Best Band Saws

Today, there’s an electric-powered saw for pretty much anything. It doesn’t matter if it’s a couple of two-by-fours or even a sheet of metal. But there is one that’ll offer more advantages to you than some alternates, depending on what you need to cut. Band Saws are a power-cutting saw that’s fixed to a table. On it, the work surface will either be made of plastic, tile, or cast iron.

They can be found in different sizes but many are sold with their own stands attached to make it easier for you to prop up wherever you need it to be. The ten band saws featured below are the best that you’ll find online, picked for the quality of parts and dependability. After you’re done with those, don’t forget to look at the Buyer’s Guide to get good time-saving tips to make your search easier. The two best brands out of the ten are listed in the Summary.

Top 10 Best Band Saws Reviewed

1. WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand and Worklight – Editor’s choice

The WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw is what you’ll want if you’re going to be using the band saw for professional and at-home work. It’s very quiet, the quietest among all of the saws listed here, in fact. As for the physical features of the product, take a moment to peer at the legs. If you look likely on the product’s description, you’ll see that there are holds in each of the feet, right at the base. This is for you to either bolt it down to a work surface or screw it place with nails. While you may not want to do this right on the surface that you’re walking on, it may certainly work with a temporary one, or even a solid wooden board.

It has a high FPM as well, or feet-per-minute. This is much like RPM but not measured per every rotation. It’s basically the number of feet that the blades move up and down. In any case, the Wen also contains a dust port. Hook up any suction devices on it that you wish.

If you’re going to do this, be double sure to clean it as often as possible, preferably right after completing your daily work. It could clog up and lose its effectiveness if you don’t, and the miter gauge next to the blades can be a little inaccurate. This can happen with you moving the blades, of course. Try not to move too fast so you won’t have to keep going back over your work.

Pros:

• There are holes at the base of the legs where the saw can be bolted or screwed into a bottom surface.
• The table can be turned with the bevel to 45 degrees.
• It has a maximum speed of 2620 FPM (feet-per-minute).
• A dust port is included to help keep the work surface clean during cutting.
• It has a low noise level.
• The surface isn’t too small to work with.

Cons:

• The dust port may clog and/or become less effective if not cleaned on a regular base.
• The miter gauge’s accuracy may lower when in motion.
• Motor speed will lower significantly when cutting through material that’s denser than 1x.

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2. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw With Fence, 10-Inch – Best Band Saw for Stability

The Rikon 10-305 Band Saw has a 10-inch fence that’ll be extremely helpful for adding stability to your movements during cutting. Other portions of the device are also very useful, such as the cast iron working table. Cast iron is generally sealed, having no holes or crevices that would otherwise cause premature rust. Because of this, you’ll never have to change it out like you would with metal or even plastic. It’s very hard and dense, giving the table weight and allowing you to steady your cuts.

It has good blade guides as well. These are tasked with providing you with safety when you’re hands are close to the blade itself. Without them, it would be much more difficult for you to fine-tune your work since you would always be worried about your hands hitting it (blade) when you’re working.

This model is also pretty silent. While it does make some noise, you likely won’t be able to hear it over, say, a vacuum cleaner or revving automobile. You’re safe to work at any time, day or night, and will never wake up your neighbors. Plus, it’s very easy to get set up. If you’ve never put together a band saw before, don’t worry. The guide with instructions will show you exactly what you need to do while wording things in a way that isn’t too complicated or has too much technical jargon.

However, the Rikon could also be improved on a few things in future models. You’re not getting a high-quality blade here, so go out and buy one that’s compatible with whatever you’re going to cut. And the blade size that you’re going to need for the band saw is a little odd, gauged at 70 1/2 inches. This length might not be sold in a hardware store near you, so expect to do some digging around online for new blades at the worst. Overall, the Rikon is a solid product and recommended for users that care about stability and precision more than anything else.

Pros:

• The table surface doesn’t move or wobble when the saw is on.
• The table is built entirely of cast iron and doesn’t scratch or chip.
• Blade guides do not require constant adjustments.
• It doesn’t create too much noise during operation.
• Simple setup instructions.

Cons:

• The blade that comes with the saw is cheaply made and will need to be replaced fast; dulls quickly.
• Blade size is difficult to find in sizes that the machine requires (70.5 inches).

