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Band saws are versatile tools that allow cutting with superb accuracy so you can achieve more intricate cutting designs. While band saws come in a variety of sizes, you might be asking yourself what size band saw should I buy?
This can often be a challenge. This guide will help direct you to the size band saw that will work well for the woodworking applications you are planning to perform.
Contents
What Size Band Saw Do I Need?
For a hobbyist, a 12″-14″ bandsaw is the ideal size. This size saw will provide plenty of power and a good deal of resawing capability. A professional will be better served with an 18″ bandsaw for a larger resawing capability.
Band Saw Size Recommendations
12″ band saws are on the smaller side, but can still be a good starter option. And, you can find a lot of great options at this size (I will feature several in or band saw under $1,000 reviews).
Choosing a 14″ band saw would provide plenty of power in a smaller footprint. This size band saw is ideal for anyone that has a need for curved cutting but not in a heavy-duty capacity. You can find these bandsaws for less money than larger models.
- Hobbyist: 12″-14″ Band Saw
- Professional: 18″ Band Saw
If you plan to use your band saw on a continuous basis for large and heavy gauge wood, metal, or plastic cuts, you should lean towards a larger 18″ band saw.
This size band saw is typically more powerful with a larger motor at 2 horsepower and provides a more durable frame to provide for more rugged cutting applications.
An 18″ band saw size is more of a commercial machine but would do well with a woodworker that produces larger and high-grade wood projects frequently.
Tabletop vs Cabinet Bandsaws
The first decision you need to make when considering a band saw for your workshop is whether you will want a model you physically mount on a workbench or one that comes complete with its own cabinet.
Both options come in a variety of sizes and can be used for a myriad of woodworking applications.
In most instances, a table top band saw is targeted toward home use while a cabinet-mounted unit is ideal for commercial applications.
This, however, doesn’t mean that your workshop cannot have a cabinet band saw if that is what is desired. But, it does help dictate the direction of your purchase selection and will help narrow down the choice for you.
Choosing the Depth of Cut and Throat Distance
With this decision in mind, you will now need to determine the exact size band saw you need for your woodworking operation.
This comes down to the depth of cut and the throat size. The throat size is how band saws sizes are rated, while the depth of cut provides the distance from blade to the table.
Your depth of cut will help indicate how thick of wood you are able to cut with your band saw while the throat will tell you the distance from the blade to the vertical frame of the band saw. The throat size determines your cut width.
Typically throat width ranges from 12 to 14 inches, but can be even a larger 18 inches for commercial band saws.
Typical DIY bandsaw projects won’t require anything larger than a 14″ bandsaw.
Finding the Right Horsepower
You will also need to consider how much power you need for your band saw.
This powers the cutting wheel and your typical 12 to 14 inch band saw would be powered by a ¾ to 1 horsepower motor. Larger 18 inch band saws are most often driven by a 2-horsepower motor that has variable speeds.
As a novice woodworker, you can easily do without a variable speed drive as you will most often use a slower speed to cut with more accuracy. In commercial applications, the variable speed drive may be used to rip wood, which does not require any amount of precision.
Keep in mind that a table saw will also work great to rip wood. So, if you already have that saw, you don’t need to take that into consideration when selecting band saw power.
Additional Features of Your Band Saw
Now that you know the general size and power of the band saw you are looking to invest in, you can take some time to think about the additional features you want your saw to incorporate.
You will, in most cases, have the option of an aluminum, steel, or cast-iron table as well as a dust port for easy cleanup with a vacuum cleaner.
You can add options to your bands saw such as a rip fence for more precision and safety or a miter gauge for crosscutting, ripping or resawing applications.
These additional features can help you customize your band saw to the exact woodworking projects you have planned for the machine.
Conclusion
With the help of this guide, you should have a thorough understanding to answer the question of what size band saw should I buy. It should help to narrow down your search for a band saw and provide you the knowledge you need to make an informed buying decision for your woodworking shop.
