Band Saws: A Complete Guide for Woodworkers and DIYers
Introduction
A band saw is one of the most versatile woodworking machines, designed with a continuous steel blade loop stretched over two or more wheels. Unlike circular saws, the band saw excels at curved cuts, resawing, and intricate shapes, making it indispensable for both fine woodworking and rough cutting. Whether you’re crafting furniture, turning bowls, or milling lumber, the band saw is a shop essential.
History & Development
The band saw’s origins date back to the early 19th century, but early blades often failed due to poor welding technology. By the late 1800s, improved blade welding techniques made the tool practical. American companies such as Tannewitz, Crescent, and Yates-American became leaders in industrial band saw production in the early 20th century. By the mid-1900s, smaller benchtop and 14-inch cast-iron band saws (popularized by Delta) brought the machine into home workshops. Today, band saws range from compact hobby saws to massive industrial machines used in sawmills.
Types of Band Saws
- Benchtop Band Saws – Compact, portable, and ideal for hobbyists or small shops.
- Floor-Standing Band Saws – Typically 14–20 inches, these are versatile for both resawing and curved work.
- Resaw Band Saws – Taller frames and wider blades, designed to cut boards into thinner pieces.
- Meat-Cutting Band Saws – Stainless steel models used in butcher shops and food processing.
- Metal-Cutting Band Saws – Equipped with slower blade speeds and coolant systems for cutting metal.
Key Components
- Wheels & Tires – Drive the blade; usually rubber or urethane-tired for grip.
- Blade Guides – Bearings or blocks that keep the blade aligned.
- Table – Adjustable, often tilts for angled cuts.
- Blade – Widths range from 1/8″ (fine curves) to 1″ or more (resawing).
- Motor – Determines cutting power; hobby saws may be 1/2 HP, industrial saws 3–5 HP or more.
- Fence & Resaw Guide – Essential for straight cuts and resawing accuracy.
Safety Features & Innovations
- Blade Guard – Adjustable guard keeps exposed blade to a minimum.
- Tension Indicators – Ensure proper blade setup.
- Quick-Release Levers – Allow easy blade changes and tensioning.
- Dust Collection Ports – Keep the workspace cleaner and safer.
- Brake Systems – On larger saws, quickly stop the blade after power-off.
Uses & Applications
The band saw’s versatility makes it invaluable:
- Cutting curves and irregular shapes.
- Resawing thick boards into thinner panels.
- Making veneers from solid lumber.
- Cutting tenons, dovetails, and joinery with jigs.
- Breaking down rough lumber safely and efficiently.
Manufacturers: Past & Present
Vintage Band Saw Manufacturers (Early to Mid-20th Century)
- Tannewitz (Founded early 1900s, MI) – Known for massive industrial band saws, built to last generations.
- Crescent Machine Company (OH, 1800s–1940s) – Produced heavy-duty woodworking machines, including prized band saws.
- Yates-American Machine Company (WI, 1900s–present) – Made large, factory-grade saws still admired for precision and ruggedness.
- Oliver Machinery (Founded 1890s, MI) – Renowned for industrial band saws and planers; their vintage saws are still in demand.
- Walker-Turner (1927–1950s, NJ) – Produced mid-sized band saws for schools and small shops, later acquired by Delta.
- Delta Specialty Company (Founded 1919, WI) – Popularized the 14-inch cast-iron band saw, a design still copied today.
Modern Band Saw Manufacturers (Past 50 Years)
- Delta Machinery – Their 14-inch saw remains iconic for hobbyists.
- Powermatic – Known for professional-grade, smooth-running band saws with precision fences.
- Rikon – Specializes in woodworking band saws, popular for resaw capacity and value.
- Laguna Tools – High-end band saws with ceramic guides and powerful motors, favored for resawing.
- Jet Tools – Offers a broad range of dependable mid-priced band saws.
- Grizzly Industrial – Affordable, full-featured saws with excellent resaw capacity.
- SawStop – While known for table saws, recently entered the band saw market with premium safety features.
