Portable Bandsaw Comparison: Bauer vs Milwaukee vs DeWalt 

Thanks for the review. You did a good job right up until you started cutting with them. That was a very subjective test. What I think would have been more helpful is how fast the blade was running on each saw in terms of surface feet per minute. If they were all running at the same speed then there is no reason one would cut faster than the other except for operator deviation in technique/pressure/etc. And you are right, which saw really does depend on what you will be doing with it. I typically cut steel bar up to about 3 inches in diameter. I bought a Bauer today and cut a 2 inch diameter bar of mild steel. Used a Milwaukee 10/14 blade with high cobalt content. Took about 3 minutes which is plenty fast for me since I am not doing production work but rather machine work. Once again, thanks for the review.

I've been using the Bauer for 5 years. Work's great. I've cut a good bit of 5160 steel with it and even a piece of railroad track. After a couple of years the tires crumbled and they were wicked getting the new tires on. The tires didn't cost much and I'm still running on that second set. Thanks for the video

I bought the Bauer 4 months ago. I can't compare it to the other machines but it has become one of my most used tools in my home shop. I am very pleased !

For home or occasional use, the Bauer is sufficient. I don't think an extra 10 seconds of cutting time is significant. However, I'll bet that for day to day use for a tradesman, the Bauer's parts (switches, bearings, etch) will likely wear out long before the others do.

Hi Tim, just found your video because I am thinking about starting my own welding fabrication/repair shop. Hopefully one day this idea will grow into a full time business that I can run for my main job but for now just a side hustle. Was wondering what I should buy tool wise to just start out, I have a pretty descent budget and a good amount of tools to get started but I need these high ticket items like the saw and a welder etc. Looking at an Eastwood multi-process welder and getting some 220v in my garage. Any tips would be great!

Tim I think you should do a table build for one of these bandsaws. Just made one for my cordless Milwaukee deep cut and it’s pretty simple. 3/8 plate fits perfectly into one of the vent holes and then you. An use a clamp to hold the base.

Excellent video I want to start doing metal work as a hobby and this helped a lot

Great video Tim. I think Milwaukee is the king of “portaband” but damn it’s really hard to beat the Bauer at it’s price tag.

The Bauer is REALLY tempting, because you can buy 3 for the price of 1 of the others (on sale) and I'm just an occasional user - not a pro using it many times every day. However, a little care and a 4-1/2" side grinder with a 5 or 7-inch SS thin slicer blade ain't a bad way to go either. THANKS for your great videos - SUBSCRIBED!

Your cutting technique varied between the tests, so that had an effect on timing.

I have the older HF model (the Chicago Electric #62800) mounted to a SWAG offroad stand. The material on the right side of the blade hits the saw motor casing by about a 1/4" as you slide material through (the left side obviously does). Does the Dewalt have the motor and frame assembly off set enough where longer material would clear? My HF one is wearing out and time to replace. Thank you for your time.

Hi my friend thanks for such a nice review I am about to buy a Bauer and you make it so easy to choose still I have a couple questions I live out if United states and over here some tools are easy to get but not the replacement parts.so my first question will be the blades are the same for any of these machines ? Second question if I get a table to fix this machine can I usdd to cut wood mh majn reason to buy it ? Thanks for your help

Great video, I bought the Bauer saw too, now I noticed you turned the speeds all the way up, but everything I've read and seen from other videos seems to suggest that you should run at a slower speed for cutting metal and I've tried both approaches and I see that the Bauer at least seems to cut metal better at between 4 and 5, my speeds are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, max, but I see yours goes all the way to seven and your Bauer saw is black, mine is red. Mine is pretty new I bought it last month and was able to cut through 1/8" mild steel plate pretty easily but getting a consistent cut is a challenge to say the least, so I'm probably going to build a table for it, for vertical and horizontal cuts. I really liked that you set the saws up head to head and pointed out the pros and cons of each, kind of makes me wish I had watched this before purchasing, but I'm happy with my Bauer, like you said you get pretty good bang for your buck with the Bauer and I have other Bauer power tools, both plug in and battery operated and they are very good. Thanks again for the video, I'll definitely be checking out your welding videos, I'm fairly new to welding, I've only been doing MIG for about a year, and last month I got a small stick welder and I'm getting much better welds with the stick, it's only a 90 amp 110 volt and can only run 3/32" sticks, but with 6010, 6011 and 6013 sticks I'm running some beautiful beads, (well a lot better than I ever did with the MIG anyway) but I figure I can learn a lot from those who have been doing it longer than I have. Thanks again and look forward to seeing lots more of your videos. 🖖😎

I have the bower, mostly used in the swag stand (would have built a stand, but wanted the miter). I see HF just came out with a pivoting portaband stand that can angle cut. Might be more accurate as opposed to trying to move a large workpiece with the miter guide of the swag.

On your video you were rocking back and forth on one saw that will make it cut faster so all saw cut on same time thanks for video

Great job. Concise, fair, not a lot of opinion.

