Cutting irregular shapes, sawing plastic and even metal, thinning boards into slats, making superbly smooth cuts, and the best band saws are among the most rewarding tools you can have in your workshops – period. They can help create intricate details and cuts through even the thickest wood pieces very efficiently.
That said, buying a band saw can be an intimidating task. There’re too many in the market to choose from & they’re crazy expensive. To help, find below 5 of the best band saws to buy today + top buying guide for the same.
So without any further ado, let’s get started;
Best Band Saws In 2022 – Honestly, They Are A No-Brainer!
Let us say it again: the best band saws can be some of the most versatile pieces of equipment in any serious workshop. Essentially put, they can make rip cuts like a table saw, cross cuts like an awesome miter saw, and can also help you cut the thickness of a board – much like a true thickness planer. Perfect for quick cuts & intricate projects alike, these modern saws can speed up your workflow & boost results.
Outfitted with the right band, these powerful saws can even cut through metal. Yup, they are almost like the “Swiss Army Knife” of sawing tools. And the best part? They are also easy to use & are reliably safe even for beginners.
Best Band Saws Review – Top 5 Band Saws For Efficient, Clean Wood Cutting Life
The best band saws are well built, cut fast & accurate, and require less maintenance. Here’re some of our favorites;
#1 Rikon
10-305 Bandsaw With Fence
With a steel-framed, tough body housing a capable 1/3 HP motor, the “Rikon” best band saws come with a 10-inch blade and micro-adjustable rip fence and guidepost to better make your woodworking easier. The cast-iron work table is pretty large, and since it’s designed to tilt, it’s perfect for making bevel/irregular shaped cuts as well. The controls are easy, and the weighted, single-leg base improves stability & reduces vibrations.
The integrated dust port helps to keep the debris away & boosts visibility. The compact design is sure to appeal to the smaller workshops. For safety, it comes with paddle kill switches, and finally, a warranty of 5 years wraps it all together.
Pros
- Durable, solid steel construction
- Powerful motor with a spacious “tilting” work table helps to handle even bigger projects with ease and control
- Adjustable and detachable rip fence and guidepost
- Crazy compact
- 5-year long warranty
Cons
- The included blades quality is not that up to the mark
- Miter gauge is not included
#2 DEWALT
Portable Band Saw
If extreme portability is what you’re after, then you’re sure to love the Dewalt portable saw. Weighing in at just 15 pounds, the 10 amp variable speed motor gives enough juice to chew through most materials with ease. The 5-inch cutting capacity with the included 14 TPI blade can help you make quick cuts with, even on thicker & harder wooden, metal pieces, while not exactly crazy accurate. We tested the device on pipe, strut, angle iron, plastic, etc. The results were all satisfactory for reliable daily use.
The integrated LED light with a 20-second delay is a great addition, and so is the integrated hang hook that makes storing this device a breeze. The tool-less blade changing device also allows easier tensioning of the blade.
Pros
- Lightweight, portable, and easy to store
- Decently powerful 10 Amp Variable speed motor with 5-inch blade capacity allows a far faster-cutting experience
- Integrated LED light helps to improve the saws low light usage
- Built-in hook for easy storage
- Increased longevity with the brushless motor
Cons
- The battery and charger are both sold separately
- Not good for large projects
#3 SKIL 3386-01
120-Volt 9-Inch Band Saw
A more affordable choice, the Skill best band saws comes with a class-leading rip fence for straighter cuts, and the 6 TPOI blades ensure that it gets done faster. The rack & pinion cast iron made adjustable work table is a treat to use if you do a lot of curved, irregular cuts. Fuelling everything, we got a 2.5 amp motor with a single 2800 RPM speed. However, the cutting capacity is rated at 3 ½ inches – just enough for small scale projects.
The inbuilt dust port (1 ½ inch) will help keep the workspace clean, and the LED light array provides a brighter view of your work area. The EZ blade track allows easier blade adjustments, and finally, a 3-year warranty is included too
Pros
- Integrated anti-vibration mechanism
- Lightweight & compact
- High precision rip fence and a miter gauge for easy straight cuts and crosscuts, respectively
- Inbuilt LED light array for enhanced low light usage
- 3-year warranty
Cons
- The torque reduces somewhat after repeated usage
- Not ideal for large projects
#4 WEN 3962
Two-Speed Band Saw
WEN is one of the great companies that make top quality saws, including this Wen 3962 best band saw range. With a cutting depth of 3 ½ inches & width of 9 inches, the powerful 2.5 amp performance motor is ideal for making both straight and intricate cuts. The work table is spacious enough to undertake even larger projects, and since it’s tilt-enabled, making beveled cuts is a breeze as well as doing crosscuts. The dual-speed setup further offers plenty of headroom to work with different materials per hardness.
