7 best band saws

Band saws are excellent tools for increasing productivity in carpentry and carpentry workshops. They can be used to process much more materials than using a classical hacksaw or a jigsaw. In addition, they make cuts more even, as well as suitable for figure cutting.

We have collected a rating of 7 of the best band saws, which will find their application both among home craftsmen and professionals.

How to choose a band saw

When choosing a band saw, it is necessary to determine not only its purpose (by wood or metal), but also class. There are three groups:

1. Household. These are relatively inefficient devices with power up to 500 watts. They are enough for a fairly leisurely processing of various materials. The main advantage of household band saws is the price, they are much cheaper than professional devices, and most of the tasks associated with cutting materials during processes such as repairs are handled;
2. Semi-professional. Devices with power from 0.5 to 1.5 kW. The productivity of semi-professional band saws on wood, thanks to tooling with a width of up to 100 mm, is up to 10 cubic meters per shift. Suitable for small carpentry and carpentry;
3. Professional. High-power, multifunctional solutions. Connect to a three-phase network (380 V). Power - from 1.5 kW. Equipment - up to 300 mm, productivity - up to 15 cubic meters of wood, including frozen, per shift. It is recommended to purchase these tools for factories, since even at relatively large workshops their productivity will be superfluous.

The main parameters of band saws - both for wood and for metal - are:

1. Depth. The distance from the table top to the border. Determines how thick a bar can be cut. The most important parameter in combination with power, it is worth paying attention to it first of all. For example, household band saws with a depth of up to 60 mm are suitable only for processing boards and sheets (plywood, laminate, similar materials), and professional ones with a depth of up to 500 mm can handle even thick logs;
2. Kerf width. Determines the maximum width of the board to be processed;
3. Canvas material. The best solution is a carbon steel cloth, and for saws on wood and metal. It is reliable, durable and stable;
4. The number of teeth of the blade. The best option is 180 or 210 teeth. Such cloths provide a smooth, uniform cut;
5. Stops, swivel and inclined table, illumination of the working area. These additional features make using a band saw more convenient, especially if you need a curly cut;
6. Multi-speed support. Useful function for saws both on a tree, and on metal. Simplifies the processing of materials with varying degrees of stiffness.
7. But the main parameter for the band saw is, of course, power class.

Top band saws rating

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best compact (battery) band saws	1	Milwaukee HD18 BS-402C	45 700 ₽
	2	Makita 2107FK	21 605 ₽
	3	Bosch GCB 18 VL-I 0	16 599 ₽
Top band saws for wood	1	JET JBS-12	42 240 ₽
	2	Encore Corvette-35	39 900 ₽
Top band saws for metal	1	JET J-349V	42 00 ₽
	2	Enkor Corvette-422	24 700 ₽

The best compact (battery) band saws

Milwaukee HD18 BS-402C

Rating: 4.9

Why she: Universal manual band saw.

The manufacturer itself is positioning this saw as a device for metal processing. And this is not surprising. The Milwaukee HD18 BS-402C, despite being a handheld band saw, powered by batteries, is more powerful and easily handles most of the tasks of quickly processing any materials - pipes, rods, not too thick trunks and other blanks.

The cutting width of the device is 85 millimeters, the cutting depth is also 85 millimeters. The speed of rotation of the belt without load is 146 revolutions per minute, one mode. The saw works from the accumulator with a capacity of 4 Ach. There is illumination of the working area.

The saw differs in a rich complete set. It comes with two batteries, a charger for them, a saw tape and a transport case.

Makita 2107FK

Rating: 4.8

Why she: High depth and width of cut.

Cordless hand saw with one of the highest depth and width of cut in the rating - they are 120 × 120 millimeters. This allows you to use this tool for processing relatively large workpieces. The special design of the saw simplifies use and reduces the load on the hands during prolonged use.

The saw differs also in the excellent power parameters. According to official information, its power is 710 W, which refers the device to the category of semi-professional. Supports smooth adjustment of the speed of rotation of the tape, there are two speeds, the maximum - 80 meters per minute.

