Harbor Freight Bauer Vs Milwaukee Band Saw

[@lookingbehind6335]

The Bauer bandsaw is one of the best purchases anyone can make. I have cut I beams to railroad track. Never once had a problem.

[@elfpimp1]

What blade for the railroad track?

[@lee-yz6ze]

The Spyder railroad XT cutblade at Lowe's. 16 Dollars

[@MikeSully01]

A couple other observations, The cord on the Milwaukee comes out in a better location in my opinion, and the stop where the material rests on the saw looks a little beefier on the Milwaukee, but these types of things are what set a cheap tool apart from a nice tool.

[@kb9oak749]

We have a unique situation with the Legacy Brands strategy and the Harbor Freight upmarket brand strategy. The legacy brands were/are in a cost down engineering/manufacturing mode while HF, who was already in a low cost country (LCC) had established relationships with suppliers and could/did quickly pivot to a higher grade of tool/parts This battle will be lost or won in the margins each strategy can generate. HF can only get better, however if the added cost/value gets too high with a resulting adjustment pricing to maintain margin, people will pass on it. The Legacy brands can't cut costs below the point at which performance/reliability starts to tarnish the brand, putting pressure on their margins.

[@robinr.2233]

I have a friend that works in HF management, he confirmed that they are working to upgrade the quality of their products. He sighted the new welder lines as an example. There is still a lot of prejudice against products from China. Remember in the 1950's when same negative comments were on products from Japan? There are high and low quality products from everywhere. My HF nail guns put my Porter Cable gun to shame. The P/C gun has been repaired twice and the HF are going strong in spite of seeing more use. AND it cost more to have the P/C gun repaired than it does to purchase a new HF nailer.

[@MD-en3zm]

A lot of Chinese made stuff is crap. That’s not because they can’t make anything good - Apple makes all their products there. It’s because American executives are too cheap to pay the prices to get quality stuff made in America or made in China. HF does really seem to be upping their game. I just started picking up some Bauer stuff to add to my existing Bosch tools. So far, I have no complaints. Bauer is not on the level of Bosch - but it’s priced like 75% lower in many cases, and for tools I don’t need every day, Bauer makes a lot of sense.

[@nathanburt6053]

Which one is heavier? Which one is noisier? Which one feels ergonomically better in your hands?. What are the pros and cons?

[@johnlindsay6039]

I purchased the Bauer saw the other day along with a foot pedal and table from SWAG for a make shift bandsaw. I like the fact that it comes with a case and I was pretty impressed with the unit upon unboxing it. I've not had much time with it, cutting only a couple of sheet metal pieces. However, one thing I did notice was that there is some flexure in the head. In other words, as it sits up right on my table, I can view the top part of the saw moving up and down slightly as the blade makes its rotation. Note how beefy the Milwaukee is as compared to the Bauer in that area. I do need to check the bolts securing the head though. Still, based off reviews that I read; the fact that this is $100 vs $300; and for what I'll be using it for, I'm good with it.

[@-DIYPRO-]

I still use mine and still works great.

[@Lex5576]

I wish Harbor Freight would come out with either a Bauer, or maybe a Hercules cordless portable bandsaw. Perhaps using a 20v system. We use DeWalt 20v cordless bandsaws at work, and they're kick ass good.

[@FrugalPCOG]

I'm of the mindset that harbor freight will never go above and beyond their competitors on their own or put out a superior product. Their mindset is keep pace with the market at the lowest possible cost to their bottom line. They have 3 product lines from chicago electric, then Bauer and finally hercules. There are only 3 differences in these 3 lines. The name, the color and how long they live to tool beyond the cheaper in the line. In other words.. and you can try this yourself.. the inside parts in all 3 lines are made at the same place, are all pressed and cheaply made metal composites and plastics, and are all cheaply made by workers that care nothing of the product. The Only difference in the lines is their batteries and their power in the batteries. Run a chicago electric hammer drill against a hercules. It will piss you off.

