Best Scroll Saws for 2023
Like other machinery and appliances, there are a lot of fact
Top 10 Best Band Saws for 2023
Shopping for the perfect band saw is usually a big investment, one that you should be careful not to mess up. These machines are not cheap. That’s all the reason you need to make sure that you make the right, best possible decision when making this investment. However, this can be difficult, especially when shopping online. Most manufacturers will always want to exaggerate the upside of their products, leaving the downside out altogether. But that doesn’t always augur well with the customers, especially with products that fetch such high prices as the band saw. That said, through thorough research and careful review, we managed to compile a list of 10 Best Band Saws on the market. As with any machine, different models come with different features, strengths, and downsides. Our team factored in all these features to come up with the list below. If anything, you should have the perfect band saw for your projects by the end of this article. Plus, have better insight on all the facts and features to look into when shopping for a band saw. To come up with a comprehensive list, we used a set of metrics that directly impact your ability to find the Best Band Saw. Factors that will influence your buying decision. They include:
- Item price
- Weight
- Power
- Ease of use
Our Best Overall Band Saw For 2023
#10: WEN 3970 Band Saw
#1
RIKON Power Tools 10-324 Open Stand Bandsaw
- Vendor: RIKON Power Tools
- Item Weight: 215 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 25 x 30 x 75 inches
- Horsepower: 1.5 HP
RIKON Power Tools 10-324 Open Stand Bandsaw Review
This band saw fetches a hefty price of $956.47. That alone should be enough evidence that it comes packed with more features than you could wish for. At an astounding 1.5 horsepower and 115/230 dual volt motor, this saw can take on some pretty tough projects with ease. It also has a ball-bearing blade guide and thrust bearings to help reduce friction when working. This helps to increase its blade life as well and contributes mainly to its smooth operation when operating.
It has an extra tall rip fence which increases its fence and re-saw heights to 6” giving you added support when ripping or re-sawing lumber. Its 115B power outlet can charge phones, radios, used with plug lights, and more, which is also quite handy.
It’s one machine that can cut through all kinds of materials ranging from plastics, composites, foam, or even non-ferrous metal. Nothing gets in its way. These features make it look like more of a professional’s tool than a first-timer. But either way, it has its way of compensating for such a price tag.
#2
JET JWBS-14DXPRO Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit
- Vendor: Jet
- Item Weight: 258 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 29 x 28 x 77 inches
- Power Source: corded-electric
- Horsepower: 1.25 HP
JET JWBS-14DXPRO Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit Review
This jet product comes in as our second in line at $1,169.99. However, the JET JWBS’ design and features come incorporated with just about everything you can think of in a band saw. It has a massive capacity that allows it to rip pieces of material as large as 12” in height. At the same time, it has a retractable blade guard that’s adjustable between 0” and 12” to for safety when working.
It also comes with a 15”x15” large table with fast and easy blade adjustments for your convenience. This also makes it a lot easier to view the blade tracking window. You can, thus, always make sure that the blade is aligned precisely how you want it when sawing.
Perhaps the only downside of this beastly machine is that it doesn’t have a rip fence included. But that can also be a good thing being as most manufacturers install cheap fences on other models. Either way, most people end up buying aftermarket fences. It is also quite pricey; way beyond most potential buyers’ budgets, which can throw some customers off its trail.
#3
Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe Bandsaw
- Vendor: Grizzly
- Item Weight: 247 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 45 x 21.5 x 18 inches
- Style: Grizzly
Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe Bandsaw Review
This band saw comes with a cast iron frame plus table, which is very reliable being that it’s now able to withstand more pressure without warping or bending. The Grizzly G0555LX also has two speed-settings capable of performing against any wood type you use it on.
It comes with computer balanced cast iron wheels that make more precise and easier to control when in use. Its weight is perhaps what stands out more at 247 pounds. But for a solid, durable piece of equipment that can take extraordinary amounts of pressure like this one, weight is definitely a factor. The one downside is that its weight can affect its portability and transportation once you’ve set it up.
It also only 1HP, which is quite low, all things considered, compared to most of the other professional grade models in its class.
#4
Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw
- Vendor: RIKON Power Tools
- Item Weight: 76 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 35.5 x 18 x 13 inches
- Power Source: ac
Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw Review
At just $339.99 and 76 pounds, this is one of the best low-budget, lightweight band saws in the market. It has a solid steel design with the frame also made of steel, which makes it stronger compared to other models with plastic frames.
