8 Different Types of Band Saws (With Pictures) : Band Saw Basics 101

From giant factories to tiny carpentry shops, there are always jobs that require cutting objects with great precision.

You can’t deny it!

But To develop this type of work, it was previously common to use very sharp manual blades; however, the cuts didn’t have the required levels of accuracy.

Totally!

To solve this problem, band saws were made with which to make cuts for industrial purposes and precisely are something very simple.

Moreover, this cutting tool stands out most significantly for its ability to be applied in cutting soft or solid materials such as cutting tubes, profiles, and structural elements of all types of steel and alloys.

But, to make a correct selection, it is necessary to know how many types of band saws are there offered on the market. So, you don’t know much about this tool? And stuff like what types of cuts can band saws make?

 Don’t worry!!! We are here to tell you everything.

Let’s dive into the details.

But first, what the heck is a band saw used for?

The majority of people believe that a band saw is only used for making lovely decorative cuts.

To some extent, they are correct.

But a band saw can be used to execute a variety of projects. Let’s see some of the Band saw uses.

Carpentry

Woodworking is a straightforward and practical application for a band saw. They’re generally used for any freehand cuts in wood workshops. You can do any crosscuts to straight cuts with a band saw.

Cuts in Lumber

Since the 1800s, the band saw has been known for ripping lumber. Ripping is the process of chopping down huge pieces of wood along the grain.

This is the most remarkable technique to build a large object by chopping it down into many applicable sections systematically.

Cutting Metal

The band saw’s sharp blade is excellent, extremely effective, and precise for cutting metal items. Other saws can present more obstacles while cutting metal; however, this saw can do the task quickly.

A resaw

Re-sawing is a cutting technique that involves cutting a board across its thickness. For other saws, this is a difficult task. However, it works flawlessly with the band saw.

Rip Cutting

Rip cutting can also be done using the band saw. It allows for a slight cutting frame while also without cracking the wood. Then you may easily cut the wood to any dimension you wish.

Re-sawing and rip cuts are inextricably linked. They do, however, differ in a few ways. Rip cuts are a technique for cutting a piece of wood across the grain. Re-sawing, on the other hand, is a time-consuming process.

Cuts in Circles

If you’re seeking a better saw for making good circle cuts, the band saw can help. The band saw’s foot adjusts to the correct height, allowing the wood to cut in a circle form.

Cutting Multiple Pieces

You’ll be surprised to learn that a band can also be used to cut many pieces. Can a bandsaw cut straight? It allows you to cut a large amount of wood at once. It is not difficult, but you may complete it in a short period.

So How many types of band saws are there? 

There are many band saws available on the market. You can classify in various ways. 

However, the main types can be from two perspectives:

• By function or use and
• By shape.

Let’s take a look at the numerous bandsaws that can be classified based on these two characteristics.

Types of bandsaws By function or use

Metal Band Saw

Metal Cutting Band Saws are comparable to standard wood bandsaws, but they are suitable to cut tough metals. Their blade is their most distinguishing feature. 

To properly cut through the metals, you need to set the blade at a lower speed. Furthermore, each inch of the blade has a series of teeth, making the saw even more efficient.

These saws are divided into two categories once again.

• Horizontal
• Vertical

Meat Band Saw

The meat band saw is a professional butcher’s favorite power tool since it simplifies and speeds up the process. It is a type of band saw intended exclusively for cutting meat, as the name implies.

These band saws are stainless steel made tools, and you’ll find them easy to clean and maintain. This is owing to the highly delicate nature of the material they are supposed to cut.

Meat band saws can cut through substantial bone, meat, and fat with great ease and little waste.

Wood Band Saw

Wood band saws are the most helpful tool for carpenters. Its user-friendliness appeals to both professional and amateur woodworkers. There are different sizes of wood band saws available in the market like 10 inches, 14-inch band saws.

Workshops commonly utilize stable versions to cut small woods, but timber mills utilize larger wood bandsaws to shred big lumbers. Timber waste is low due to the small cut size of the saws.

The three most common wood band saws are: 

● Double cut

They have cutting teeth on both sides of the blade, as the name implies. They were employed in industrial band saws and tabletop band saws. Metals and polymers are both resistant to their application.

● Resaw

These are suitable to reduce the size of timbers. Because of its small kerfs, they ensure that the wood is wasted as little as possible.

● Head

The blades of the head saws have huge silver teeth. They are spaced at a distance of 2-3 feet apart to significantly impact the wood stock. You can cut hardwoods such as Oak and Cherry with them.