Buying Guide
When shopping for a band saw, consider:
- Cutting Capacity – Throat depth (left to right) and resaw height (under the guides).
- Motor Power – More HP for resawing dense hardwoods.
- Blade Width Range – Wide for resawing, narrow for curves.
- Frame Design – Cast iron vs. welded steel.
- Fence Quality – A must for accurate straight cuts.
- Budget & Space – Benchtop for hobby use, floor models for serious work.
Comparison Snapshot:
| Type | Best Use | Size | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benchtop | Hobby, small projects | 9–10″ | 1/3–1/2 HP |
| 14″ Floor | Versatile, general woodworking | 14″ | 3/4–1.5 HP |
| Resaw/Industrial | Veneers, milling lumber | 18–24″ | 2–5 HP |
Vintage Band saw Models
Maintenance & Care
- Keep the blade sharp and clean.
- Check and adjust blade tension regularly.
- Clean wheels and replace worn tires.
- Lubricate guide bearings as needed.
- Keep the table rust-free with wax or protective spray.
Safety Tips for Users
- Always lower the blade guard close to the workpiece.
- Use the correct blade width for the job.
- Keep hands clear; use push sticks and jigs when necessary.
- Do not force the cut—let the blade do the work.
- Wear safety glasses and hearing protection.
Accessories
- Resaw Fences & Guides for tall cuts.
- Circle-Cutting Jigs for perfect arcs.
- Blade Selection (fine-tooth for curves, wide blades for resawing).
- Aftermarket Guides (ceramic or bearing-based) for precision.
FAQs
Q1: What size band saw is best for a beginner?
A 14-inch band saw is versatile and a great starting point for most woodworkers.
Q2: Can a band saw replace a table saw?
Not entirely—band saws excel at curves and resawing, but table saws are better for ripping and precise joinery.
Q3: What’s the best blade for resawing?
A wide blade (1/2″–3/4″) with low TPI (3–4 teeth per inch) works best.
Q4: How much space do I need for a band saw?
Enough room to feed stock in and out—usually 6–8 feet clearance front and back.
Q5: Why does my band saw drift when cutting straight lines?
Drift often comes from improper blade tension, dull blades, or misaligned guides.
Conclusion
The band saw is one of woodworking’s most versatile tools—capable of cutting curves, resawing boards, and shaping intricate designs. From the massive industrial saws of Crescent and Tannewitz to today’s precision-engineered models from Laguna and Rikon, the band saw has remained an essential tool in shops for over a century. With the right machine, setup, and blade, you can expand your woodworking capabilities and achieve results that no other saw can match.
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Band saws are one of the most versatile tools in the shop. When looking to cut curves and other irregular shapes in wood, the band saw is the best tool to choose. It features a continuous band of blade that travels around an upper and lower wheel (or three wheels in the 3-wheel style). The blade rotates in a clockwise direction so cutting is on a continuous down stroke.
A quality band saw with a few accessories will do far more than just cut curves. They are great for ripping small pieces of stock, resawing thin strips from larger pieces, and for some specialty work such as cutting rabbets. Band saws come in a variety of sizes and types and there are several options available depending on the kind of work you want to do.
Types of Band Saws
There are three main types of band saws, bench top models, stand mounted, and floor model cabinet saws.
Bench Top Band Saws
A bench top band saw is a shorter smaller unit that mounts on either a dedicated stand or a bench top. These units are ideal for the home woodworker where space may be limited. They are also good for light scroll cutting.
Stand Mounted Band Saw
These are some of the most popular band saws for the serious woodworker. They are typically a heavy duty band saw with a cast iron frame mounted on an enclosed steel stand. The biggest difference between this and the floor model band saws is that the lower wheel is usually mounted in the lower cabinet on the floor mounted saws while it is included within the frame of the stand mounted saw and sits above the stand.
