A bandsaw uses a blade of a continuous band of toothed metal rotating on opposing wheels to cut material. These are mainly used for woodworking, metalworking, and lumbering. The idea dates back to 19th century but the tool actually came into existence some years later. You can cut meat, metal, timber. They now come with different mechanisms and different structures in manual as well as automated forms.
The following article lists the best band saws that you can buy for your workshop today.
10. Delta Band Saw ($684.64)
This is 14 inches, 1 HP Bandsaw with heavy duty steel frame design and an Aluminium trunnion table support for long-lasting durability. The motor features 1 phase TEFC with variable speeds for wood and non-ferrous cutting. It has a 2-speed pulley with easy tensioning system. The durable Alumnium and rubber coated upper and lower 9 spoke wheels are precision balanced for superior blade tracking. It runs nice and smooth; cuts great and the loss of weight does not effect the performance at all.
“Overall, I like the saw. Guide adjustments are relatively infrequent for me (I do lutherie, so it’s almost all resawing), so the micrometres are not missed that much. The large table helps a lot, and the lower wheel adjustment meant the saw was much easier to tune. If you plan on switching blades a lot, though, the lower guide changes are likely to drive you crazy. I’d give this a 5-star if the lower guide (particularly the fore/aft adjustment) were more accessible, but it’s a pretty obvious shortcoming. On the plus side: HUGE table. Nearly twice the size of my old one, excellent runout adjustment and the bottom tire is adjustable as well (no more shims!), more robust standard motor (1 hp vs. 3/4hp), dust collection port standard, no more cutting a hole in the sheet metal” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
9. Makita Band Saw ($329.72)
This is Makita’s 18V portable bandsaw with 6 setting variable speed control dial to match the speed of the application. It delivers faster cutting with 275-530 ft./min, and has a protective bumper design for added durability. The unit weighs around 14.3lb including battery for reduced operator fatigue. It is a fantastic tool for cutting all manner of narrow and dense materials such as piping (Metal or PVC), re-bar, uni-strut, channel, fence posts, etc. The unit is built strong and sturdy and is a little heavy; also allows easier blade change and works great for everyday tasks.
“This is a very specialised tool, and there are probably several other types of saw for the average do it yourself/homeowner to buy before this one. That being said, it’s a fantastic tool for cutting all manner of narrow and dense materials such as piping (Metal or PVC), re-bar, uni-strut, channel, fence posts, etc. There is plenty of power, and the blade has plenty of speed options with the built in speed dial. Battery life, in my experience, has been more than adequate for the tasks I’ve used it for. I don’t know for how long or how many cuts the battery will last for because the jobs I’ve done only require a few cuts for short periods and I’ve never depleted the battery. Blade changes are simple though you might want to pick up a spare blade or two if your local hardware store doesn’t carry them. About the only downside, I see with this tool is the weight. The weight shows the quality of materials used in the saw, but it also makes using the saw a hassle for long periods or awkward positions such as overhead. I feel the better build quality using heavy materials trumps lighter weight materials, though.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
8. Milwaukee Band Saw ($449.00)
This is also an 18Volt cordless band saw kit with a 10.25lbs compact and light weight design for cutting overhead and in tight places.The unit quickly adjusts the shoe and allows flush cuts when working with installed materials against walls and ceilings. The LED light illuminates the cut line in dark areas and the blade ejection system quickly changes the blade by moving the material guide into the up position and depressing the blade ejection button. It is drop resistant and the cast aluminum gear case withstands Jobsite abuse and maintains gear positioning well.
