What is Band Saw?
A band saw is a stationary power saw with a continuous loop blade running over two or three wheels, used for resawing thick lumber into thinner boards, cutting curves, and ripping rough stock.
A band saw uses a continuous loop blade running over two (or three) large wheels inside a frame. The blade moves in one direction only (downward through the workpiece), which means zero kickback risk. This makes the band saw one of the safest power saws in the shop.
Band saws are sized by throat depth (the distance from blade to frame), which determines the widest workpiece you can cut. Common sizes range from 9-inch benchtop models ($150-300) to 14-inch floor-standing machines ($300-800), with professional 17-18 inch models reaching $1,000-3,000.
Resawing is the band saw's signature capability: slicing a thick board into thinner boards or veneer. A 14-inch band saw with a riser block can resaw stock up to 12 inches tall. One 8/4 board resawn into two 4/4 boards doubles your usable material from the same plank.
The band saw's kerf is approximately 1/16 inch, roughly half that of a table saw blade (1/8 inch). Over many cuts, this thinner kerf adds up. On an expensive hardwood like walnut at $10+ per board foot, the material savings are significant.
Blade width determines what you can cut. Wide blades (1/2 to 3/4 inch) stay straight for resawing and ripping. Narrow blades (1/8 to 1/4 inch) handle tight curves for furniture legs and decorative shapes.
For cut list planning, the band saw plays a supporting role. It prepares raw stock (resawing to thickness, ripping rough lumber to width) before the precision cutting phase. It does not typically execute cutting diagrams from SmartCutList directly, but its thin kerf and curve-cutting ability make it essential for shops working with solid lumber.
Blade tension is critical. An under-tensioned blade wanders during resawing, producing uneven thickness and wasted material.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a band saw used for in woodworking?
- A band saw cuts curves, resaws thick lumber into thinner boards, and rips narrow stock safely. It excels at cutting irregular shapes that a table saw cannot handle. Resawing is its signature capability, turning one thick board into two or more thinner ones.
- What size band saw do I need?
- A 14-inch band saw handles most home woodworking tasks, including resawing boards up to 6 inches thick. For resawing wider stock (8-12 inches), an 18-inch or larger band saw is needed. The measurement refers to the throat distance from the blade to the frame.
- Can a band saw cut plywood?
- Yes, a band saw cuts plywood well, especially for curved cuts. Use a blade with 10-14 teeth per inch for clean edges. For straight cuts on full sheets, a table saw or track saw is more efficient, but a band saw handles curves and irregular shapes better.
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