Have you tried to get the best band saw all by yourself but to no avail? Going through hundreds of products can be time-consuming and frustrating especially if you are a beginner who doesn’t know the necessary steps to take before making your purchase.
To save you from trouble, we’ve put together our top products that we’ve tested personally in our own workshop.
Reviews of the Top Band Saws in 2022
1. Dewalt 20V MAX Portable Band Saw
The Dewalt 20V Max uses a centered handle position that makes the saw easy to use even in the most difficult jobs and long hours of work. It ensures that you can effectively balance your tool while working. You also have access to updated technological features with the LED work light with a 20-second delay.
As a heavy-duty 2 inch cutting band saw, this Dewalt product serves you in diverse ways. It has an integrated hang hook that makes hanging the saw easy without causing damages to other parts of the tool. With its blade tracking adjustment, you get to enjoy an increased blade life and enhance tracking.
What We Like
- Ergonomic features
- Increased durability
- LED work light
- Integrated hang hook
- Balanced ergonomics
- Easy blade change
- High level of flexibility
What We Don't Like
- Batteries are not included
- Light has a 20-second delay
2. JET JWBS 15 1.75 HP BANDSAW
JET JWBS 15 1.75 HP Band Saw comes with a high price tag for a reason. For starters, the work surface is durable and the iron frame for the table will give you added support for heavy-duty projects.
To make sure your blade width and blade length is well supported for hard cuts and your safety, the guide post is four-sided and has a rack and pinion fence adjustment. There are also different blade tension settings available ranging from full and partial tension to full quick release.
To improve your vision of the tracking or cut line, the tracking window on the JET JWBS 15 inch band saw provides you with a clear view. It has a 14″ resaw cutting capacity for cutting compared to the 12″ resaw capacity of JET JWBS 14DXPRO 14 inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit.
Same as JET JWBS 14DXPRO 14 inch Deluxe, this comes with a 5 year warranty from the manufacturer.
What We Like
- Cast iron work surface
- Clear view of the blade during tracking
- Tension adjustments
- Four-sided guidepost
- Durable
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Very heavy
3. WEN 3962 Two Speed Band Saw
This Wen 3962 Two Speed Band Saw is a type that has a two blade speed feature that allows it to work effectively at 1520 or 2620 FPM. As a power tool, this band saw meets up with the most advanced specification especially with its 3.5 amp motor and 9 ¾ inch throat capacity that has the ability to cut up to 6 inches deep. It’s 3.5 amp motor delivers enough power on sturdy materials and large wooden loads without much of a struggle.
Wen 3962 Two Speed Band Saw uses a 3 in 1 dust collection.The table tilts to 45 degrees and that allows you to make angled cuts. The rip fence is adjustable for you as a woodworker to work effectively. The structure makes it usable both on a floor standing or benchtop applications. This saw comes with a sliding meter gauge and a flexible work light as well.
What We Like
- It uses an onboard measuring guide
- Adjustable features
- Flexible worklight
- A wide variety of blade options
- Dust collection port
- Tilting table
What We Don't Like
- The dust port does not work well with a shop vac
- Only 2 blade speeds
4. RIKON 10 305 Bandsaw
Rikon 10 305 Bandsaw is made with a solid steel plate material that is stronger than regular plastic frames that easily wear out after it has been used for only a short while. With Rikon 10 305, you get to use these cutting tools on wood for a long period of time.
The castiron work surface of Rikon 10 305 is 13 ¾ inch by 12 ½ inch that fits a sturdy surface that helps you to effectively use the band saw to cut wood. Also, Rikon 10 305 guidepost is also incredibly easy to use and effective due to the easy movement and adjustment with the turn of a handle.
What We Like
- Solid steel construction
- Cast iron table
- High quality rip fence
- Powerful motor
- Micro adjustable guide post
- Has a safety switch
What We Don't Like
- The base may not be flat
- Heavy
5. Shop Fox W1715 ¾ HP Metal Cutting Bandsaw
Not all band saws can cut through metal, such as the Grizzly band saw above. However, for a DIY woodworker that dabbles in metal works, the Shop Fox W1715 is the ideal metal cutting band saw to add to your workshop.
The band saw blade is heavy duty and is no match for the piece of scrap metal you wish to cut. The band saw comes with a stand complete with handles and wheels for easy portability.
There are three cutting speeds to choose from and the saw allows for vertical and horizontal cut. For your safety, the W1715 saw has an automatic shutoff and comes with a 2-year warranty to protect its parts.
(To know more about different power tools, we have a detailed infographic of power saws here)
What We Like
- Horizontal and vertical cutting
- Ball bearing guides
- Easily portable
- Automatic shutoff
- Three cutting speeds
- Great for larger projects
What We Don't Like
- The legs aren’t the best for portability
- Not suited for very heavy duty construction
6. Grizzly Industrial G0555LX Deluxe Band Saw
Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe is a well-known name in the industrial field. They produce a wide variety of construction power tools including an amazing bandsaw. The band saw blade on the Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe is guarded by an aluminum fence and rack and pinion guide.