“I am an electrician, and I can’t say enough good things about this bandsaw. It is light enough to cut with on hand and can flush cut against the wall. I went back and forth before purchasing between this (at the time I had never used one) and the Stout bandsaw (which I’ve used often). Milwaukee put the Stout to shame. Battery life is way longer, can go a couple of days of roughing on one battery.(so far). Also has a light so it’s easy to see your cut lines. And the flush cut option, well the first time you need to use it, you’ll be glad you have this saw.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
7. Milwaukee Band Saw ($339.95)
This is Milwaukee 6232-21 deep cut band saw with case. The unit is highly durable and easy to handle. It is a fantastic cutting tool and is powerful enough for any application. It also has a slip-clutch built in to protect the direct-drive gears from damage in the event of a locking blade-bind. The 6232 also has constant-speed electronics, so the saw maintains speed under load and comes with a convenient, quick-release blade changing system. The speed control switch on the handle is positioned in the right place to be useful and is very effective. The plastic case is adequate enough and has slot for a few extra blades.
“I realise these are on the expensive side, but they are built for constant use day in and day out. We have many (20-25) where I work, and they are treated as required to get the job done promptly, and they hold up great” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
6. WEN Band Saw ($273.83)
This is WEN’s 10-inches, 2-speed bandsaw with a stand and a work light. It comes with a 3.5-amperes motor which cuts up to six inches deep and 9-3/4 inches wide. The 72-inches blade can be used from 1/8 to 1/2 inches in size. It operates at 2 speeds: 1520 or 2620 FPM. The adjustments are a bit tedious but not difficult to do. The operation is quite easy and the machine in fairly quiet. Well made and handles the materials well.
“Purchased this saw in 12/15. So far I have no complaints. For the price, it cannot be beaten. Assembly and setup were easy, but make sure you understand what you are doing. If you’ve never used a band saw before, read up on how to correctly set up the table and blade. The construction of this saw is pretty solid, and the cuts I have been getting are very accurate and clean. The included blade is decent, but be sure to buy a high-quality blade for your specific cutting needs. I compared this saw to several others in this price range and found the Wen to be the best value. The included work light and stand are nice features. It has plenty of power for what I do in my shop. Again, be realistic with your expectations. If you want to mill 8″ walnut logs, you need something much more expensive/powerful than the Wen. I have purchased other Wen tools in the past year and have been very impressed with their quality. This saw isn’t perfect for everyone, but it has everything I need at this point. I give it five stars based on price, build quality and performance.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
5. Rikon Power Tools Band Saw ($299.98)
This is Rikon’s 10 inches band saw with a fence. This is the scaled down version of a popular design. The frame is made from steel plate which is stronger and sturdier than plastic. The cast iron table features a fairly large 13-3/4-inches by 12-1/2-inches sturdier work surface, a feature not typically found on a bandsaw of this size. It comes with a quality rip fence and 1/3 HP motor which provides ample power for cutting bowl and pen blanks. The adjustable guide post can be raised or lowered according to your comfort.
“For price and functionality, this is a great buy. I read some negative reviews about this but then realised that said reviewers had either limited experience with this type of tool or were expecting it to perform like a full-size production shop type model costing substantially more. You get what you pay for, and this is right at the top of the range for a 10″ bench top bandsaw. I wish I had found this years ago. I am a professional woodworker 25+ yrs” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
4. Dewalt Band Saw ($207.00)
This is Dewalt’s 20V Li-ion band saw with 2-1/2″ cut capacity and can cuts up to 2″ SCH 40 pipe. The centered handle position provides superior balance and ergonomic design and the LED work light illuminates the working area. The unit is drop resistant and cuts well (cleaner and square cuts.) It also features blade tracking adjustment and dual bearing blade guide rollers.
