Efficient Cutting: Important Features and Considerations of Band Saws

When looking to cut precise contours in wood or metal, there is no better tool to choose than band saws. Aside from cutting curve, band saws from Canada are also perfect for cutting tenons and some smaller rabbets, for ripping small pieces of stock and for resawing thin strips from larger pieces of wood.

The two general types of band saws are floor-standing cabinet models, and mounted models, shorter units that are mounted either on a dedicated stand or on a bench top. Cabinet models are typically used for industrial purposes, whereas the units are better suited for small or home projects. The cabinet models have more features and larger motors. They usually feature a stronger frame which leads to more accurate and precise cutting. Mounted saw also provide quality cuts on a smaller scale.

Important Features of Band Saws

The two main features of the band saws from Canada are the depth of cut and the throat. The saw's depth of cut is the distance from the table to the upper blade guides. Many band saws are marketed on this feature alone, which tells the prospective buyer how thick of stock can be cut using the band saw. However, some saws that have only a six-inch depth of cut can have an optional riser added to the unit which extends the depth from six inches to twelve. This allows some less expensive saws to be able to cut thicker stock.

The throat is the distance from the blade to the vertical frame section of the body of the saw. This distance determines the width of cut that can be completed on the band saw. The throat on a free-standing cabinet band saw typically exceeds the throat of smaller, bench-top models.

Motor Size

Another consideration is the size of the band saw's motor. Most home-level models incorporate a 3/4 to 1 horsepower motor, whereas professional models will have more powerful motors with variable speeds. For woodworkers, the variable speed won't really matter, as slower than max speeds should be incorporated when cutting metals and some hard plastics.

A consumer should make a checklist of just what they’ll need the band saws from Canada before deciding if and which model to purchase. Is the saw strictly for home DIY projects or could it lead to a craft constructing business that will require extra features? Something else to take into consideration is the blade opening or the throat of the band saw. This will tell you how big of a stock piece the band saw will cut. Many experienced band saw users who started off with the smaller unit have found themselves upgrading within almost weeks to the bigger model for ease of use more than anything. Last but not least, is to investigate the motor size in which at least a 1 horsepower model is recommended.