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. 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. With the help of this guide, you should have a thorough understanding to answer the question of what size band saw should I buy.
A bandsaw blade tracks on rubber “Tires” on the rims of the wheels. Another important component of a bandsaw is the guidepost, which contains the upper blade guide assembly and blade guard. Most woodworkers seem to have preferences in bandsaw blade guides but, in most cases, quality’s the most important thing.
Many band saws are marketed on this feature alone, which tells the prospective buyer how thick of stock can be cut using the band saw. Not only will the owner’s manual help you set up your saw properly, but it will also help you become much more familiar with the proper methods for safely cutting with your saw. A band saw is among the safest of power woodworking tools, but the saw must be set up properly before use.
There are lots of recommendations about the smallest diameter curve you can cut with each blade width, but the simple answer is “The narrower the blade, the tighter the curve.” I generally keep a 3/16 or 1/4 inch blade on the smaller bandsaw I use for “Scrolling” – general curved work. An expert on bandsaw boxes suggested that a 3/16 inch blade seemed ideal. I have seen a 1/8 inch bandsaw blade, but that is so small that conventional bandsaw guides don’t work – there isn’t room for them to hold the side of the blade behind the teeth … replace the side guides with “Cool blocks” or hardwood blocks soaked in mineral oil, and “Bury” the blade in the blocks.
how big of a band saw do i need Related Question:
How large of a bandsaw 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. Choosing a 14″ band saw would provide plenty of power in a smaller footprint.
Is a 14 bandsaw big enough?
Re: Bandsaws: 14″, or is bigger better? If you are not going to do any resawing, then a 14″ will do just fine. If you may be cutting out bowl blanks for a lathe, then you should consider a riser to get more vertical clearance.
How thick of wood can a 9 band saw cut?
There are several $99, 9 inch band saws on the market in my area (Ryobi, Skill). The are able to cut a thickness of 2 ½ inches.
Is 1 hp enough for a bandsaw?
1 Horespower is a lot of power, it is aproximately 50% more work than a horse can do on a long term basis, and aproximately 6 times what a person can do. A 3/4 or 1 HP bandsaw is pefectly adequate for re-sawing stock at home….
What does a 14-inch bandsaw mean?
Rob Johnstone: Band saw sizes are derived from the diameter of the wheels in the saw. So a 14-inch band saw will have wheels that are 14-inches in diameter. There is another measure that indicates how wide a board you can resaw.
How thick of wood can a band saw cut?
Band saws are the undisputed champ when it comes to cutting curves and slicing through thick material. Many small band saws can slice though lumber a full four inches thick, and bigger saws handle six-inch cuts.
How much HP does a bandsaw need?
With general cutting of thinner stock with minor resawing, typically a 1-1/2 horsepower motor will do the trick. If you plan on making your own veneer by resawing larger exotic hardwood or cutting bowl blanks from a log, consider looking at units with a 2-1/2 to 3 horsepower motor.
What is S band saw used for?
A bandsaw (also written band saw) is a power saw with a long, sharp blade consisting of a continuous band of toothed metal stretched between two or more wheels to cut material. They are used principally in woodworking, metalworking, and lumbering, but may cut a variety of materials.
Can you use a bandsaw to cut wood?
With the correct blade, a band saw can cut wood or metal, in either curves or straight lines. Blades come in a variety of widths and tooth counts. Narrower blades are good for tighter curves, while wider blades are better at straight cuts.
What size blade does a 14 inch bandsaw take?
Olson® All Pro&trade band saw blades 93-1/2″ length fits most 14″ band saws (Delta, Jet, etc.), hard back and exclusive material, in skip, hook, or regular teeth.
What size blade do I need for a 14 inch bandsaw?
Product Description. 3/16″ Wide x 93-1/2″ Long, 10 TPI, Band Saw Blade, . 025″ Thick, Fits All 14″ Delta/Rockwell, 14″ Jet, Grizzly, 14″ Reliant, Enlon, Star, Bridgewood & Most Imported 14″ Band Saws, Mild Scroll Cutting In Wood.
What size blade does a 9 inch bandsaw take?
9″ Ryobi, 9″ B&D, 9″ Craftsman, 9″ Tradesman, 9″ Pro-Tech, 9″ Collins, B&D 3 Wheel. 0.50 (1/2 in.)
What should I look for in a band saw?
The two main things to consider when choosing a band saw are the depth of cut and the throat. The saw’s depth of cut is the distance from the table to the upper blade guides. Many band saws are marketed on this feature alone, which tells the prospective buyer how thick of stock can be cut using the band saw.
Is a wider bandsaw blade better?
The wider blades are stiffer overall (more metal) and tend to track better on the band wheels than narrow blades. When cutting thicker material, the wider blade has less ability to deviate because the back end, when in the cut, helps steer the front of the blade, especially if the side clearance is not excessive.
How thick can a 12 band saw cut?
A twelve-inch band saw is adequate for most home workshop jobs, typically cutting up to a six-inch capacity. (Cabinetmakers would do well to opt for a larger one, perhaps one with a sixteen- or twenty-inch throat.)