Bandsaws can be used for pretty much any woodwork projects that you may be completing – they are the perfect solution for if you are trying to cut straight or curved lines into pieces of wood! Whether you are creating furniture as a hobby, completing DIY around your home or even working as a professional, if what you are doing involves wood then you need a bandsaw!
There are loads of different bandsaws to choose from with varied power, blades and additional features – so we created this article to cut out the hassle and drama and make purchasing the best bandsaw even easier!
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
A bandsaw is going to massively reduce the amount of time that it takes you to get the job done – so we wanted to do the same. Here is the best bandsaw that we found…
Best Pick Band Saw – Lumberjack Band Saw BS254
- A compact floorstanding and woodworking bandsaw with a massive cutting capacity of 150mm 6in for a machine of this size
- Key to straight and accurate cutting are the blade guides with 3 sealed bearings - 2 side bearings control blade twist and a rear bearing for blade thrust
- Powered by a quiet 375W induction motor with belt drive providing cutting speeds of 400 & 800m/min
- Cast iron table tilts from 90 degrees to 45 degrees with positive stops and angle scale
- Rip fence can be fixed either side of blade and has a single press lever lock and metric scale
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
However, a bandsaw is made up of many different features and components – without all of these working effectively you will not be able to rely on your bandsaw to cut the wood in the way that you are looking for! This buying guide aims to remedy this for you – so that you are free to go out and purchase the best band saw in the UK.
Only Got 5 Minutes?
We know that your time is precious, so this part of the article aims to give you all the most important information you could need, as quickly as possible. A bandsaw is there to save you a lot of time completing any woodwork projects, so you will understandably be in a rush to get going…keep reading to make your purchase a pain free one…
Types of Band Saws
There are two main types of band saws – stationary bandsaws and portable bandsaws. Both have their pros and cons depending on what suits you and the jobs that you are going to be completing. We have provided more details on both of these to help you decide which is right for you.
Stationary Band Saws
Stationary bandsaws are by far the larger of the two models, secured to a base and stand which means you don’t need to have a table to work on, as the tool will already be at the height that you need. Stationary bandsaws will also be ready for you whenever you need to use them, as they cannot be packed away. Although this does also mean that you need to have a large enough workshop/garage for it to be left out all the time! They are not small tools so will take up quite a bit of space! They greatly reduce the chance of any accidents or user error, so are well worth the extra money that you will pay to purchase one!
Portable Band Saws
Portable bandsaws, also known as benchtop bandsaws, are considerably smaller than stationary bandsaws because they need to be portable. They will all have two handles that help you to control the saw enough to perform neat cuts in either straight or curved sides. These bandsaws will have less power than stationary models, due to their smaller size, so won’t be able to cut through the same numbers of materials and the same size of materials as stationary bandsaws. Portable bandsaws have a much more compact design than other models, making them more lightweight and able to be used anywhere there is a suitable table, instead of being stuck in your workshop!
Features to Consider
There are some important features that you must consider before purchasing your bandsaw. Whether a newbie to the bandsaw world or looking to upgrade your current model, it’s important to make the right purchase as they can be expensive! Some models will take advantage of people who are new to operating them, whereas others are perfect for beginners. Our buyer’s guide has listed all the main things you need to check before your purchase.
Table
The table of your bandsaw is what you position your material on to complete the cut. Obviously this is something that is only relevant to stationary bandsaws as if you opt for a portable bandsaw then you will have to provide your own surface to complete cuts on. Stationary bandsaw tables can be tilted to help angle the cut that you are completing – some can be tilted up to 40°, which will make curved cuts much easier to work with. It is also important to consider the size of your table, as a bigger table will mean that you are able to work with bigger pieces of wood (or metal) and will also make manoeuvrability around the blade a lot easier.
Motor
The motor is used to rotate the wheels which turn the blade at a high speed to then cut the piece of wood that you are working with – this should tell you how important this little bit of kit is! The power and strength of the motor is important if you are wanting to be able to cut through various different materials. Some products will measure the strength of the motor in volts and amperage, whereas others will measure in horsepower. A 1-horsepower motor will spin your blades between 1500 and 3000 feet per minute, so you can imagine how much it will speed up your working time!