“I’ve used a lot of band saws in my 27 years as an electrician. If you’ve used an electric one, you know how heavy and cumbersome they can be, and you better have the material strapped down in a chain vice. I had recently updated all my battery tools to the 20V Dewalt system, but at that time they hadn’t come out with bandsaw yet. When I saw it was available, it was a no-brainer purchase. I’ve been using it for about two months, and this thing is nothing short of Awesome. I cut Unistrut and rigid pipe without a problem, and it is light enough to hold it with one hand while doing so. It cuts straight and fast, and I can control the unit with one hand while holding the material in the other, no chain vice needed.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
3. Dewalt Band Saw ($299.00)
This is Dewalt’s 10-ampere, 5-inches deep cut portable band saw kit. It is designed to withstand any jobsite application and provides deep cuts for round or rectangular stock. The serviceable steel shroud and rubber bumpers allow guards to withstand jobsite abuse without damage and the LED sight light allows the user to see cut line in dark environment. The integrated hang hook allows user to hang the saw without damaging front handle or castings and the variable speed dial allows user to vary speed for specific materials and various applications (100-350 rpm.)
“I have used this for a little over a month now, and I love it! I bought a 3-pack of blades, but after a hundred inches or so of cutting mild steel and aluminium, I’m still using the blade that came with the saw. Slow and steady wins the race, so to speak. I built a simple stand so I could use it as a vertical bandsaw, and it mounts to the frame where the hook was. Pros: Sturdy. Powerful. Variable speed is ideal for cutting different materials. The LED light is mounted directly behind the blade, so in the vertical position, the shadow becomes a cutting guide. Cons: The threads in the frame where the hook mounts could be a bit beefier. I stripped one of the holes without much effort.
The case is very cheaply made. Mine doesn’t even close completely. The blade storage in the case requires that you deform them to such a degree that I worry about the longevity of the blades. A trigger lock would be very handy. In my application (mounted, vertical position), I use a velcro cable tie to lock it on. Seems like an inexpensive addition that would be very helpful.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
2. Powertec Band Saw ($149.99)
This is Powertec’s 9 inches bandsaw with patented blade guard adjustment for quick and easy blade change. The unit has a table with rack and pinion adjustment for easy tilt to 45 degrees and a blade tracking window. The quick release blade tension lever makes blade changing easy and the blade width ranges from 1/8-inches to 3/8-inches with increased versatility for scroll cutting and resawing. Has plastic but for money its pretty cheap and handy.
“Yes, it’s pretty cheap – and there is a good amount of plastic, but for the money, it’s pretty handy. I wouldn’t attempt to cut heavy stock very often, but for the quick & simple jobs, it’s not bad. When hooked up to a vac/dust collector it leaves almost no sawdust behind. (beware that the vac connection on all Powertec tools [that I’ve used] is non-standard, but hunting around the shop usually finds some non-standard adapter.) The base on mine was a little warped (welded wrong?) but bolting it to a 2×12 fixed the issue and added better support. Overall, a cheap solution for quick jobs and light materials.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
1. Skil Band Saw ($154.85)
This is Skil’s 2.5-ampere, 9-inches bandsaw with a rip fence for straight and accurate cuts. The inbuilt LED work light allows for a better view of workpiece and cut-line. It features a 1-1/2-inches dust port that keeps work area clear of dust and the rack and pinion table helps in the adjustment of angle and height. The motor has only 1 speed but a good saw for a hobbyist. It is light and can be moved around easily. Make sure to read the instructions manual thoroughly before starting.
“Verified Purchase: A real female-type person here: I love this band saw! I thought this saw would be “power-tool orange”, but it is a lovely shade of red, which matches my workshop beautifully! This saw was thankfully lighter in weight than the 45-lbs I had expected. It is made of adamant ABS-type plastic that WILL last well beyond an atomic blast or requisite zombie invasion. This saw was an incredibly easy setup! I need this saw to construct magic tricks and props. I will not be sawing heavy duty materials, just lightweight materials, such as 1/4″ plywood, but this saw may very well work on thicker materials. On the test run, this saw performed beautifully. This saw is a breeze to use and cuts through 1/4 ply like butter!! The saw blade will be easy to replace (turn the two black knobs and the entire housing opens up to reveal the blade and wheels, just reduce the tension knob at the top of the saw and voilà!) This saw is also easy to mount to a surface with the four pre-made holes on the black base of the saw. I am very impressed with my Skil brand Band Saw!” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here.
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