Benchtop Band saw versus stand ???

C

Cushing H.

Gold Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
2,714
I know there have been previous threads about what is a "good" bandsaw, but these focused mostly on brands. my question here is a little more general. I dropped in on the local Woodcraft store, and they have two bandsaws, both of which sit on metal stands (kind of like my old 12" craftsman). Somehow I have had in my mind that I would buy a "benchtop" bandsaw .... but now I am not so sure. Given the lower wheel and motor on the saws, now I am thinking that the thing would need to stand on a non-standard height bench to put the table at a reasonable height.

So ... pros and cons ..... benchtop band saw versus stand-alone saw on its own metal stand?????
 
What is the bandsaw for?

a big one for ripping wood?
Or a general do All saw, like a portaband?

Mine is "wall mounted" sorta (not to throw a wrench in your options)
 
A two-speed benchtop bandsaw like the Skill 9" works great for cutting out blade profiles. It also works for cutting up handle material.
A floor stand model will have a bigger motor and do larger/thicker items.

If either one can be converted to a 3-phase motor and VFD that really makes it useful.
 
I have a port a saw for profiling. This new one would be used for cutting small boards into blocks, and for cutting blocks into scales. Nothing really heavy duty, but do want it accurate on the vertical so I’m not doing a lot of messing around getting the scales flat and parallel
 
The ability to use wide and thick blades for square re-sawing is a real boon.
 
If that is the task you need a floor unit. The ability to take 1" blades is a good thing, but 3/4" is the absolute minimum foe cutting blocks and scales.
 
my wood saw is on a stand and on day im going to get a bigger better one i think its a 12" crapsman (i say that because can hardly get parts for it ) my metal saw has me spoiled its a "Roll in Saw" its fantastic but not cheap. got mine used and it makes cutting blades out of 2'x3' sheets easy
 
For a really useful band saw that will cut everything, look for an older 12" Craftsman Bandsaw. The type with the motor hanging under it on a V-belt. Switch the motor to 3-phase and add a VFD. Get a 1/2"/18TPI Lennox Die-Master-2 blade and cut all day long. You can set the motor speed for the best cutting rate depending on the material being cut.
Switch the blade to a 3/4"/3TPI Lenox Tr-Master carbide blade for cutting wood (raise the speed for best cut).

You can find those old Craftsman saws really cheap if you look around and check the sales listings. Sometimes you can get an industrial size saw with a bad motor for free or scrap metal price. These take 1" blades and are really good for cutting up thick metal or resawing wood planks and blocks.

Butch - If I could have the wood saw of my dreams, it would be a Laguna 18"
 
Last edited:
Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith said:
For a really useful band saw that will cut everything, look for an older 12" Craftsman Bandsaw. The type with the motor hanging under it on a V-belt. Switch the motor to 3-phase and add a VFD. Get a 1/2"/18TPI Lennox Die-Master-2 blade and cut all day long. You can set the motor speed for the best cutting rate depending on the material being cut.
Switch the blade to a 3/4"/3TPI Lenox Tr-Master carbide blade for cutting wood (raise the speed for best cut).

You can find those old Craftsman saws really cheap if you look around and check the sales listings. Sometimes you can get an industrial size saw with a bad motor for free or scrap metal price. These take 1" blades and are really good for cutting up thick metal or resawing wood planks and blocks.

Butch - If I could have the wood saw of my dreams, it would be a Laguna 18"
Click to expand...
lol … that is exactly the saw I had and got rid of before I moved! It was bigger than I wanted, did not accommodate a guide bar, and did not produce all that uniform a cut. When I moved I intended to “upgrade” to a smaller, newer saw 😊
 
Last edited by a moderator:
my wood saw cut like crap til i properly set the blade on it (along with the guides) now it slabs out handle blocks into scales so nice. i still want a larger wood saw tho cause my new wood lathe can spin 24" and i dont always want to pre shape bowl blanks with my chain saw
 
I try to share this when people discuss bandsaws. Watching this video helped me tune my bandsaw. Google "bandsaw clinic with Alex Snodgrass". I was amazed to find the fence didn't need to be perfectly aligned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top