

Yes, I'm considering selling my V28 impact 'cause it's old electric technology (ie pre-W7150 and 2763-20) and it's huge. The only reason I don't is because presently I have every V28 tool sold domestically plus the foreign-market die grinder. But truly there's little sense in having a dinosaur lying around that I never use, and I'm tiring of just storing it so I'm sure I'll get rid of it.

Milwaukee, give us a 2763 equivalent in 28 volt!!! and sell it in a kit w 5.0 batteries!