October 4, 2023
The table saw, being a workhorse, often gets the central space in most workshops. But it takes a lot of space, and it can deprive a workshop of much valuable space. So, many woodworkers prefer the bandsaw over the table saw for some succinct reasons. The bandsaw usually sits up against the workshop wall, taking only a tiny part of the workshop space. Yet, it can do almost all the things that the table saw can do. Moreover, it can cut curves and resaw.
Speaking of resawing, you can use the bandsaw to resaw thick wood pieces, reducing these thick pieces into manageable, thinner pieces. Moreover, it is this capability of the bandsaw that endears the bandsaw to many woodworkers. For example, you can buy a roughly cut, 4×4 lumber and resaw them using a bandsaw, reducing them into 1/4″ shiplap. Besides, you can use the bandsaw for resawing hardwood boards into strips of thin laminate. Plus, you got ample options of bandsaw for resawing purposes.
Most Recommended Bandsaw Models for Resawing
Given the myriads of bandsaw models and brands in the market today, you might find yourself a bit confused as to which bandsaw model to purchase for resawing. It will help if you know the following most recommended bandsaw for resawing to narrow down your choices to the best options:
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1) Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175
Well, one of the most recommended bandsaw models out there is the Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175. It is a 110V bandsaw that also packs power. It comes with a quick-release tension with a table (21″ x16″) along with double windows. These windows allow you to check the blade’s tracking and tension while you cut.
If you check the wheels of this bandsaw, you’ll see cast wheels fitted with excellent polyurethane tires for more extended durability and cooler performance. This bandsaw also leaves a small footprint, but it is tall enough.
The MBAND1412-175 also comes with a three-wheel base which other people find a bit unstable. Hence, you must take extra care when moving this bandsaw around, for it is prone to toppling over. It also comes with an aluminum fence and trunnion.
Pros:
- Features a quick-release tension
- Comes with an excellent table
- Double windows for quickly seeing the blade tracking and tension
- Features durable tires
Cons:
- Unstable compared to other bandsaws
- Small footprint for its height
2) Delta 28-400
The Delta 28-400 is another excellent bandsaw for resawing. This bandsaw is a heavy-duty bandsaw that you would surely love to have. This one has a steel frame that makes it durable. It doesn’t flex and provides you with a high level of stability while you use it for cutting.
It is remarkable, likewise, for being durable long-lasting. Its table comes with an aluminum trunnion for a stylish finish. With this bandsaw, you can quickly slice through any wood piece.
The Delta 28-400 comes with a one-horsepower TEFC motor that offers variable speeds. The maximum speed at which you can operate its saw blade is up to 3,340 fpm. Its minimum speed is 1,620 fpm. You can also use this bandsaw to cut non-ferrous metal.
Its pulley system is also remarkable, which means it maintains its tension well. Its wheels are rubber-coated. It also features nine wheels that deliver accurate and enhanced blade tracking for cutting accurately.
Pros:
- Comes with a powerful motor
- The tensioning system is remarkable
- Durable with its steel frame
- Features a durable cast-iron table
- Reliable and accurate
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with micrometer adjustment
3) JET JWBS-18-3
The JET JWBS-18-3 is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, bandsaw options for resawing. It offers enhanced resaw capacity with more horsepower and throat depth. You can expect this bandsaw to be very reliable when cutting more extensive stocks.
Its fence system is made of cast-iron material, which is quite heavy-duty and sturdy. You can also make micro-adjustments with this bandsaw for better and more precise cuts. Moreover, it comes with a guidepost with a magnetic door for quick saw blade changes. Its table is also slotted.
Most users find this bandsaw very satisfactory, and you will not find many drawbacks with this bandsaw. However, you might find it a bit tricky and challenging when setting its table parallel with its blade. Besides, its blade tension knob doesn’t come with a lock, which might cause the blade to vibrate a bit.
