Welding Tips and Tricks

Okay, possibly more a question for the Aussies on here, but here goes.

Anyone have an opinion on the Milwaukee M12BS portable cordless bandsaw? 'Tool or toy?'

I'm seeing it, sans battery, for around $170. Battery is $100-ish extra depending on capacity. I need a bandsaw for tube cutting, it might as well be portable, although to be honest I don't care if it's cordless or not. I'd probably prefer a bit more oomph from something corded, but cords are out of fashion these days.

I see it has a big brother at $440 or so, the M18.

I have zero experience with Milwaukee tools and all I've really heard lately is "They were great...awhile ago."

Anyone have any opinions or better still, personal experience working with the M12?

Cheers.



Kym

I have the m18 version and quite like it. I have to buy the blades off ebay in the usa because local range is limited to finer tooth blades which is not the best for barstock. I made a stand for it similar to what was on earlier posts for wall mount but I made mine vice mount which comes out from under the bench when I need it. Uses the same battery as my battery drill so I just needed to buy the skin. I use a short piece of copper tube as a trigger lock - cool huh

Coldman wrote: I use a short piece of copper tube as a trigger lock - cool huh

Hey, you should see some of my 'shed fixes.' Copper tube would look positively aerospace by comparison.

I'd be making up a stand for mine, too. Do you get pretty decent life out of your blades? What are you cutting besides bar stock?



Kym

I find blade life is very good until you try cutting tight radii- then shnapo.
I cut everything with it copper & staino tubes, thin staino and lcs items. Really good for cutting allthread or shortening bolts. Small gussets. Very versatile.

Seen one of these in totals tools last week after looking for them for 18 or so months.
The plan was to get one and build a stand for it, something like Swag offroads porta band stand, Jodie did one a while ago.
Couldnt find one so I bought one of these https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/B003.
Now waiting for one to come out in 240v or Makita to come out with one that I can use my batteries on it.
The cuts are a hell of a lot more accurate than a drop saw, also quieter and no dust.

Thanks for the feedback Framie and Coldie - that helps heaps.

I think I might try a Christmas angle on the Milwaukee unit. Framie, I like what you have there but believe it or not, I simply don't have the space. Shed and garage are both chockers with bikes and tools. I need a lathe, a linisher and a bigger drill press too, but I don't have so much as a square inch left. At least the Milwaukee saw I can hang from the rafters (along with two bicycles, several motorcycle frames, fairings, etc...)

Just have to decide now on the M12 or M18. I know which I'd prefer but I also know which I'd rather pay for!

As for making up a stand one day...what, another Tig project? Bring it on!




Kym

I use an M18 brushless (fuel) at work almost daily and I LOVE the thing. I grab it before the corded dewalt 100% of the time!

lsufan15 wrote:I use an M18 brushless (fuel) at work almost daily and I LOVE the thing. I grab it before the corded dewalt 100% of the time!

This is good to know - seems to be a lot of love for the M18. Would love to hear from anyone who has experience with the M12, although I suspect that on price and specs alone it possibly won't measure up to its big brother.



Kym

Hi Kym,

Whilst I don't have one of these I do use other Milwaukee M18 tools in the course of my job. My opinion is that they are not too shabby. I have Makita and Bosch Blue at home but am more than happy to use the Milwaukee stuff. I would say that the 12 volt version might be a little breathless and the 18 volt would be my choice.

And as far as the lack of available space goes I completely understand.. I have a single car garage with shelving, tools, lathe, drill press, scuba equipment, coffee roasting gear, freezer and now a welder and I can't fit anything else in either!

Put the welder on top of your freezer.

Then fill your scuba tanks with Argon.

Space problems solved!


Kym

MosquitoMoto wrote:Put the welder on top of your freezer.

Then fill your scuba tanks with Argon.

Space problems solved!


Kym

You're an ideas man! That one's going straight to the pool room!

Actually scuba cylinders make quite good portable sources for welding gas - I have often used them - but all joking aside mark them well as a mix up would be " unfortunate " ! - probably you guys don't see temperatures low enough to use it -but argon is used in scuba here in very small cylinders.

@noddybrian: People use argon here for drysuit inflation but the jury is out as to whether it has any benefit. My scuba cylinders are strictly for breathing gases only

@OzFlo - yes drysuit inflation - usually small 1.5 liter bottles - kinda surprised that you would use it where you are - I probably incorrectly assumed water temperatures would be high enough not to require it. If you need an easy to carry small amount of welding gas the scuba cylinders work OK - if you have to carry them a lot you could even find some aluminum ones - never had them myself ( except a little 3liter pony cylinder ) as it seemed pointless - not that I use any of them much - usually on surface supply.

Sorry for hijacking your thread Kym!

@noddybrian: water temps get down to maybe 12 degress C here in Sydney in Winter depending on depth.. As for cylinders, Aluminium cylinders are heavier than steel ones for the same volume given that the wall thickness for Aluminium is 14-15mm versus 5 mm for steels..

Interestingly enough, some people are allergic to argon when used in a drysuit. I have used argon in cold water diving and never saw any benefit to it. Just adds one more thing to carry and one more thing to go wrong. Sorry Kym! What was the question again??

Hey, don't apologise, I've been jacking threads myself on these boards since I arrived!


Kym

OzFlo wrote:Hi Kym,

Whilst I don't have one of these I do use other Milwaukee M18 tools in the course of my job. My opinion is that they are not too shabby. I have Makita and Bosch Blue at home but am more than happy to use the Milwaukee stuff. I would say that the 12 volt version might be a little breathless and the 18 volt would be my choice.

And as far as the lack of available space goes I completely understand.. I have a single car garage with shelving, tools, lathe, drill press, scuba equipment, coffee roasting gear, freezer and now a welder and I can't fit anything else in either!

What Kym said.
And I'll relieve you of the lathe.
Space problem solved.....
Actually you need a shed.

ex framie wrote: What Kym said.
And I'll relieve you of the lathe.
Space problem solved.....
Actually you need a shed.

Haha! That's mighty benevolent of you Framie!

Actually a shed would be awesome and a bigger backyard to put it on!