[@sebastiannai4381]

@@FrugalPCOG There is a video where a guy takes apart the Chicago Electric vs Hercules angle grinders, proves what you are saying above is incorrect. Much different innards.

[@timothylockhart2009]

Your wish has come true

[@dickjohnson9582]

The time is now

[@WV591]

been using the HF band saw for several months now with original blade. there's no reason not to buy this saw.it is loud though. i made a super portable stand for it and it can't be beat for the 95 dollars.

[@-DIYPRO-]

A stand is on my list of projects.

[@WV591]

@@-DIYPRO- check out my tube don't get simpler than that.

[@kb9oak749]

I am running a very old Black and Decker Industrial portages/band from the days before Dewalt became a thing. It's loud, unrefined, primitive and still working. It has to be at least 35 years old. Last year I put new tires on the wheels and re greased the gears. I also changed the brushes. Looking at getting a HF cordless portaband which I'm sure is in the works.

[@josephgraham1065]

Just bought the bauer for 89 inside track sale. It works great and for 1/3 price its well worth the investment.

[@josephgraham1065]

I should also mention that the bauer does not come with a blade anymore. I purchased milwaukee blades to use with it.

[@BBC12oz]

Bought the Bauer...”he is no fool who demands a cheaper price” especially for personal project use. I like the Milwaukee brand for sure and there are certainly good reasons to go with a solid brand and track record and great service and parts availability etc. I appreciate the fair balanced review.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on

[@pappaclutch3266]

I got the dewalt, Bauer and a Milwaukee that lives in a swag table. Love them all but the Bauer is probably my fave, it’s my beater and it has taken everything so far, I am not gentle with it like my other ones. Love things that hit above their price point

[@robertfontaine3650]

Sadly, prosumer has gone chinesium too. It is hard to buy well built power tools. They have mostly gone after lowest price

[@EcoMouseChannel]

Just an FYI for anyone who cares... they both can use the exact same replacement tires. My Milwaukee got cracked and brittle early on in it's life. But never quite broke through for a about two years before it finally gave up. So they are both the same size wheel with the same number of cogged teeth. What IS different is the drive mechanism. On the Bauer, it's actually a double roller chain to the center hub. No lube under there. Just dry and chips can and will get under the wheel and find their way to the chain. The Milwaukee is more of a direct drive. Meaning, only a semi-sealed shaft is poking through the frame to drive the bottom wheel. And gets it's power transferred in a gearbox that's inside the frame. Presumably sealed with gear oil. You can see the right angle gear housing on the frame of the Bauer... but look carefully, it's not in the center of the wheel. Somehow, Milwaukee got that part right and that's probably their defining characteristic that Bauer is not allowed to copy. The Bauer is much more difficult to reassemble should you need to replace the tires. But the blade change feels easier to do on the Bauer. My Milwaukee lives permanently on the SWAG Off Road stand now. And the Bauer gets handheld duty. Since it's much cheaper to replace, I figured it would get the most abuse with the potential to drop from time to time.

[@htam07]

How do you like the swag table

[@EcoMouseChannel]

@@htam07 Daily usage... love it. Only dislike is the little screw that holds the shoe tight to the underside of the table is kind of a pain to access and work for occasional blade changes. Mine originally came with a thumbwheel style screw and it never got tight enough. It was replaced by Troy with a longer set-screw and lock nut combo. The saw is tight, never wobbles now. But does require an allen wrench to un-do. Really a minor gripe for an otherwise useful table, that I didn't have to make myself.

[@htam07]

Eco Mouse thanks for the help brotha got mine coming🤙

[@Dj-ve2hx]

How quick it cut doesn't matter, you don't even specify what speed you set it to.

[@-DIYPRO-]

You are right on, this video I left out a lot of important info.

[@bertjones1315]

I absolutely like my Milwaukee band saw, but noticed you have the backing plate down on the Milwaukee but on the Bauer the plate guide is up and not adjusted to stop the kick back once you start cutting.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Didn't even notice that.