The tool works from a household network. The package, in addition to the device itself, includes a saw tape, an allen key for removing the protective cover and the installation of the blade, as well as a shipping case.

Bosch GCB 18 VL-I 0

Rating: 4.7

Why she: Very light, but powerful enough for processing wood and similar materials.

The main advantage of this hand saw is its low weight. In fact, this tool is the easiest in the rating, it weighs only 3.8 kg with the battery connected and the tape installed. The manufacturer also calls it the most compact - the dimensions of the device are 34 × 16 centimeters. Because of this, the width and depth of the cut is 6.3 × 6.3 cm.

At the same time, the device has a rather high productivity - the maximum speed of the web is 163 meters per minute. Supports two speeds with smooth switching between them. The device is equipped with LED illumination of the working area, anti-vibration pads and a protective shutdown system in case of overheating.

The device operates on 18-volt batteries with a capacity of 2.6 Ah, equipped with a LED charge level indicator. The package does not include, unlike the two saw bands.

Top band saws for wood

JET JBS-12

Rating: 4.9

Why she: Great combination of price and features.

This band saw is intended for use in small and medium-sized joinery workshops.The capacity of 800 watts is enough for a device to process up to 7-10 cubic meters of wood per shift, and thanks to two speeds, you can adjust it to the materials used - so that the sawing is as comfortable as possible. The saw is powered from a household 220-volt network.

The device is equipped with an angle stop with a protractor scale, so it can be cut at an angle - up to 45 degrees. The desktop is made of cast iron. The machine supports fast stretch tape. The maximum depth of the cut is 18 centimeters, and width - 30 centimeters.

An important advantage of the device is the presence of a separate dust extraction pipe. This not only helps to improve the ventilation of the workplace, but also to extend the operating period of the machine.

Encore Corvette-35

Rating: 4.8

Why she: Increased power, two speeds, a comfortable desktop.

This band saw is equipped with an asynchronous motor, which guarantees constant operating parameters and reliability. The power of the device is 1000 W - the highest in its segment of the rating. Thanks to the productive motor, the speed of the saw blade is 7.3 or 15 meters per second - this allows you to process workpieces not only from wood or plastic, but also from an aluminum alloy.

The machine is equipped with a magnetic starter, which eliminates the spontaneous start; adjustable stabilizer based on rolling bearings; molded work desk with tilt support up to 45 degrees; connection pipe for vacuum cleaner or ventilation system; and a limit switch that makes tool maintenance more secure.

Also, the machine boasts a rich set of delivery. Cutting depth - up to 20 cm, width - up to 30 cm.

Top band saws for metal

JET J-349V

Rating: 4.9

Why she: High power, support for arbitrary cutting angles, cutting depth up to 125 mm.

The main advantage of this band saw is support for sawing at an arbitrary angle of up to 60 degrees. In this case, the drive bends, not the table, which makes it possible to process long blanks without the need for additional fixation. The maximum depth and width of the cut is 125 millimeters, but only for material placed at an angle of 90 degrees.

The device is equipped with a 1000-watt motor with two speeds, and the adjustment between them is carried out smoothly. The maximum speed is 80 meters per minute. Thus, this band saw is suitable for machining even some steel parts.

The bimetallic cloth intended just for processing of metals is included in a stock complete set. Also with the machine comes the end stop. The band saw is equipped with a handle and can be transported to the work site (19 kg in weight).

Enkor Corvette-422

Rating: 4.7

Why she: Low price.

Despite the fact that the previous band saw in the rating is twice as powerful as this machine (and the Corvette-422 is equipped with a 550-watt drive), it is also suitable for processing some metal blanks. For example, based on aluminum.The drive supports three speeds with step switching, so that operational parameters can be quickly changed depending on the nature of the work. The maximum speed of movement of the saw belt is 50 meters per minute.

The width and depth of the cut of the workpiece, placed at an angle of 90 degrees to the rolling web, is 115 millimeters. But the machine supports processing at 45 degrees - in this case, the maximum diameter of the material is 70 degrees.

The band saw is equipped with an asynchronous motor, which is characterized by reliability and durability. The folding design allows to transport the machine to the place of work.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.