Whether you are a professional or just a simple amateur, you need the right tools to get the job done. When it comes to cutting different types of boards, you can find a really serious variety of different types of saws on the market.
What really sets the band saws apart from other saws, however, is their ability to cut unevenly. There is no other machine like this that allows you to move along the desired lines with such ease. Pure power and ease of movement are some of the most significant advantages of these tools. That is why band saws manage to handle curved cuts without problems regardless of the thickness of the processed material.
But how to choose the right band saw? There is a really wide variety of models on the market right now, each with its own characteristics. Some do well in certain situations, while others do not.
In this article, you are going to see what the best band saws on the market are. If you want to know what the overall best option is, we contend that it is the Grizzly Industrial G0555LX – 14″ 1 HP Deluxe Bandsaw.
A Spotlight on Some of the Best Band Saws 2022
Band Saws Reviews
JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14″ Deluxe Pro Band saw Kit (710116K)
- Built-in 12-Inch resaw capacity for cutting larger pieces of wood
- 2 Speed poly-v belt drive system
- Jet bandsaw miter gauge
- Accessory for JET JWBS-14OS 14-inch band saw
Professionals and amateurs alike will benefit from JET’s JWBS-14DXPRO 14-inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit, which includes everything needed to get started with your band saw tasks. This cast-iron, floor-standing band saw weighs more than 200 pounds, making it extremely stable. The large 105-inch blade is powered by a 1.25-horsepower engine that can reach speeds of up to 300 feet per minute (SFPM).
With a 14-inch throat, JET’s Proband saw can resaw a piece of wood up to 12 inches wide. It’s possible to take on some large pieces of wood with its worktable that is 15 inches by 15 inches. The table may be tilted 10 ° to the left and 45 ° towards the right, allowing users to select the ideal cutting angle.
It features a retractable blade guard that may be adjusted between 0 to 12 inches in length. A transparent glass lets you monitor the blade’s location. It’s clear that this band saw is a premium device, and all these extra features cost a lot of money.
You can also take a look at our best band saws for resawing guide.
DEWALT 20V MAX* Portable Band Saw, Deep Cut
- The metal band saw has 5-inch cutting capacity
- Integrated hang hook of the portable band saw allows user to hang the saw without damaging the front...
- LED Work Light with 20 second delay illuminates dark work surfaces for accurate cutting of DEWALT band...
- Tool less blade changing lever loosens blade tension
- Variable Speed for versatility and control
Every woodwork professional knows that it’s easier to perform certain unusual cuts with cordless saws than with wired ones. That’s where battery-powered tools like the DEWALT’s 20V MAX Portable Band Saw stand out.
It is powered by a lithium battery (which is not supplied) and allows for cordless woodworking. People who already own DEWALT 20V MAX battery-powered tools can use this band saw with the same type of battery.
It has a cutting capacity of 2.5 inches, which is quite low, and the tool weighs approximately 12 pounds. Its 570 SFPM cut rate is somewhat fast for a handheld battery-powered band saw. The gadget is easy to use and manage; Users can go back to work quickly, thanks to blade adjustments that don’t require any tools.
Grizzly Industrial G0555LX – 14″ 1 HP Deluxe Bandsaw
- Motor: 1 HP, 110V/220V, single-phase, TEFC, 1725 RPM, prewired 110V
- Amps: 11A at 110V, 5.5A at 220V
- Table size: 14" x 14" x 1-1/2"
- Table tilt: 45 deg. right, 10 deg. left
- Floor to table height: 43"
Grizzly makes some of the best industrial-grade band saws for the workshop. The Grizzly G0555LX is the specific model in question. It’s a 14-inch band saw that could get the job done. This saw can help you get done the most demanding band saw tasks with ease.
The speed of the blade varies from 1800 and 3100 feet per minute. Thanks to its built-in single-phase motor with a 1-horsepower rating.
If used to cutting large woods, this machine can cut wood stocks up to 6 inches high. It has a 14-inch by 14-inch table that can handle enormous projects.
The table and frame are built to be firm and are composed of precision-ground cast iron, which provides a stable work surface with the least amount of vibration possible.
Grizzly includes powerful wheels made of aluminum, fitted with rubber tires to help you easily move around the band saw blade. A strong metallic alloy cast stand helps to hold up the whole machine. It has a quick-release blade tension lever for adjusting the tension on the blade quickly and easily.
There are many good things about the Grizzly G0555LX as a band saw. The device has everything a band saw user could ask for in this price range.
