Band Saws for Woodworking, Metal and Job Site Cuts
The WEN 3959 Two-Speed Band Saw gives most woodworking beginners enough capacity and power without a steep price. Serious woodworkers who resaw wide boards should step up to the Grizzly G0803, while anyone cutting metal on a job site needs a dedicated portable model like the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Deep Cut.
The WEN 3959 Two-Speed Band Saw suits beginning woodworkers who need a capable 10-inch saw without paying stationary-shop prices, offering both wood and light metal cutting speeds. Its smaller throat depth limits how wide a board it can resaw compared to larger stationary saws. Woodworkers planning to resaw wide lumber regularly should look instead at the 14-inch Grizzly G0803.
Band saws split clearly into stationary shop tools, compact benchtop units and portable models built for metal cutting on a job site, and mixing up those categories leads to the wrong purchase. We compared throat depth, motor horsepower, blade speed ranges and the specific material each saw targets, along with patterns in owner feedback about blade tracking and vibration.
Our top picks
WEN 3959 Two-Speed Band Saw
WEN fits a two-speed motor into this 10-inch benchtop saw, letting it switch between wood-cutting and slower metal-cutting speeds without buying a second machine. A rack-and-pinion blade guide adjusts height for stock up to 4.75 inches thick. The cast iron table resists vibration better than stamped steel alternatives at this price.
Pros
- Two-speed motor covers both wood and light metal cutting
- Cast iron table reduces vibration during cuts
- Affordable entry point for a benchtop saw
Cons
- Throat depth limits resawing wide boards
- Motor underpowered for dense hardwood resaw cuts
Rikon 10-305 10-Inch Deluxe Band Saw
Rikon upgrades the standard benchtop formula with a larger cast aluminum trunnion and a riser block option that extends resaw height beyond the stock capacity. A quick-release tension lever loosens the blade for tool-free changes. Dust collection ports at both the upper and lower blade guides keep sawdust from building up inside the housing.
Pros
- Riser block option extends resaw capacity later
- Quick-release tension lever simplifies blade changes
- Dual dust ports improve visibility while cutting
Cons
- Stock cutting height is shorter than some rivals before adding the riser
- 1/3 HP motor struggles on thick hardwood
Grizzly G0803 14-Inch Band Saw
Grizzly’s 14-inch stationary frame gives serious woodworkers enough resaw height to split wide boards into veneer-thickness slices. A 1 HP motor maintains blade speed through dense hardwood that would stall smaller benchtop saws. The cast iron table and base combine to dampen vibration during long resaw cuts.
Pros
- Resaw height handles wide boards with room to spare
- 1 HP motor maintains speed through hardwood
- Heavy cast iron construction dampens vibration
Cons
- Takes up permanent floor space in a shop
- Overkill and overpriced for occasional light use
DEWALT DWM120K Portable Band Saw
DEWALT builds this deep-cut portable saw for cutting metal pipe, conduit and strut on a job site rather than wood in a shop. A 5 inch by 5 inch cutting capacity handles common pipe and tube sizes without repositioning. Variable speed trigger control adjusts blade speed to match different metal types.
Pros
- Deep cut capacity handles large pipe and conduit
- Variable speed trigger matches different metal types
- Lighter weight than comparable cordless models
Cons
- Requires an outlet or extension cord on site
- Not designed for woodworking tasks
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Deep Cut Band Saw (2729-20)
Milwaukee’s brushless FUEL motor powers this cordless portable saw to match corded deep-cut performance without a cable tying you to an outlet. An M18 battery, sold separately on bare-tool versions, runs through roughly 250 cuts in half-inch conduit per charge. A built-in LED light illuminates the cut line in dim job site conditions.
Pros
- Brushless motor matches corded deep-cut power
- No cord needed on job sites without easy outlet access
- Built-in LED lights the cutting line
Cons
- Bare-tool versions require buying batteries separately
- Heavier than the corded DEWALT once the battery is attached
Powermatic PM1500 Band Saw
Powermatic builds this 15-inch saw for production woodworking shops that run a band saw for hours at a time without downtime. A 2 HP motor and heavy cast iron frame keep blade speed consistent through repeated resaw cuts in hardwood. Tool-free blade guides speed up changes between different blade widths for different jobs.
Pros
- 2 HP motor handles sustained production-level use
- Tool-free blade guides speed up changeovers
- Heavy cast iron frame holds up to daily shop use
Cons
- Priced well above hobbyist benchtop and mid-size saws
- Requires 220V wiring in most shops
SKIL 3386-01 Bench Band Saw
SKIL prices this compact 9-inch saw for hobbyists who need occasional straight and curved cuts without a large investment. A rack and pinion blade guide adjusts to stock up to 3.5 inches thick. The lightweight aluminum frame makes it easier to move between a workbench and storage than cast iron alternatives.
