Woodworking bandsaws are essential tools for a woodworking store, especially if you are looking to cut irregular shapes. These tools are not cheap, and that’s why you must be careful before you spend your money to ensure that you get the best product that will serve you well.
Mostly you will find that a bandsaw can work on several materials, among them steel, metals, plastic and so much more. We are determined to ensure that you get the best woodworking bandsaw for your different projects. Therefore, we have tested and reviewed the very best band saws you can find on the market today.
Besides, we have included a buyer’s guide with the factors that you need to consider before shopping for a bandsaw for your woodworking projects.
Keep reading on to know more about the products that are top of the class when it comes to the cutting of irregular shapes:
Table of Contents
1. JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14-Inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit
This tool, the JET JWBS-14DXPRO, is one of the best-designed woodworking bandsaws you can get out there. If you want a reliable machine, then this is your product, it comes with a large cutting capacity of 13½ inches wide and 12 inches height. These dimensions give you the flexibility to work with almost any lumber without striving so hard to install a riser block. You will find the blade as well as the safety guard on this bandsaw easy to adjust. More importantly, this machine has a 15-inch square table baring a 55-degree tilt range (10 left, 45 right). This table adds the much-needed convenience for your woodworking projects.
This tool has a cast-iron frame plus a closed base that makes it the most stable bandsaw you can buy ot there. Its storage compartment is so amazing that it can comfortably hold several small tools. The engine is powerful with up to 1¼-HP, which is enough to provide you with the best cutting speed you can need for your woodworking projects.
The Summary of Top Features
- This tool has an excellent horsepower of 1 ¼ HP.
- The blade length is 105 inches, which is excellent.
- It’s blade width is (min/max): ⅛ – ¾
- The tool has a fantastic blade speed of 1500/3000 FPM.
- The tool weighs 258 pounds.
Advantages
- The tool has a sturdy cast-iron frame
- It has a built-in storage space.
- The tool comes with a tension spring that gives it more control and power.
- It has a powerful motor.
Disadvantages
- It’s expensive
- It has no rip fence; therefore, you need to buy them separately.
2. WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand and Worklight
It is among the best selling woodworking bandsaw that keeps gaining positive reviews from the users. And rightfully so, from our experience using this machine, it is the best woodworking bandsaw, especially if you are working on a budget.
This 3962 10-inch bandsaw comes with a powerful motor that runs on 3.5 amps and can cut through different types of woods as well as metals with so much ease and high levels of precision. The worktable of this tool is good with the dimensions of 14 1/8 x 12 ½ inch that levels and tilts to 45 degrees, this gives a room for versatile and angular cutting options.
The length of the blade on this bandsaw is 72 inches in length with a deep throat of 10-inches, which is among the highest depth you can find out there.
Overall, it has a dimension of 25 x 20 x 58 inches plus a weight of about 75 pounds; it is not the lightest bandsaw that you can get in the market; neither is it compact. However, it does the job pretty well.
One more thing about this tool is the presence of a unique triple filter dust port that sucks the dust particles of up to 3 different sizes to give you a clean working area.
The Summary of Top Features
- Has triple dust filters to keep your working area clean
- It weighs 75 pounds which you can move about
- It can work on a large variety of materials.
- The machine comes with a deep throat, which is one of the best in the market.
Advantages
- The machine can cut through wood and metal
- It comes with LED headlight.
- Has a triple filter dust port
- It’s affordable
- You get a dual-speed setting with this tool.
Disadvantages
- Its construction is not the best out there.
3. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw With Fence, 10-Inch
Rickon 10-305 is a 10-inch bandsaw that comes with a solid steel design that provides you with the stability to handle the toughest woodworking tasks. It has a rip fence that you can remove for you to do some freehand jobs.
Its cast-iron table is smooth and sturdy hence provides you with the best working surfaces you can ask for in your woodworking tasks.
In case you need the best bandsaw to help handle your light to moderate woodworking tasks, then this is the product that you should buy. In this tool, you get a compact and portable machine, one of the best selling woodworking bandsaw that you can find on the market.
When talking price, this saw is affordable and comes with the best features for its price. In terms of durability and service life, this tool is a beast. Besides, it has a warranty of up to 5 years.
