Lumbering has never been a much sought-out profession. It's an honest and hard day's work, but it's quite tiresome and hard. So, many years and technological advancements later, people have designed the bandsaw - a machine that helps us create and design and cuts through thick and large pieces of wood.
We've been exploring the web in search of the best bandsaw for resawing, and it's quite possible we've found it.
If you want to find out our answer, stick around, and we'll give you honest opinions on the market's best bandsaws and a handy buyer's guide to help along.
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Locating The Best Bandsaws For Resawing - Top 8 Reviews
This won't be one of those lists where we'll be saving the best for last. Check out the best bandsaw for resawing on the market, the WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw.
The WEN 3962 two-speed bandsaw has been circling online stores for some time now, and it still manages to captivate the public's eye. It's not just the prowess of WEN's tools and the overall quality that their products bring to the table, but it's the intention that brought this bandsaw to life. You can tell right away that it was designed by a long-time carpenter that knew what he was doing.
We won't bother you much with the specifications of this unit, so we'll just briefly go over the main things you should know. As we said, this band saw operates at two speeds - the 1520 and 2620 FPM. You'll choose the appropriate setting based on the material and the flow of the process you require.
Whatever the material in question is, you'll have no trouble cutting through it, thanks to the 3.5 amp motor that can go up to six inches in depth. This band saw utilizes 72-inch bandsaw blades with a regular profile, but you can also mix it up based on the surface you'll be cutting.
Since this is a full-package deal, there are a couple of benefits to the price you'll be paying. For example, this WEN 3962 two-speed bandsaw is equipped with a work light that has its own switch and a 25-inch stand.
It wouldn't be a premium product without a handy 3-in-1 dust port to go along with the bandsaw. It'll most probably fit the hose size you have, thanks to its craft design. You'll also get a miter gauge for angled cutting and a fence for straight cuts.
As you can see, we don't need to say anything about how it holds up in the action as its features and characteristics speak for it. It's the best, and there's no reason to search any further.
- 6-inch depth resawing
- Added features
- Two-speed bandsaw
- 3.5 amp motor
- 3-in-1 dust port
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According to many professional carpenters, up next is another high-quality bandsaw that is arguably the best on the market. Even though it takes second place here, it's still a fantastic piece of equipment. Here's the SKIL 3386-01 120-Volt 9-Inch Band Saw.
This is the perfect machine for a casual carpenter that requires no fanciness or added features. It's straightforward with its approach and quite easy to use, even for beginner woodworkers.
It comes with a rip fence for straight cutting, and a 6 TPI band saw blade that's ideal for wooden surfaces with thickness up to 10 inches. Also, you'll get a miter gauge for angled cutting, and the bandsaw has a handy dust collection hose port.
The cutting capacity of this bandsaw is not that impressive in comparison with the WEN bandsaw since it's a one-speed machine with a modest motor, but it's still more than enough to cut through thick metallic and wooden materials. Therefore, it's perfect for amateur woodworkers since it's easy to use, and there's not much to learn about the product itself.
Moreover, this is one of the most compact and lightweight devices on this list, weighing only 16 lb. Overall, this is a budget pick for all the newbies out there. However, you should not expect it to perform like some premium machines. The SKIL 3386-01 had some moderate issues with straight cutting, but a couple of adjustments should do the trick.
After all, that was a manufacturing default mistake for some units. Aside from that, we couldn't really find anything that would ruin its appeal.
- Lightweight
- Ideal for beginners
- Dust collection port
- Suitable for metal and wood
- Straight cutting capacity
Unlike the previous product, this bandsaw might be interesting to some professional carpenters that follow our reviews. Here's the POWERTEC BS900 9 Inch Benchtop Bandsaw.
The POWERTEC BS9000 is a professional-grade benchtop bandsaw that can cut through various materials and deliver precise and accurate cuts along the way. The reason professionals often use it is not simply due to its performance but added features as well.
Namely, it has a blade guard that allows you to swap new blades relatively fast and a blade-tracking window, which is always nice to have, whatever the machine in question is.
Of course, there's no need to mention the standard equipment that comes with almost any bandsaw in all price ranges, such as the miter gauge for angled cutting. We would like to mention the powerful 2.5 amp motor that is ideal for everyday woodworking and DIY projects that don't require a lot of pre-hand knowledge.