This saw is excellent for smaller, short-term projects as it lacks the power needed to cut tougher, harder woods. It is, however, a great tool to have around if you plan to work exclusively on softer woods. In that case, there’s no need to buy a machine with excess power at a high price only to end up under-utilizing it.
Its steel frame and oversized cast iron table are perhaps what makes it a more likely buy option for most customers. After all, at that price, you’ll most likely expect it to have plastic construction. You’ll be getting good value for your money opting for this band saw.
#5
WEN 3962 Band Saw
- Vendor: WEN
- Item Weight: 73 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 20 x 25 x 58 inches
- Material: Metal
WEN 3962 Band Saw Review
At only $253.60, this band saw comes packed with numerous features. It is easy to operate, versatile, and reasonably priced. That makes it an excellent choice for beginners as well. Its 3.5 amp. motor has the power to cut wood up to 6” deep and 9¾” wide, which is fairly reasonable for that price.
This machine operates at two speeds; 1520 or 2620 FPM which allows you more control over the cuts it makes. It’s the perfect tool for any woodworker who’s looking to upgrade the workplace.
You can fit 72” blades between 1/8” and ½” for fresh cuts and re-sawing as well. Further, it features an adjustable fence an onboard measuring guide, a beveling table, and a sliding miter gauge. It is perfect for customers looking for a budget band saw that can take a punch.
#6
WEN 3939 Band Saw
- Vendor: WEN
- Item Weight: 44 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 13.5 x 30 inches
- Measurement System: Metric
WEN 3939 Band Saw Review
This is one of the lightest band saws on our list. It weighs 44 pounds and retails at only $143.27. It has a 2.8 amp. motor that rotates its blade to 2460 feet per minute. Its blades can cut boards up to 3 5/8” deep and 9” wide.
Its design uses 62” blades anywhere from 1/8” to 3/8” in width even for the intricate but powerful cuts. It comes with a spacious worktable of 12”x12” in size that you can adjust up to 45 degrees. It also comes with a handy carrying handle, an onboard dust port, a miter gauge, adjustable blade guard, and fence for creating straight cuts. What’s not to love about this budget band saw?
#7
WEN 3959 Band Saw
- Vendor: WEN
- Item Weight: 40 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 14.1 x 29 inches
- Measurement System: Metric
WEN 3959 Band Saw Review
Wen manufactures some great band saws with amazing features and very affordable prices. The WEN 3959 comes at around $132.97 and weighs 40 pounds. Its motor packs around 2.5amp and can rotate its blade to up to 2500FPM.
Its design also uses 59½” blades anywhere from 1/8” and 3/8” for intricate and powerful cuts. It has a spacious worktable of 12¼”x11 1/7” that you can adjust up to 45 degrees. It also comes with an onboard 2½” dust port, adjustable blade guard, miter gauge, and fence for creating straight cuts, making it one of the customers’ favorite tools for lighter projects.
#8
Rikon 10-306 Deluxe Bandsaw
- Vendor: Rikon
- Item Weight: 83.3 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 35.4 x 18 x 12.7 inches
- Voltage: 110 volts
Rikon 10-306 Deluxe Bandsaw Review
This 10-inch deluxe band saw comes with numerous features, all of which make it easier to use and operate. It has an increased cutting capacity with two blade speeds to make operation more efficient. It also comes with an increased ½HP motor which can handle most of the smaller projects. It has a quick-release blade tension lever, tool-less blade guides, adjustable rip fence, cast iron table that tilts between 0-45 degrees, larger blade tension knob, storage hanger, a dust port, and many other features to ease operation.
Its relatively reduced size is also ideal for portability and transport, which makes it a great tool for outdoor projects and applications. This also makes it relatively easy to store when not in use.
The only flip side is that it can expose you to chemicals that are known to cause cancer, congenital disabilities or other reproductive hazards.
#9
SKIL 3386-01 Band Saw
- Vendor: Skil
- Item Weight: 36 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 31.1 x 16.2 x 12.8 inches
- Power Source: corded-electric
SKIL 3386-01 Band Saw Review
This small, lightweight benchtop saw comes packed with many attractive features, enough to earn a spot on our top 10. Despite being lightweight, it has a cast iron base that enhances its stability during use. Its controls are also relatively easy to understand and follow.
The SKILL 3306-01 stands out for its user-friendly features. Its EZ view blade tracking enables its user to make accurate and precise cuts. It is also inexpensive and passes for a great starter tool for beginners learning to use a band saw. Its 0.4 horsepower only makes it an ideal tool for smaller projects and crafts. But either way, it can handle the lighter tasks pretty well.