The Rikon 10-305 is an excellent machine with a 1/3 horsepower engine. Much as this machine isn’t the most powerful one, it still can handle a wide variety of tasks. Furthermore, you get a blade length of up to 70.33 inches long.
Its table can tilt up to 45 degrees going right and 0 degrees to the left. The speed of the blade can reach 2,780 FPM, which is an impressive figure. Above all, this tool comes with a tracking adjustment that is quite easy to handle. It weighs 76 pounds.
The Summary of Top Features
- It has a blade length of 70.33 inches
- The power generated by this tool is 1/3 HP
- It comes with a top blade speed of up to 2,780 FPM
- The machine weighs 76 pounds
Advantages
- The machine is highly durable
- It’s easy to use tool
- Has a limited 5-year warranty
- The tool is affordable.
Disadvantages
- Has no stand
- Has one a single speed
4. SKIL 3386-01 120-Volt 9-Inch Band Saw with Light
It remains the best woodworking bandsaw, especially if you compare its features and the price. The machine offers up to a 2.5-amp motor that powers a 9-inch band giving an effective cutting surface for your various wood crafts. Moreso, it has a very reliable rip fence.
You don’t have to worry about dust as long as you have this machine, it comes with a 1.5-inch dust port that plays a crucial role in ensuring that your working surface stays clean. The device has a rack-and-pinion table that makes the adjustments faster and efficient in case you are looking to make angular cuts.
Additionally, the device comes with a LED work light; this light provides clarity, especially when you are working rooms or areas with lowlight. The tool is lightweight with a small benchtop bandsaw but powerful enough to meet your woodworking tasks. Even though it is light in weight, this tool is steady and stable thanks to the availability of a sturdy cast-iron base.
Other impressive aspects of this bandsaw include its large-angle scale that is simple to read, and above all, its controls are easy to understand. If you are a learner and need to understand much about woodworking band saws, then this is probably the best machine to begin with. Besides, it is user friendly.
Its power is abit low, at only 0.4 HP, this makes it less effective for more extensive projects or even hardwoods.
The Summary of Top Features
- The machine operates on a 2.5-amp motor
- Has a blade speed of 2800 RPM
- The device has a throat capacity of 9 inches
- It comes with a cutting height of 3-1/2 inches
- You get a bevels 0° to the left and 45° to the right
- It has a fence and miter gauge
- The tool comes with an impressive LED work light if you are working on low light areas.
Advantages
- It’s easy to use even for beginners
- It’s affordable
- You can use it in areas of low light.
Disadvantages
- Not great for massive projects
5. Grizzly Industrial G0513ANV – 17″ 2 HP Bandsaw
The Grizzly Industrial G0513ANV is another woodworking bandsaw that you should consider for your cutting projects. It’s quite a versatile tool that will add something great to your workshop.
It has a great power motor of up to 2 HP; this is enough to cut almost all materials from wood to metals. What’s even great about this tool is the deluxe extruded-aluminum fence, which enhances the accuracy of cuts.
Additionally, the tool comes with a blade tension indicator for quick-change blade release and ensures that the tool is always functional. It is one of the best performing bandsaws if you need a machine for heavy-duty projects, thanks to the powerful motor.
It’s cast iron table is wide enough to allow you to work on extensive projects, it can turn and tilt for up to 45 degrees right side and 10 degrees to the left, which gives you a very versatile workspace.
The blade length of this bandsaw is 131.5 inches long, with the width ranging between 1/8 to 1 inch. Its powerful 2 HP motor offers a blade speed range of 1,700 up to 3,500 FPM, giving you flexibility on the best for your different projects.
Finally, you get a miter gauge as well as a dual 4-inch dust port for keeping your working area clean.
The Summary of Top Features
- Has a blade length of 131.5 inches
- It’s a powerful tool with a 2 HP
- A high and flexible blade speed range of 1,700 to 3,500 FPM
- It’s a heavy and stable tool with 358 pounds of weight
Advantages
- It comes with a micro-adjustable geared table that can tilt and turn in both directions
- It has dual 4” dust ports for keeping the working area clean
- Does excellent on heavy-duty tasks
Disadvantages
- It’s expensive
- Very heavy
6. Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 14 x 12 Bandsaw
The MBAND1412-175 is a reliable woodworking bandsaw and comes with some amazing specs. It is up the best bandsaws you can find in the market today. It has a powerful motor with a horsepower of 1-¾, which is a lot and can cut through almost every type of material, including dense hardwoods.