Of course, the biggest flaw is that beginners shouldn't use this band saw. Aside from that, the only real flaw is that you'll need a table saw if you plan to go through thicker pieces of lumber, as this is a more compact machine. It'll still do quite well, up to 4 inches approximately, which should be enough for your standard logs.
- Blade-guard adjustment system
- 2.5 amp motor
- Professional use
- Added features
- Cutting depth
The following unit is not something that you'd normally consider due to its price. It's probably too much by any standard since you can get a perfectly well-built bandsaw for half as much. However, if you do have some money to spend, you'll most definitely be thrilled with the possibilities that the JET JWBS-14DXPRO will bring to the table.
We've got to mention the cast iron frame before we go into the numeral specifics. It's massive, durable, and will probably last you as long as you live. Since it costs this much, you can expect it to be packed with a lot of features.
For example, the first thing that grabs the attention is the blade guard that can be readjusted in a 12-inch range, which is super handy when you have different materials to work with. Furthermore, it has a blade-tracking window and a blade tension quick-release feature.
Also, you'll often see that bandsaws have 50-70-inch blades, and they're usually more than enough. Still, the JET JWBS offers you the ability to use 105-inch blades for larger projects and works, which is what this bandsaw was designed for.
We can continue to talk of its quality and numerous resawing properties, but the fact of the matter is the price. It's too darn expensive for your average purchase, which is why it's placed here. If it wasn't that expensive, it would undoubtedly be in the top ranking since it's a high-quality bandsaw that deserves mention.
- Cast iron frame
- Heavy-duty machine
- 105-inch blades
- Blade tension quick-release
- Too expensive
Moving on in the same fashion, we have another high-quality bandsaw to present, the Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe Bandsaw.
You might wonder - If these premium units are so great, how come they're not in the first and the second place? Well, the main issue that we have with them is the price. If they were just a bit cheaper, they would've undoubtedly been placed higher up. The main questions should be - Why do they cost so much?
The Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe Bandsaw is a terrific piece of equipment for everyone, not just your old-fashioned woodworker who knows his way around every tool. It's quite intuitive and easy to master after a few tries.
This band saw also has a cast iron construction, including the wheels, table, and frame. The wheels are something we should mention as they are computer balanced to meet the perfect criteria alongside the rubber tires that help with the overall stability.
It also has a rack-and-pinion guidepost and quick-release blade tension. The cherry on the top is actually on the bottom since you'll also receive a heavy-gauge steel stand that won't rust that easily.
It's got everything you'll need from a bandsaw and more. Aside from the price, we have to mention that several customers have complained that this band saw is not that easily adjustable, to say the least.
It was manufactured in a way that any alterations will require you to call customer service and probably find a specific tool since it has a special build. Aside from that inconvenience, we'd have to say that this is one of the best band saws out there.
- Heavy-duty bandsaw
- Stability
- Cast iron build
- Rack-and-pinion guide
- Not adjustable
It's evident that band saws are exposed to pressure and rough materials. Therefore, you should probably consider getting a durable one for the long run. That's where the Delta 28-400 Band Saw comes into play.
Firstly, we should mention that Delta, if you haven't heard of them, has been a pillar of stability in the woodworking industry for over 100 years and still manages to impress with products such as this one. They've always excelled at delivering durable products that are passed down from older generations to younglings.
This device is attractive due to its steel construction and strong features. It is heavy, which is expected, but it also has something else packed inside that accounts for the weight. It's the powerful motor that gives this band saw its appeal.
It has two speeds, 1,620 FPM, and 3,340 FPM, and runs at 230 Volts, but you don't need to bother with batteries since it's a corded device. Thanks to its two-speed motor, you can choose whether you want to go for the thicker and slower cut or a faster and less precise monster cut. Either way, you'll be pleased with the result.
Also, it's nice to know that it comes with a 5-year parts warranty and limited labor warranty. On the other hand, Delta has been around for so long that they've probably forgotten to account for the inflation in their prices. This band saw is terribly expensive, and it's not really a reflection of its quality since you can find similar band saws for less cash.
Still, it undoubtedly deserves to be called the best band saw, and it'll be a valuable addition to your toolset if you decide to purchase it.
