In Brief: Best Band Saw
23 products considered. 500+ reviews analyzed, 31 research hours spent, 15+ info. sources referred
DEWALT DWM120K
- Comes with a useful carrying case
- Variable speed dial
- Superior ergonomics
Makita XBP02Z
- Has important safety features
- Wide variable speed range
- Fatigue-reducing design
Milwaukee 2429-21XC M12
- Very compact and lightweight
- Cuts smoothly and efficiently
- Comes with plastic storage case
Band saws give you access to a versatile array of cuts, which makes them a favored tool among professional woodworkers and carpenters.
With a large number of options available to you today, particularly since the introduction of portable models on the market, a good model can be hard to find.
This list of 9 band saws includes a variety of options, ranging from large heavy-duty models to compact saws for at-home work to portable options for on-the-go use.
This broad range of options is coupled with helpful summaries and lists of pros and cons derived from actual user experiences so that you can make an informed decision.
Comparison Table: Top Band Saws in Market
Here is a quick comparison table comparing key parameters of various band saws –
| Product | Corded / Cordless | Cut Capacity (depth) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
DEWALT DWM120K | Corded | 5" | Check Price |
Makita XBP02Z | Cordless | 4-3/4" | Check Price |
Milwaukee 2429-21XC M12 | Cordless | 1-5/8" | Check Price |
Shop Fox W1706 | Corded | 13-1/2" | Check Price |
JET JWBS-14DXPRO | Corded | 13-1/2" | Check Price |
Grizzly G0555LX | Corded | 13-1/2" | Check Price |
WEN 3962 | Corded | 10" | Check Price |
Rikon 10-305 | Corded | 10" | Check Price |
SKIL 3386-01 | Corded | 9" | Check Price |
Article Outline
Reviews of the Best Band Saws
DEWALT DWM120K
This portable band saw by Dewalt has numerous industry-best features such as its 10 Amp motor and 5-inch deep cut capacity. These give you controlled power for all sorts of job sites applications with round and rectangular stock.
It features the perfect build for job sites, with a steel shroud and rubber bumpers that let it take a beating and an integrated hang hook for convenience.
It has superior balance for better accuracy as well as an ergonomic soft-grip back handle and a multi-position front handle to give you a comfortable experience.
The blade is also highly accurate, with precise blade tracking adjustment, a durable and adjustable material guide, and dual-bearing blade guide rollers to increase its durability.
The variable speed dial lets you modulate the speed to suit your material and the convenient blade-changing lever lets you quickly loosen the tension to change blades.
Other features that contribute to its ease of use are an LED sight light to let you cut in low-light conditions and the replaceable brushes which allow for quick repairs.
- Comes with a useful carrying case
- LED sight light
- Variable speed dial
- Highly precise
- Superior ergonomics
- Durable metal construction that remains cool
Makita XBP02Z
This portable band saw comes from Makita’s line of 18V LXT tools that share a common power platform. It is 20-5/8 inches long, weighing in at 14.3lbs, and gives you a cutting capacity of 4-3/4 inches and accepts a 44-7/8-inch blade.
An adjustable stopper plate is integrated into the design to protect the material you’re working on and to provide cutting accuracy.
The saw runs on a Makita-built motor which delivers a variable speed that ranges from 275 ft./min to 530 ft./min to give you increased versatility.
The design is meant to be fatigue-reducing and minimizes your work with its soft-grip handle, externally removable brushes, and conveniently-located speed dial.
It also features a number of convenient features such as the protective rubber bumper for durability, the tool hook, and the on-board wrench storage.
It uses a trigger switch, with a lock-off feature, that acts as a safety feature since you have to go through two actions to start the power.
There is also a protection circuit present, along with an alert light, that protects the motor from over-torque conditions.
- Has several important safety features
- Wide variable speed range
- Fatigue-reducing design
- Highly versatile and cuts cleanly and accurate in several different materials
Milwaukee 2429-21XC M12
This band saw by Milwaukee is one of the lightest and most compact cordless models currently available, weighing just 6.75lbs and measuring only 1 foot in length.