This machine comes with a 12-inch cutting height that enables you to carry out some serious resawing tasks. It has a large throat capacity that stands at 13-5/8 inches. Additionally, this tool comes with an aluminum Hi/Low fence that is key when dealing with more extensive materials during resawing.
Generally, this saw gives you absolute quality. It is a durable tool thanks to its solid steel, the wheels as well as the cast iron table. It’s a complete machine with an excellent user experience.
The Summary of Top Features
- The machine comes with a 1-3/4 HP motor and a 14-amp (7 @ 220V) motor.
- It’s stable thanks to the cast iron table and wheels.
- It has a throat capacity of 13-5/8 inches.
- The tool comes with a cutting height of 12 inches.
- The machine operates on a 115-inch blade with widths ranges of 1/8-inch to 3/4-inch.
- It comes with bevels 7° to the left and 45° to the right.
- Has a tracking window
- It also has an aluminum Hi/Low fence.
Advantages
- It can cut several materials.
- It’s a durable tool with a lot of stability.
- Comes with a tracking window
Disadvantages
- It’s expensive
7. Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe Bandsaw, 14″
In Grizzly G0555LX, you get a very powerful bandsaw. Considering the features that this tool comes with, it is an absolute bargain to acquire one. Other than its performance, this tool is large and sturdy, with a weight of close to 250lbs.
The cast-iron construction enhances the stability of this tool all through the body. From the frame, the wheels, and the table. You don’t have to worry about vibration when using this machine thanks to its heavy structure. The device comes with a 1 HP motor capable of providing 1800 or 3100 FPM.
Additionally, this tool gives you a very large throat capacity of 13-1/2 inches. However, its small, 6-inch cutting height is not good enough. Even so, this woodworking bandsaw allows you to add a riser to give you more flexibility working with this saw.
Overall, this machine is worth every penny.
The Summary of Top Features
- This tool gives you a 1 HP motor, 11-amp (5.5 @ 220V) motor.
- It’s stable and durable thanks to the cast-iron frame, table, and wheels.
- The two blades offer speeds of 1800 or 3100 FPM.
- It has a throat capacity of 13-1/2 inches.
- The machine has a cutting height of 6 inches, which is not that great.
- It uses a 93-1/2-inch blade with widths ranges of 1/8-inch to 3/4-inch.
- The tool comes with a bevels 10° to the left and 45° to the right.
- It includes an aluminum fence and miter gauge.
Advantages
- It’s a powerful machine
- Strong and sturdy thanks to its heavy built
- Can cut through several materials
Disadvantages
- It’s cutting height is not the best you can get
8. Shop Fox W1706 14″ Bandsaw with Cast Iron Wheels & Deluxe Aluminum Fence
It deserves its place as the best woodworking bandsaw that you can buy today because it comes with so many amazing features. It’s a freestanding bandsaw with great features such as 1 HP motor, with the ability to cut at 1725 RPM. Additionally, this machine comes with a 93½-inch blade as well as a 14-inch square table. The cutting height is only 6-inch, which is not very good enough. However, you can boost it to up to 12 inches using an extra extension kit.
If you are looking for a tool that will perfectly fit into your shop, even if it is small, then you need to go for this machine.
The Summary of Top Features
- This machine has powerful specs with the motor performance of 1 HP, TEFC, 110V/220V, single-phase, 1,725 RPM, Amps: 14 @ 110V, 7 @ 220V
- It has a right blade size of 93-1/2-Inch (1/8-Inch to 3/4-Inch wide)
- The machine comes with an impressive table size with these dimensions 14-Inch by 14-Inch by 1-1/2-Inch; Table tilt: 45° right, 10° left.
- Its throat capacity are as follows 13-1/2-Inch, top cutting height: 6-Inch (12-Inch with optional extension kit D3348)
- The tool is stable thanks to its cast-iron blade wheels, frame, as well as a table.
Advantages
- Has a big table
- It comes with a quality miter fence
- The machine has in-base storage.
Disadvantages
- Without a riser, it gives a small cutting capacity
- Inferior factory blade
Best Woodworking BandSaw Buyer’s Guide
We have reviewed the best woodworking bandsaw that you can find in the market today. The information that we have provided should help you make informed decisions on the best possible product that will serve your needs.