The onboard 2 ½ inch dust port helps a lot with debris management, and the adjustable blade guard gives you protection while on duty. The optional stand is good – nothing exceptional there. The warranty is capped at a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- Premium quality construction
- Powerful 3.5 amp dual speed motor cuts up to 6 inches deep and 9 ¾ inches wide
- Spacious tilting worktable
- Comes with niceties like dust ports, work light, optional stands, etc.
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Quite a power-hungry device (you can only use it with high load outlets)
- Subpar straight cut performance
#5 JET 708115K
Horsepower Woodworking Bandsaw
If budget isn’t an issue, you simply can’t do better than the JET 708115Kpopular range of best band saws – observe! Powered by a solid 1 amp motor, which revs up to 3000 RPM, the tool can effortlessly make cuts as deep as 6 inches with a width of 13 ½ inches – ideal for all workshops and serious DIY enthusiasts. The larger cast-iron worktable with steel fencing (with marked measurements) ensures precision cuts. It also has a dust port built-in, so dust and debris are a non-issue while cutting, well… anything.
The saw is further equipped with an adjustable blade guide system, along with a graphite impregnated polymer blade long-lasting cutting action. The mostly steel and iron-based build seems strong enough; still, a 5-year warranty is also included.
Pros
- Unmatched performance with a powerful 3.5 amp motor and a solid 6-inch cutting depth for superior cutting
- Large cast iron worktable with measurement marked fence for precision chops
- Dual dust ports for debris-free operation
- 5-year warranty
- Premium, tough steel design
Cons
- Blades are not included with the kit (buy them separately)
- Very expensive
For an even easier time when shopping for the best band saws, here’re some crucial qualities and points to watch out for;
1) Power And Performance
A 1 ½ HP motor is the bare minimum you need to satisfy most casual cutting needs. If you work with exotic hardwoods & metals, spring for bands saws with 2 ½ or 3 ½ or more HP rated performance. The speed is calculated in FPM (feet per minute) – the higher, the better as it will offer cleaner, faster cuts.
Nowadays, the best band saws come in both corded and cordless types, with all their usual pros and cons that come with it – buy appropriately
2) Build And Blade Quality
Since the blade is held under tension to cut, make sure to opt for band saws that have a very tough, stable build to handle the same. A cast iron, steel frame is preferred, and the base should be sufficiently wide to offer stability & reduce vibrations. The workbench should be metal with enough room to meet your needs.
Blade wise, a higher TPI (teeth per inch) rated blade will offer cleaner cuts, whereas a low TPI rating will cater faster but rougher cuts.
3) Controls And Extra Features
Aside from the controls being easy, make sure the band saw allows easy swapping of blades, preferably tool-less. A dust port is a must-have, so it is a non-slip, comfy handle. An easy to view track window is also important.
Other niceties to have include; light array options, an extendable table, top clamping options & clear user manuals, if you’re a beginner.
Band saws often cost over $1000, so naturally, you may’ve a few queries you want to be answered before buying them – doubts like;
1) What Types Of Cuts Can Be Made With The Best Band Saws?
Offering high precision & control, the band saws are perfect for making a variety of cuts. Some of them include;
Resawing (reducing woods into thin boards)
Curved, irregular shaped cuts
Crosscuts, rip cuts
Precise compound cuts
Angled/Beveled cuts
Miter cuts
2) Can I Use The Same Blade Type To Make Every Sort Of Cut?
No, you can’t! It’s crucial you use the right blade type depending on the material you’re trying to cut to get the best results possible. A wider blade is needed for curved cutting & resawing, but for a straight cut, a narrow blade is best.
3) How To Set The Right Tension For The Blades?
Tensioning the blades needs a ton of time and practice to get it right. That said, it is always better to have what you feel is too much tension than having not enough, as the latter may’ve a push/pull effect, leading to easier breakage.
It might take a few tries, but try and get the blades tension balanced – not too tight nor loose – to get the best results & lesser breakage.
Best Band Saws Review – The Conclusion
Whether you are a serious home DIYer, a seasoned woodworking pro, or a contractor, the best band saws can really help make your works shine. They cut fast, super accurate & you are sure to use them every day.
All of the best band saws we’ve listed above can be used for small, medium, and even bigger projects sans any issues – they all have the power and necessary perks to doing it all. But, in the end, it all depends on you. Pick a model from the list that YOU think will best satisfy all your specific needs and match your budgets. Don’t we have the one you need? No frets! Use the best band saw buying guide above to help choose another.
Have opinions, thoughts & doubts about sharing? Let us know in the comments below. Also, don’t forget to share this article
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