Milwaukee 2829-20 Compact Band Saw Review: Cuts 3-1/4-Inch Stock With a Compact 7.7-Pound Body

What the 2829-20 Is, and Who For

Milwaukee 2829-20 Compact Band Saw cuts 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 for buyers who need a compact band saw for thicker stock.

A compact band saw with 18 Volts and a 4″L body gives you a short, cordless setup for tight cuts around pipe, strut, and conduit.

Milwaukee 2829-20 is the model that delivers that format, and its 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 cutting capacity is the key figure for the work it can pass through. The tool-only package keeps the purchase focused on the saw itself, while the listed price sits around $300.64.

We screened 12 Compact Band Saws and this is one of 8 chosen for a full review. Full reviews go to the most-rated products that pass screening, at most 2 per brand. This one has 19 buyer ratings, the 4th most of the 12 screened. The 4.0 average from 19 ratings is useful only as weak support, because the sample is small.

The Short Answer on the 2829-20

Best for: you need an 18 V compact band saw that stays manageable for overhead cuts and jobsite carry.

Choose the 2829-20 if you want a tool-only compact band saw with a 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 cutting capacity, and it costs around $300.64.

• Pro: The 7.7-pound weight keeps repeated overhead cuts within the stated carry limit for that job.
• Pro: Its 4″ body length is unusually short for cramped mechanical spaces.
• Pro: The 18 Volts battery platform matches a common cordless system for routine metal-cutting work.
• Con: The 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 cutting capacity rules out larger stock, so you cannot plan around bigger pipe or structural pieces.
• Con: At 7.7 pounds, it misses the lighter one-handed ladder-use target, so extended one-hand work is a poor fit.

Don’t buy this if: you need a compact band saw that can handle 5 in. round capacity jobs.

Price assessment: Around $300.64 is a premium price for a bare tool with 18 V power and a 7.7-pound body.

For heavy-duty applications, look at the best compact band saw for metal cutting comparison.

The Numbers on the Spec Sheet

Tool weight separates this 2829-20 most clearly. Weight measures how heavy the saw is to carry or hold.

Before You Buy: Mini Band Saw Checklist

The first thing to check is whether 7.7 pounds works for the way you plan to carry the saw. That weight suits overhead cuts for repeated use, and it also suits all-day ladder carry, but it is not light enough for one-handed ladder work.

• ☐ Confirm the cutting size you need — 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 — or you may end up returning a saw that cannot handle the pipe, strut, or conduit you bought it for.
• ☐ Check your battery setup — 18 Volts and 18V platform — because this is a bare tool, so you still need a compatible battery and charger before you can start.
• ☐ Measure the space where you will work — 4″L — or you may find the saw too long for cramped mechanical areas, overhead gaps, or between studs.
• ☐ Budget for a blade — high speed steel — since the listing says bare tool, and skipping that purchase leaves you with a saw that is not ready to cut.
• ☐ Confirm the weight you can hold one-handed — 7.7 Pounds — because if you need true one-handed ladder use, this saw will force you to work with two hands or choose another model.

If you need a one-handed ladder saw or a tool that comes with a battery and charger, you should not buy this one.

What Performance in Practical Terms Covers

What Cut Capacity Means for Routine Metal-Cutting

2829-20 will cut 3-inch pipe or strut without fighting the stock, because its cutting capacity is 3-1/4 x 3-1/4. That figure gives you room for common round and rectangular material in the field, so you are not forced into a smaller saw for routine metal-cutting work.

The same capacity also leaves less margin for oversized stock, so you should measure the largest outside dimension before you order. A 3-inch pipe sits close enough to that limit to matter, while shorter sections and lighter conduit jobs stay inside the range this saw is built to cover.

Motor System

The 2829-20 runs on an 18 Volts battery platform, which is the cordless class most buyers use for routine metal-cutting jobs. That voltage level is the practical middle ground here: it supports a compact saw without moving you into a heavier 24 V setup.

Its POWERSTATE Brushless Motor and Constant Power Technology point to a tool built for steady output during repeated cuts, not just occasional use. Think of the motor system as the saw’s engine and regulator in one package; the listing names both, but it does not state runtime or torque figures.

Why 7.7 Pounds Helps Portable Handling

2829-20 weighs 7.7 pounds, so you can carry it up ladders and move it around a jobsite all day. That weight also keeps overhead work realistic when you need repeated cuts, since the tool stays under the 8-pound level used for that job.

The 4-inch body length makes this compact band saw easier to place in tight spaces than longer saws, especially around studs and overhead framing. It is still not light enough for one-handed ladder use, because that job needs no more than 7 pounds and this saw states 7.7 pounds.

Common Buyer Jobs Checked Against the 2829-20’s Specs

The 2829-20 against the jobs buyers ask about, worked out from its listed tool weight and a typical need for each job.

Understanding your needs is easier when you view the different types of compact band saws available.

Where the 2829-20 Sits Among the Alternatives

2829-20’s clearest edge is its 7.7-pound body with an 18-volt platform. That gives you a lighter carry than the 10.63-pound RIDGID R8604B, and it stays in the same voltage class as several other compact band saws here.