Wheels
This feature isn’t relevant to portable bandsaws but is very important for stationary models that are very heavy pieces of equipment! You will want to make sure that your bandsaw and table are on wheels that can then be locked into position. This means that your tool will be safe and secure when in use, but can be moved out of the way when you are not wanting to use it – as let’s be honest, they are big pieces of equipment that take up a lot of space!
Blade
The blade that you choose (or that comes with your bandsaw) will determine the type of materials that you can cut through and also the type of cut that you are left with! Some bandsaws will be able to cut through some types of metal, although most will be limited to cutting wood. As you are well aware there are many types of wood though, so choose a blade that will have the strength to work on many different types. It is also worth considering the width of the blade (which tend to range from between 5mm to 15mm) as this will be an important factor in the neatness of the cut that you are left with.
Build Materials
The build materials will be determined by whether you buy a stationary or portable model. Plastic is a lightweight durable material so is often used in portable bandsaws. However, it is not the sturdiest of materials so you will often find aluminium and steel is also used to provide stability and strength in the more complex parts of the mechanism.
Cutting Height
The cutting height is determined by certain things, such as the power and the throat capacity of the tool. The cutting height is the size of material that can be cut successfully. The bigger the cutting height, the larger pieces of wood (or other materials) that you will be able to work with. Obviously, models that have a bigger cutting height of around 500mm will be more expensive, as they require more power and higher quality blades, so consider exactly what height you need before overspending! If you are choosing a portable bandsaw then you will have less cutting height available to you (at the most around 300mm).
Horizontal or Vertical
This refers to the position of the blade in your bandsaw. Some will have blades that are horizontal, with the saw (or material) then being moved towards or away from the blades to perform the cut. But more often than not, you will find vertical bandsaws, with the blade positioned vertically so that you can easily move the wood (or blade) around to perform accurate cuts.
Power
Different bandsaws are powered in different ways. All stationary bandsaws will require either mains electricity or an external power source to be able to work, as they are large pieces of equipment so need a large amount of power to work. Portable bandsaws tend to fit into two groups: corded and cordless. Cordless bandsaws (as a general rule) will have considerably less power than corded models, but they do have the benefit of being able to be used anywhere and is safer as there will be no trailing wire.
You also need to consider the amount of power being offered. A bandsaw that is going to be able to complete most home woodwork jobs will need around 300 watts of power, however, there are a number of larger models with considerably more power if you have a number of high-level jobs to complete.
Best Budget Band Saw – Einhell TC-SB Band Saw
- High performance Band saw with smooth tilting saw table from -4 to 46 degree
- Parallel stop bar and jig for dust exhaust devices
- Height adjustment for precise cuts. Rip fence for the execution of straight cuts
- Ball-bearing guide for precise cuts
- For sawing wood, plastics and other such material
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Make Your Band Saw Work for You
By now you should have an idea of the type of bandsaw that is going to be right for you and the jobs that you are wanting to complete. However, there are some additional things that you need to consider and look for when making your purchase if you want to find the best bandsaw for your money.
- Warranty and support packages – Most bandsaws will come with a 2-year warranty (often this can be extended if you register the product online). This offers you protection against anything going wrong with your bandsaw but won’t protect you from misuse, so make sure to read the instruction manual carefully before using your tool. There are also a number of bandsaw brands that offer support lines that you are able to contact if you have any problems when using your bandsaw – this can prove to be invaluable for new users!
- High-quality fence – Look for models that come with a decent quality fence. The purpose of this is to act as a type of block to move the material along so that you can be sure to get straight lines (and also to avoid any accidents or user error).
- Low vibration – Some bandsaws will come with low-vibration technology. These bandsaws are designed in such a way to reduce vibration to a minimum, meaning the tool will reduce fatigue and also provide a neater cut.
- Dust collection port – The dust collection port on your bandsaw is important as this removes all the dust and debris from the job that you are completing. This not only reduces the amount of tidying up that you have to do afterwards but will help your bandsaw to work at its best all of the time. It is also worth looking for dust collection ports that are compatible with many dust collection systems so that if you already have a dust collection system for other tools you can just connect this to your new bandsaw.
- Variable speeds – Most bandsaws will offer variable speeds, this is important for safety (as starting the cut at too higher speed could be dangerous) and also to get the best cut that you possibly can! Look for bandsaws that offer a wide variety of speeds if you are wanting to produce the best end product.
