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Top 10 Affordable Best Bandsaw In The Market

Many would argue that a band saw is still not as versatile as a router when it comes to ideal tools for woodworkers, but to be honest, it is not far behind.

If you are new to the woodworking business or an intermediate, a band saw is essential to be added to your tools.

Best BandsawHere is a quick guide for you that will help you to know everything you need to know about bandsaws.

That one is really good in performance and worth buying, what are the key features to look out for in a band saw and what are the pros and cons to each bandsaw that we will review for you below.

10 Best Bandsaw Review On The Market

1. JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14-Inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit

JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14-Inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit

Woodcutting requires you to tackle tough re-sawing tasks and that is where the Jet JWBS-14BS-14DXPRO bandsaw does the best job for you in comparison to its competitors.

This is perhaps one of the best 14-inch bandsaws known widely for its versatility and performance. This bandsaw comes with a big cast iron frame that helps in an increase in the power supply and adds to the overall rigidity and strength of the bandsaw.

Its great design also aids in making re-sawing jobs very easy to accomplish.

The JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14-Inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit also offers a high-tension spring design that renders the bandsaw the popularity it rightly deserves.

Its cutting capacity offers a 13.5-inch width and 12-inch height and its built-in retractable blade makes the Jet bandsaw even more noticeable as it helps in easily moving between zero and 12 inches.

Some of its noticeable features are its built-in 12-inch re-sawing capacity that helps in cutting big pieces of wood.

This best bandsaw also offers an easy-to-view blade tracking window and comes with the blade guidepost that has a remarkable pinion and rack adjustment. The stand is enclosed with an extra storage shelf and an easy-to-access door.

PROS:
  • Easy to assemble
  • Easy to replace blades
  • Extremely well-balanced
  • Offers quiet and steady work
  • Last longer and be used for longer duration of time
CONS:
  • The instruction manual lacks clarity
  • Can be difficult to order replacement parts
  • Band gauge that is factory installed does not offer good quality

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2. Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 14 x 12 Bandsaw

Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 14 x 12 Bandsaw

With its unconventional looks and feature-packed performance, the Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 bandsaw has made its place to be one of the best bandsaws in the market, in fact in the top best five bandsaws.

The best bandsaw offers a 13/4HP motor with a capacity of 60Hz along with an impressive 115V voltage.

It comes with a 6-feet long cord that helps in working at locations where the power source is at a distance from our working station.

The Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 14 x 12 Bandsaw is CSA certified and has a direct one-touch on and off switch that comes with a safety key as well for full protection. The pyramid spine along with its steel frame makes this bandsaw one of the best ones available in its price range and one that will last for ages.

Some believe that the Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 bandsaw was designed for the occasional re-sawer as it comes with a European frame, lots of storage capacity that is ideal for re-sawing.

The guide system found on this one is the same that one would find on the other high-end Laguna Tools bandsaws and that just adds to the appeal of this affordable bandsaw.

The ability to run the bandsaw on a 100V power can allow you to move it around your workshop easily and quickly.

PROS:
  • A big power tool
  • 12-inch resaw capacity
  • Perfect for resawing jobs
  • Offers amazing value for money
  • Has a helpful and accessible resource team
CONS:
  • Little difficult guide
  • The user manual is not so great
  • Some delivery issues from the manufacturer

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3. Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate Bandsaw

Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate Bandsaw

When Grizzly launched this new bandsaw in the market they called it the Ultimate bandsaw.

Because they claimed that they have loaded the best band saws with features that are either not available or are optional in many other competitive bandsaws available in the market in the 14-inch segment and priced similarly.

But I think that it’s one of the best in the market even though there are many types of a bandsaw with different features and also different working load Grizzly G0555.

The Ultimate Bandsaw,14-Inch is still among of the best Bandsaw in the market.

Grizzly is perhaps the only company in the world that produces such a vast range of bandsaws and with this particular bandsaw, they have kept their legacy alive.

The Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate Bandsaw, 14-Inch if CSA certified and meets CSA 222 2 #71.2-08 and UL 987-7th standards. This is the best band saws for woodworking.

The best band saw has a very sturdy construction with a cast iron frame and comes with aluminum wheels that are computer balanced for maximum stability and have rubber tires for that extra grip.

