If you are often faced with the need to make intricate and tight cuts, you may find it crucial to invest in the best band saw. However, not everyone is ready to spend a whole lot of money on this tool. Band saws come in different shapes, sizes, and with different features. If you want to save some extra cash, settling for the best budget bandsaw is the best option you have.
An inexpensive bandsaw does not mean low quality. There are many great band saws in the market that are reasonably priced. In this article, we will provide you with a detailed review of the seven best budget bandsaw in the market.
Page Contents
The Best Budget Bandsaws Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw |  |
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| 2. WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw |  Our Top Pick |
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| 3. DEWALT DWM120K Portable Band Saw |  |
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| 4. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw Kit |  |
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| 5. Grizzly Industrial G0555 Bandsaw |  |
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| 6. POWERTEC BS900 Benchtop Bandsaw |  |
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| 7. WEN 3975T Metal Cutting Benchtop Band Saw |  |
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1. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw
The Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw is one of the best budget band saws you can find in the market. In addition to being affordable, this tool comes with many great features. This is a 10-inch bandsaw and it is more suited for professionals. It comes with a powerful 1/3 horsepower motor, which his great for a wide range of applications. This band saw is basically designed to cut wood, but you can use it to cut other materials such as metal or plastic. Many users love this tool because of its durability and design.
This model is made of steel, which contributes to the sturdiness and rigidness of the machine. It comes with an inbuilt knob system that makes the guidepost very easy to adjust. This machine comes with a very spacious cast iron table. The table can hold any type of material while cutting.
This unit is versatile, as it comes with a tilting property that allows you to tilt the table from 0 to 45 degrees. It also comes with a quality rip fence that you can remove easily to do free hand work. Furthermore, this machine comes with a 2.5 inches dust port, which allows you to connect a vacuum cleaner. With this, your workspace would remain clean while working. The product weighs only 76 pounds. However, some users say it is too large but many others are okay with the size.
Specs
- 2,780 FPM
- Steel
- 96 pounds
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Durable
- Great design
- Large, sturdy table
- Titling property
Cons
- Some users say it is too large
2. WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw
The second on our list of the best pocket-friendly band saws is the WEN 3962 Band Saw. This tool makes a great companion for any workshop. This is a 10 inches tool that boasts of a considerably smaller footprint. Nevertheless, the size of the machine did not compromise its performance. It does not occupy much space, thanks to its compact design. regardless of its compact build, this tool comes with a very spacious table that measures 14.125 by 12.5 inches. The worktable is made out of aluminum, which makes it durable and strong enough to carry any material.
Furthermore, the table of this machine comes with a bevel capacity of up to 45 degrees to the right. With this, you can make angled cuts of up to 6 inches deep. When it comes to performance, this machine comes with a powerful 3.5-amp motor that can drive the blade through materials that are 6 inches thick and 9.75 inches wide in just a single pass.
In addition to that, it comes with a variable speed operation, which increases the versatility of the machine. The motor delivers a variable speed of 1,520 and 2,620 feet per minute, which means you can choose the speed that best suits the material you want to cut. It also comes with a 3-in-1 dust port that allows you to connect a wide range of dust collection hoses. One of the major selling points of this tool is that it is equipped with a series of blade options to choose from. It also comes with a work light, a miter gauge, a fence, and a 3/8 inches blade (6 TPI).
Specs
- 1,520 and 2,620 FPM
- Metal
- 73 pounds
Pros
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Variable speed
- Worklight
- Variety of blade options
Cons
- The flimsy tension knob is made with plastic
3. DEWALT DWM120K Portable Band Saw
If you are looking for a budget-friendly, yet powerful band saw that you can use to handle tough projects, you should consider the Dewalt DWM120K Portable Band Saw. This tool is suitable for a wide range of applications and it can handle any tough job without getting bogged down. This machine comes with a 10-amp motor that delivers a variable speed ranging from 100 to 350 square feet per minute (SPM). It also has a variable speed dial that allows you to choose the perfect speed for any material you want to cut.