Feel free to buy this gadget if resawing operations are not part of your job. Higher models like the G0555XH can help you resaw with ease if that’s your line. Also, as an upgrade, the G0555XH from Grizzly comes with a 12-inch height capacity and an adjustable resaw fence, making it easier than ever to resaw.
Milwaukee 2729-20 M18 FUEL Deep Cut Band Saw Bare
- Volts DC: 18
- Type: Band Saw, Bare Tool
Milwaukee’s 2729-20 cordless portable band saw is a force to reckon with compared to several corded products in its class. Besides the maximum width and depth of five inches, it also has a brushless motor that rotates the metal-cutting blade at up to 380 feet per minute while conserving battery power.
When not in use, a safety switch prevents the device from being accidentally activated, and the attached hanging hook helps to keep it handy for future use.
Milwaukee offers its band saw unassembled, similar to the approach taken by many of its competitors. Even though the suggested pair of 5.0Ah batteries are expensive, they won’t be able to carry you throughout the day for a prolonged project.
Gryphon C-40 Band Saw
With the Gryphon C-40 band saw, you won’t have to worry about cutting glass and ceramics; not suitable for cutting wood. It’s a less expensive alternative to a CNC machine for making accurate cuts in materials like glass, Although, You’d have to practice with the tool to make the most out of it.
Compared to large wood-cutting band saws, the design of this equipment is quite basic. You may not find some features in larger wood-cutting band saws in this device, but it could get the job done. A diamond-edged blade may be attached to this band saw and used to cut through the glass at high speed.
Additionally, it has a simple built-in water cooling system. Generally, there are no extras with this 1/3 horsepower tool, but it does a lot of good work.
Band Saws Buying Guide
What are band saws?
Well, you already know the strengths of band saws. But what are these machines and how do they achieve such results?
Band saws are popular and in practice are very similar to “circular saws”. They have similar capabilities when it comes to cutting different patterns and the precision of the cutting itself. However, the similarities stop here.
Band saws are much more powerful than their circular competitors. For this reason, they can be used to cut a much more diverse variety of materials.
You will surely recognize them by their specific design, which can hardly be mistaken for that of another type of cutting machine.
Band saws usually have a relatively long blade, which is driven by a specialized motor. The blade moves between wheels with high speed and serious power and thus manages to easily make various cuts.
Naturally, the different models stand out for their functionality. At the same time, they can be powered in different ways and provide you with different options.
In any case, when it comes to cutting, you will hardly find a more powerful machine than the band saw. It is its abilities that make it so popular. In many professional workshops, the band saw is one of the mandatory work tools.
What types of band saws are there?
To clarify the question of what band saws are, we will introduce you to the features of different types of such machines. Of course, they all have their advantages and disadvantages.
In any case, band saws can be grouped mainly into two types: freestanding (or benchtop) band saws and compact band saws.
It is necessary, first of all, to clarify for what kind of work you need a band saw. It is also important to specify under what conditions and in combination with what settings you will use your new acquisition.
This will certainly narrow your choices and help you choose the right model for you.
Freestanding band saw
This type of band saw is also known as a “benchtop” band saw. You can find them in the form of a cabinet, a freestanding machine with a worktop that you can attach to a table or bench.
Benchtop band saws are extremely powerful saw machines that are used for both professional and personal use. Given the incredible re-cutting capabilities and potential for use in a variety of projects, it’s no surprise that freestanding band saws are so popular.
However, it is simply mandatory to keep the desktop in perfect condition. Any debris, sawdust, or damage, in any case, will affect the quality of your work.
In most cases, the frames of freestanding band saws are made of really strong and durable materials. This usually means cast iron or steel.
One of the key things to watch out for on the tops of these band saws is the size of the so-called “throat”.
This is a term that distinguishes each band saw from the other. Refers to the space behind the blade that reaches the farthest point on the workbench.
In most cases, this space varies between 20 cm and 50 cm. Of course, the more space you have, the more massive boards you can afford to process.
In addition, models of this type in most cases provide you with various options for tilting the desktop. It is usually a tilt to the left or right at an angle of 45 degrees.
Wondering why you would need something like this? Well, it will allow you to expand the range of your cutting options. Different types of slopes are ideal in case you need to cut a certain board at an angle, for example.
This is an advantage in all circumstances when it comes to cutting flexibility. The variations of shapes that you can achieve with such a machine just get richer.
Compact band saw
Compact band saws are specially designed smaller and removable band saws that are usually battery-powered. This is what makes them the favorites of most craftsmen who work, so to speak, on foreign soil.