[@JayHutchG]

I know old vid, but surprised no one mentioned the Bauer blades are not great. The saw is definitely great. The Milwaukee would have to last 3 times longer to compare. Oh and main reason for comment: Get a good blade for the Bsuer and it rocks.

[@getmikie2eatit366]

HF gives only 90 day vs 2yr Warranty for WEN 94396 Portable band saw that’s $99. At Home Depot and Walmart. Almost the same saw but WEN stands behind there product. I found most HF stuff is also sold under a different name at places like WEN and Menards but it’s 1000 times easier to return at Menards then harbor freight

[@richarcm]

I wonder how much performance differences are derived more from the blades themselves rather than the tools?

[@-DIYPRO-]

That will have to be the next test!

[@jayjkayhouseofharleys3151]

WATCHED IT AND LEFT YOU LIKE NUMBER ONE !

[@-DIYPRO-]

Thanks, did the same!

[@thewampus97tj]

Picked one up today for $80. Ready to put it to work

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on, good deal!

[@ganeshnarayan5505]

i don't know about rest of you all but i love my bauer portable band saw.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Still have and use mine as well.

[@mikeswindell4917]

Just bought this saw, great video!

[@-DIYPRO-]

Thanks!

[@waynewicks6814]

I'll take the beuer thanks for the video

[@JB-uc4zv]

Sorry if this is a dumb question but wouldn't how long the blades last depend on manufacturer/quality of the blade itself rather than the saw? Since these were both Bauer blades, wouldn't you expect them to last about the same? I understand that how well they cut will vary by saw depending on speed and strength of the motor, etc, but how would that impact whether the blade looses teeth or stays sharp?

[@-DIYPRO-]

You are right on. This test with the same blades and different saws is more to test how the saw treats the blade like if it has the soft start that ramps up, does it power right through and heat up the blade. Those are a couple things that would effect the blade wear.

[@denniscotey8182]

I literally just got back home from HF after buying this saw, Sat. Nov. 16th '19. It no longer comes with a blade.

[@WannaBFree]

I just purchased a saw identical to yours. Did your's come with a blade and extra motor brushes? Mine did not and as far as I can tell, they don't have the blade and brushes with the latest version of this saw. Just curious if yours did.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Yep you are right the new saws don't come with blades or brushes.

[@WannaBFree]

@@-DIYPRO- OK, thank you and happy cutting.

[@MrDirtysteve75]

I just bought one a few hours ago and haven't had time to open it. Guess I'll have to get a blade tomorrow.

[@DogGuy19]

Same here. I got 3 MK Morse blades on Amazon for $18 delivered. I recommend them highly.

[@Paiadakine]

Just bought Bauer on sale for $89. No blade but it did come with a set of brushes and Allen wrench.

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

Been very very tempted to buy this, however I don’t know if I will until someone comes out with an affordable table for it so I can use it as a table top band saw too. I know about the swag off road ones but how much they cost vs how much I would use it, is not worth it.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Yea my next project is to make a table for it.

[@MrDirtysteve75]

If you have use for a porta band, you probably have the tools to make your own table.

[@DereksWorkshopAndProjects]

stephen e A couple of things... 1. It’s more of a want than a need. I could get by without it. 2. I could throw something together with what I have but I don’t think it would turn out near as nice as what I could buy. 3. I definitely see your point. As I said. More of a want than a need for the porta band.

[@Pro1er]

I have the Swag Off Road table for the H.F./Bauer and unless they have changed it in the past few years, I would pass. You may want to look at making your own, there are a lot of videos on KZbin.

[@kevinscott9499]

My father getting it for me for a project looks like it’ll fit the bill... it’ll b fine I won’t use it every day..I’m a snap on and Milwaukee guy but I just don’t see that big of a difference

[@-DIYPRO-]

I've had mine for over a year and and haven't had any issues with it yet. I think for the weekend warrior this is a great band saw.

[@Chilllybob]

Right now as I'm writing this harbor freight has the bandsaw for $89 I just bought it it does not come with a blade why do they call it a kit I don't know why ,but it does not come with a blade.. Just letting you guys know

[@FrugalPCOG]

Oh, a month or so after you buy it you'll see the difference.