This machine also comes with a serviceable shroud that is made of steel alongside rubber bumpers. With these features, the guards of the saw can withstand any abuse on job sites for durable, optimal performance. If you are in an environment with poor lit conditions, this machine has got you covered as it comes with an LED light to provide you with a visible line of cut. One of the most fascinating features of this motor is that it comes with an oversized and multi-positioned front handle that is very easy to adjust.
The ergonomic handle and comfortable grip allows you to make accurate and clean cuts with ease. The soft-grip also makes the saw very comfortable to hold. It also comes with an integrated hang hook that allows you to hand the saw without damaging the front handle. For rectangular and round stock, this machine features a cutting depth capacity of 5 inches.
Specs
- 100-350 SPM
- Steel
- 15 pounds
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Variable speed control
- Soft-grip and ergonomic handle
- Easy to maintain
- Extremely lightweight and portable
Cons
- The Blade dulls Pretty fast
4. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw Kit
The JET JWBS-14DXPRO bandsaw is one of the best budget-friendly band saws in the market. This is a professional-style, high-end machine that can cut through an array of materials including metal, wood, and more. It comes with a dual-speed poly-v belt drive system with a no-load speed of 1,500 and 3,000 SFPM. This variable speed feature allows for extreme precision when cutting through materials. With this feature, you can customize your cutting speed based on the materials you want to cut.
It is a benchtop bandsaw that features a cutting surface of 15 inches by 5 inches. This is a pretty large cutting surface, and it can slice into materials with a height of 12 inches and a width of 13.5 inches. It is also one of the most versatile machines on our list, as it comes with a resawing function. This machine comes with a newly designed lower and upper cast iron frame for rigidity and increased strength.
The built-in 12-inch resaw capacity is capable of cutting larger pieces of wood. It also features a blade guide post with rack and pinion adjustment. For reduced friction, this unit comes with upper and lower ball bearings, which improves the performance of the blade and results in longer blade life. For your safety, this budget band saw comes with an easy-to-view blade tracking window, which helps you to keep track of the position of the blade as you work.
Specs
- 1,500 and 3,000 SFPM
- Cast iron
- 256 pounds
Pros
- Dual-speed control
- Easy-to-view blade tracking window
- Large cutting surface
- Adjustable table
- Resawing function
Cons
- It is heavy
5. Grizzly Industrial G0555 Bandsaw
Are you looking for a highly durable bandsaw that will not leave a hole in your pocket? Search no more, as the Grizzly Industrial G0555 Bandsaw is what you need. This budget-friendly bandsaw made it to our list because of its ease of use, sturdy construction, and other great features. Many experienced and professional woodworkers use this machine because of its optimal performance and durability.
This is a 14-inch band saw that is made in Taiwan, and it comes with cast iron aluminum wheels. It features a maximum cutting height of 6 inches, but you can increase this to 12 inches by investing in a riser kit if you want. This machine comes with a 1 HP motor that is capable of cutting through a wide range of materials. The cutting capacity at the throat is 13.5 inches. It also features a dual blade speed of 1,500 and 3,200 SFPM. It accepts blade sizes of 92.5 inches to 93.5 inches (1/8 inches to ¾ inches wide)
This machine features a heavy-duty stand and cast-aluminum wheels with rubber tires. It also comes with a cast-iron frame for longevity and durability. With this tool, you get to work in a dust-free environment, thanks to its 4 inches dust port. The table of this tool can also tilt 45 degrees to the right and 15 degrees to the left. It features a quick blade tension release and a sturdy T-shape fence design.
Specs
- 1,500 and 3,200 SFPM
- Steel
- 199 pounds
Pros
- Professional features
- Sturdy construction
- Easy to assemble
- The table tilts both left and right
- Dust collection port
Cons
- Lacks a table light
- A bit weighty
6. POWERTEC BS900 Benchtop Bandsaw
The POWERTEC BS900 is another budget-friendly and powerful band saw in the market. While it is not the most heavy-duty band saw out there, it comes with a very powerful motor that is suitable for a wide range of cutting applications. This unit comes with a 2.5-amp induction motor that delivers a no-load speed of 1,725 FPM. With this speed, this tool can handle lighter tasks with ease. Nevertheless, the downside to this unit is that it features a single cutting speed.