Some of its other features are that it comes with a heavy gauge stand made up of steel and precision-ground table made up of cast iron.

Changing blades on the Grizzly G0555 ultimate bandsaw is not very challenging and comes as a breeze with the help of a level where the blade tension can be released quickly.

Blades come with adjustable speeds of 1500 and 3200 FPM.

PROS:
  • Offers great accuracy
  • Very easy to change blades
  • Offers great value for money
  • Comes with very easy assembly
  • Can accept blades from the size 92-1/2 inch to 93-1/2 inch
CONS:
  • Larger table
  • The tensioning knobs are little tedious to work
  • Can take a while in cutting boards or wood of 12 inches or more

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4. WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw

WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw

The WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw with Stand and Worklight, 10″ with stand and work light comes with 10-inch blades that can glide through 6 inch deep boards.

The top rated band saw comes with a 3.5 AMP motor and a throat size of 9-3/4 inch. The bandsaw is capable of using 72-inch blades ranging from 1/8 to 1/2 inches and can be used for both powerful and very intricate and detailed cuts.

The best band saws comes with a spacious work table that measures 14 by 12.5 inch, which can be easily swiveled up to 45 degrees.

Its two-speed bandsaw operation is suitable for two-speed levels as 1520 or 2620 fpm.

The 10-inch wheels come with ball bearings that allow for smooth operation and life-long durable performance.

The stand is extremely easy to assemble and can elevate the bandsaw without compromising any work space. This bandsaw is one of the best bandsaws in this price range that can take on more wood than many other 10-inch bandsaws are not capable of handling.

Some of the additional accessories that the Wen 3962 two-speed bandsaw comes equipped with are a flexible work light.

That helps you to work under any light conditions and at any time of the day, a sturdy fence that helps in creating straight cuts and a 25-inch stand that lets you work with an elevated bandsaw.

PROS:
  • Very easy to use
  • Comes with a 2 year warranty
  • Work light is an added advantage
  • Offers a friendly phone support line
  • Access to skilled service technicians
CONS:
  • Thinner blade
  • Challenging to use with tight cuts
  • Changing blades is difficult and time-consuming

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5. POWERTEC BS900 Band Saw

POWERTEC BS900 Band Saw

If there is a bandsaw that takes full marks in offering flexibility and convenience to its users, the Powertec BS900 bandsaw wins all hearts.

Not only this, this brand name of Powertec is synonymous with an age-old history of superiority, class, and performance. That’s one of the best bandsaws.

The POWERTEC BS900 Band Saw, 9-Inch is light and small and its compact size fits most work stations where space is an issue. Its light structure allows for mobile applications so you can move it where ever you go if you are the one who has multiple work locations.

The motor size is small and is capable of producing 0.5HP at 2.5 amps and 1725 rpm and is deemed perfect for light materials such as wood and thin plastic.

The small motor hardly produces any sound that makes this best small bandsaw one of ideal ones in the market. Some may feel that its 9-inch blades rotate slowly but the cuts are so accurate, you will never complain.

The best bandsaw comes with quick release levers and blade guard adjustments that make this tool extremely easy to use and maintain.

PROS:
  • Highly versatile
  • That’s environmentally friendly
  • A great buy at an affordable price
  • One of the best ones for beginners
  • Very effective for household applications
CONS:
  • Has a small motor size
  • Does not have any rip fence
  • Replacing blades is not easy

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6. SKIL 3386-01 2.5-Amp 9-Inch Band Saw

SKIL 3386-01 2.5-Amp 9-Inch Band Saw

If your wish list for buying a bandsaw comprises one that is powerful, durable and also practical, nothing can beat the SKIL 3386-01 2.5-Amp 9-Inch Band Saw. This is one of the top band saws.
This is top rated band saw that despite having small blade size, gives you accurate and clean cuts without losing any power.

This is why I can advise you that if you want to buy a bandsaw will be happy to say that you will be happy to tell you that this can be the best for you to buy.

This particular model from SKIL comes with a signature motor of 2.5 amp. This type of motor is extremely powerful, which means that it can cut through a variety of metal and wood.

This best budget band saw is a feature that many big bandsaws fail to offer and this makes this best bandsaw one of the best bandsaws available in affordable pricing in the market. The SKIL bandsaw comes with a rip fence as well that allows for clean and accurate cuts.