[@jerrytube13]

The Bauer is worm drive and the Milwaukee is direct drive. Is the Milwaukee quieter or louder?

[@-DIYPRO-]

Interesting, I should the Milwaukee so can't do a side by side anymore.

[@DragonBuilds]

Harbor freight is just cheap. As this video showed, some cheap tools are a good value, but the concern is how long will they last?

[@-DIYPRO-]

I say for the home diyer that rarely pulls it out it will last a long time. I use mine a couple times a month and it still runs great. If i were using it on a daily basis I'd be getting a real metal band saw.

[@jwjco]

Bauer blades , Made in the USA distributed by Harbor Freight.

[@mauiztic]

I have never used a band saw before, is it easy to cut straight 90 and 45 degrees cuts on angle iron and square tubing?

[@-DIYPRO-]

I think it does a pretty good job. Also depends on how big of tubing or angle iron you're doing. It's not a perfect cut that you would get with a chop saw but if you scribe a line you can typically follow it without problems.

[@mauiztic]

@@-DIYPRO- thanks a lot, after seeing your video yesterday I went today out and got me a used one, thanks!

[@-DIYPRO-]

@@mauiztic glad it helped!

[@freshpootube]

Honestly can't see the point of these - I really have to have a proper go of one myself. Always found hand hacksaws with a HSS blade so much quicker and more accurate than anyone I've seen using these. I have a metal chopsaw and a plasma cutter too - but I still choose the hacksaw in many situations.

[@stepbro4978]

They are much faster than a hacksaw when cutting through pipe and angle iron all day.

[@jezuzfreek777]

Yeah explain to me how you're able to cut faster with a hacksaw. Is a powered vansaw cuts 100% of the time your hacksaw only cuts the cuts on 50% of the stroke. There's no way you can cut faster with a hacksaw.

[@caballitodehierro27]

Hi, i'm about to buy one of those, i could buy a dewalt, but it's better if i don't spend to much, i live in Argentina, so i have to be sure of the quality because i can't just go to the store and returned haha, so i want to ask you how much do you use it and how long do you have it, thank you in advance and sorry for mi English

[@FrugalPCOG]

You get what you pay for.

[@DXT61]

How the heck do you cut so straight with them? I bought a Bauer and someone recommended the Lenox blades from Lowes. I bought some and they are .020 where Bauer says .025 in the manual for their saw but others were using the Lenox ones. Anyway,i couldnt get a clean STRAIGHT cut. I'm wondering if the .005 thickness was the difference.

[@lookingbehind6335]

Make sure you lower the butt plate all the way down. It comes with it raised up so it will fit the case. The offset too the right does look odd. I just watch the blade at the butt and tweak it as it cuts. You may also check your speed. Going to fast can cause crooked cuts also.

[@LBCAndrew]

9:00 Have a little accident? There appears to be some blood on the workbench. lol. Probably just paint.

[@-DIYPRO-]

If it looks like blood then mission accomplished. That was for a Halloween project!

[@DogGuy19]

Good video thanks

[@happninmojo]

Just subscribed, good vid. I vote for Halloween props, maybe something pneumatic?

[@daltong6898]

That's a tough one, welders or go carts? Hmmm probably welders but that's only cause I'm in the market for a welder lol

[@-DIYPRO-]

Why not both!

[@FrugalPCOG]

How about the big thing you overlooked? The Milwaukee has a guide light to see your cut. The Bauer doesn't.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Maybe it was just me but that worklight didn't seem like it did much. Seems like that is the same story for a majority of tools.

[@FrugalPCOG]

@@-DIYPRO- no. I just bought one. Your right, it's not capable of much. Which got me thinking why a leader in the market like milwaukee power tools is and has been.. put such an obviously under powered light on the tool at all. I cornered the rep for milwaukee the other day with that question and got an answer that in my opinion should be in bold lettering in it's manual AND added to the features list not just as "LED light".. it's not a worklight to see what your doing, it's meant to be a blade guide. It's placed at the angle it's at so it casts a perfect thin shadow off the rear side of the blade. When I went and checked mine.. sure enough, that's actually the only thing it can be used for or they would have put it in a different spot to light the area. check it out.