This allows one-handed use, which makes it an excellent portable choice for professionals.
Despite its small size, it remains quite powerful and runs on Milwaukee’s high-capacity Lithium-Ion batteries that give you 150 cuts per charge.
With a capacity of 1-5/8 inches by 1-5/8 inches for cutting it can slice through ¾-inch EMT in just 3 seconds. It has a low-vibration design which ensures clean cuts for precision applications.
It uses a variable speed dual-actuation trigger that provides enhanced control so that the speed can match the material.
There’s also a convenient blade tensioning system that lets you adjust blade tracking and an LED light that indicates the cut line to boost the accuracy of your cut.
You can watch a product video for this model here:
- Very compact and lightweight
- Comes with plastic storage case, batteries, and charger
- Cut-line indication with LED light
- Cuts smoothly and efficiently
Shop Fox W1706
This band saw by Woodstock International has been carefully designed with customer feedback and the best technologies in mind.
It has a cast-iron frame construction and a precision-ground cast iron table that measures 14 inches by 14 inches, is 43 inches above the floor and can tilt up to 45 degrees to the left and 10 degrees to the right.
It is powered by an extremely strong 1-HP, single-phase motor that can deliver blade speeds between 1500 and 3200FPM.
The blade size is 93-1/2 inches and can come be increased to 105 inches with an extension block. This gives you a cutting capacity of 13-1/2 inches and a maximum cutting height of 6 inches.
The blade has cast-iron blade wheels and both upper and lower ball-bearing guides with compliment the overall ball bearing construction of the saw. It also has an extruded aluminum fence with a fence scale with a magnifying window.
Other convenient features include its 4-inch dust port, quick-change blade release and tensioning system, cast-iron miter gauge, and cast iron wheels for portability.
- Powerful motor delivers variable speeds
- Cast iron wheels
- Titling cast iron table
- Easy to set up
- Solid and durable construction
- A few users stated that the ball-bearing guides wear quite quickly
JET JWBS-14DXPRO
Built with a cast iron frame that gives it rigidity and strength, this JET band saw is here to fulfill your woodworking needs.
It is particularly good larger pieces of wood because of the built-in blade guard that moves from 0 to 12 inches to give it a superior resaw capacity. Overall, the cutting capacity can go up to 13-1/2 inches in width and 12 inches in height.
The 15-inch by 15-inch table is located 43-1/2 inches above the floor and can tilt 10 degrees to the left and 45 degrees to the left to give you versatile cutting.
The 1.25 HP motor works with 2-speed poly-v belt drive system to give you speeds of 1500SFPM and 3000SFPM.
The belt drive system uses high-quality upper and lower ball bearing guides that reduce friction and increase the longevity of your blade.
The high-tension spring design of the system also helps ensure long life and consistent performance.
For your convenience, there’s a quick-release blade tension for fast adjustments as well as a blade guide post with rack and pinion adjustments for more accuracy.
Other convenient features include a blade tracking window and an enclosed stand with a storage shelf for quick access to tools you may need.
- Very sturdy
- Minimal vibration while delivering high power
- Blade tracking window and stand with storage shelf for convenience
- Good for resawing and larger projects
- Worktable can title 10 degrees to the left and 45 degrees to the right
- High-quality, long-lasting build
- The blade tensioning system can be hard to use
Grizzly G0555LX
This heavy-duty deluxe bandsaw from Grizzly features a 1HP motor that gives you two-speed operation at 1800FPM and 3100FPM. It is built with a durable iron frame for stability and minimal vibrations so that your work is precise and easy.
It has a precision-ground cast iron table that is capable of tilting 10 degrees to the left and 45 degrees to the right.
With a floor to table height of 43 inches. cutting capacity of 13.5 inches and a maximum cutting height of 6 inches, this bandsaw can be used for a wide range of uses.