- Blade changing and tensioning – It isn’t often that you will have to replace the blades on your bandsaw but when you do you want this to be an easy job to do (particularly if you are new to owning a bandsaw). Look for systems that consider blade changing and also have automatic tensioning to make the process nice and easy!
- Initial set up – This is more important if you are considering purchasing a stationary bandsaw. These are big tools that will require some initial set up before you can start using them. Most models will say how long and how many people it will take to set them up, so make sure to check this information before purchasing.
- Induction motor – Most bandsaws will come with an induction motor – this is definitely what you want to look for if you are wanting your bandsaw to last, and work quietly but quickly.
- Blade guard – All good quality bandsaws will come with blade guards to keep you safe while working. Choose a model with good quality, adjustable blade guards, that will protect you no matter what job you are completing.
- Cooling system – Some bandsaws come with cooling systems, allowing you to work for longer amounts of time before you need to pause to allow the tool to cool down. Another benefit of these is that the jet of air tends to blow the dust and debris away from the piece of material that you are working with so you can complete a better cut!
Safety Advice
Band saws are fantastic tools that will save you a huge amount of time when you are completing any woodwork jobs. However, they can be dangerous if not used correctly, so make sure to follow our safety advice when using your bandsaw – whether it be for the first time, or the hundredth time!
- Read the safety instructions and manual that comes with your bandsaw before using
- Make sure to choose a model with a safety key so that your machine can only be started when YOU want it to start.
- Also, look for a model with an emergency stop button so you can switch the machine down quickly if you should need to.
- Make sure to wear safety glasses when working as dust and debris can fly up when cutting. It is also worth considering wearing hearing protection when using your band saw as they are pretty loud machines to work with!
- Never wear long sleeves when working with a bandsaw as these could be damaged by the blade.
- Make sure all guards are securely in place and adjusted each time depending on the height that you re working at.
- Make sure your blade is in good condition, with no teeth that are chipped, bent or missing.
- Look for models that have automatic tensioning controls for the blades
- Make sure to clean the bandsaw after use, removing any dust and debris. It is also important to keep your tool well oiled if you want it to work well and without any issues each and every time!
Best of the Rest
- Maximum Cutting Height: 80mm
- Throat Depth: 200mm
- Cutting Speed: 15m/Sec
- Blade Length: 1400mm
- Table Tilt: 0-45°
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Ideal for site work
- Rigid bridge structure of tough aluminium wheel covers and cylindrical motor housing
- Built-in fluorescent job light to illuminate the view of cut line
- Variable speed control
- Easy blade tensioning
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Realise your imaginative ideas with a Scheppach Basa 1 bandsaw
- Ideal for simpler jobs, toy craft & model making
- This machine offers all the design features of larger Basa models
- Like other "family members" the Basa 1 boasts a solid cast iron table which is tiltable to 45° and has precise one hand setting control
- Unusual for this size of machine are top and bottom triple roller precision guides included as standard equipment
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some bandsaws have LED lights?
Some newer models of bandsaws offer LED lights that are attached near the front of the bandsaw. They offer a “beam” which runs across the material that you are working with to improve the accuracy and visibility when cutting.
What do bandsaws weigh?
Most portable bandsaws weigh between 6 and 15 kilograms (so easy enough to be moving around and working with when completing jobs in different places). Whereas stationary bandsaws frequently weigh in excess of 40 kilograms so once they are in position you won’t want to be having to move them regularly!
Can I buy replacement blades for my bandsaw?
Yes! There are a number of reasons why you might need a replacement blade for your bandsaw – for example, if the current blade you are using becomes damaged or if it isn’t suitable for the jobs that you are planning on completing. We would always recommend checking that the blade you are considering purchasing is compatible with the bandsaw that you are working with to avoid any damage!
Is a bandsaw safer than a table saw?
Yes! We definitely feel that a bandsaw is going to be safer than a table saw. This is because the blade points downwards and is narrow so helps to keep the piece of work material stable when you are working. If you are looking for safety there are a number of features with bandsaws that are worth considering.
Hi Mike,
I have a band saw which works quite well as long as I can align the blade so that it runs around the two wheels without coming off.
What am I doing wrong/ Any ideas?
Hi Andrew, do you have a picture or video?