5 Factors to Consider When Buying a Band Saw

Posted by Henry.Wilsonn on September 23rd, 2015

Today carpenters can find various brands and types of band saws for sale on retail and online stores but before making the purchase decision it is really important to understand what you require from your band saw. To gauge your needs you should be well aware of the parameters used to assess a band saw’s capabilities and prowess. Following are the 5 factors you need to take into account prior to making your purchase:

Motor Capacity & Size

Unless you are restricted by other factors, always choose a larger sized motor as they don’t burn out as quickly as their smaller counterparts. Depending on your needs 1 Horse Power is the minimum you should aim for, however, for medium duty jobs, you should get something that provides more than 2 Horse Power. There are saws for sale on the market with more oomph but you won’t need them unless you are going to do some heavy duty work.

Always try to pick the saw that comes with a motor larger in size. As a general principle, keep in mind that between two motors with same power rating, that larger one will last longer and perform more reliably.

Throat Size

The larger the throat size, the larger the cutting capacity of the band saw. A band saw with 15 inch of throat size can cut lumber up to 15 inch in width. Many manufacturers use smaller wheels in band saws to increase the cutting depth of the saw but remember that the smaller the diameter of the blade, the lesser its life would be. If you are looking for something that can cut larger widths and lasts longer, opt for the one with bigger diameter.

Cutting Blade Width

Majority of the band saws on the market generally go with a narrow blade of 1/8 inches to achieve detailed designs and make sharp cuts. So, if you want sophisticated detailed work which involves curves then you should opt for a thinner blade. However, if you are looking to make straight cuts in thicker timbre then wider cutting blades are the right way to go.

Wheel Diameter

It is another important factor while purchasing a band saw. Speaking in layman terms, the larger the wheel, the better the band saw. Larger wheels tend to stay straight and the possibility of bending is minimal. On the other hand smaller wheels tend to bend more often. That’s why you should also try to avoid band saws that come with three wheels and stick to two wheel offerings. Band saws featuring three wheels generally have smaller sized wheels which because of their smaller diameter are prone to bending.

Band Saw Table

To carry out your cutting job you need a table. The qualities a good table possesses are that it stays completely stable and stationary during the operation, does not bend or curve in any way and is made of heavy duty metal, generally cast iron or aluminum. For similar reasons, experts don’t recommend tables that are made of sheet metal because they can bend and flex easily costing you more in the long haul

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