Look at the wen 94396 comes with a 3-year warranty and is an excellent saw on a budget and also has an LED light

Thanks for the review. Did you happen to notice a difference in the sound each device makes, or more importantly, which was the loudest and which was not. I have owned a Bauer for almost 2 years and have to say it's the loudest thing in my shop. Ok maybe not...It's a tie with my 2 hp shop vac. Appreciate the time you put in to making these videos.

As much as I love having the best or some of the best tools, I can’t pass up a smoking deal. I got the Bauer as an open box item in store for $50 out the door. For what I need it for and the price I got it at, it’s great

Great content and extremely informative, .. but if the intro voice can use a mic it will be awesome!

I bought the Bauer about a year ago and find that it works great for my needs. The Harbor Freight blades aren't that great for cutting metal, I blew through them pretty fast on a recent project and upgraded to Lennox blades that I bought on Amazon for an amazing deal. Thanks for sharing Tim, great video!

I have a Bauer, they rock! Another thing to know which are variables that can affect the saw cut speed are; weight of the saw, how hard one is pushing on the machine and perhaps even more importantly are they all the same blade meaning, new and same manufacturer? Any of these mentioned variables can effect the outcome and in my opinion I'm not worried about speed but the durability of the saw.

Can you get the Dewalt DWM120 in Spain? I can't find a dealer, thank you

Not a tool I need but wondering how the Wen brand would hold up?

Feathered trigger is the term brother. Very nice video.

You should consider some Owens Corning 303 sound absorbing panels.

I think the speed of the cut has to do with the user ran through a few of the Milwaukee saws in my time and used a dewalt once and it was damaged so it kept throwing the blade. The harbor freight brands are not really used in process plant construction but is an end user thing.

I have a bauer Model 1678E-B cannot keep the blades on the saw any ideas

GOOD VIDEO, I LIKE THAT THE BAUER IS IS CHEAPER THAN THE MAJOR BRANDS, BUT I SEE ALOT OF VIDEOS WHERE THE BLADES ON THE CHEAPER MODELS KEEP FALLING OFF, ANY SIGN OF THIS?

In the end i don't think the Milwaukee cut faster than DeWalt. The Milwaukee was running slightly behind, but seemed to benefit from the rocking back and forth to get through the bottom of the metal tube. There was no rocking with the DeWalt. I'd like to stick with DeWalt because of all my other tools. I love the adjustable handle. But dang, the Milwaukee feature with the guard adjustment that doesn't require a wrench is awfully tempting.

Good job.

Hi. Does it need external coollant oil for the blade, like the stationary band saws used in metal shops?

Are there wood blades available for these saws ? Anyone have a source ?

Old aluminum Milwaukee ends tended to dent so I see why they went with plastic end caps rather than the old single casting. The DeWalt removable style is a much slicker design because tools in fleet use need to be fixed QUICKLY to get them back in service.

In own a mobile welding shop and have gone through 3 bauers in 6 months, pony up the money for a milwakee. 2 break downs were the main trigger switch, 3rd the tighten lever broke off lol

I’ve had the Bauer for over three years and use it multiple times per week. It was $89 well spent.

I use my Bauer in a swag table and more than happy with it

You cannot go by that as far as the cut speed if you're pushing harder on one or the other I seen with a Milwaukee was working in a bit up and down so I don't know if I could get along with that one but I have both I have a bower and in Milwaukee to Milwaukee is a tad faster but they are both good machines the only problem with the Bower is finding parts the rubber is on the wheels you can replace them with Milwaukee rubbers so for the money difference power is not a bad choice actually a good machine in my opinion

The light is really good for those of us who need both light and magnification.

Tim I've heard that the Milwaukee is direct drive no chain or belt is Dewalt driven the same way ,and witch has the stronger motor. thanks John

I have an old Milwaukee, it weighs a ton, but never fails me.

What is better for you, the Dewalt or the Milwaukee? If you just have enough money to buy one of them, what would you prefer? Dewalt or Milwaukee?

Not to mention the Bauer is like half the price of the other 2. Round 150 for the hf vs 300 each for the other 2.

Did you use the same brand blade during the cut test?

I've owned the Milwaukee corded, the Bauer corded and the DeWalt 20v Max brushless one. Maybe I got a dud, but the Bauer saw was junk and cut less than half as fast and ate identical blades more quickly in similar cuts. I got it to keep at a shop I was working at a couple days a week to be able to use there. It finally started smoking after a little over a month, so maybe 10 days of use total, and I returned it. The DeWalt battery one impressed me. Super powerful, good ergonomics for use, quieter than the Milwaukee. It's a little heavy for one handed use, but still can be one handed for a few cuts. These saws are especially great for using as compact vertical bandsaws. The little table SWAG off-road makes is great! Or even just a little 10"x10" piece of plate to swap in place of the sliding shoe and a stand on the table or hook with support on the wall to hold upright and steady can be incredibly useful. I have my corded Milwaukee in a stand plugged into a momentary 120V foot pedal to turn it on and off for speed and safety. Best blades for these I've found have been from MK Morse, usually around $25 for a 3 pack. I use the 10/14 tpi blades for thicker metal, 3/16" and up, and the 14/18's down to around 1/16", including EMT conduit, unistrut and other thin, often hollow, pieces of stock.