• Against the LZTTYPTBH Milwaukee 2529-20 M12 FUEL Compact Band Saw, the 2829-20 is the cheaper pick by $3.34. The price gap is small, so the real trade-off is not cost but the different battery platform: 18 Volts here versus 12 Volts there.
• Compared with the FLEX FX2331-Z Compact Band Saw, the 2829-20 carries more weight at 7.7 pounds versus 3 pounds. If you want the lighter tool for overhead work, FLEX has the clearer edge.
• Against the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Compact Band Saw, the 2829-20 uses a higher-voltage pack, 18 Volts instead of 12 Volts. That matters for buyers who want to stay in Milwaukee’s 18V system.
• Compared with the CUSHYBITE RYOBI ONE+ Compact Band Saw, the 2829-20 is heavier at 7.7 pounds versus 7.35 pounds. The weight gap is modest, so neither tool wins by a wide margin on carry comfort.
• Against the RIDGID R8604B Compact Band Saw, the 2829-20 is much lighter, 7.7 pounds versus 10.63 pounds. That is the clearest size-and-weight win in this group.

If you want the lowest price, the RIDGID R8604B is the better pick at around $189.95. If you want a lighter 18-volt compact band saw, the 2829-20 makes more sense.

If you need a more portable option, see our full review of the M12 Band Saw.

What It Takes to Run the 2829-20

What you need before the 2829-20 can cut

The 2829-20 needs an 18-volt battery pack before it can do any cutting. It is a bare tool, so the battery pack and charger are not part of the box. A wrong battery choice costs time and a return if you order parts that do not match the 18V platform.

1. Confirm that your battery pack matches the 18V platform and supplies 18 Volts.
2. Fit a 1/2 in. x 0.020 in. band saw blade, since that blade format is the one this saw is built around.
3. Check the workpiece size against the 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 cutting capacity before you start the cut.
4. Attach blade lubricant if your blade and material call for it, since lubricant reduces heat and blade wear.

Warranty and support checks for this compact band saw

Warranty cover differs by seller and country.

• Confirm whether the battery pack is included, because this listing says bare tool and the saw cannot run without one.
• Confirm that the charger is included or already owned, because the 18V battery pack needs recharging support outside the saw itself.
• Confirm the blade format you are getting, because the 1/2 in. x 0.020 in. band saw blade has to match the saw and the material you plan to cut.
• Confirm any return condition for the 7.7-pound tool, because a wrong battery or blade choice can leave you with a usable saw body and missing parts.

Open the box the day it arrives and verify the bare tool, the battery pack, the charger, and the blade before the return window closes.

Questions Buyers Ask About This Handheld Bandsaw

Does the Milwaukee 2829-20 M18 FUEL Compact Band Saw have enough cutting capacity for pipe and strut?

Yes, the 2829-20 has a 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 cutting capacity. That matters when your stock is square or nearly square, because the saw has to pass the material through its opening, not just slice a thin edge.

How heavy is the Milwaukee 2829-20 M18 FUEL Compact Band Saw?

The 2829-20 weighs 7.7 pounds. That puts it in the range where carrying it up ladders and moving it around a jobsite all day is still realistic, but one-handed ladder work is less comfortable than with a sub-7-pound saw.

Is the Milwaukee 2829-20 M18 FUEL Compact Band Saw a tool-only purchase?

Yes, the 2829-20 is listed as tool only, and the included components are a bare tool. You need to plan for the battery and charger separately, which matters if you are buying into the 18V platform for the first time.

What battery voltage does the Milwaukee 2829-20 M18 FUEL Compact Band Saw use?

The 2829-20 uses an 18 Volt battery platform. That is the cordless family many buyers use for routine metal-cutting work, so compatibility matters more than the model name alone.

Is the Milwaukee 2829-20 M18 FUEL Compact Band Saw worth around $300.64?

That price makes sense if you need an 18V compact band saw with a 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 capacity and a 7.7-pound body. The 4.0 average from 19 ratings is useful context, but the sample is thin enough that it should stay a weak signal.

You can find the best compact band saw for Milwaukee batteries in our comprehensive roundup.

Is the 2829-20 Right for You?

Who the 2829-20 suits and the jobs it is the wrong choice for, listed below with the reason for each.

Where to Buy This Compact Band Saw

In November 2026 the 2829-20 was listed at $300.64. Prices move, so read that as a snapshot, not a quote.

Compact band saws are sold by the retailers below – we do not track which of them has the 2829-20 in stock, so check availability and the current price with the retailer before making a trip.

• Northern Tool + Equipment (online and physical stores) — useful for trade-oriented tool selection and in-store support
• Toolbarn (online only) — broad online assortment and business or trade account options
• Amazon (online only) — broad marketplace selection across multiple sellers
• eReplacementParts (online only) — useful for replacement parts and refurbished or open-box listings
• Home Depot (online and physical stores) — broad range of cordless power tools and easy in-store returns
• Lowe’s (online and physical stores) — broad range of cordless power tools and convenient physical-store pickup
• Acme Tools (online only) — specialist power-tool retailer with knowledgeable staff and deep category coverage

Final Verdict on the 2829-20

If you need an 18 V compact band saw that stays at 7.7 pounds and you want a tool-only buy, the Milwaukee 2829-20 fits that need at around $300.64.

Its 3-1/4 x 3-1/4 cutting capacity is the figure that matters most here. That size is what governs the stock it can pass through, and the 4.0 average from 19 buyer ratings is still a thin sample, so treat it as a limited signal rather than a settled verdict.

Skip it if: you need a one-handed ladder saw under 7 pounds, or you need a kit with battery and charger included.