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3. SKIL 3386-01 2.5-Amp 9-Inch Band Saw – Best Band Saw for Easy Transport

Next up is the SKIL 3386-01, a 2.5 Amp Band Saw. All parts and accessories that are included here are top-notch and well made. They’re also pretty lightweight. The entire saw comes at a combined weight of approximately 16 pounds. You can put it on a work table or bench, which should fit in nicely.

Remember, this isn’t as tall as some of the other band saws that are reviewed here. You’ll have to manage with a stool or table in order to get it to a position that’s comfortable for you. If you don’t mind doing this or already have something ready, that’s you’re more than set for this product. The band saw is some pretty neat accessories as well.

If you’ve ever worked with a band saw before that didn’t have a light fixture that’s close to your work area, you may have gotten a little worried about imperfection in your cuts (due to less light for you to see). The Skil easily solves this problem by including one with it.

It’s not the brightest thing that you’ve probably seen but does its purpose in adding a bit more illumination for you when it matters most. Noise levels always stay quiet, and nothing to the point where you couldn’t hear yourself talking when next to the machine when it’s turned on. But there are a few things that may annoy you here.

The blade guards are pretty hard to adjust properly, so it might not be a bad thing to replace them altogether if you’re going to use this machine for professional work for a while. And the motor can get very hot, even if it hasn’t been running for a long time. In fact, you may feel it starting to significantly warm up only after fifteen minutes of use.

If this does happen, stalling could occur, making your cutting project take longer from having to turn the machine off for it to cool down. Nevertheless, the Skil manages to pack a punch in getting various cutting materials shaved and slices properly. Recommended for anyone that needs a band saw that can be transported quickly and won’t take up too much room.

Pros:

• Good total weight; very portable.
• The dust port features a vacuum that works very well at getting rid of sawdust when cutting.
• There’s a light fixated on the machine that makes it easier to work in rooms that aren’t properly illuminated.
• It doesn’t produce a lot of noise.

Cons:

• Difficult to avoid catching the blade slot without adding another layer to the table itself.
• Blade guides are hard to adjust.
• The motor may shut down at times and gets very hot, even when the saw hasn’t been running for a long time.
• Nearly impossible to ease the blade’s tension.

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4. Powermatic 1791216K – Best Band Saw for Accessories

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The Powermatic 1791216K is the band saw that you want if you want something that has outstanding accessories. For many of the band saws shown already, the blades are either, low in quality or will need to be replaced early in the saw’s lifetime (and be early, we’re talking weeks or even days).

But here, the saw is dense and sharp, getting through cuts for a long time without dulling too early on yours. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have more at the ready, just in case you need to cut something that’s unconventional (such as meat). But the company throwing in a decent saw shows that they pay attention to detail, which can sometimes be surprising but a nice additional nonetheless.

It takes only one button to start it up, which is easy to find and located next to the “on” switch. They’re very easy to see, so you can also shut it down quickly if you need to. It is quite heavy, though, and weighs a little over 200 pounds. It’s not something that you would want to look into if you’re in need of a band saw that would be used in more than one location.

But if you’re going to keep it in your garage or workstation, the weight does add durability to its list of attributes. Yet some of the parts are made from plastic, which is usually the first thing that needs a replacement on such machines. Yes, the frame is very strong, but the same cannot be said for the entirety of the device.

Pros:

• Has a body made of steel and a table built with cast iron; very durable.
• A halogen lamp provided with the saw will light up the entire work surface.
• It has a conspicuous start and stops buttons.

Cons:

• Very heavy weighs over 200 pounds.
• Plastic portions of the band saw, such as the pods and band saw tires, may warp if left if a high-temperature area.

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5. JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14-Inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit – Best Band Saw for Build Quality

The Jet JWBS-14DXPRO is a 14-inch band saw that’s suggested for people that appreciate good assembly. The parts that are housed on the machine are very well made and will last for a while. They’ll also never tarnish or rust from moisture. If your garage is partially exposed to the outside, it’s perfectly safe for you to keep it there. You may want to cover it with something, but it wouldn’t be affected by the elements. The blade tension here is also stellar.