Moving on, this machine comes with an aluminum die-cast table that measures 11.75 inches by 11.75 inches. This means you have a sturdy and spacious work surface that will serve you for a very long time. This table also allows for intricate cuts, as it features a bevel capacity of up to 45 degrees.
This tool uses a 62-inch blade with a range of thickness from 1/8 inches to 3/8 inches. This bandsaw also comes in handy for scroll cutting and re-sawing. You can also adjust the blade of this machine with ease, thanks to its quick-release tension lever. This unit can make cuts of up to 3.625 in-depth and it also features a throat of 9 inches. Furthermore, it comes with a dust port to free your workspace of dust.
Specs
- 1,725 FPM
- Plastic and metal
- 44.1 pounds
Pros
- Versatile and durable
- Large and strong table
- Blade tracking window
- High-quality motor
- Quick and easy blade change
Cons
- Lacks a rip fence
7. WEN 3975T Metal Cutting Benchtop Band Saw
The last best budget bandsaw on our list is the WEN 3975T Band Saw. This unit comes with a 4.5-amp motor that provides you with smooth, fast, and precise cuts. It also offers a variable speed in the range of 125 and 260 SFPM. The reason why many users love this machine is that it is lightweight and compact. Furthermore, this band saw is well-known for its user-friendliness and simplicity.
One unique feature of this tool is that it comes with a bevel capacity of up to 60 degrees. This flexibility comes in handy when you want to take your creativity to the next level. It features a sturdy build and it is capable of handling intense projects. For more accessibility try an aftermarket bandsaw fence which is more handy in cutting metal.
Another unique feature of this band saw is that you can easily transform it from a vertical bandsaw to a horizontal bandsaw. While there are other inexpensive band saws with this feature, this model tends to outperform them all.
Specs
- 125 and 260 SFPM
- Metal
- 54.8 pounds
Pros
- Lightweight
- Compact design
- Can be used horizontally and vertically
- Variable speed
- 0 to 60 degrees bevel capacity
Cons
- Low blade speed
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Inexpensive Bandsaw
Like any other power tool, settling for the best option is not as easy as it sounds. There are certain features and factors you need to look out for. Here are some vital things you need to put into consideration before buying a relativelt cheap bandsaw.
The Build of the Machine
When investing in a tool that holds a sharp blade moving at high speed, the construction of the machine will always be a concern. When it comes to best bandsaws, there are three major focal points: the table, frame, and wheels (except for benchtop band saws). Frames come in plastic, cast iron, or steel construction.
The same thing applies to the wheels. Cast iron wheels are the best, but they cost more. Heavy wheels add inertia to the machine, which helps to boost your accuracy while cutting. They help to keep the machine in place.
Cutting Range
One of the most important things you need to consider before buying a bandsaw is its cutting range. The cutting range of a band saw refers to the size of the material you will be able to cut with it. Your depth of cut is the distance between the upper blade guard and the table. This determines the size of the stock you can cut with the machine. However, you can install riser blocks to increase the cutting capacity of your machine.
The Motor of the Bandsaw
Another vital thing you need to put into consideration is the motor of the machine. While the motor of a bandsaw is something you can swap out, we do not recommend that if you are not a good machinery. As such, you want to make sure you settle for the best affordable bandsaw with a powerful motor the first time.
Inexpensive band saws usually come with motors under one horsepower, although many of them come with higher power ratings. Some of the common power rating you could find include 1/3 to 1/2 horsepower. These motors often generate speed that is referred to in feet per minute (FPM) or square feet per minute (SFPM).
If you want to use the tool mostly for wood, we recommend you go for a bandsaw with a higher speed. On the other hand, if you want to use the machine mostly for metal, you need to go for a tool with a lower speed (FPM).
Final Thoughts
While looking for the best inexpensive bandsaw, you need to avoid the common mistake of settling for a low-quality model. To avoid this mistake, we have provided you with some of the best options on the market for you to make an easy pick.
From the products reviewed above, our top recommendation is the WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw because of its great features. It is lightweight, versatile, variable speed control, and more.