The Grizzly G0555LX band saw is a great option for wood workers who don’t have thick and heavy lumber to cut through. It works well on smaller and thinner pieces due to the 1 HP motor and it is a smaller and more compact saw with a 14 inch x14 inch working area. It is ideal for simple DIY woodworking projects especially for beginners.
What We Like
- Small and compact
- Aluminum fence
- Can tilt to the right and left
- Castiron wheels
- Blade tension release
- Ball bearing blade guides
- Miter gauge
What We Don't Like
- Heavy Grizzly saw
- Not recommended for metal
7. WEN 3959 2.5-Amp 9-Inch Bench Top Band Saw
Do you need a band saw that would serve you effectively? This Wen 3959 2.5-Amp Band Saw is a high-quality product that rotates its 2.5 amp motor 2500 feet per minute. As a DIY woodworker, you can use this saw up to 3 1/2 inches deep and a 9 inch cutting in terms of width. It also uses an extremely spacious work table, which bevels up to 45 degrees. Furthermore, you can also work comfortably and cut as much as you like because this 9 inch band saw is built for long projects.
This 9-inch band saw also comes with additional equipment tools to enhance your work. There includes in the package a ¼ inch wide blade, a dust ports of 2 1/2, a rip fence, and a miter gauge.
(For more affordable options, you can check the top-tier bandsaws fit for your budget here)
What We Like
- Great value for money
- 2500 feet per minute
- Sets up and dials in minutes
- Solid build
- 2.5 amp motor
- Proper packaging
What We Don't Like
- Miter gauge is flimsy
- Not for those who need a faster blade
Band Saw Buyer’s Guide
There are so many features to want in a good band saw to get the job done. How do you start narrowing down your choices? Our experts are here to help with a quick and informative buying guide for the best band saws.
Type of Band Saw
Band saws can be classified into different categories based on purpose, shape or design. Let’s take a look at what sets them apart.
Meat Band Saws
As you can imagine, the meat band saw is for meats. Often seen in a butcher shop, the blade and frame are usually made from stainless steel as it’s easy to maintain, clean, and is resistant to corrosion.
Metal Band Saws
The metal cutting band saw’s specialty is to cut through harder materials like different metals.
Moreover, excellent metal cutting band saws are known to be some of the most heavy-duty band saws around and are constructed of harder materials than those they cut through.
Wood Band Saws
Perhaps some of the most common band saws around are ones made for wood. These machines are versatile and every woodworker should have one. They can work on small wood pieces or larger timber.
Floor Standing
If we categorize the band saws by design, the floor standing band saw ones are the options that take up the most space. A floorstanding model is a band saw with stand.
Our team won’t say the greatest band saws are always of a certain design, because it’s what you need and what you can accommodate. Keep in mind that floor standing band saws can take up a lot of space.
Bench Top Band Saws
The bench top band saw is a good space saver option for those that don’t have a large workshop.
They can be placed on any flat surface and kept off your floors
Horizontal Band Saws
As the name suggests, horizontal band saws cut through pieces of wood [1] and other materials horizontally, thus earning their name.
Vertical Band Saws
Contrary to horizontal band saws, vertical band saws cut through wood and other stock vertically by quick rotation of the blades between two wheels situated vertically.
Portable/Handheld Band Saws
Lastly, we have portable bandsaws that are small in size and easy to transport. These are great options for woodworkers or construction workers that are on-the-go from site to site.
Horsepower
The horsepower, similar to a car, is the power behind the band saw. The most common horsepower range you will find in a band saw is between 0.5 to 1.5.
Depending on the type of projects you often undertake and the materials you need to cut through, you can go lower on horsepower for lighter projects and a higher horsepower for heavy-duty tasks. Of course, the teeth per inch will also affect the cutting power. The TPI (teeth per inch) of a saw blade is usually listed within the product specifications that come with a new blade.
0.5-1 horsepower, or HP band saws will be smaller in size. These are the handheld and compact options you might see on the market. Anything over 1 (HP) Horsepower motor will be the larger models. You can even find band saws that go up to 2 (HP) Horsepower motor if you need to cut through large and robust pieces.
(If you are looking for power tool with great horsepower, you can also check the best Jet bandsaws listed here)
Throat
The next section is the throat capacity. This refers to the space between the blade and the frame of the power tool. The throat is important because the more throat space you have, the more room you have to maneuver your wood pieces, which is necessary for more intricate cuts. Because throat capacity has such an effect on your blade and maneuverability, it’s one of the first things you should look for when purchasing a band saw.
Frame
How durable and hard-wearing your new band saw is depends on the frame. The construction of the frame will set a precedence for how long the saw will last. You will most often see us mention castiron tables and aluminum or stainless steel or cast iron frame a band saw or table saw.