In fact, the main thing that distinguishes them from benchtop band saws is the fact that their power is generated by a rechargeable battery. Although they may look like a miniature version of freestanding machines (mainly because of their size), these band saws actually have absolutely competitive power capabilities.
The target group of compact band saw manufacturers are narrowed to professionals working in different conditions. It is for this reason that these machines are manufactured with long-term durability in mind.
They can handle really harsh working conditions and in many cases offer a wide variety of features for the convenience of their users.
However, their most important feature is perhaps their rechargeable battery.
It takes care of the power of the tool and allows its user to use it in different conditions. This is a sufficient factor to make the compact band saw one of the favorite possessions of every professional or do-it-yourselfer.
However, as in many cases, the biggest advantage of a product often becomes its weakest point.
Unlike other battery-powered machines, compact band saws are not without the constant high power of their cable-powered competitors.
They remain dependent on battery life. In any case, you will have to adjust your work sessions to their loading. Fortunately, however, most compact band saw batteries last at least a few hours of consistent and continuous operation.
In addition, some modern manufacturers have made sure that different batteries can be used in different tools of all types. Remember – you can always get a spare battery on hand.
What to consider when choosing a band saw?
You can guess that choosing a certain type of band saw is by no means enough. Both types of such machines have a bunch of features and characteristics that you should pay close attention to.
Without being aware of their specifics, choosing a tolerable model would be rather a bit of luck. In this section, however, you will find all the necessary information that will allow you to choose the right band saw for you.
Blade
If you have any experience with cutting tools, you certainly realize how important their blade is. The situation with the band saws is by no means different.
Depending on the material you want to cut, the blades of the band saws can offer you a serious variety of shapes. However, the density of the teeth of the blade remains equally decisive for the speed and quality of the cutting.
The band saw blades are probably the longest of other types of saws. This is because it rotates to form a band.
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all blade. The different types differ mainly according to the characteristics of their teeth and are suitable for different activities.
Hook teeth, for example, are relatively large and handle cutting materials extremely quickly and fiercely. They are especially suitable for cutting thick wood, some metals, and plastics.
Some blades offer you a greater distance between teeth. They are specially designed to prevent the accumulation of resin or other similar debris. Such blades are ideal for cutting colored materials, and softwood, but also handle plastic properly.
There are, of course, such blades that are designed to cut everything. However, they do best in cutting thin and fine materials and lag behind when it comes to cutting specialized ones.
We are sure that you are aware – nothing is eternal. And this as well relates to the blades of the band saws, which are exposed to great stress during work. They can bend and break like any other similar working element.
That’s why it’s a good idea to look for those band saws that offer you the option to track blade wear. This will help you monitor the wear of your blades and make a change prematurely.
Motor
No matter what kind of band saw it is, its motor is its heart. It is the presence of a motor that turns the saw from a simple hand saw into a powerful and efficient machine.
For both freestanding and compact band saws, motor power is measured in watts. Of course, the more powerful a motor is, the more efficiently the machine will be able to cut different types of materials.
On the market, you will find all kinds of products whose power can vary between several tens and several hundred watts.
However, it is more important to pay attention to the operating speed that a motor provides you with. Of course, more powerful models will offer you higher speeds.
The working speed of the band saws is measured in revolutions per minute and refers to the number of revolutions that their blade can make per unit of time. Of course, the more – the better.
However, you will find the band saw motors mainly in two versions: brushed and brushless motors.
Brushed motors have been around for a long time and are extremely popular with all such power tools. What sets them apart is the way they transfer electricity to the motor.
They contain two key elements – brushes and a switch. The brushes make the contact, and the switch takes care of the energy transfer inside the engine of the machine.
However, like any other part, carbon brushes wear out over time. After a while, they may even start to break. This will gradually reduce the efficiency and productivity of your machine.
In brushless motors, the carbon brushes and the switch have been replaced by a small electronic board that dictates the power supply. The board regulates the export of energy, which means that it is possible not to exhaust all the energy created in advance for a particular task.
Brushless motors are usually more powerful as they eliminate excess friction and create a constant energy flow that is not limited by physical components.
Accessories and functionality
We won’t surprise you if we tell you that most band saws will do a good job for you anyway. However, you should keep in mind that the different models you will come across during your search will in all cases differ in their functionality.
Their differences, on one hand, depend on their working abilities like type, motor, and blade of the machine. On the other hand, the convenience and functionality of a band saw can be modified according to the presence or absence of certain additional extras and accessories.