It’s very easy to release and doesn’t appear to have any flaws at all, unlike many band saws of the same type. The tracking window is also easy to use and keeps your blade position known at all times. When looking further at the band saw, you’ll also notice several compartments that are along the lower portion, right below the table. This is for storage. Place your small tools or cutting pieces inside if there’s nowhere else to store them.

Although the Jet could be easy to assemble for some people, particularly those who have worked with a band saw before, things could get a little messy for first-timers. That’s because there’s no instruction manual is worded in a way that may make it difficult to understand how to finish setting it up properly. If you need help, you can always look at an instructional video online. But truthfully, the average person shouldn’t have to do this. Regardless, give the JWBS-14DXPRO a try if you’re not too concerned by putting the actual band saw together.

Pros:

• The cast-iron form has been redesigned from previous models of the unit to lower wobbling and table longevity.
• Easy to release blade tension.
• The blade’s position is always easy to see due to the tracking window on the device.
• A storage shelf and stand if built in to keep items inside for future work.

Cons:

• The instruction manual isn’t thorough enough; online help during assembly is recommended.

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6. Grizzly Industrial G0513ANV – Best Band Saw for Blade Guides

The Grizzly Industrial G0513ANV is the right product if you want one that has good blade guides. As a result of this, using the saw itself is very safe to do. The guide moves perfectly at any angle you place the blades at and are very durable. The product also has a good cutting volume, specified as 12 feet.

There’s a fence provided, which around four feet. This is for you to be able to keep your work area clean at all times, and have room to move around as you cut. Dust ports are fixed in good locations and will connect to a majority of vacuums. They measure around four feet; try to find something to such up all of the debris before you begin to use this.

The major flaw with the G0513ANV is the blade (again). If you’re sold on this product and will have it sent to your location, getting better blades to have shipped to your home at the same time is highly advised.

Even cutting something once is enough for these blades to lose their ability to cut without causing splinters in the wood. They’re simply not at the same quality as the rest of the band saw. But other than this, there’s little else to criticize the G0513ANV. If you want a good band saw with dependable safety features and the ability to make great cuts (with a better blade), then it will definitely serve its purpose.

Pros:

• Has a cutting volume of 12 feet for wood.
• The fence is made of high-grade aluminum and will not break easily.
• Dust ports are about four feet and will keep the workspace clean at all times.
• Features high-quality blade guides, European styled.

Cons:

• Poor quality blade included; will likely dull after the first time using it.

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7. JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14-Inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit – Best Band Saw for Fast Assembly

This Jet product is the JWBS-14DXPRO, a great machine that attempts to simplify things that are lacking in other competing band saw brands. Everything about its construction feels solid, almost as if the device were handmade. You likely won’t need to tighten any bolts and screws here, besides the parts that must be assembled when it arrives at your door.

Speaking of assembly, this machine is probably the easiest to do. This is great for beginners or those who hate having to look up things online to get started with using their band saw. Even if you’ve never put one together before, the instructions will make it fairly easy for you to figure out. Dust ports work well, along with the blade guards. Blade tension appears to work normally.

If there is a thing that could be improved, it would be the color of the entire band saw. While white may make it easier for you to see it and clean up the dirt from the machine. It can also result in stains pretty easily. If you’re the one who likes to keep their tools spotless after using them, then you will probably spend a lot of time making sure that sawdust isn’t building up around the outside. Of course, much of it can be cleaned with a cloth, but doing so may get tedious, particularly considering that the dust ports aren’t very well built. In any case, consider the JWBS-14DXPRO for how easy it is to put together.

Pros:

• Feels solid, and will last for many years without needing a replacement.
• Assembles fast; easy enough to do for beginners with little experience with band saws.
• Discreet but useful dust port along the bottom.

Cons:

• Stains from debris and dust show up easily on the saw due to its white color.

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8. RIKON Power Tools 10-324 14″ Open Stand Bandsaw – Best Band Saw for Alternative Cutting Projects

The Rikon Power Tools 10-324 is a 14-inch band saw that is good for anyone that doesn’t want to limit their cutting to wood alone. You can tackle all sorts of material, provided that you have the right blade for the job. Things such as meat, furniture, and steel are easy to work with and will cut smoothly at every tilt. The guide blades are one of the highlights of the entire blade saw.

