Sanders Reviews

This saw is a great product. There are only two drawbacks but they are minimal. One, the maximum cutting depth is 3 1/2 inches compared to the other models at 4 3/4, however the cutting width is 4 1/2 inches so if your good you can cut things as big around as 5 or 6 inches if you roatate the stock. Second, this tool is not equipped with a variable speed trigger. It is two speeds, controlled by a seperate switch. Overall though it is an excellent heavy duty saw. Easy to use and fairly light weight under 20 lbs. to lift and cut, with easy to use front handle for great control. I used it to cut 2/0 service cable at about shoulder level worked really great!!

Milwaukee definitely holds the market on this specialty tool. The Deep Cut bandsaw makes it the ideal way to cut pipe, and the weight (as it has a casted shell) does the work for you! There is no comparing the quality and the legnth of life this tool can give you.

I recommend Milwaukee blades, as well. I have tried the PC blades, and those made by Morse and Starrett and have found none to even come close to matching the quality of the Milwaukee.

This is a tool that is built to last, and when it does need servicing, it always comes back to me like new.

I am a residential remodeling contractor, and as such have the need to cut all sorts of materials. In the past, I have relied on the ever present Sawzall (another great tool) for most utility cutting needs. Unfortunately, the one thing that the Sawzall cuts only marginally is metal. While it is possible, the Sawzall leaves a rough, ragged cut, and unless carefully controlled, never a nice straight line. None of this is meant to trash the Sawzall - I couldn't get along without it. However, the Portable Bandsaw adds a dimension to cutting that I never had before.

I have found the Milwaukee Portable Bandsaw to be a highly effective tool that not only cuts much faster than either a Sawzall or a hotsaw, but leaves a much cleaner cut. In use, there is almost no vibration, great ease of control, and with a deep capacity, there is little I can find that this saw can't handle. It also makes for a much safer situation in those instances where I would normally use an abrasive hotsaw - the bandsaw cuts without any sparks, the hotsaw shoots a rooster tail of sparks that will ignite any nearby flammable material. Since most of my work takes place outside a carefully controlled shop environment, no sparks equals greater safety.

The blase is inexpensive and easy to replace. Go get it!

I use my 16-32 performax to remove cup from boards before machining to build furniture. The abrasives last a long time (I keep them clean between uses though). I'm too lazy to buy generic rolls to cut to length.

This 4 pack in PRECUT sandpaper is a great boon to the Performax 16-32 drum sander. The sandpaper easily locks in place at the right angle and perfectly rolls up on the drum sander to create the perfect sanding operation. Changing sandpaper grades is quick and simple with the precut sheets. The 100 grit is perfect for a medium finish with about a 1/64" stock removal per pass.

The precut paper is easy to work with, and quick changes when going from rough cut to final finish. With proper care and alignment, the paper last for several thousand board feet of sanding. If the paper becomes overlapped on the drum, it will create burn marks on the wood and weaken the paper on the overlapped edge, also reducing the productive life of the paper.

I'll spend the few bucks more and let Performax cut the sandpaper to the exact angles needed for perfect drum fit.

The Performax Open Stand came well packaged and in good condition. It went together easily in 1/2 hour with minimal fuss. I also bought the locking casters to go with it and I'm glad that I did. The machine if fully mobile now and locks down tight when I want it to.

Although I do this as a hobby, I used to work in a cabinet shop where we had an industrial, wide belt sander - kind of the rich man's version of this tool. I became a believer in the concept after seeing it handle cabinet doors. For that very purpose I purchased one of these a short time ago. The amount of time this saved sanding the 30+ doors I did on my first job was nothing short of amazing. Not to mention the quality was significantly better than sanding by hand. It did require some hand sanding on the rails that were sanded cross-grain - but that could have possibly been eliminated with a more gradual change in sanding grits.

Setting the machine up was pretty straight forward and the manual was well written.

If you're not doing a ton of sanding you could easily get by with the single drum model as changing the sandpaper is quick and simple.

Speaking of sandpaper, that is probably my biggest complaint - it ain't cheap. Especially when you need several different grits.

We've enjoyed the convenience of being able to sand wide face frames, and panels easily. The electronic controls make use relatively mindless. The Sandsmart control, which monitors
belt speed relative to depth of cut, is helpful in sustaining belt life. The electric table movement is a necessity, as the table is heavy, and somewhat difficult to move by hand. The down side of this machine is that the sandpaper can be easily ruined
by getting one burn mark, etc.. Then it's time for a new wrap, or two,
at forty dollars each load. At a fraction of the cost of a wide belt sander, it's been a good alternative for our small shop.

In the 12100P Drum and Spacer Kit - Is the 2" diameter rubber spindle also included? Your price $$$

as a trim carpenter the death rate of my finish sanders is (was) high.About two years ago I purchased a porter cable modle 333 finsh sander,it is still with me,and going strong.I have worn out only two of the replacement pads in all that time.No other sander,(much less the pad) has been as reliable as the Porter Cable.

Thank You S.M. D'Amico