Various manufacturers have taken care to provide their products with everything they need, which can make the work easier and more enjoyable. Some of the accessories are so necessary that they even become mandatory.
For example, fixed or adjustable light is extremely common in different models of freestanding band saws. It is emitted by various lamps and definitely contributes to the quality of the work process.
The lamp provides you with a better light on your surroundings. Above all, however, it gives you better visibility of the processed object.
In addition, you should be aware that some materials are more demanding than others. The characteristics of the material can be decisive, but its thickness is also important.
In many cases, standardized operating speeds will not do you any good. This is where the ability to adjust the operating speed of the machine comes to the rescue. Thanks to it you can choose the most suitable cutting speed according to the specifics of the processed material.
Similar to the situation with freestanding band saws, compact models also offer you a variety of lighting options. In most cases, these are different LED lights that allow you to use your tools in a darker environment.
Some models even provide you with cutting lines of view and make the workflow much more efficient. Many compact band saws will also give you the ability to adjust the speed.
Quality and price
Whatever the purchase, we will always look for the perfect price-quality ratio. Everyone wants to get the best possible product at the lowest possible price. However, finding the balance is not always an easy task.
In many cases, the low prices of certain products become too tempting. However, when the instrument we have acquired does not work, it turns out that a seemingly good deal turns out to be just a bad investment, devoid of the potential for return.
That is why it is important not to compromise on the quality of your future band saw. Whether you choose a freestanding or a compact model, always strive for the best.
In many cases, this means investing more. This is because more productive means are usually invested in the production of higher-quality machines.
The quality of the materials used, and the time spent on the production of a certain element, all inevitably increase the cost of certain products.
That is why in many cases the price can become a guarantee of the quality of a model. For the same reason, we can trust the tool as a faithful counselor which guides us in the right direction.
However, everyone’s abilities are different. If you are reluctant to spend more on the purchase of a band saw, it is best to think carefully about what you can save.
If you do not intend to process very pretentious materials, probably a simpler machine will do a decent job. In many cases, however, it will perform poorly when it comes to a more specific type of work.
Carefully consider exactly what you need and so in any case you will make the best deal possible. The ideal price-quality ratio is certainly achievable.
How to take care of your band saw?
Well, you already know everything you need to know about band saws and we are sure that you will make the best possible choice. Keep in mind, however, that buying such a machine is not everything. Working with the tool and taking care of it is just the beginning.
Complete care of your band saw will ensure not only its efficiency and productivity but also your own safety. That is why in this section we have prepared some key tips and guidelines on how to take care of your new acquisition.
Monitor the condition of the blades
The blade of these band saws moves constantly and does not stop until you decide. It is natural for the blade of your machine to wear out or even be damaged over time. Unfortunately, in many cases, this is also due to consumers’ negligence.
Earlier we drew your attention to how important it is to monitor the wear of your blades. That’s why a special option to track wear can often be a must.
Thanks to it you will know when to clean and when to change your blade.
If you take care to monitor the condition of your blade and take the necessary measures prematurely, you will avoid the risk of potential breakage during operation. Be careful and resourceful, take care of your machine and it will reward you with high efficiency and good results.
Clean your blades regularly
One big enemy of band saw blades is rust. It can certainly damage your blade if you do not treat it prematurely. Rust, of course, requires special care.
However, if you have checked your entire blade and there are no traces of rust on it, the next step should be to clean it. A fully cleaned blade will guarantee you smooth and continuous cuts.
Although there are many ways to clean the blade of your saw, in most cases the procedure is relatively simple.
You can use a degreasing agent or soak your blade in soapy water. Oven cleaners are also proven to be quite effective.
Either way, this will remove any resin or other harmful debris that inevitably accumulates over time when processing various materials.
If certain materials have been layered between the teeth of your blade, you will surely find the differences after cleaning. In any case, your band saw will become much more effective and will overcome obstacles with much greater ease.
How to deal with broken blades?
The blade of a band saw can break for many reasons. Overall wear is just one of the factors. Much more decisive for the condition of your blade may be the lack of necessary care, non-cleaning, etc.
However, a broken blade does not necessarily mean running to the nearest hardware store and looking for a new one. If you have all the right tools, you can fix the blade yourself. Good welding will certainly bring it back to life and give you another chance to work with it.
However, keep in mind that not every wound can heal so easily. In some cases, the broken thing cannot be repaired and then you will have to replace your blade. We recommend that you get a few spare blades for emergencies.
Like this guide? Then you’d definitely love our other guides on the best track saws, best table saws, and best circular saws.
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