Pros:
- Offers enhanced resaw capacity
- Powerful with more throat depth
- The fence is heavy duty
- Allows for micro-adjustments and easy saw blade changes
Cons:
- Blade and table are not parallel
- Lacks the lock for the blade tension knob
4) WEN 3962T
The WEN 3962T is a two-speed bandsaw that is capable of six-inch resaw. It also has a ten-inch throat. These two factors let this bandsaw cut larger lumber pieces on its cast-iron table. Its wheels also feature ball bearings that provide the wheels with smooth operation and durability. It is easy to assemble and use.
Compared to the 14-inch bandsaw, this bandsaw is less powerful. Moreover, it usually exhibits excessive vibration when operating. You will find this bandsaw challenging to adjust likewise. Its tension spring doesn’t come with markings making it difficult to adjust and set up.
Thus, you need to engage in a trial-and-error process when adjusting its tension spring. Moreover, you should take extra care when adjusting its tension knobs. Yet, overall, sans considering the abovementioned limitations, this bandsaw is a good choice.
Pros:
- Features a cast-iron table
- Comes with a six-inch resaw capacity
- Features ball bearings
Cons:
- Less powerful than the 14-inch bandsaw
- Produces vibrations
- Challenging to adjust
5) RIKON 10-305
The RIKON 10-305 comes with a plate made of solid steel. Thus, it is more durable than those made of generic plastic. It features a large cast-iron table (13-3/4″ x 12-1/2″). This large table would allow its user to work with ease on any workpiece.
It comes with a quality rip fence that you can quickly remove if you want to work freehand. It also comes with guidepost that allows for micro-adjustments. with all these sterling features, however, you might find this bandsaw not compatible with some blade sizes. Thus, it will be a challenge to choose the right blade for your resawing.
Pros:
- Features a solid design
- Its cast-iron table is large
- Comes with a rip fence
- Guidepost is micro-adjustable
Cons:
- Limited maximum resawing capacity
Key Factors You Should Consider When Choosing a Bandsaw for Resawing
Once you know what the experts recommended, you can reduce your options to the best bandsaw choices. Yet, you can further narrow down your options if you know the following essential factors to consider when selecting a bandsaw for resawing:
Resawing Capability
Of course, when choosing a bandsaw for resawing, the first thing you need to look into is the resawing capability of the bandsaw. If you would resaw mostly softwood, you don’t need to spend much on a more powerful bandsaw. Yet, if you intend to cut hardwood, you should invest in a powerful bandsaw.
Motor Power
Corollary to the resawing capability is the power of the motor. The power of its motor usually determines the power of the saw. The bandsaw power is dependent on the blade’s speed that its motor can provide. So, when choosing a powerful bandsaw, check its horsepower. If it has a higher horsepower, then the motor is more powerful than those with lower horsepower.
The motor power is usually mirrored in the size of the bandsaw. A 3/4 HP, for example, is necessary to power a 12 to 14 inches bandsaw. The thing is, the bigger the bandsaw size, the more power it will need.
Thus, you will find an 18″ bandsaw needing two horsepower to produce power. When resawing, it will be good to remember that you need a saw blade that moves fast. Hence, it will help if you go for a bandsaw with more power to enable the saw blade to move fast.
Compatibility of the Saw Blade
You will need a resaw bandsaw blade to make the best resawing results. So, you must check if the bandsaw you are eyeing to buy comes with a provision for quick changing of saw blades. Moreover, it should also allow for expanded potentials allowing you to extend the thickness of materials that you can resaw. Thus, it will help to look for a bandsaw that comes with riser kits for extended functionalities.
Portability and Size
You can either go for a benchtop bandsaw or a bandsaw with its stands. With the benchtop bandsaw, you can set it up on any supporting surface with a flat surface. If you’re the kind of woodworker who moves from one workplace to another, the portable benchtop bandsaw is the best for you.
Moreover, it will be best to look for something of smaller size. Yet, if you plan to make your bandsaw stationary, you can go for a bandsaw with a stand.