The extruded aluminum fence and miter gauge also help enhance your precision.
The bandsaw has an all ball-bearing construction, with upper and lower bearing blade guides and thrust bearings for longevity.
Other features include its rack-and-pinion guide post adjustment system for the upper blade guides and the computer-balanced cast iron wheels that come with rubber tires for mobility.
You can watch it in action here:
- Long-lasting
- Solid and sturdy frame
- Cuts smoothly and efficiently with minimal vibration
- Computer-balanced cast iron wheels for mobility
- Tilting cast iron table
- A trunnion under the table can be slightly week
- Dust collection port is shallow
WEN 3962
This 10-inch band saw is more compact than the other models on this list although this does not significantly decrease its power.
It works on a 3.5 Amp motor, has two speed settings of 1520FPM and 2620 FPM, and accepts 72-inch blades between ½-inch and 1/8-inch in size.
Despite its smaller size, the worktable is still extremely spacious, measuring 14 inches by 12-1/2 inches. Capable of swiveling up to 45 degrees, you can use it to cut boards that are 6 inches deep and 9-3/4 inches in width.
The table has a flexible work light with its own power switch to provide better visibility while working.
You also get an adjustable fence, an onboard measuring guide, and a sliding miter gauge to further boost your precision and accuracy.
The final feature is a 3-in-1 dust port that fits 1-3/4-inch, 2-3/4-inch, and 4-inch dust attractor hoses. It comes with a stand that is 25-14 inches high to keep the saw on without it taking up too much space in your workshop.
You can see an assembly and use video for this band saw here:
- Value for money
- Worklight, miter gauge, and onboard measuring guide for accuracy
- Tilting cast iron table
- Compact, space-saving design
- Cuts accurately and with practically no vibration
- Making adjustments, particularly for thinner blades, can be hard
- Worklight is located at the back so it can be slightly hard to adjust
- Can have tracking issues with thin blades
Rikon 10-305
This 10-inch bandsaw by Rikon is meant to be a compact version of their popular large bandsaw models. With a frame made of steel plate, it is durable and strong and is up to powerful cutting work.
The blade is 70-1/2 inches long and can be anywhere between 1/8 inches and ½ inches wide and is powered by a 1/3 HP motor that guarantees a blade speed of 2780 ft/min.
The large cast iron table is 13-3/4 inches by 12-1/2 inches and can tilt up to 45 degrees for angled cuts. It has a cutting capacity of 9-5/8 inches for width and a 4-5/8 inch height capacity which is also good for re-sawing.
The large 2-inch tall rip fence helps with making straight, aligned cuts and can be removed in case you need to do free-hand work.
The height of the guidepost on the bandsaw can be easily adjusted with a turning handle. Other features include its paddle on/off switch for safety as well as a vacuum port to keep debris and dust away from your workspace.
You can watch this band saw being put to use here:
- Cuts smoothly with minimal vibration
- Compact design with a small footprint
- Sturdy and well-made
- Tracking adjustments are easy to perform
- Powerful for its size
- The stand must be purchased separately
- 1/8-inch blades are hard to use with it
SKIL 3386-01
This 9-inch bandsaw by SKIL is the most compact model on this list and is best suited for at-home work rather than heavy-duty professional tasks.
It uses a 1-speed motor that lets you work on both wood and metal although the 6-TPI blade is best suited for cutting through a wide range of wood materials.
It includes a rip fence that gives you straight cuts with a high degree of accuracy, which is further boosted by the LED work light.
This light not only improves visibility conditions and provides a better view of the workpiece but also gives you cut-line indication so that you can place your cuts exactly where you want them.
The angle and height of the work table are adjustable for a versatile array of cuts and it uses a rack and pinion system for easy modifications. There’s also a 1-1/2-inch dust port to keep your work area clean and free of dust.