The fence is also removable so you can put it on when you need it and remove it when you don’t need it.

The best small bandsaw is also light weight so you can move it to your changing work stations and still get the most out of your SKIL bandsaw.

One of the best features of the SKIL bandsaw is its LED feature, using which you can also brighten your dull work space and practically work at any time of the day or under any light conditions.

PROS:
  • Cuts precise shapes
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Offers a kid-friendly safety button
  • Offers adjustable table heights and angles
  • Detachable fence that is extremely useful
CONS:
  • Sometimes moves very slowly
  • Not suitable for big commercial or industrial uses
  • Does not offer much clearance between the back of the saw and blades

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7. Powermatic PM1500 1791500 Bandsaw

Powermatic PM1500 1791500 Bandsaw

Powermatic is indeed in the only company that provides with a lot of choices if you are looking for a bandsaw in the 14-inch category. And not just that, Powermatic is also considered as one of the best bandsaw making companies. This is another review among of them horizontal band saw reviews.

The Powermatic PM1500 1791500 Bandsaw is considered its best manufacturing so far and the best 14-inch bandsaw available in the market today.

It offers more capacity than many other bandsaws available in this category. It features a 14.5-inch wide throat and 14 inches re-saw.

In terms of safety and accuracy, the best bandsaw is not left behind and is closely connected with Powermatic’s T-square and accu-fence that provides maximum safety and accuracy to this tool.

The Powermatic PM1500 1791500 bandsaw also comes with a positive locking pressure adjustment that makes the bandsaw extremely easy to use.

The side plate is big enough, so the bandsaw can be used in both vertical and horizontal positions and can conveniently suit the needs of the users.

In terms of some of its other features, the motor is integrated with a magnetic switch that keeps the bandsaw safe even if there are electric fluctuations at the site. The motor comes with a 3HP capacity that is big in this category.

PROS:
  • Resaw omes with a more capacity
  • Provides 100 percent accuracy on the job
  • Powered with features of bigger bandsaws
  • Can be shipped directly from the manufacturer
  • Offers great stability, safety, tension and power
CONS:
  • Bit small pallet
  • Offers unconventional aesthetics
  • Can feel heavy if you are a first timer

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8. Grizzly G0513ANV 2 HP Bandsaw

Grizzly G0513ANV 2 HP Bandsaw

To celebrate their 30th Anniversary, Grizzly combined the best of what two of their bandsaws had to offer with an amazing color scheme.

To develop the G0513ANV 2HP bandsaw that they claim is their best bandsaw out of all the ones they have manufactured so far. This Grizzly bandsaw is a 17-foot heavy bandsaw with a strong 2HP motor that cuts through a maximum of 12-foot of wood.

Its 16-1/4 foot throat is big enough for most applications if you are an intermediate or a starter with woodcutting.

Some of the other features that the Grizzly G0513ANV 2 HP Bandsaw Anniversary Edition comes with are a deluxe fence, dual four-foot dust ports, European-style blade guides, heavy-duty miter gauge and micro-adjustable geared table.

All these features are generally found in bandsaws that are more expensive and high range that this one, but that is exactly what makes this best bandsaw the choice of many.

In addition to all the amazing features listed above, this affordable mid-range best budget band saw from Grizzly comes with ISO 9001 factory designation, which just assures the high-quality standards and gives you the peace of mind with this purchase.

PROS:
  • Extremely easy to use
  • Comes with a very efficient blade
  • Offers the best value in this class of saws
  • Has a wide range of capabilities for an affordable price
CONS:
  • Time-consuming to remove blades
  • Does not come with a good factory default fence
  • The tension gauge is not as good as it claims to be

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9. Shop Fox W1706 14″ Bandsaw

Shop Fox W1706 14" Bandsaw

Manufactured by Shop Fox, this premium best bandsaw offers a range of features that are generally found in only the high-end bandsaws for which you need to shed a lot of money.

The W1706 14-inch bandsaw comes with cast-iron wheels, aluminum fences, aluminum rails, miter gauge and an optional extension block. It also comes with an extremely powerful motor of 1HP, which operates at 1725 rpm.