They’re made to last, and have ball bearings that are smooth during movement. If want something that will cut through material very fast (ripping), it can also be done due to the bar height, offering good workroom and speed. On top of this, plug in your accessories of all right on your workstation. A 115-volt outlet is housed on the machine, great for light fixtures, other tools, or even a lamp for more light.

The fence’s rail line could have been designed a bit better. It won’t reach the entire length of the working surface with this unit. Consequently, this could result in you having to take a longer amount of time to work with pieces that are large and/or robust. Furthermore, this might even prevent work on a particular product altogether. But don’t let that scare you out of trying out the 10-324 for yourself. There’s more than enough good features for anyone to be happy about.

Pros:

• The ball bearings on the guide blades are smooth and never jam.
• The fence and bar heights measure six inches to help speed up rips and re-cuts.
• Has an electronic outlet for 115-volt adapters.
• Easy to replace the blades as the length isn’t hard to find.

Cons:

• The fence is only operable on one side of the table; has a short rail.

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9. Grizzly G0803 – 9″ Benchtop Bandsaw – Best Band Saw for Bearing Quality

The Grizzly G0803, a green-colored band saw that’s ideal for a work table or bench to stand it upon. The best features are located on the table. The blade that comes with it is sharp and very precise. You’ll never get a bad cut, whether or not you switch it for another blade later down the line. The frame also impresses. It’s built very well, constructed of steel that won’t scratch or damage due to age.

The table included also appears to be solid, featuring no warping or other defects in the shape. You’ll have a decent-sized work area to cut on. Guide bearings are also functional and do a good job of keeping the blade moving at a good consistent pace. Of course, you will have to change them eventually but they shouldn’t hold up past the warranty of the product.

There is a lot of plastic on this model. While this might not sound like the biggest flaw that you’ve heard of, it may make certain parts age faster. Again, everything should run good for a while, but it’s something that you’ll have to find parts for eventually.

The best thing to remember which the G0803 is to always be prepared, more so after you’ve had the band saw for longer than a year. It can be used for professional work but suited more for hobbyists and people who won’t be cutting materials with it every day. If this sounds like you, then this Grizzly saw will be well worth the investment.

Pros:

• Very compact size that will sit sturdily on most benches or work tables.
• The frame is made of steel and will never rust or erode from moisture.
• Has functional (but imperfect) guide bearings.

Cons:

• Although the frame is steel, it has many parts made entirely of plastic.

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10. Einhell TC-SB 200/1 Band Saw, 200 mm – Best Band Saw for Beginners

The Einhell TC-SB Band Saw won’t limit your cutting angles to just a flat surface. You can angle the blade and bearings to 45 degrees, starting from minus 4. But this isn’t the only neat feature that you should know about. You can attach a vacuum on it towards the bottom if you would like to keep your work surface clean. The dust ports are situated there, so look for a separately-sold cleaner if you’re going to go with this band saw. It also contains a guide that’ll give you consistent cuts that are never uneven or need to be trimmed by the blade.

Use it to cut pieces of your personal woodworking project, create furniture, build ornaments, or even cut meat (with blades that are ideal for such a job). Cutting some metals is also possible as the motor is strong enough to hand the material. Just keep your density under 1x, and you’ll find that the sky’s the limit to what you can make with the Einhell. Ad because of this, the band saw is suggested for beginners or other woodworkers and creative hobbyists. The table is a bit small, though, which might make some get a replacement for something more robust and stronger.

And getting the table insert to fix could also be challenging. This could result in the material brushing up against the item that you’re cutting. Just be careful as you set everything up, and pay attention to the instructions. If so, then most of these issues should be mitigated.

Pros:

• The table and be tilted all the way to a 46-degree angle.
• Numerous tools can be attached to the band saw to collect dust.
• Has a guider that’s fixed to the table, containing balls bearings, that guarantees precise cuts.
• Can cut hardwood, softwood, steel, and metal.
• It has a combined weight of less than 40 pounds, making it easy to carry around to different rooms and locations.

Cons:

• Small work surface area/table.
• Some units may not feature an instruction manual.
• The table insert may not fix properly, increasing the chances of brushing up against the cutting material.