[@terebag56]

just bought the Bauer last Sat for $95 with Christmas coupon thanks to your video pushing me over the edge on it. any suggestions about grinders?

[@-DIYPRO-]

I have a bunch of HF cheap $15 grinders. I've yet to burn any of them up!

[@PFab]

@@-DIYPRO- I burnt up 4 within a month. But that was like 7 years ago. Then I killed a dewalt, a year later I killed a Makita then another year pasted and killed a Milwaukee and I finally ended up with a Hilti. Still going. I ended up buying a 7 inch Milwaukee recently. I have yet to kill it. I don't do a lot of grinding but when I do I do it good. I did notice the grinders die when you use them on heavy uses. Like trying to clean rusty metal with a flapper wheel and wire wheels. And cutoff wheels on aluminum killed my grinders pretty quickly. Just a heads up. If you plan to do a lot of heavy duty work, buy a heavy duty grinder.

[@lvnivnivn]

Any thoughts on the Bauer after 2 years ?? I’m a new welder / hobbyist and just need something for in gone projects. Hoping to get a Bauer this weekend. Thanks Ed B

[@lvnivnivn]

Meant in home projects. Lol

[@-DIYPRO-]

I still have it and used it for all my projects. Think it is a great for the home projects.

[@joshuamartin5095]

You can buy 3 of the Bauer’s for the price of the Milwaukee

[@-DIYPRO-]

True true!

[@FrugalPCOG]

And you'll go through 3 of the bauer's before going through 1 milwaukee. Don't get into harbor freight tools like they're a good brand or anywhere near equal to dewalt or milwaukee because they're not. If you decked yourself out in even hercules gear you'd be laughed off the job site. They are pos equipment meant to last a job or two then break. None of the hf tools are tough or will hold up under punishing conditions. You may like the price and the wrapping but I had at one time nearly every tool they made. Every one has ended up replaced or in the trash. Just sayin.

[@jamescole3152]

The Bauer material rest is not down like the Milwaukee.

[@matthewkleinmann]

I see the soft start as one more thing to go wrong. I have an expensive name brand router that has a soft start that is now a no or once in a very rare while start. I would have been much happier without that "feature"

[@-DIYPRO-]

Good point.

[@Gokraut]

Which blade did you use

[@-DIYPRO-]

The bauer ones from harbor freight.

[@Gokraut]

@@-DIYPRO- they have a 1/8inch and under and 1/4 inch and over I believe I know there is two different ones at HF that's why I asked

[@-DIYPRO-]

@@Gokraut o I c. They weren't the thinnest stuff I remember ones right in the middle.

[@twobroskarting2302]

you sounds suspiciously like this old tony lol

[@-DIYPRO-]

Or does he sound like me! I've gotten that a couple times, I don't hear it but that maybe because your own voice always sounds different to you.

[@Patriottoo2]

I phoned HF, today, to see if I can get replacement tires for my Bauer portaband, and was told HF does not have replacement tires. The service dept. guy didn't know if tires from other brands would fit my saw, and told me to check with Amazon. He did not know, if Amazon has tires to fit or not. So much for HF customer service.

[@-DIYPRO-]

That's good to know, thanks for sharing.

[@Z-Ack]

Apparently the millwakee tires so get che a pair of em

[@luckylarry5112]

Just poured polyurethane tires for a buddies HF saw. Workers perfect¡

[@Patriottoo2]

@@luckylarry5112 How did you do it?

[@-DIYPRO-]

@@luckylarry5112 let us know how long they last.

[@freefreedom9830]

Someone please explain why 2 saws with the same blade. One would cut faster than the other unless you are putting more pressure or one of the motors are rotating faster than the other.