This particular bandsaw from Shop Fox comes in a cabinet and has a cast iron supporting base and frame that makes the entire system very sturdy for fixing.

Its motor specifications are 110 V/220 V and single phase. The blade is 93-1/2 inch wide and including the extension equals 105 inches.

Its cutting capacity is approximately 13.5 inch and can cut a maximum height of 6 inches.

The best value bandsaw also comes with an optional extension block that can help to increase the overall re-saw capacity of this Shop Fox W1706 14″ Bandsaw With Cast Iron Wheels & Deluxe Aluminum Fence to 12-inch high along with a 6-inch block kit.

With its feature-packed list and optional capacity as well, the best band saw from Shop Fox can be an easy envy for any shop.

PROS:
  • Well built this bandsaw
  • Very sturdy and robustly
  • Comes with a very easy assembly
  • Comes with a very powerful motor
  • Cast iron wheels can withstand heavy duty tasks
CONS:
  • Time-consuming
  • Replacing the blades is difficult
  • Adjusting the blade tension to suit the job is very challenging.

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10. Rikon 10-308 Meat Saw

Rikon 10-308 Meat Saw

If you are not into serious woodcutting but are like one who is into hunting or raising farm livestock, this best meat band saw is the best bandsaws that you would potentially find in the market that is also easier on the price range.

This is no surprise that more meat can easily and safely be cut on a stainless steel sliding table that comes with dual holding fences.

The Rikon 10-308 Meat Saw With Grinder, 10-Inch can be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly for cleaning and getting back to the meat cutting business.

The best value bandsaw comes with a built-in grinder that has a special attachment for sausages.

That helps you in making use of all scrap cuts of the meat and turns that into delicious patties or sausages which I think will be a good machine for your business in the feature if you want your work to look good.

Some of its technical specifications include a 9-5/8 inch throat, maximum cut height of 8-1/2 inch, blade speed of 984 ft/min, table size of 22-7/16 inch by 17-5/16 inch, a grinder with a 4-1/2 inch mouth, a powerful motor of 3/4HP and with 110 V.

The Rikon 10-308 meat saw with grinder offers a strong body that is made up of heavy-duty gauge steel sheet, comes with a sliding stainless steel table with ball bearings.

Its cast aluminum wheels are sturdy and offer precise balance.

PROS:
  • Comes with a five-year warranty
  • Has a sturdy and well-balanced body
  • Extremely easy to assemble and disassemble
  • Can be shipped directly from the manufacturer
  • Has a built-in grinder and a sausage attachment
CONS:
  • Little hard to maneuver
  • Does not cater for larger pieces of meat
  • Bit painful to clean as many parts have to be dismantled

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Key Things To Consider In The Best Bandsaws

So now that you have an idea of which are the top 10 best rated band saws for you to consider for your next buy, let us consider what the key features are that you must look for when buying a bandsaw. When it comes to choosing a bandsaw, you will have to make some smart choices:

Wheels

A good bandsaw must have solid, heavy and cast iron wheels. This helps in balancing the bandsaw when in operation and creates a powerful effect contributing to a steady and strong cut.

On the rim of the wheels are rubber tires that keep the blades on track. When you are using your bandsaw for heavy re-sawing, you need steel frames so the tires sit flat on them that help the blades to track 1 inch or more easily.

Incorrect wheels on your bandsaw can result in complications during your cutting operation and can also lead to injuries or low-quality outcome.

Thus it is important for your bandsaw to have properly maintained and quality wheels.

Guidepost

One of the most important components of a band saw is its guidepost. A guidepost is the area of a bandsaw that contains the blade guard and the blade guide assembly.

Depending on what the thickness of the wood is that you are planning to cut with the bandsaw, the guidepost can be adjusted using a pinion and a rack. This is important as the precise setting in the guidepost allows for clean and accurate cuts.

Spring

Behind the wheel and towards the top of the frame in the bandsaw is the spring that helps in maintaining and adjusting proper blade tension.

It is mostly impossible for you to check the quality of this spring, thorough research and reading the manufacturer’s manual can help in assessing its quality of the best bandsaws.

This is important as the performance of a band saw is a lot dependent on the blade tension that in turn is affected by the quality of the spring used.