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Buyer’s Guide

The information shown below will give you a better idea of which brand of the band saws shown in the reviews is right for you.

How to Choose the Best Band Saw?

The typical band saw will require some space in your work area or garage. Because of this, you should ensure that there’s enough room for you to work with the machine or enough space for nothing to get in your way. However, band saws can also be compact and have a length that’s longer than its width.

Some models are tall, while others can be very short and require that you prop it up with something before you set it up for use. Try to keep these things in mind as you look over the band saws that have been shown in the reviews.

Additionally, consider that you might need to acquire more parts, such as a blade. Although many bands saws will feature at least one blade with the tool itself, the quality is often not that great. And if you’re a beginner, you most certainly would be better with having as many blades as you can.

Mistakes do happen, and damaging your cutting is easy to do on the first few tries that you use the machine. Try to move slowly, working your way through the instruction manual to see all the different safety features and how to properly use even part of the band saw. Picking up from this, make sure that the saw you’re interested in has a comprehensive manual before you buy. This won’t be needed for all users, but something to look for if you’re going into this in the dark.

The Type of Work you Plan to do with Your Band Saw

You should have some idea of what you plan to do with your band saw. For some people, they work with them in their employment. But if you just want a band saw to build things for your home or people close to you, what exactly do you intend to do with it? Remember that band saws have blades that allow the user to cut the material into different shapes.

For example, instead of cutting in a straight line (like you would with a normal table saw), curves can be made. And with this comes whatever your mind can think up. All sorts of geometric patterns for furniture can be made with a band saw; the sky’s the limit on what you can do with the machine. Just remember to go with the brand that offers the highest amount of amps and voltage if you do plan to cut anything that has a density of over 1x. If you don’t, you may end up damaging the blades and even breaking the motor on the saw itself.

Getting the Right Height

Take a look at some of the band saws if shown above if you haven’t already ventured into their product description. You’ll quickly notice that they all appear to have variances in height. Some are very tall, while others may not make it past your waist. If you want one that’s lightweight and easy for you to carry from one place to another, then short is the best way to go.

You’ll be able to take your band saw anywhere and will fit easier in an automobile in the off chance that you must take it to another location far from its initial one. But if you go short, be prepared to get a table for it.

Furthermore, you won’t be able to just place it on a table and start cutting with it immediately. You’ll have to find something to keep it on the surface without it moving around. You can use bolts for this; just make sure that whatever you attach it to isn’t something that you’re not worried about getting damaged or scratched.

Alternative Uses for a Band Saw

With a band saw, you’re not just limited to cutting up pieces of wood or metal. You can cut lots of material into the shapes of your choice. Things that you can work with include boxes, plastic, or even for cutting meat. However, try to remember that you should have a blade that’s tasked with cutting one single material. Also, don’t forget about sanitation. You obviously don’t want to get sick, so make sure that you fix plastic over the take and wash everything thoroughly if you do use the band saw for cutting something else.

Cutting Curves with Guide Bearings

Without guide bearings, you simply wouldn’t be able to use a band saw. It’s the pieces that allow you to cut your material into shapes that involve curves. It also serves to protect your hands from the blades themselves as a visual and warning and so that the blade doesn’t come out as it moves at a rapid pace. You may have to replace them every so often, especially if you get them wet for some reason.

Guide bearings should make the blade move smoothly and prevent jerking when it goes up and down from the power of the motor. Of course, there’s no surefire want to know if a product’s guide bearings are good without looking at the machine personally. Try to go off what others have said about the band saw, paying attention to how well the blades are said to perform when going through a cut that requires the user to make a curve in the material’s shape.

Summary/Conclusion

What bandsaw did you pick from the list above? It’s safe to say that there’s no wrong choice that you could make. They’re all built well and have good motors and quality of assembly, along with good to excellent portability. Some of them are better than others, most notably the Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw With Fence, 10-Inch and WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand and Worklight models.

Both of them are easy for beginners to figure out how to use while being useful for hobbyists and professionals at the same time. If you’re not sure which to pick from the list, look into the first, working your way down if you want something different. Eventually, you’ll see something to pique your interest enough to warrant a shipment to your home!