We just found out that Milwaukee is coming out with a new cordless band saw. They released a new deep-cut band saw back in January, and Bosch came out with a new cordless model last summer. It has become trendy to make portable band saws smaller and lighter.
What is most surprising is that the model is a compact 12V band saw, the first of its class. Actually, Milwaukee is calling the new M12 band saw a sub-compact model, which actually seems appropriate given its 12″ length and 6-3/4 lb weight.
Advertisement
Here are a couple of notable product details and specs:
- Ideal for one-handed cutting
- Fully integrated lower guard that covers the blade outside the cutting area
- Meets OSHA guard requirements for one-handed use
- Cuts through 3/4″ EMT conduit in 3-seconds
- Delivers over 150 cuts per charge with M12 XC battery
- 1-5/8″ x 1-5/8″ cutting capacity
- Variable speed trigger
Due to the band saw’s size, you can only use Milwaukee’s 18 TPI replacement blades, model 48-39-0572.
There will be two configurations: 2429-21XC, which includes the saw, 1 blade, 1 Red Lithium M12 XC battery, 30-minute charger, and hard carrying case; 2429-20, which includes the band saw and 1 blade.
Pricing and release date are not yet available.
Advertisement
James C
Wow, I didn’t see this one coming! While I personally wouldn’t have much use for it, I think others would. This is way cool.
fred
Likely to try one out once its available. We have a Makita 18V cordless bandsaw which we find quite useful for outdoor work. Since we standardized on the Makita 18V LXT and Milwaaukee 12V M12 lines – this would be an easy purchase assuming the price is not outlandish
adam
i have always been confused as to how these things work. is the blade riding on 2 parallel wheels like in a regular upright bandsaw? it looks like the blade actually has to flex at some sort of angle just before and after the work area in order to give these a workable throat depth?
Ken
What? Ok. Not bad for specific trades. Intrigued. Looks like a great item. I would love to see the M12 Jig Saw actually show up at Home Depot or other Milwaukee retail locations “in stock” so I can compare it to others like the Ridgid Multi-tool Attachment before they come out with all of the new, one-off/1st in class products in the M12 line. Tired of dragging 3-4 different chargers/battery packs to every jobsite. And maybe a smaller 12v 3-4″ circular saw like the Makita or Rockwell in the M12 line would be great (sometimes Me too/band wagon items aren’t a bad thing) .
The M12 is a excellent product line. I grab for any of the M12 tools before my 18V or corded products. As a trim carpenter/remodeler, the less brand-specific lines/tools to schlep around the better.
James C
I totally agree. The wide selection is a big reason why I went with M12.I would love to see a M12 mini circular saw as well. I would pick that up in a heartbeat.
jay k.
I’m waiting too… a small circular saw would complete the set… it’s to the point where makita and nextec are getting my attention just because they have one, but I hate having different chargers and batteries… I’m m12 for life, but I NEED a circular saw!!!
James C
So Stu, have you heard anything about an M12 circular saw? Now I can’t stop thinking about how awesome it would be. In hindsight, I would have thought they’d come out with one before they do a band saw (or a few of their other specialty M12 tools).
Stuart
I haven’t heard anything yet, but that doesn’t mean they’re not working on one!
I don’t think anyone envisioned a 12V band saw, but it does seem like a very neat and practical concept. I’m not too thrilled with the proprietary blade size, though.
fred
@ jay k
My experience has been that even 18V is at the low end of acceptable for cordless framing saws – and while we purchase very few Dewalt tools – I made an exception for their 36V cordless saws.
We like you have bought into the M12 line-up pretty heavily – but also the 18V Makita LXT lineup too (in most cases for separate parts of the business) so I’m happy when Milwaukee expands the lineup – but I think a 12V saw, sander, power plane and a few other tools might tax the battery beyond its capabilities. As another example we use M12 pex expanders – but Milwaukee has sensibly put the largest sized Uponor cone only on their M18 tool
Stuart
While I would agree that a 12V framing saw would be out of the question, a trim saw capable of slicing through 3/4″ plywood and sheet goods seems doable.
But there are reasons why Bosch, Dewalt, Milwaukee, and several other major brands have yet to release a 12V circular saw. Maybe it’s a power issue, but it could also be due to size, weight, and battery life factors. There’s also the potential issue of blade size standards and compatibilities. Pros are less likely to purchase tools that require specialty saw blades that can be hard to find locally in a pinch.
Promech
Ive been asking the milwaukee rep at my local tool store for one of these for a while. I too have m12 and lxt18v tools and would have bought an lxt one if not for the fact that its grossly oversized and overpriced for what i would use it for… But hey i got my ratchet, am gonna get my bandsaw, maybe you guys will get your circular saw and ill get the m12 butterfly impact ive been asking for as well. Theres plenty of room to grow too. Ask and maybe ye shall recieve. Ask alot chances get even better.
John @ Our Home from Scratch
Wow, that thing is crazy! I guess it’d be useful for cutting conduit as depicted and maybe some rebar..?? Either way, very cool.
Ken
Yes. Agreed a full size 7 1/4″ circular saw, planner and other tools will require 18/28/36V power. I was referring to a little 3, 3-1/2 or 4″ circular saw for trim work and clean up cuts like the Rockwell or makita. It would be a great add to the M12 line. Again, I’m waiting for the jig saw to become available at retail locations as much as on-line retailers seem to be.
KL
I’m also curious about this. I saw it on the Milwaukee site today and then came here figuring Stu would have a little write-up. It would maybe be handy for small square tube, like 1″ and 1 1/4″ in a 14ga wt, maybe 11ga but that might be pushing it? I seem to build a lot from small square tube tho.
If people buy this when available, buy the kit to get the XC battery. Milwaukee is obviously including it for a reason. The XC battery makes a noticeable to huge difference in most of the tools.
While people are wishing…. I wish the M12 rotary tool (dremel) would come with 1/4″ collets. I hardly do anything with 1/8″ shank accessories.
fred
This might be another case where a battery-cordless tool is jsut a bit too underpowered for the task. I see that Makita is offering an 18V LXT die grinder and Ingersoll Rand is selling both an straight and angled-head cordless (with a choice of LiIon or NiCad batteries. IR sensibly calls this a light duty tool – and its been my experience that even 110V corded die grinders are a bit light duty compared to a pneumatic like our Dotco’s. I think its not just an issue of voltage – but also amp-hours and whether a battery is up to the continuous load often imposed in die grinding. This is not to say that an M12 hobby tool with a 1/4 inch collet would not fill a niche.
Stuart
I would agree – the XC batteries should give these band saws extra runtime and a bump in power.
As for rotary tools and die grinders, 12V and 18V cordless versions are indeed light-medium duty. While versatile, I wouldn’t use them for very lengthy or demanding jobs either.
Samuel Thai
Could I be able to use one-handed cutting bandsaw version if my both my arms are not strong enough to hold one by one? Is the way to hold it easy?