Benchtop Bandsaw

They are a hybrid of a jigsaw, and a traditional table saw. They’re famous for generating more power in a smaller space. 

For quick and intricate cutting, most home workshop owners prefer benchtop band saws. Because of their small size, they can fit practically any place.

Types of band saw machine by shape

First let me tell you-What are the three types of cuts a bandsaw can make? 

That’s pretty much the Curved Cuts, Straight Cuts, Cutting Veneer, and Resawing.

1. Horizontal Band Saw

You can classify the band saws in a wide range of ways. The name of these saws comes from the fact that they cut through the stock horizontally. The stock is placed on the vice next to the band saw bed with a horizontal saw. The blade then descends horizontally, cutting through the stock.

They appeal to both professionals and amateurs. Horizontal band saws are best to reduce the size of considerable timbers to a more manageable extent. They are insufficient, however, for intricate cuts and forming curves.

2. Vertical Bandsaw

Electric motors are used in vertical band saws to ensure even, precise, and smooth transmission. The blade of the saw moves between two wheels, one above the worktable and the other below it. The upper wheel is referred to as an idler, while the lower wheel is popular as the drive wheel.

As the blade cuts through the stock, it moves from one end to the other. Carpenters can utilize the method to make complicated cuts and bends. With the proper technique, you can make some of the most challenging cuts that other band saws can’t.

Furthermore, they can cut straight lines with pinpoint accuracy. All of this combines to make it one of the most flexible and complete saws on the market.

3. Portable/Handheld Band Saws

The handheld or portable band saw is ideal for those who need to utilize a band saw on the go. Portable band saws are the smallest and lightest of all band saw kinds, making them easy to transport.

They do, however, use the same technology as other band saws, with the cut being made by a continuous band of the serrated metal blade held between two wheels.

As these band saws are small in size so they are extremely adaptable. Cutting asymmetrical shapes, bend lines, and linear edges are their specialty.

These are popular among woodworkers who want to work on the go, but they’re also helpful for cutting stock that’s too big for ordinary band saws. They’re also quite beneficial when dealing with stocks that you can’t physically touch. They’re also helpful in dealing with stocks that can’t be physically brought to the band saw.

Most woodworkers appreciate the portable band saw’s ability to cut pipes and metal with less vibration while also producing a cleaner cut due to its continuous pressure.

What two types of band saws cut metal?

As we have said before, metal band saws come in two different types:

1. Horizontal band saws and 
2. Vertical band saws.

Horizontal metal band saw:

This is the more common of the two types of band saws which is ideal for chopping down larger stocks or metals into smaller ones. It turns the whole procedure much easier by reducing the size of the metal or stock to a workable size.

Vertical metal band saw:

This has a whole different application. Vertical band saws are best for more complex jobs. Many artisans and contractors keep them in their workshops to create exquisite woodwork by contour cutting, polishing, and flinging.

Apparently, metal band saws provide a few extra features that are not available in wood band saws. 

What kind of cut is the bandsaw mostly used for?

A band saw is normally used to cross-cut short pieces. Even cutting curves in heavy timber can also be done with a band saw. The band saw is most commonly used to cut uneven forms or curves. 

Resawing or tearing lumber into thinner slabs is the second most prevalent application. A band saw can make a precise cut. Besides woods, a band saw may be used for cutting metal, using a specific blade, which is right for the material.

Cutting Curves

A band saw is an excellent tool for cutting curves. All saws are noted for their ability to cut nice curves. One of the uncommon exceptions is the band saw.

Resaw

You already know that resaw does not imply that you should keep sawing after sawing, and so on. By this resawing process you can reduce a large sheet into slim and tiny parts. Resawing is easier with a band saw than with most other tools.

When it comes to resawing, a band saw’s capabilities are simply exceptional. It’s so powerful that it can even resaw a massive log with ease. Furthermore, resawing is a smart way to get more products out of a limited resource.

Verdict

Band saws are highly adaptable power equipment that will always be a terrific addition to any workshop.

A band saw may be used to cut anything from a crisp straight line to curved cuts to complicated shapes, as well as rip lumber.

And, to make it an even better power saw, it comes in a variety of sorts to fit a variety of tasks, including woodworking, metalworking, and meat cutting.

If you get a high-quality band saw from a reputed manufacturer, it will accomplish exactly what it is supposed to accomplish.

So, it all boils down to how you intend to utilize it when it comes to selecting the appropriate one among all band saw names.