Best Horizontal Band Saws: A Complete Buying Guide

If you are a professional handyperson or even a hobbyist, one of the most significant decisions you will make when it comes to buying power tools is choosing between the best horizontal band saws. This versatile tool is very important if you plan to build a few wood projects. Carefully choosing what unit you’ll buy can make a big difference in your next woodcraft.

Additionally, horizontal band saws can be expensive, so making sure you get the best for your project is utterly essential. So, how do you know if it is the right horizontal band saw for you? We summarized our thorough research that tackles the things that you should consider when buying a horizontal band saw, and we also came up with reviews of different models.

Comparison Chart

Grizzly G0561 Metal Cutting Bandsaw, 7 x 12-Inch

Jet 414560 HVBS-712D Deluxe Bandsaw, 7 x 12″

WEN 3975 5″ Metal-Cutting Benchtop Bandsaw

SHOP FOX W1715 3/4 HP Metal Cutting Bandsaw

Jet 414458 HVBS-56M 5-by-6-Inch 1/2 HP Horizontal/Vertical Bandsaw

Best Horizontal Band Saws: Our Top Five Picks

We have chosen five horizontal band saws that we think you should consider adding into your power tool shed. For you to make a wise purchasing decision, we have looked into their features, as well as each of their pros and cons.

1. Grizzly G0561 Horizontal Band Saw

The Grizzly G0561 Horizontal Band Saw is one of our favorites not only because it was manufactured by an established company, but also because this power tool offers lots of outstanding features. Having a small footprint, will this tool perform as expected?

Features

This tool includes a 4.5" x 1" x 6" TPI blade that allows a smoother and finer cut than what a half-inch cheaper blade can do. It is also comparatively better than other band saws with similar features.

With a dimension of 18.5 x 51.25 x 42.25 inches, it is surprising to see that it has a high horsepower of one, which you probably won’t need even with bigger projects. As such, it is ideal for both hobbyists and professional handypersons.

The overall quality of this band saw is outstanding. Its bed, body frame, and iron wheels are all crafted with cast-iron materials. To add more, the ball bearings have been shielded and lubricated permanently, and the stand is made of heavy gauge steel materials.

For your convenience and safety, the product is integrated with an automatic shutoff feature, a 2.5-gallon coolant system with an adjustable valve, a hydraulic down feed control, a quick-to-position vise, and a blade brush. Additionally, the blade speed setting and bevel angle are adjustable.

Pros

  • Powerful and versatile
  • Smooth-running motor
  • Blade width is bigger than traditional band saws
  • Simple to use
  • Safe and convenient to use
  • Small footprint

Cons

  • Complicated to set up
  • Heavy

2. JET 414560 HVBS 712D Deluxe Horizontal Band Saw

While this second product on our list is not as high-tech as the first one, the JET 414560 HVBS 712D Deluxe Horizontal Band Saw offers ultimate craftsmanship and advanced cutting technology.

Features

The JET 414560 HVBS 712D Deluxe Horizontal Band Saw runs with the help of a smooth and quiet motor. It is equipped with a 110-volt prewire, but it is easily convertible to 220V.

It has an extended support area measuring 10” x 12”, and this feeding table can be used in either vertical or horizontal position. It also has a vise, which you can easily lock by hand. Other added convenience features include the built-in storage and chip tray.

The JET 414560 HVBS 712D Deluxe Horizontal Band Saw is easy to move and transport, thanks to its installed high-quality caster wheels. Plus, it is ideal for professional-level projects and at the same time, it is great for personal, hobby crafts. With its quality and durability, this horizontal band saw should serve you for many years.

Pros

  • High-end quality
  • Easy, tool-less assembly
  • Durable motor
  • Little maintenance even after a long period
  • Excellent customer service
  • Precision cutting
  • Two-year warranty

Cons

  • Small collection tray
  • Can be pricey compared to other band saws with similar specs

3. WEN 3975 Band Saw

If you are on a budget but still want a good quality horizontal band saw, you may want to try the WEN 3975. While it has its limitations, it is still a solid tool that finishes the job.

Features

This is a benchtop and beltless band saw that is fitted with a speed motor. It also has a dial to make speed adjustment simple. Its motor is potent and allows you to do heavy-duty projects.

That being said, its power and durability do not mean that it has to be bulky. In fact, it is smaller than other band saws of this type, making it easy to move around. Additionally, the integrated miter function offers precision and improved accuracy. It also has a clamp-down mechanism that keeps it sturdy and efficient while you work.

While it is feature-packed with goodness, there’s a drawback. Unlike other horizontal band saws, this is not capable of functioning as an upright, stationary saw. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make the WEN 3975 Band Saw any less. It offers value for your buck and will be a useful addition to your tools collection.

Pros

  • Compact and portable
  • Easy to use
  • Powerful motor
  • Clamp mechanism
  • Great value for money
  • Two-year warranty

Cons

  • Has fewer bearings on the blade guide
  • Low-quality blade guides
  • Irregular-sized blades
  • You need to press the trigger for the motor to run.

4. Shop Fox W1715 Horizontal Band Saw

This is a corded, electrical band saw that comes with a stand. It is lightweight and compact enough.