- Two-speed motor
- Steel construction
- Balanced steel wheels
- Heavy-duty
- Price
Don't rush off to buy a bandsaw already because we have a couple more products that you might be interested in. Such is the RIKON Power Tools 10-326 Band Saw.
Rikon is a name you've probably heard if you browsed through online pages looking for the best bandsaw. It pops out quite a lot due to its popularity in the woodworking world. They manufacture various tools, such as bandsaws, lathes, grinders, and drill presses.
You'll notice from the price that this is another premium unit, so it's not the smartest investment, but it is worth the money if you decide to buy it. There are some innovations with this band saw that wasn't mentioned previously with any of the products.
For example, the blade guides can be set up without any hassle with wrenches or added tools in the package. It can all be done manually thanks to the construction of the band saw, including the setup and adjustment of the rip fence. The adjustment knob is all there is to it; no tools are required.
The band saw works with your standard profile 6 TPI blades that are recommended for everyday woodworking projects. However, this resawing bandsaw can cut as high as 13 inches. Also, the powerful motor has two speeds, the 2,950 and 1,445 ft/min. With these options, you'll be able to precisely cut through wood, plastic, and non-ferrous metals with ease.
After inspecting and testing it for ourselves, we couldn't find any major flaws except for the fact that the tilt feature was a bit hard to adjust. That's the only nitpick we could find aside from the price.
- Reliable manufacturer
- Innovative design
- Rip fence adjustment knob
- Bandsaw resawing capacity
- Table tilt feature
Finally, we have one last band saw to cover, and that's about it as far as the review part is concerned. Without further ado, here's the Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175.
We won't bore you to death with a detailed description as this is the last band we saw, so we'll go over some of the main things and focus on what makes this band the best on the market.
Firstly, it is one of the most resilient products out there, featuring a steel frame construction and cast iron parts, including the pyramid spine for added adjustability and durability. In combination, these two make up one resilient bandsaw that'll last you for many years to come.
It is one of the first band saws with a 110 Voltage that truly feels like handling a 220 V bandsaw. The motor is quiet and powerful, and it features a quick-release tension knob.
Also, a nice addition is the double windows that allow you to track the progress while the device is running. It's an excellent safety feature, and it looks nice to have as a part of your bandsaw.
It comes with an abundance of features and equipment, such as the magnetic blade guide, rack, and pinion, blade guard, and a nice warranty paper directly from Laguna's headquarters.
What we didn't like was the adjustment part when it comes to setting the guides. The knobs were a bit hard to maneuver, and it was an overall tedious process. Aside from that, it is most certainly one of the best bandsaws for resawing out there.
- 12-inch cut
- Durable construction
- Added features
- Blade guides and dust port
- Adjustability
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What Is Resawing?
Before we start talking about anything regarding these devices, we should establish what the act of resawing is and how these machines manage to achieve it. In simplest terms, resawing is the process of cutting up wood into thinner pieces along the vertical axis. Special machines are necessary since you'll usually cut blocks of wood that require hard metal and electronic navigation, which is what bandsaws offer.
Of course, resawing is necessary for actions other than the blatant division of boards. Making furniture is a process that cannot start or finish without a band saw that either cuts the boards or creates angled cuts.
You should also never mistake resawing for ripping, which is a similar process in nature, but different in practice. Namely, ripping represents cutting in a way that reduces the board's width (creating two or more boards), while resawing cuts lumber across the vertical axis and reduces its thickness while maintaining its length and width.
How to Choose the Best Resawing Bandsaws? Buyer's Guide
It's evident by now that band saws are one of the most important tools that a professional carpenter should own if he plans on honing his skills.
Not only are they useful for resawing, but you can also use them to make straight and angled cuts with the utmost precision.
However, it's not that easy to separate the best resawing bandsaw from the worst, which is where we step in.
The following lines will tackle some key points that'll help you learn about bandsaws and also provide some clarity on how to use these devices.
When it comes to band saws and their features, it's quite hard to tell which one's good and which isn't since all you can rely upon are vague numbers and customer reviews.
However, we can at least share our detailed opinion after testing them and doing a thorough analysis.
Stay tuned!
1. Construction
If you've browsed through our reviews, you've probably seen that most of the band saws on the list have either a steel construction or iron cast build. They are the most common materials used to manufacture these machines, but the main question is - Which one's better?