- Lightweight and compact
- Good for fine and intricate cutting
- Low-cost alternative
- LED work light
- Setting up and changing blades is very easy
- Low-quality fence
- The blade guide is made of flimsy plastic
- The motor can be prone to stalling
A band saw is a great addition to any workers workbench. Whether you are a professional woodworker, metalworker or lumber worker, you will likely use a band saw to cut materials.
A good band saw can make your life a whole lot easier by making cutting materials quick, easy, and accurate. Band saws cut a variety of materials making them useful for many different professions.
This article will show you the best band saws on the market, so you can take a look and decide which one you think will work best for the type of work, or projects, you do.
Buyer’s Guide for the Best Band Saw
In this section, we will go over what a band saw is, what it is most used for, and help you to determine what type of buyer you are so that you can figure out which saw will work best for you needs. Not every band saw is the same, and not all are created equal.
What is a Band Saw?
A band saw is a power saw with a long, sharp blade with a continuous band of toothed metal stretched between two or more wheels that are designed to cut material.
These saws are often used by woodworkers, lumber workers, and metal workers to cut tough material quickly.
Why a Band Saw?
One of the major advantages of using a band saw is the large reduction in waste. Band saws usually have a smaller kerf than other tools, which results in reducing waste and other tools have wider blades, whereas band saws feature narrow blades that make it more accurate and precise. This is a huge benefit when using the saw at work.
What kind of Buyer are you?
Determining what type of buyer you are is essential to figuring out what type of band saw you need for the work that you do.
If you go into a shop to buy one without this knowledge, you may end up walking out with something more expensive than you need with features that you will never use.
So, do you need a sturdy, long-lasting saw for constant work, or would you benefit from a simpler machine for household projects?
I am a Professional or Independent Contractor…
If you work in a profession that requires the use of a good band saw, then you will likely need something that is more rugged and durable.
Band saws for work should be able to last through many uses without losing power or accuracy, and should have settings that can be adjusted to work better with certain materials of different size.
I am a hobbyist or DIYer…
If you are doing projects at home that require a band saw, then you can benefit from getting one that will work for you. If you aren’t looking to use this for work, then you should look for a simpler model that will allow for easy use. You won’t want something heavy-duty and expensive with lots of settings, because you may not use them.
FAQs
A band saw can cut a variety of materials including many different types of wood. A band saw is also strong enough to slice through metal, so you can use it on metal pipes and other metal items.
A band saw can cut a variety of different shapes into material, including curves, and crosscuts in lumber. However, a band saw in typically used for irregular shapes due to its range of movement and ability to make precise, smooth lines even with irregular shapes.
Yes, there are a number of different types that are designed for certain types of cuts that make the movement and cutting easier. Some are made for softer materials, others are made to withstand heat for long periods of time, and others are made for ferrous materials that are more difficult to cut.
To break-in a band saw you simply use it at slower speeds to warm it up for use with faster speeds and harder materials. This allows the teeth of the blade to strengthen and to be finely tuned, gives the blade a longer lifespan, helps keep all the teeth the same height, and it also helps the user to get a better feel for how it works.
Final Words
With this new information, we hope that this helps assist you in making a decision on which band saw is right for you. We have given you some of the best options out there to pick from, and all you need to do is decide which one will be the best fit for you, so that you can get started.
So, good luck with your shopping, and get lots of use out of your band saw.
The 9 band saws on this list have all been selected for their quality, performance, popularity, and customer satisfaction.
These factors ensure that you only choose from among the best and most reliable models on the market so that no matter which one you choose, you’ll be guaranteed to get a high-quality and robust tool.
Here is the list of our top picks again for you. Check out the specs, customer reviews, price and offers on Amazon –
- DEWALT DWM120K
- Makita XBP02Z
- Milwaukee 2429-21XC M12
- Shop Fox W1706
- JET JWBS-14DXPRO
- Grizzly G0555LX
- WEN 3962
- Rikon 10-305
- SKIL 3386-01
Last update on 2020-07-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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