As with any products and more so the ones that will cost you this much, we stress the importance of understanding exactly what you want to do with the bandsaw so that you don’t get it all wrong to end up using your money on the wrong machine.
In our quest to help you land the best possible woodworking tools, we have included below some of the factors that you need to consider before shopping for woodworking bandsaw.
The Price
Not all expensive machines are powerful; even so, you need to buy a product that is within your budget.
As you’d expect, most people, especially beginners, think of price first and go for either the expensive or cheaper options. However, we do recommend that you narrow your search as far as you can before making the purchase.
Durability
During the cutting of materials, the bandsaw employs the use of a single blade under high tension. Therefore both the blade and body of the bandsaw work toward holding the tension. Therefore, ensure that the two are made using superior materials because a product of a weak material would start cracking or could cause too much stress on the other.
Before settling on a bandsaw, conduct some research to understand how long it will last. Durable tools are great to have as they will save you time as well as the cost of repairing.
If you are going to buy the best woodworking bandsaw, ensure that its body is created using cast iron, any material less than that you should discard from your list of bandsaws.
The Ease of Use
You must always go for a bandsaw that is user friendly. You should not strive so hard when it comes to things like changing the blade. With every continued use of the bandsaw, you will need to change the blades at some point. You should find it easy to replace these parts whenever a need arises.
Power
The power of the woodworking bandsaw that you buy should correspond to the type of job that you are doing.
If you can get a tool with a horsepower of 1½ motor, it will be powerful enough to run almost all types of projects. Expect products too if you buy a product that will give you an HP that is less than 1.
If you are going to work with tough wood types like the exotic hardwoods, then you can consider the machines with a power range of 1½ HP to the 2½ or 3 range.
Base
You will find up to four types of bandsaw bases; open, floor, panel, and closed base.
A floor base refers to the solid piece of metal on the ground, that is attached to another. This type of base is one of the very stable ones with the ability to absorb vibrations.
A closed base, on the other hand, refers to a metal box that gives support to the rest of the bandsaw, the lower wheel included. Usually, it is empty though some bandsaws add a door for you to uses as storage. It’s also one of the stable bases.
As for the open base, you get four exposed support legs, that sometimes are connected using bands. It is not the most stable one because it comes with fewer points of contact to the floor. Its stability is a lot less compared to that of a closed or floor base.
Finally, a panel base, this type of base is an open one with metal panels mounted on the support legs.
You can find any of these bases with wheels, which would be essential, especially if you are looking to move your tool from one point to another.
The Riser blocks
The thickness capacity refers to a measure of the thickness of a material that a bandsaw can cut through. It is equivalent to the distance between the maximum height of the upper guide and the table.
A riser block refers to the part that can be added to the frame between the table and the upper case of the wheel. It can add up to about 12 inches to the thickness capacity. Usually, they are less than $100. For the best results possible, always ensure that you acquire a riser block from the very company that manufactured your bandsaw.
The Table tilt
A table that can tilt is very vital when you are shopping for a woodworking bandsaw. It allows you to perform angular cuts. In case you are going to work on projects that will need several angles, then consider shopping for a bandsaw that has table tilt, with the ability to go up to 45 degrees.
Watch the video below on how to use woodworking bandsaw:
Conclusion
At this point, you are likely aware of all the importance of woodworking bandsaws, especially if you are looking to cut irregular shapes. The JET JWBS-14DXPRO is our overall best product. We chose this machine because of many reasons, most of which we have provided in the review above. Notable, this machine comes with a tremendous capacity, which is great for woodworking projects.
Other best bandsaws include the Grizzly G0555LX and the WEN 3962. Apart from providing you with reviews of the best woodworking bandsaw, we have provided a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you with the decision making if you are in the market for such a product.
We want to believe that at this point, you have read the reviews as well as the buyer’s guide and that you have made your decision on the best woodworking bandsaw for your various projects. If so, kindly share with us your thoughts regarding this article. Alternatively, share your experience using any of the machines that we have reviewed above.
Tyron Otieno
Tyron is an avid woodworker and writer. He founded this website to help other woodworkers, whether hobbyists or professionals by sharing his knowledge and experiencie after a decade of woodworking.