Price
Another factor to consider is the price of the bandsaw. Your budget usually limits your options. If budget isn’t an issue with you, you can select the best bandsaw with the best features. Yet, if you are under a budget constraint, you can always settle for a bandsaw with fewer features but can deliver optimum results for you.
Extra Features You Should Look for
When buying a bandsaw for resawing, you will find added features that make the use of the bandsaw easy and more efficient. Below are some of the additional features that you should look for in a bandsaw for resawing:
Resaw Fence: When cutting using a bandsaw, you will more often use the fence. Hence, when selecting a bandsaw, look for one that comes with a fence. The fence for resawing should be tall enough (four to five inches high). In this way, the material will not tilt at the wrong time. Such an accidental tilting will ruin your cuts. Hence, it will be best to spend on a taller fence.
Additional Blades: You will also need extra resawing blades because continuous resawing might cause your blade to snap out or dull quickly. Ripping saw blades are different from crosscutting saw blades or those blades you use for cutting curves. Resawing saw blades would have different thicknesses and teeth likewise. So, you need to pick out different saw blades for your resawing tasks.
Riser Kit: You will also need to consider finding a bandsaw kit with a riser kit. The riser kit can further extend the resawing capacity of your bandsaw. Moreover, it can even double its resawing capacity. So, you need to invest in such a kit, and it is a worthwhile investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aside from knowing the best and most recommended resawing bandsaws and the key factors to consider when buying one, you will also benefit from reading the following FAQs about bandsaws for resawing:
Should I Buy Various Bandsaw Blades for Making Different Cuts?
Yes, you will need multiple bandsaw blades for different types of cuts. Moreover, you will need to change the saw blade if you would cut different materials. For example, if you are cutting metal, you should use a saw blade meant for cutting metal. When resawing, you will need to use different types of saw blades, so you need to have a stock of bandsaw blades at your disposal.
Which Saw Blades for Resawing Are the Most Recommended Saw Blades?
You can go for a saw blade that features 3 TPI when resawing. Go for something that can produce a mixture of aggressive and smooth cuts.
What Does Bandsaw Resaw Capacity Mean?
The bandsaw resaw capacity refers to the maximum thickness that you can cut with the bandsaw. It also refers to the highest point you can lift the saw guide. As you shop around for a bandsaw, you will also see that bandsaw resaw capacity varies from one model to another.
How Should I Choose a Resawing Blade?
The blade gets usually classified according to TPI. TPI refers to teeth per inch. The TPI plays a vital role in the effectiveness of a resaw blade. You can check the TPI chart to get appropriately guided when selecting a resaw blade. The range of TPI is from one to thirty-two TPI.
For example, when cutting huge wood planks, you should choose a resawing blade with a two to three TPI. The saw blade should also be coarse-toothed. Besides, the saw blade should also be of high quality. It should also be capable of moving at a fast pace when cutting through the thicker wood plank.
Can You Sharpen a Bandsaw Blade Instead of Buying a New One?
Bandsaw blades are neither expensive nor cheap. Yet, you will find cheap bandsaw blades if you don’t have enough budget for the expensive ones. The fact is you can sharpen old and dull bandsaw blades. Yet, it can be backbreaking and effortful and may take much of your time because you need to sharpen every tooth of the bandsaw blade.
So, most bandsaw users buy new bandsaw blades instead of resharpening their dull bandsaw blades. Yet, if you have time and energy to spare for resharpening your bandsaw blades, you can do so.
Conclusion
Hiring a handyman to repair or build some aspects of your home might be very expensive. So, if you have the right tool at hand, you can engage in DIY projects to enhance your home or repair some parts of your house. One tool you should have as a DIYer is the bandsaw. With the bandsaw, you can do almost any cuts.
You can also resaw larger lumber into smaller pieces. Moreover, if you have fallen trees or branches in your backyard, you can run these logs through your bandsaw and create lumber out of these raw logs. Lastly, you can use these pieces of lumber for your DIY projects.
Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker, carpenter and author who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. He is expertise in technical aspects, woodcraft and furniture building projects.