[@MikeM-ld1rw]

I would say motor speed. I assumed he had them both cranked. If the pressure is the same, maybe one saw is heavier than the other and its own weight created a bit more down pressure. Seems like the Milwaukee would be a bit heavier. Really, I think it must be do to the RPM's.

[@squirrel6687]

Wow, your voice sounds like This Old Tony's, just younger. Hmmm.

[@-DIYPRO-]

I like his videos so I'll take it!

[@olieboer]

This young Tony

[@libertyordeath1287]

They should change the Milwaukee name to Shanghai. It's a shame that these companies sell out America

[@-DIYPRO-]

Agreed!

[@DragonBuilds]

Shanghai S18 FUEL

[@joederue9402]

Can you replace the wheel tires. Someone said they called for new ones and hf does not sell them.

[@-DIYPRO-]

I'll let someone else chime in, I haven't had to replace mine yet.

[@pappaclutch3266]

Dude in the comments above says the Milwaukee and the Bauer use the same exact ones 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@kelvinduongwa]

$ 89.90 today !!!

[@-DIYPRO-]

If i didn't already have one i'd pick one up for that price!

[@vi67]

So, Milwaukee portable handsaw Goes to level 5 speed and Bauer goes to 7 speed... hopfully You do realize the numbers are arbitrary gradients between minimum & maximum speed

[@-DIYPRO-]

Yes, since the Milwaukee actually goes a little faster, numbers mean nothing.

[@shannonking3201]

You do know that the Bauer is a clone of the original Milwaukee porta band,better built than the new Milwaukee saw,and they are all made in China now

[@MoDawdy]

"This Old Mech Master"?

[@-DIYPRO-]

Someone else has commented that I sound like Tony I can't hear it but everyone voice sounds different to themselves anyway. I love his channel so I'll take it as a compliment!

[@MoDawdy]

seemed more intentional: the sweatshirts, commentary, etc

[@MrTapanes]

@@-DIYPRO- It's more than the voice, it's the hand gestures, the mannerisms, the editing of the vid. It's like TOT from an alternate universe. Please take this as the high praise it is intended to be.

[@pastern95]

The milwaukee was definitely running higher rpm

[@Robocoppat]

Amps? Rpm's Cutting depth?

[@-DIYPRO-]

Bauer 10amp, 5x5 depth cut. Milwaukee 11 amp, 5x5 depth cut. I'll have to check rpm for both.

[@TheBeardedGiant]

Alright, this gos on my list of HF tools to look into...

[@Good-Enuff-Garage]

ok I don't give a crap that the Bauer cuts, a torch will cut, how accurate is it, the answer is it is not, it is total crap for precision cuts

[@-DIYPRO-]

Without a fixture or jig it all depends on how accurate your hand is.

[@Good-Enuff-Garage]

@@-DIYPRO- I use a $250 SWAG table setup and it still hots gawd owful and crooked

[@jacy3920]

Number of cuts doesn't lend to the quality of the tool. Bearings, engineering, castings, gears.....

[@alphaclean3364]

Yeah longevity is a big factor in the price point.

[@colemahaney4208]

they are made in the same factory........I dont care which one is faster .....Iam not running a race

[@-DIYPRO-]

Right on!

[@BRENT3143945]

Why do you talk like this old Tony?

[@-DIYPRO-]

I think you mean why does Old Tony sound like me? Just kidding he was here long before I was.

[@fredfarnackle5455]

@@-DIYPRO- Yes, and please don't try to emulate the way he just shows his hands - the way you do it is very annoying!

[@3madeamps]

Rotate the blades

[@-DIYPRO-]

Between each other?

[@philhunt1442]

are you Tony

[@-DIYPRO-]

I wish. This old Tony is awesome!

[@luciankristov6436]

Their both made in Taiwan lol. They both are using the same metals 🤦🏼‍♂️ Taiwans manufacturing also makes some snap on tools, mac, dewalt, bauer, Milwaukee and many other brand names. Google shit people

[@lholliday198]

Aiden get back to work