Features

The Shop Fox W1715 Horizontal Band Saw has a 3/4HP motor that makes it powerful enough to do most cutting jobs. It offers four variable speeds, and it easily converts to a vertical saw.

This band saw allows you to cut through different materials of varying sizes without compromising the quality and smoothness of the cutting lines. However, while it is a decent band saw of its class, there are a few issues that you should consider before buying it.

Its legs are not that stable, and you may want to take utmost care when moving it around since the flimsiness of the legs may cause it to tip over. It is also difficult to assemble, and you should be careful and make sure to follow the assembly instruction thoroughly, or you may experience problems while operating it.

All-in-all, the Shop Fox W1715 Horizontal Band Saw is a reasonable choice and can be used even for heavy and complicated projects. But, there are better-quality band saws with similar specifications that you can buy for this price range.

Pros

  • Powerful enough to do heavy work
  • Heavy-duty motor
  • Produces smooth and precision cuts
  • Portable and versatile
  • Two-year warranty

Cons

  • Complicated assembly
  • Low-quality design
  • Handling and maneuvering can be difficult
  • Hard to install blade tension

5. JET 414458 HVBS-56M Band Saw

As another lightweight and compact tool, the JET 414458 HVBS-56M Band Saw is powered by a battery for better portability.

Features

The JET 414458 HVBS-56M Band Saw features a 45-degree swivel on the vise, and three blade speed settings. Its blade size is 64.5 inches with a diameter of 7 3/8 inches. With a motor power of 1/2 HP, it is capable of accomplishing most cutting jobs.

While its specifications are similar to most horizontal band saws used in shops, the quality of the materials used for this tool is not at all great. For instance, the saw base is unsteady, and the cutting table tends to bend randomly. The table has flimsy, unstable legs, and the feed is somewhat shaky.

With all those concerns, we don’t really recommend this horizontal band saw. If you are thinking of buying this one, we say you can look up for another JET model. There are lots of similarly priced models that have better features and specifications than this one. Nonetheless, this can be perfect if you only handle small, at-home projects.

Pros

  • Two-year warranty
  • Adjustable blade guides
  • Easy to move around
  • U/L listed
  • Variable angle and speed

Cons

  • Poor quality
  • Hard-to-adjust blade angle
  • Excessively low work surface
  • Doesn’t have a cutting tray

Horizontal Band Saw Buying Guide

Before you buy any horizontal band saw, it is always ideal to know the features and qualities that you must look for in this tool. Check out different models from different makes to ensure you get the best one that your budget can afford. In general, horizontal band saws are a versatile tool if you can get the best one.

Here are some factors that you must first consider before choosing the best horizontal band saws:

1. Blade

The blade type generally dictates the kind of materials you can cut on the band saw. The quality of the blade also determines how long the blade can be used before changing it.

You may want to check out the user manual to know more about the blades of certain models since some of them may need technical expertise. Just remember to choose a band saw with a readily available blade replacement.

2. Table

The work table of the band saw is where the actual sawing takes place. It is a vital part of a horizontal band saw and making sure you get a table with the height you are comfortable with is essential.

Likewise, the table must be steady and sturdy because a set of wobbly legs will only impose danger. That will also make it hard for you to operate the tool.

3. Guide

The guide ensures that you create straight, precise, and smooth cuts every time. The guide is typically adjustable to meet your cutting needs. When choosing a band saw, check out if the guide is stable and accurate.

4. Vise or Clamp

Another useful part of horizontal band saws is the vise or clamp. This device secures the materials you are about to saw, keeping you safe and the material fixed, allowing you to saw on it precisely. When choosing a band saw, make sure that the vise mechanism is sturdy with its jaws and lever are made with high-quality materials.

5. Safety Switch

The safety switch is a useful feature that keeps your work table safe. It prevents the band saw from working even if it is turned on. This is crucial particularly if you have small children with you.

6. Adjustable Angle Gauge

Angle gauges are a practical feature since you are not always working on a 90-degree angle. A built-in angle gauge allows you to tilt the table at your desired angle and enables you to make precise angled cuts. Typically, the vise moves with the angle gauge to keep the material clamped down as you measure and cut.

In addition, the angle gauge must also come with its own clamp that has excellent quality and ability to fasten securely into the table. If it fails to do so, keep shopping. Moreover, when using the angle gauge, make sure you ledge your material on a piece of wood to make sure the blade only cuts through the material and not on the table when cutting at an angle.

Conclusion

As we go through our buyer’s guide, it has become obvious that the best choice for us would be the Grizzly G0561. It is technologically adapted to meet safety and quality standards and will be a great addition to any factory or shop. It allows industrial-level work and if your budget permits, it will surely become one of the most prized power tools you might own.

On the contrary, if you have a lower budget, you’ll also get the value for your money with the WEN 3975 Horizontal Band Saw. While the features are limited, it is powerful enough to meet the basic needs of a versatile crafter. It also has various valuable features, not to mention that it is compact and mobile.

We hope that the information we provided helped you with your search for the top horizontal band saw. There are basically hundreds, if not thousands, of band saw models that you can choose from and upon reading our buyer’s guide, selecting the one that is ideal for the type and level of your work has never been easier.