Cast iron is generally found as the main component in heavy-duty equipment since it has a high percentage of carbon (more than 2%), improves the overall durability and resilience from environmental factors.
On the other hand, steel is practically similar to cast iron since the main component of both is iron, but steel has a lesser percentage of carbon, which accounts for less toughness.
However, cast iron's main flaw is brittleness, which is why steel has become the most popular component in manufacturing heavy equipment. Nevertheless, you should choose based on the amount of work you'll put in on your bandsaw. If you won't be using it that much, cast iron is the way to go.
2. Extra Features
If we didn't bore in the review part, you probably noticed that premium and deluxe band saws have a couple of features that a regular, budget band saw doesn't have. In essence, that's the main difference between the two - additions.
For example, premium band saws will often have a 3-in-1 dust port that collects dust via a connected hose. You'll see dust connections with budget bandsaws, but rarely a 3-in-1 port. Also, you'll often see a rack and pinion system with premium models, as well as an added blade guard.
Overall, your ordinary bandsaw will work quite nicely, even without the fancy additions. Of course, they help make the entire process a bit more bearable, which is why investing wouldn't be a bad idea if you have the cash. Anyway, you'll do fine.
3. Bandsaw Blades
Generally, bandsaw blades will accept each size and profile of blades that you choose to use. Still, there are models that require either a specific size or length, which is why we'll tell you a bit about them.
Firstly, blades are measured in TPI (teeth per inch), and it represents the number of sharp teeth that the blade consists of. However, there are designs that do not necessarily have teeth at each inch of the blade, and thus, they're called skip-tooth blades. They're excellent for slow-speed cutting as they can dig deep into a block, and they'll do an exquisite job if your bandsaw has more speed options.
If you're an amateur, we recommend you stick with the regular profile blades since they're the most common and easiest to work with. Generally, the best regular blades will have somewhere between 10-14 TPI and a length of around 60 inches approximately.
4. Warranty
Cutting through hardwood is, well, hard, but what's harder is cutting through metallic surfaces. Therefore, bandsaws are equipped with some durable and resilient parts that can usually sustain and endure the pressure of your everyday workshed. However, that doesn't mean they're not prone to breaking and damaging.
Since these are heavy-duty machines with fancy price tags, you'll usually get a limited warranty on parts, but not always. So, get at least a 2-year limited warranty year on the motor and construction since the blades are relatively cheap and everything else can be replaced for a low price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to resaw with a bandsaw?
The resawing process is not that hard if you know what you're doing, and it consists of a couple of steps.
Firstly, you'll take the piece of lumber or any other material that you wish to cut and put it to stock in a way that you have two parallel sides, and a 90-degree edge pointed towards you.
After you set up the machine (adjust the height and go through the safety measures), you'll align the wood with the fence for a straight cut and start the bandsaw. We recommend you use a blade with a smaller number of teeth per inch when you want to resaw and then go slowly.
It will probably leave some debris on the sides, but you'll have to clean and polish that either way. Use the slower speed on your bandsaw if you have a motor with 3 HP or more and go slow, and that's about it.
What is the best bandsaw for resawing?
There is an abundance of band saws that are excellent for resawing. We, of course, didn't have the chance of testing out all of them, but our personal favourite is the WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw.
It proved to be more than just your standard resawing bandsaw, as it can do so much more than that. From angled cutting to creating an item of brand new furniture - this is the best choice!
What is the best bandsaw blade for resawing?
It depends on the type of work that you want to do and the profile you need.
If you're looking for the regular profile blades, make sure to check out the DEWALT Band Saw Blade 32-7/8-Inch. It's durable, sharp, accurate, and perfect for everyone.
What bandsaw is recommended for resawing hardwood?
Cutting through hardwood would generally imply that you need a strong and durable piece of machinery with a blade that can go slow and steady and make deep cuts.
That's the description of the Jet JWBS-14DXPRO, a powerful tool that's been talked about in the industry.
Final Thoughts - Summary
After going through the reviews and looking through countless pages, we can peacefully conclude this article with the announcement of the winners of the best bandsaw for resawing.
The second and the third place are undoubtedly the all-powerful SKIL 3386-01 120-Volt 9-Inch Band Saw and the professional POWERTEC BS900 9 Inch Benchtop Bandsaw.
As for the winner, you don't have to look around; just shoot for the top with the WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw.