R

Good for

These machines are great because of their ability to work with a wide range of different materials. Whether you’re looking to cut through metal, wood, or even plastic, a vertical bandsaw might be a good solution. On top of that, professionals usually use these machines to cut curved and complex edges with ease. Therefore, precision is something that separates this particular type from most of the others.

Bandsaws produce less noise and dust in comparison to other types. It’s a great advantage because sawdust is proven to cause health issues, respiratory damage, skin irritation, and even cancer. The biggest upside of these units is their versatility. Most of them are highly adjustable and capable of coping with all kinds of projects whether they involve wood, meat, plastic, or metal. They are also quite easy to use meaning one doesn’t have to have complete knowledge about the matter in order to use a power tool like this.

Q

Not recommended for

One of the main things that you should remember is that these machines rarely yield a finished product. In other words, they might cut something to a particular size or shape, but the remaining edges will still stay rough and unprocessed. Therefore, almost every piece you create with a bandsaw requires additional finishing. These machines will not produce a smooth and ready-to-go product, but instead a rough representation of the final piece.

Thicker materials are much easier to work with when it comes to these units. The thinner the material is, the more room for error. Even though it’s a great piece of equipment for every woodworker, most of them don’t put a bandsaw high on their list of priorities. In simpler terms, it’s something you can work without and get similar results. However, the labor invested in doing a project without this product is substantial.

Top Rated VERTICAL BANDSaws


In our opinion, the best vertical band saw is the WEN 3962 for its versatility and functional additional accessories.

WEN 3962 – Editor’s Choice


WEN 3692 Product Image

Our Rating: 4.8

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

We chose this particular model as our go-to choice due to several great features it has to offer. First of all, it features a 3.5-amp motor which is capable of cutting up to six inches deep and 9-3/4 inches wide. It also uses 72-inch blades that are anywhere from 1/8 to ½ inches in size. As you can tell, one of its main selling points is versatility. Depending on which blade you mount on it, you can cut through metal, wood, plastic, and even meat.

The design is great both for devoted professionals and occasional users. The most notable thing design-wise is the size of the worktable. With its 14 x 12 inches table, it can be considered as quite a spacious model. On top of that, the table bevels up to 45 degrees meaning you can make angled cuts without too many issues or tedious setups. The machine can operate at two different speeds which are 1520 and 2620 FPM respectively. There are plenty of models that offer a bit more versatility when it comes to speed settings, but that doesn’t mean this unit is at a disadvantage in comparison to those.

The additional accessories are what make this unit worth checking out. The flexible LED light can come in handy in many situations, even though you might not like to work in dark environments. In fact, it’s definitely not recommended due to safety reasons. The included stand is sturdy and reliable, but it doesn’t come with any wheels. While the lack of wheels certainly isn’t a deal-breaking factor, it should still be mentioned so that you know what to expect. The unit also features a 3-in-1 dust port which is a great way to get rid of the debris and sawdust.

WEN 3692 Product Image

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Jet JWBS-14DXPRO


Jet JWBS-14DXPRO Product Image

Our Rating: 4.3

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Jet JWBS-14DXPRO


Our Rating: 4.3

If you’re looking for strength, reliability, and rigidity, this particular model might be a good option to consider. It features a durable stand as well as a spacious worktable. On the other hand, it’s not the largest worktable on the market by any means, but it offers more than enough room for you to cut large pieces of different materials to size with ease.

Speaking of ease, the ease of use is what makes this unit desirable among both professionals and hobbyists. Even though it’s not a simple piece of equipment per se, it’s definitely straightforward and easy to get the hang of. However, make sure you read the user manual and the included instructions in order to avoid unpleasant surprises, especially if you are not as experienced with these tools. The poly-V belt drive system offers two speeds. As you can tell, it’s not as versatile when it comes to the speed choice, but it’s also far from being inefficient.

The design is one of the most reliable ones we have covered thus far. The materials used are durable, and most of the components are made of sturdy metal which guarantees longevity and consistency. As you may know, consistency is one of the key features when it comes to bandsaws, and many of them struggle to reach a satisfactory level of consistent smoothness in operation. This particular one doesn’t have those issues whatsoever.

As for the downsides, the thing we would like to see is a lower price. It is an affordable piece of equipment, there’s no question about it, but we feel there’s still room for some improvements. On the other hand, many professionals praised its reliability and precision, so it’s far from an unusable product. Upper and lower bearings are responsible for reducing friction which should enhance the performance of the blade, but it’s not as noticeable as one would expect.

Delta 28-400


Delta 28-400 Product Image

Our Rating: 4.0

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

The heavy-duty steel frame is one of the main factors that make this model worth checking out. On top of that, it features a 1-phase 115V/230V 1HP motor which offers two different speeds – 1620 and 3340 FPM. It’s also quite easy to adjust this unit to your own preferences thanks to the innovative tensioning system. This model is a great solution for professionals who know what they want and are searching for quality.

The design is clearly a very strong point of this unit. It’s made of heavy-duty steel which guarantees stability, longevity, and solid support. While the aesthetics have nothing to do with the overall performance of this machine, we must mention that it looks better than most other models we’ve covered. The wheels inside the chassis are made of aluminum which is a good thing for the overall weight of the product, but a pretty worrying one when it comes to consistency. Aluminum wheels tend to cause some wobbling after a while whereas the ones made of steel don’t. Now, that’s not a reason to give up on the product because while it can happen, the instability is an unlikely occurrence considering the overall quality of this model.

The worktable features a t-slot miter which can tilt 3 degrees to the left and 45 degrees to the right. There is a positive spot at 90 degrees so that you always have a valid reference point instead of having to search for it every time you change the angle.

As far as downsides go, there are only a few minor ones. One of the things some people didn’t like is the aluminum wheels. As we said, it’s not a massive flaw by any means, but it can cause some issues along the way. Also, the steel frame while neat isn’t nearly as solid as a cast iron one. This might not pose an issue for people who are occasionally using their machines, but professionals that utilize it on a daily basis might not like it.

Delta 28-400 Product Image

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175


Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 Product Image

Our Rating: 3.8

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175


Our Rating: 3.8

Laguna is a well-respected brand in this particular industry. Thanks to that reputation, they have been able to issue plenty of high-quality products that met the expectations of the potential buyers. This particular model is another one in the line of great things coming from Laguna Tools. It features a 1 ¾ HP 110V motor that can be rewired to operate at 220V.

One of the things that separate this model from the others is the amount of auxiliary features. The stand is made of high-quality metal and contains two stationary and one rotating wheel. Therefore, you can move the machine around your workshop without having to ask for help or worry about fatigue. It’s not a lightweight unit per se, but it’s definitely somewhat portable and mobile. The design consists of both cast iron and heavy-duty steel. The main components are usually made of steel, while the worktable and wheels are made of cast iron. Furthermore, the included rip fence is also made of aluminum.

While there aren’t many drawbacks, some need to be pointed out. The first one is the peculiarly small footprint. In other words, the machine is relatively high and heavy, but the stand isn’t as wide and stable as one would expect. It’s usually not a massive deal breaker, but it can be a nuisance for people who frequently utilize their bandsaws. The other downside is the amount of vibration this thing produces. While it depends on the rotational speed, the amount of vibrations is quite noticeable, especially after prolonged use. The red flag here is the fact that there is no perfect solution for this particular problem. The price is okay, and in fact, it’s one of the better and more acceptable ones on the market. It’s not cheap by any means, but it’s a worthy investment.

Quick Product Comparison


MOTORBLADE SPEEDWEIGHTPRICE
WEN 3692 Product Image

WEN 3962

1/3 HP, 120V1520 or 2620 FPM74 pounds$Check Price
Jet JWBS-14DXPRO Product Image

JET JWBS-14DXPRO

1 HP, 115/230V1500 or 3000 FPM257 pounds$$$Check Price
Delta 28-400 Product Image

DELTA 28-400

1 HP, 115/230V1620 or 3340 FPM165 pounds$$Check Price
Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 Product Image

LAGUNA TOOLS MBAND1412-175

3/4 HP, 115VNIP267 pounds$$$$Check Price

Before You Buy: How a Vertical Bandsaw Works?


A lot of people aren’t familiar with the basic principles on which bandsaws work. It may seem irrelevant and not worth hassling over, but you can rest assured that it greatly helps you to overcome some of the more frequent issues. As you can assume, no machine is perfect, and once something unplanned happens, it’s always better to have a decent amount of knowledge about the matter so that you don’t have to hire a professional to fix every minor mishap.

The Principle


As like the other types of bandsaws, this particular one operates on a pretty similar principle. It consists of two or more wheels which drive a serrated blade at high rpm. Some of the modern models offer various speeds thus helping the user to choose the suitable one for the particular material they are trying to cut through. One of the most common misconceptions among the inexperienced buyers is that the speed determines the quality of the cut, which might be true in some cases, but it usually isn’t.

Various Materials


Contrary to popular belief, bandsaws can cut more than just wood. In fact, most units can handle metal and plastic, as well as wood. On the other hand, some units handle one material better than the other, so make sure you research the capabilities of a particular model in order to know what it is best used for.

Design and Reliability


Most of these machines are designed similarly to each other, but there are some differences one needs to think of. First of all, aluminum and cast iron are both metals, but they don’t have the same properties nor integrity. Aluminum is much lighter, but it’s prone to deformations and that consequently leads to inconsistency. On the other hand, cast iron is a great material, but it’s usually quite heavy and affects the overall weight of the unit.

Best Vertical Band Saw – Buyer’s Guide


Even though purchasing a power tool seems pretty easy and straightforward, there are some things you should pay attention to in order to avoid getting a subpar machine that lacks crucial features. Take a moment and check some of our advice out, it may help you with your dilemma.

Power


A vast majority of buyers look at the power ratings first. It’s not a wrong thing to do by any means, but it probably shouldn’t be a priority. After all, almost every model made in the last year or so offers more than enough power to cut through anything as long as you use proper blades and adjust the unit accordingly.

Aiming for the most powerful machine out there isn’t going to solve all your issues. On top of that, it’s going to cost you a hefty amount of money, to say the least. The key is in finding the one that meets your expectations but is affordable and suitable for your budget.

The Frame


The biggest oversight people make is the quality of the frame. As one can assume, the whole construction including the frame is crucial for stability, accuracy, and reliability of a particular model. In case you end up with a suboptimal and poorly designed frame, there is a high chance that some of the three aforementioned elements won’t meet your expectations.

Look for frames that contain components made of metal, preferably cast iron. In case you cannot afford it, check some of the aluminum models as they should have a more acceptable price for people with a limited budget.

Delta Bandsaw Inside

The Price


A cheaper unit isn’t always a better deal. In fact, it’s usually a bad one because cheap units eventually do more harm than good. If you account the inevitable repairs, adjustments, and endless hassle, a cheaper investment seems far worse than a more expensive one. On the other hand, one shouldn’t always go with the most expensive unit they can find because most average users don’t need all the auxiliary features that come with a costly unit.

Instead, the thing you should do is find the perfect balance between the price and quality. It’s quite a challenging task, there’s no question about it, but it’s more than possible, especially if you follow some of our guidelines or check some of the models we have decided to cover.

It’s also not recommended that you set an exact budget because that can lead to poor decisions. In other words, if a particular model costs a few dollars more than you have, it might be a good idea to wait until you increase the budget slightly and get the opportunity to buy the thing you want. Making compromises isn’t a bad idea per se, but you should be careful about it.

The Weight


The overall weight is important, but it’s a matter of personal preferences. However, the weight of fundamental components is something you should think about. In simpler words, wheels made of light metals can get inconsistent and wobbly after a while. That doesn’t just jeopardize the integrity of the machine, but your safety as well. Needless to say, always think about your own safety, regardless of your previous experience with these tools.

Additional Accessories


Things like LED lamps, bevel tables, miter gauges, and fences fall into the category of additional features. That means there are models on the market that don’t offer these options but are of the same quality as the ones that do. It’s once again a matter of personal preferences, but we strongly recommend getting as many additional components as you can afford because it adds up to the versatility of a particular unit.

Dust ports are also quite useful and efficient, even though many people see them as an additional expense. While the models that feature a dust port may cost a bit more, you can rest assured that it’s a good investment.

The conclusion


If you’re looking for a decent bandsaw with quite a bit of auxiliary features, take a moment and check our reviews out. Remember always to keep yourself as safe as possible, regardless of your expertize. Also, make sure you read the user manual and included instructions in order to avoid potential issues. While most of these machines operate on a pretty similar principle, there are some differences which may cause confusion, especially when it comes to new buyers or people who are just getting into the industry.

More often than not, people end up buying a thing that doesn’t meet their needs. Consequently, most of them either return it and never try to invest again, while others accept their mistake with a bitter taste in their mouth. Needless to say, both scenarios are pretty bad, inefficient, and most importantly – costly. That’s why it’s important for you to research and get familiar with the do’s and don’ts related to bandsaws.

 

Other Band Saw Categories

portable
horizontal
benchtop