Blade Guides

Blade guides are an important part of a bandsaw and they help to keep the blades in their true place so the cut is always clean, precise and accurate. When blades interact with wood, they tend to shift, distort or drift and this is where blade guides play an important role in keeping them on track.

Quality of these blade guides is what can make or break a deal when it comes to average versus high-performing best rated band saws.

Different types of blade guides are Euro style guides, steel guides, guides with roller bearings, etc.

When you cut something with a bandsaw, there are two reactions — forward movement of the wood and the rear movement of the blade. This results in twisting forces that are countered and controlled by the blade guides.

For a bandsaw to work perfectly, these blade guides must be of good quality and must be firm so they can be adjusted accordingly.

Fence

A heavy fence is all that you need for most of your wood cutting work.

However, in some cases, detachable fences can work wonders and come very handy especially for small home jobs.

Most top band saws can also work with aftermarket fences that can be separately bought and come with micro-adjustable mechanisms. This is the best part of using this kind of a bandsaw for your wood cutting any of your working places.

Table Size

For most woodworkers, they are least worried about the size of the table.

In most cases, a 16-inch by 20-inch table top can suffice for most woodworking jobs. Sometimes you also get separate support stands in the market that can increase your table top.

Ideally, your table top should be made up of heavy cast iron and should allow for adjustment with different angles.

Blades

Choosing the best band saw blade for your bandsaw is also equally important to get the most.

The different tooth patterns that sit with blades are skipped tooth, hook tooth wavy set and raker set. Different tooth types perform differently depending on what type of wood you will be cutting using your bandsaw, so it is important to study well how each type of tooth is suited for different types of jobs.

For example, hook tooth blades are widely used for non-ferrous metals and hardwood. Skip tooth are used for softer metals, while wavy and raker tooth blades are suited for ferrous metals. Even that’s perfect for the best metal cutting bandsaw.

Band Wheels

Band wheels are used to transmit power of the motor to the blade. It is important for the wheels to be well balanced to reduce vibration and precise blade tracking, and that is where band wheels play a crucial role in the overall performance of the top rated band saws.

Frames

Most bandsaw frames are made up of welded and folded sheet steel. Frames are important to provide a rigid and a strong framework that helps in withstanding stresses when the blade is tensioned.

When the frame of the bandsaw lacks sufficient strength, the bandsaw will distort under load and pulls the top and bottom band wheel boxes altogether.

Motors

As a good motor is at the heart of any machine, the same applies to bandsaws as well. The performance of a motor must always be considered when buying a bandsaw as it must be big enough to complete all intended tasks.

When a motor lacks power, it can cause the blade to slow down or stop completely in the middle of a task, which can be very irritating and cause a lot of time wastage.

The main reason the best band saw to buy is to cut logs of wood and ripping down billets. Ripping requires a decent amount of horsepower. A motor with less than 1HP will have a hard time with wood blanks.

So, basically some quick things that you must check before buying your new bandsaw are as follows:

Blade rollers and blade guides must be firm enough so they have no room to play and move around.

Anything that is 6 inch or less in cutting height will probably not suit most of your wood cutting requirements. Cutting height is basically the distance between the saw table and the top tool guide, which decides the size of the wood that can easily be cut using the bandsaw.

Six inch is the bare minimum for any wood turner. The best band saw for woodworking is very perfect.

Consider the top rated band saws that are fitted with at least a 1HP motor — the bigger the better.

A two-wheel bandsaw works better than a three-wheel bandsaw. In a two-wheel bandsaw, the blade changes direction only two times and this increases the life of the blade at least 1/3 times to that of the blade in a three-wheel bandsaw.

Last Word

So what is the verdict?

A bandsaw is one of the key components of any workshop that deals in wood work.

In fact, many would say that a bandsaw is actually the first tool that you must purchase for your wood workshop and while you are still learning the art.

When you are buying a bandsaw, the important things to consider are the jobs that you will complete with the bandsaw, how much you will be using it in day, do you need a stationary or a mobile bandsaw, what features are most important, is your use mostly household, commercial or industrial and how much are you willing to pay, etc.

Once you consider what all matters to you, you will be able to choose the best bandsaws from the top ten above that will best meet all your needs and gives you the peace of mind.

I hope by reading this article it will help you make a good choice for your affordable a bandsaw in the market for you to buy.

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