Another downside about it is its one-speed engine which can irritate, especially if you need to change speed while working. But it’s still an excellent machine to consider when under a tight budget.
#10
WEN 3970 Band Saw
- Vendor: WEN
- Item Weight: 108 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 16.5 x 36 x 38 inches
- Power Source: corded-electric
WEN 3970 Band Saw Review
Wen manufactured a 4”x6” metal cutting band saw in WEN 3970, and it works like a charm. This band saw cuts through metal like a knife through butter. It can cut anything from steel to aluminum, copper, and even brass.
What makes this saw stand out, even more, is that you can easily fold it and transport it or store it even in tight spaces. It has three different speeds of 80, 120, and 200FPM. That range of options is great for when cutting different metals. The band saw also allows for incredible cuts of between 0 to 60 degrees. It also has a beveling vice that ensures a sturdy grip when slicing through metal.
It comes with an onboard blade tension, automatic safety shut off features, and ball bearing blade guides. It’s powered by a 4.6amp motor and comes with a two-year warranty. What’s not to love here?
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Criteria We Used to Determine the Best Band Saws For This List
By now, you should have some basic insight on which band saw to purchase. But like any power tool purchase, it is necessary that you know and understands all the features of these tools before making a buying decision. Without a proper guide, there’s no way to tell which saw would serve you best and cost you the least amount. We compiled a detailed list of features you need to look at when purchasing a band saw. Here are the ones you need to consider more.
Shopping Value, Price
By this, we mean the price of the band saw you want to purchase. Being that these machines are quite pricey, you want to have the one that meets all your specifications and cost the least penny. Atop that, you also don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a piece of equipment only to have it breakdown soon after the purchase.
When shopping for a band saw, you may need to keep in mind that being expensive doesn’t necessarily mean that the band saw it better. Likewise, the cheaper ones don’t necessarily mean they are worse. That may be the way things generally go, but it doesn’t usually work that way with band saws.
Therefore, instead of focusing on expensive or cheap, concentrate more on the value of the machine. Remember, you aim to get the best possible value for your buck. Know how to balance all the features to the saw’s value, and you should find your band saw without breaking the bank.
Power
Sometimes, going for more power isn’t always the best decision. It’s especially not the right move if you don’t end up utilizing all the saw’s resources. In most situations, 1½HP motors work great for most projects and applications.
If, however, you plan to use the band saw on hardwood or other tough materials, then you need more powerful motors. Something in the 2½ to 3 horsepower motor range can be a great fit. Only that motors this powerful usually comes with 220 volts. That means you are more likely going to need a more specialized electricity supply.
For the smaller tasks and lighter wood or materials, you can opt for the less powerful motors. But remember to consider the toughness of the material you plan to cut lest you end up purchasing a saw with a motor that’s too weak to provide enough power for cutting material. Ensure, therefore, that you look for the band saw with the right amount of power to save you both the time and budget which may also ruin your pieces.
Ease of Use
Not all machines are easy to use and navigate. And the harder to use machines can be very frustrating to use, even if they perform perfectly. Some machines are so easy to operate and make your job easy and fun. Even their manuals and setup instructions don’t need you to be tech savvy to understand. These are the machines you want to go for instead of the ones that continually frustrate you each time you want to use them. This is the best method of increasing the value of both the machine and the project you plan to use it on.
The ease of use of a band saw comes in many different ways. It may be on how to change out its blade, which can be the most frustrating process if your machine doesn’t provide adequate or clear information on how to change out the blade. You may end up spending a bit more for an easy-to-use machine, but ultimately, you will love and enjoy every moment you use your band saw.
Your Project
The type of project you want the band saw to handle is another critical factor you must consider. Different projects require the use of different blades, and not all band saws are manufactured to use all blades. Each machine has its own unique features that make them best suited for different kinds of projects.
If, therefore, you are looking to work on projects with softer wood varieties, then a machine with excessive power isn’t ideal. If anything, it’s probably the wrong choice. Its blade speed may be too fast and end up damaging your piece altogether.
This is a delicate feature to check out. You may need to opt for the more powerful units when using harder wood or working with larger material pieces. The secret here is knowing what your needs are, then use that to find the best machine that meets those needs.
Final thoughts
There are numerous factors, and features that you must consider to arrive at the best possible band saw for a reasonable price. But this buying guide sure helps to make your work easier by providing you a selection of great band saws on the market. However, the best piece of advice we can give you is to educate yourself about everything you need the band saw for. Our buying guide helps cover most of that up and hopefully, can lead you towards the right band saw. We hope this guide was helpful.