Floor Model Band Saws
Floor model band saws are built for professional and home use where the use and wear more heavy duty than that performed on the lighter bench top models. These floor model band saws have more features and accessories available and they usually use a larger motor and a larger more sturdy frame to support heavier duty cutting. They will also cut a larger piece of wood. The sturdiness makes these saws ideal for resawing and curved work in thicker stock.
BandSaw Features
Depth of Cut
The main considerations when choosing a band saw are the depth of cut and the throat. A band saw’s depth of cut is the distance from the table to the upper blade guides and determines how thick a piece of wood can be cut. Some saws that have only a six inch depth of cut have an optional riser block that is available to extend the depth of cut from six to twelve inches. The classic Delta 14″ bandsaw is a good example. The depth of cut is an especially important factor when resawing.
Throat
The throat is the distance between the blade and the vertical frame of the saw. This is something close to the same measurement of the diameter of the band saw wheels. The distance determines the width of cut that can be made or as some manufactures put it, the distance to the center of a circle that the saw is capable of cutting. When someone is describing a bandsaw as a 14″ or an 18″ model that measurement is referring to the throat of the saw. Saws with wide throats allow you to make wider straight cuts and scroll larger pieces without obstruction from the frame.
Band saws range in throat capacity from 8″ to 36″ and are available in two wheel and some three wheel design. A three wheel design usually has a larger throat capacity.
Size of Bandsaw Motor
Another consideration is the horsepower of the band saw’s motor. Bench top models and smaller band saws for home use will use a 1/2 HP to 1 HP motor. Floor standing and larger professional models will use a larger motor up to 2 to 3 HP. Another feature for band saw motors is whether or not it is a direct drive motor or a belt driven model. Many bench top models feature smaller direct drive motors while the floor standing models typically have a larger belt-driven motor located in the stand beneath the saw. If the saw is to be used to cut metal it should have a variable speed motor or a belt and pulley system that allows for slower speeds. A band saw speed is measured in feet of blade travel per second. Higher horsepower also allows the saw to cut through thick stock without bogging down or burning the wood.
Blade Width
Blade width is an important consideration depending on the type of work you will be doing. Very fine scroll work will require the ability to accept a very narrow or even a round blade for cutting detailed design with sharp curves such as ornate fretwork. Resawing will require a wide blade to keep it from “drifting” with the grain of the wood. Most cuts in thicker stock will require wide blades that won’t flex as much as narrow ones. This is also important for making straight cuts. See more information about blades.
Additional Features
Table Top – Band saws should have a cast iron, steel or aluminum table which tilts up to 45 degrees for angled cuts. The larger the saw, the larger the table should be to support larger work. Some band saw tables also have a groove in them for use with a miter gauge.
Dust Collection Port
Another useful feature to look for in a band saw is a dust collection port to connect to a saw dust collector or shop vac. These are typically located just beneath the table top to collect sawdust before it can get near the lower wheel and build up on the rubber tires. This can cause the wheel to become unbalanced and the saw to vibrate. A mechanism such as a small brush mounted so that it can brush dust off of the rubber tire is also a feature to look for.
Rip Fence
A rip fence is a necessary option if you intend on cutting straight work. An accessory rip fence usually consists of a front and rear steel rail that is mounted to the band saw table. The fence rides on the two rails and can be clamped or locked into position at the desired distance from the blade to provide a straight cutting edge to hold the stock against while cutting a straight line.
Optional Accessories
Band saws may also be available with accessories that extend the functionality of the saw. These include miter gauges, circle cutting jigs, sanding belts, etc.
Vintage BandSaws
BandSaw Accessories
BandSaw Blades
BandSaw Riser Kit
BandSaw Miter Gauge
BandSaw Rip Fence
Boice Crane BandSaws
Craftsman BandSaws
Craftsman 12″ BandSaw Model 103.21820
Craftsman 12″ BandSaw Model 102.24260 (1952)
Craftsman 3-wheel BandSaw
Delta BandSaws
Delta 10″ BandSaw Model No. 768 (1937)
Delta Homecraft 10″ BandSaw Model 28-110 (1949)
Delta 14″ BandSaw Model 28-207 (1949)