Pros
- Lowest price among the band saws in this roundup
- Lightweight frame is easy to store or move
- Adequate for occasional hobbyist cuts
Cons
- Single speed limits material versatility
- Lighter frame transmits more vibration than cast iron saws
Before you buy
What to look for in a band saw Throat depth and maximum cutting height decide how wide and tall a piece of stock the saw can handle, which matters most for resawing thick lumber into thinner boards. Motor power determines how well the saw maintains blade speed through dense material without stalling. Table material affects vibration, with cast iron dampening it better than stamped aluminum or steel, and blade speed options determine whether a saw can switch between wood and light metal cutting.
Benchtop versus stationary band saws Benchtop models like the WEN 3959 and SKIL 3386-01 cost less and store more easily, suiting hobbyists with occasional cutting needs. Stationary saws such as the Grizzly G0803 and Powermatic PM1500 trade portability for far greater resaw capacity and sustained motor power, better suited to woodworkers cutting wide boards or working for hours at a time. Buyers should match the category to actual project frequency rather than buying stationary power they rarely need.
Portable band saws for metal cutting Job site metal cutting calls for an entirely different design than shop woodworking saws, which is where the DEWALT DWM120K and Milwaukee M18 FUEL Deep Cut fit in. Corded models like the DEWALT deliver consistent power without battery management, while cordless options like the Milwaukee free you from outlet access on sites without easy power. Neither portable design suits resawing lumber, since their small frames and fixed blade speeds target pipe, conduit and strut rather than wide boards.
Matching a band saw to your actual workload Occasional hobbyists making simple curved or straight cuts get adequate performance from a budget benchtop saw like the SKIL 3386-01 or WEN 3959 without overspending. Woodworkers who resaw regularly or work with hardwood should prioritize the extra throat depth and motor power of the Grizzly G0803. Production shops running a saw daily for extended periods justify the higher cost of the Powermatic PM1500, where downtime from an underpowered saw costs more than the price difference.
How they stack up
| # | Model | Throat depth | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WEN 3959 Two-Speed Band Saw | 9.75 inches | Best overall | 8.9 | Check price |
| 2 | Rikon 10-305 10-Inch Deluxe Band Saw | 9.5 inches | Best value | 8.7 | Check price |
| 3 | Grizzly G0803 14-Inch Band Saw | 13.5 inches | Best for resawing wide lumber | 9.1 | Check price |
| 4 | DEWALT DWM120K Portable Band Saw | 5 x 5 in round, 5 x 6 in rectangular | Best portable corded metal cutter | 8.5 | Check price |
| 5 | Milwaukee M18 FUEL Deep Cut Band Saw (2729-20) | 5 x 5 inches | Best cordless portable band saw | 8.8 | Check price |
| 6 | Powermatic PM1500 Band Saw | 14.5 inches | Best premium professional saw | 9.2 | Check price |
| 7 | SKIL 3386-01 Bench Band Saw | 9 inches | Best budget benchtop saw | 8.0 | Check price |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a benchtop and a stationary band saw?
A benchtop saw like the WEN 3959 sits on a workbench and suits occasional use, while a stationary saw like the Grizzly G0803 stands on its own base with greater throat depth and motor power for frequent, heavier cutting.
Can a band saw cut metal as well as wood?
Some saws, like the WEN 3959 with its two-speed motor, can switch to a slower speed for light metal cutting, but dedicated portable saws like the DEWALT DWM120K perform far better on metal pipe and conduit specifically.
How much throat depth do I need for resawing?
Resawing wide boards into thinner slices needs a saw with at least 6 inches of cutting height, which the Grizzly G0803 and Powermatic PM1500 provide, while smaller benchtop saws limit resaw width.
Is a cordless portable band saw as powerful as a corded one?
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Deep Cut uses a brushless motor that matches corded cutting speed on pipe and conduit, though battery life and the cost of extra batteries are tradeoffs against a corded model like the DEWALT DWM120K.
What motor size does a band saw need for hardwood?
Hobbyist benchtop saws with motors under half a horsepower, like the Rikon 10-305, can struggle in dense hardwood, while a 1 HP motor on the Grizzly G0803 or 2 HP on the Powermatic PM1500 maintains speed more consistently.
Do benchtop band saws need a riser block?
A riser block, available for saws like the Rikon 10-305, extends resaw height beyond the stock capacity, which matters if you plan to cut boards taller than the saw’s default throat allows.
Are portable band saws only useful for professionals?
DIY users working with metal pipe or conduit at home can benefit from a portable saw like the DEWALT DWM120K, though the cost rarely makes sense unless metal cutting comes up more than occasionally.
How often does a band saw blade need replacing?
Blade life depends on material cut and blade quality, but resawing hardwood on saws like the Grizzly G0803 wears blades faster than occasional soft wood cuts on a benchtop saw like the SKIL 3386-01.
The verdict
Beginning woodworkers get the most practical mix of capability and price from the WEN 3959 Two-Speed Band Saw. Anyone resawing wide hardwood boards regularly should skip the benchtop category entirely and invest in the Grizzly G0803 for its extra throat depth and motor power. Job site metal work calls for a different tool altogether, and the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Deep Cut earns the recommendation there for crews without reliable outlet access.
Jake Monroe
Jake worked as a residential contractor for over a decade before shifting to full-time writing. He evaluates power tools, hand tools and workshop gear through the lens of someone who has actually used them on job sites, not just read the box.
