How to Buy a Bandsaw

A bandsaw can rip, crosscut, resaw and handle curves, angles and compound cuts. This workhorse is one of the four basic stationary tools in most shops, and can greatly expand the kinds of projects you can build.

The Family

Bandsaws are sized by the diameter of their wheels. This measurement is roughly the same as the throat capacity, which determines the widest cut you can make (Photo 1). Bandsaws for the small shop have wheels ranging from 10 to 18 in. in diameter, with 14 in. as the most common.

Features

When shopping for a bandsaw, we suggest you look especially at these features:

Frame

Bandsaws come in one of two frame styles; cast iron and welded steel (Photo 2). A welded-steel frame does the best job of absorbing vibration under a heavy cutting load.

Base

A sturdy base helps control vibration as well. For this reason, we favor the closed- and floor-base styles over the open- and panel-base models (Photo 3).

Motor

A 3/4-hp motor is good for most operations, if you primarily cut stock under 3-in. thick. If you regularly cut thicker stock or do a lot of resawing, go for at least a 1-hp. motor.

Riser Blocks

On some 14-in. bandsaws, a riser block increases cutting capacity from 6 to 12 in. (Photo 4). This is a great option if you want to use your bandsaw for resawing, cutting bowl blanks, or making lumber out of logs.

Guides

Block-style guides (Photo 5) are easy to adjust and use. Replacing the stock-metal guide blocks with aftermarket synthetic blocks, such as Cool Blocks, is a good idea. These blocks can be adjusted closer to the blade for better support and enable you to use blades as narrow as 1/16 in.
Euro-style guides (Photo 6) are great for supporting wide blades and for heavy bandsaw work, such as resawing. They can be difficult to use with blades less than 1/4-in. wide.

Switches, Wheel Covers and Tensioning Knobs

Column-mounted switches are the most convenient. Changing or checking the blade is quicker with wheel covers that are hinged rather than removable. Tensioning knobs that extend above the top wheel housing (Photo 7) are easy to use and prevent skinned knuckles.

Height Adjustments and Guards

Height adjustment is easiest on machines with rack-and-pinion guards (Photo 8). This setup also keeps the guard from crashing to the table when the locking knob is loosened. Some saws use a spring-loaded, anti-slip guide post to keep the guard from falling when the locking knob is loosened.
Guards come in one-piece, telescoping and two-piece styles. We found the one-piece and the telescoping to be the easiest to use.

Dust Collection

For general use, a 2-1/4-in. dust port hooked up to a shop vacuum will suffice. If you do a lot of resawing, look for a bigger port and hook it up to a dust collector.

Saving Space and Money

Buy a benchtop bandsaw if you’re really cramped for floor space or on a tight budget. Benchtops typically have less sawing capacity, but are fine for small projects.

Photo 1: Throat capacity determines maximum width of cut. Thickness capacity determines how thick a board you can cut or resaw.

Photo 2: During heavy resawing the welded-steel frame (left) generally resists vibration better than most bandsaws with cast-iron frames (right).

Photo 3: There are four common base styles. The floor- and closed-base models are sturdier and absorb vibration better than the panel- or open-base models.

Photo 4: A riser block can be added to some 14-in. bandsaws. It’s an inexpensive (less than $100) way to increase resaw capacity from 6 to 12 in.

Photo 5: Block-style guides are easy to adjust and work well with narrow blades.

Photo 6: Euro-style guides work well with 1/4 in. and wider blades.

Photo 7: User-friendly features like a column-mounted switch, an easy-to-reach tensioning knob and hinged wheel covers are all worth looking for.

Photo 8: Rack-and-pinion height adjustment makes raising and lowering the guard easy.

Our Recommendations

With an eye to resawing, we tested 17 bandsaws priced at less than $1,350. We considered a saw’s ability to do wide resawing in hard and soft wood and evaluated each saw for user-friendly features and general bandsawing.

In selecting a saw, don’t overlook its electrical requirements. Some require 240 volts and some 120-volt saws have pretty high amperage requirements. Make sure your shop has the necessary wiring and circuitry. Check with a licensed electrician if you are in doubt.

Editors Choice

Laguna LT 16 in. ($1,095)

Pros
This machine has a 1-1/2-hp motor, 12-in. resaw capacity, a welded-steel frame and can be purchased with either Euro-style or block-style blade guides. It features two 4-in. dust ports, a one-piece front guard and is prewired and fully assembled.

Cons
It requires 240-volt service and lacks rack-and-pinion guard adjustment.

Jet JWBS 18 in. ($1,099)

Pros
This machine has a 1-1/2-hp motor and it works with either 120 or 240 volts. It features a welded-steel frame, a one-piece front guard with rack-and-pinion guard adjustment and comes with a well-designed rip fence.

Cons
This machine is only available with Euro-style guides and has only a 10-in. resaw capacity.

Best Buys

Delta 28-280 14 in. with riser block ($790)

Pros

This machine features a 1-hp motor, 12-in. resaw capacity and a closed base. It accepts nonmetallic guide blocks and has the heaviest cast-iron frame among the 14-in. saws.

Cons
The two-piece blade guard is difficult to keep aligned and the dust port is small and marginally effective.
Note: Since our test, this model has been replaced by the 28-260; $700 with riser block.

Jet JWBS-14CS 14 in. with riser block ($670)

Pros

You’ll get a 1-hp motor and 12-in. resaw capacity with this saw. It runs on 120 or 240 volts, has a closed base, a telescoping front blade guard and it accepts nonmetallic guide blocks.

Cons
You’ll have to put up with a small dust port and hard-to-access micro-adjustment knobs on the bottom blade guide.