Our experts recommend cast iron frames if possible. Yes, they are much heavier than the alternatives, but they will also hold up much longer. You can find cast iron tables and frames in a 9-inch band saw or larger.
The band saw blades and the frame can be two different materials, so don’t be alarmed if they say the band saw is castiron, it’s more likely referring to the construction of the entire band saw than just the band saw blades.
Weight
The weight of the band saw directly correlates to the material of construction. Like we said, cast iron will be the heaviest, and most of the options we suggested on our band saw reviews list is made from this material. It’s difficult to qualify as one of the best band saws if it isn’t built to last.
However, unless you have a portable option, you will still need the machine to have some weight to it. This is because a weighty design that’s not overly heavy will provide the right amount of support when you’re working.
Floorstanding models tend to be heavier and larger, but they can offer more stability. The lighter weight bench top band models will be less supported, but are still heavy enough to ground the machine.
What you need to keep in mind are the portable band saws and table saw models. These designs will depend greatly on your own strength for support, so our experts advise beginners to not go for these models for tougher jobs.
Bevel Capacity
The bevel capacity is in regards to the tilt of the blade to make bevel cuts. You might only find band saws that tilt to the right, which may or may not be preferred by lefties. This is just due to the design of the band saw cut, although you may find some that will tilt to the left just a little, usually around 10 degrees.
The bevel capacity of regular band saw blades can usually be lifted to about 45 degrees cutting height. The cutting height is determined by the throat capacity, which corresponds to the distance between the table and the end of the structure that guides the saw blade. The bevel capacity is an adjustable feature, so be sure the adjustment for these power tools are easily accessible. You want to be able to make bevel adjustments while completing a task with minimal hassle.
Dust Collection
The dust port collection feature is essential to a band saw, but it doesn’t get enough attention compared to features like the blade tracking window, cutting capacity and ball bearing blade guides.
The dust collection feature is essential for easy cleanup and minimal mess. Unfortunately, the cutting capacity of the band saw cannot compete with that of the miter or circular saws. Due to this, it’s more likely for a band saw to accumulate dust over time and create a messier workspace.
Our experts say there is a way around this misfortune if you have the right couplings to attach your shop to your 1 dust port.
Tension Indicator
This is a very useful feature when using your band saw to cut different materials. The band saw from JET is an example on our list that has this bonus. It may be present on more expensive models, so if a tension indicator is important to you, you may need to spend a few extra bucks.
The tension is an adjustable feature and the indicator will inform you of your settings. You have to know and choose the right tension setting for the object you are cutting.
Two speed bandsaws will require more research into different settings at different speeds. A saw blade with a tension that’s too high could cause it to snap or wear out sooner than later. Cross cuts and more intricate designs will also require different tensions.
However, if you are attempting to cut through materials with a tension setting that’s too loose, the cuts may be uneven and messy. The tension indicator may not always be right on the money, so it will take experience coupled with the guidance of the indicator to perfect your settings.
Safety Features
You cannot operate a band saw without paying proper attention to the safety saw features. The blade guard or guides for one thing, such as ball-bearing guides that are present in some models, will help guide the blade along a specific track and minimize accidents.
Our experts also remind you about the kickback. Pay special attention to the task at hand when you’re cutting wood at an angle or lift. Reading the user manual and fully understanding how to use your band saw will also help reduce the risk of accidents.
Wear the proper safety gear such as gloves if necessary and goggles. Our team suggests looking for emergency brakes and stop buttons on band saws. These two features are the ones you can rely on in case of an emergency.
(To make your workplace safer, you can also consider getting some of popular band saws fence we listed here. It will make your work less dangerous while ensuring straight and accurate cuts)
FAQ
How do I choose a band saw?
You can choose a band saw by determining your needs. How much space do you have for the saw, the features you want and the types of objects you want to cut will help you narrow down your choices.
What size band saw should I buy?
The size of the saw you should buy is determined by the space you have and the materials you want to cut through. If you have a lot of space, a floor standing saw will offer the most support, but they can be heavy. If you have a small workshop, a bench top or portable model are the best choices.
Should I buy a band saw?
Yes, you should buy a bandsaw if you plan on cutting wood on large amounts of wood and other materials. A band saw is also a safer option compared to a table saw. If you have the space and the quantity, you should buy a band saw.
Our Top Pick: DEWALT 20V
The top pick and winner of this band saws review is the Dewalt 20V Max Portable Band Saw. Although it is a portable design that requires more effort to use on your part, it comes with many features that catapult it to the top of our list.
The centered handle will give you balance, so you won’t have to worry about stability. There is also an LED light to clearly illuminate the blade track. The dual bearing blade guide will keep the blade on track and supported.
To get a full bandsaw experience, you can also check the following pages:
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