Is it okay to use coolant or lubricant

Great video. Can’t believe the Bauer took 10 seconds longer to cut the pipe.

All these 3 including the Mikita are using the same size of saw blade 1140mm X 13mm. You should use the same blade to compare. I don't think there will be much different in speed.

I just got all 3 because I couldn’t choose

Ok Tim, without money being a factor,which one would you choose?

If someone was to gift me one, I would take the DeWalt, which I think has the best features. I purchased the Bauer because I think it is the best deal, and has all the features that I need. Interesting video.

Did you use identical blades? I hear the HF blades are junk.

Are these good tools for a small home gamer who occasionally needs to cut 45 degree angles in square tubing for welding?

Should have mentioned width and depth of cut on all of them...

During the speed of cut test...it really wouldn't be objective unless all three saws were using the same brand and type of blade since blades can vary in cutting performance based on the manufacturer, quality of steel and tooth design used in its construction.

The Milwaukee looked like you really had to force the cut at the end. I was waiting for the "BANG" on the bar until you stopped the video

Noobs on a budget should try the Bauer as by the time its worn or broken you'll know what your use case requires and it will have paid for itself and then some. ALL tools are really consumable. It's how much money they make/save you at what convenience level that matters. Wear parts for a saw you keep are wheel tires and guide rollers. (I maintained a fleet for a welding school etc.) Realistically the family of batteries you already have is probably the best way to choose between Milwaukee and DeWalt. I use Milwaukee corded portabands so I went with the matching cordless V28 (takes M28 batteries and like the original corded is basically immortal) but most buyers today will have more recent tools. If starting from scratch for welding use consider what cordless angle grinder you want to use. DeWalt and Milwaukee are both excellent and for cordless (the heavy work in welding is done with corded grinders for obvious reasons including buying heaps of them to avoid attachment swapping) max power isn't a huge deal vs. your preferred ergonomics. If you're cutting steel with a portaband to weld you'll be using a grinder. BTW I swap or mod 4-1/4" angle grinder guards to 6-inch to run fine kerf cutting discs which have higher edge speed and reach than the baby discs. With my Dewalt I bought a visual match then ground off the internal "nubs" they use to differentiate guards. I don' run larger grinder rocks etc on baby grinders, just the cutting discs so I don't smoke the motor.

It really looked like you were muscling the Milwaukee and letting the weight of the Bauer do the cutting. You should have hung a weight off the front to ensure equal pressure.

Tim, if you like what you saw! Lol.

The Dewalt seems to be the best certainly a very well built tool

Clear, concise, could have been a little shorter though.

Those are the cleanest, unscaved, baby soft fingers i ever saw on a metalworker. what's your secret?

The hercules has all the best features of the 3

Well I'll tell you what you can buy three Bauers for the price of the other ones and as far as durable I've had a bauer for over 3 years in my blacksmith shop and pounded the piss out of it and it keeps on going, And as far as a cut demonstration you have to put them in a jig

No back bone grap one ! And pick one!!

"cut steel like butter" yet not once did you attempt to cut butter!

where is that bauer coupon? thx

What took you so long to cut through the strut? Lol

I have a Bauer. It’s AWESOME. don’t waste your money.

Which saw is the noisiest. I will be using it in a basement shop and my wife will only tolerate a certain amount of noise, then it's "Take it outside.... I don't care how hot it is.... Go!"

Put a lenox blade on the bauer and it will cut like hell

When you vertically wall Mount, you lose a fair amount of variability by clinching the fingerfeed wide open.

Got the Bauer today, there's a coupon for $89. It does not come with a blade.

Had my Bauer for one year and it worked well until it started to just shut off intermittently for no reason. Disappointed and will be replacing it.

Let's be real, the speed of the cut is all dependent on the BLADE, what is above it is irrelevant.

Sure glad Dewalt paid you up front!

My Bauer cost me $99 and the Milwaukee is over $260 I can spar 10 seconds to save $160

Well, the "time to cut thru" test wasn't the best control. You rocked the Milwaukee saw quite a bit and the DeWalt not as much and the Bauer hardly at all... And there was no control pressure that was obvious to know how much pressure was used as down force. Not a good comparison video... Sorry. I have watched several of your videos and thought they were very well done. But I can't say the same here... :(

Used the bauer three times, on the fourth it let the smoke out, its garbage.

paid by job Milwaukee, paid by time Bauer

Milwaukee is King.

Bauer wins because works like a dream and it's only like 100 bucks

I noticed you were rocking the Milwaukee , were as you did not rock the other two. This may have sped up that saw cutting. I don’t think the seed test was a good comparison.

Not until 3:10 did I discover that this video was about CORDED models. Please add this to your description so that others don’t waste their time.