Best Bandsaws For Resawing

What are the best bandsaws for resawing?  Short answer, one with plenty of horse power, large blade, wide throat and decent fence to support the lumber.

One of the major functions of bandsaws are their ability to resaw thick pieces of wood into thinner ones.  It’s really why a lot of people buy them.  For example, you could purchase some rough-cut 4×4’s and then resaw them using a bandsaw into  1/2″ or 1/4″ wooden boards suitable for your next project. They are actually simple to use and really quite versatile.

The right bandsaw can transform your woodworking experience and results. Band saws are similar to scroll saws, but have a flat work table with a blade running perpendicular to the center.  Really that’s where the similarities end. Band saws have a lot more power and can even cut through metal using the right type of blade. The blade is significant and is essentially the biggest difference between these two saws.

Want to resaw some hardwood boards into thin laminate strips for flooring?  No problem.  How about cutting a circle from a piece of ply?  Again no problem! All you need is a small jig (that you can make in minutes if needed) and BINGO – you’ll have the perfect circle you’re after.  You can likewise re-dimension some 2X4’s and make face frames for some new cabinets.  You’ll need your jointer plus bandsaw and you can whip this up in a matter of minutes.

So if you have a few jobs in mind, you’ll need a bandsaw that can handle the requirements of resawing.  They’re not a cheap purchase, so you want to ensure you get the best bang for your buck and your saw will last the distance. There are so many different models to choose from that it be confusing to figure out the right ones for your needs.

As always, our reviews are based on our own experience with using bandsaws over the years plus we’ve taken a look at the bandsaws available on the market today.  We always do plenty of research and compare the good and the bad of each model and list that to assist you in making your decision.  We also would encourage you to read lots of reviews from people who have bought and tried the tool for themselves.

It will also be helpful to check out our ‘Buyer’s Guide‘ on what to look out for when choosing the best band saw for resawing. It is called, ‘what is a band saw used for?’ In this guide we go through features of bandsaws including, Power, Throat Capacity, Guide Wheels, Speed, Blade Guides, Fence, Precision, Dust Extraction and Bevel Capacity.  Click here to be taken to this post.

**Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, with no additional cost to you, I can earn from qualifying purchases. 

Top 5 Bandsaw for Resawing – Our Picks Compared

Best Bandsaw For Resawing – Top Pick

JET JWBS-14DXPRO

With a machine like this, it’s easy to achieve high quality, accurate cuts. It is particularly good at re-sawing thin, wafer-like slabs without drift – which to us is the measure of a good band saw.  Jet do make good products that are easy to set up.  This one is very straightforward and comes with enough power to get through tough materials.

Its built-in 12″ resaw capacity allows for cutting larger pieces of wood without the necessity of installing riser kits (unlike the Laguna one reviewed below). This is perfect if you want to resaw through eight-inch walnut and other hardwoods. If you’re paying a decent asking price, then you want reliable resaw cuts every time.

You may need to be mindful though of the speed specifications (1500 and 3000 SFPM).  This makes it a little too fast for metal but perfect for wood, plastic and even aluminium.

Really it’s the build quality that sets this saw apart.  The base cabinet is sturdy and the solid cast armature of the saw seems hefty and stable.

Right out of the box, it is easy to put together.  It arrives in two boxes – the base in one and the whole unit with the motor in another.  You may want to use the styrofoam as leverage to pick it up.

Worth noting that the riser blocks it comes with takes 105” blades.  If you have an old band saw it might not be compatible so you may need to order some additional blades at the time of purchase.

This got our vote for the top pick as there’s no flexing of any of the saw’s components, resulting in smooth, reliable cuts.

Worth mentioning that the manual it comes with is not that great (which surprises me that they did not put more effort in here).

Overall it’s an excellent machine that does the job it was intended to do.

To check out the price and read some reviews of the JET JWBS-14DXPRO Resawing Band Saw, click here.

Key Features:

• Hp 1.25
• Cast iron
• Blade length 105”
• 5 year warranty
• 256 pounds
• Corded electric
• 12” throat
• Kit includes; band saw, base, trunnion, table and instructions

The Good:

• Plenty of power and good for cutting wood, plastics and aluminium
• Built-in 12″ resaw capability
• Cast-iron construction
• Easy adjustments
• Excellent quality
• Dust port in lower housing
• Three adjustable ball bearing guides at each location

The Bad:

• Poorly written manual
• Speeds are a bit fast for cutting metal
• No fence supplied (can add a Kreg fence to it)
• Stationary base (you can order wheels or use a dolly)

Best Budget Friendly Resawing Band Saw – 

WEN 3962

With a 10” throat the Wen 3962 is a lot lighter and cheaper than its more sturdier 14” counterparts.  Irrespective of brand, in this size range it will have noticeably less horsepower and more vibration (plus more fiddly controls) than a bandsaw like the Jet JWBS-14DXPRO.

The upshot is that the cost to performance ratio, is still very good and does come with a handy 6” resaw capacity.  You’re able to cut sizable pieces of lumber on the cast-iron table, whether it’s softwood or hard.

Without a doubt, the biggest problem with this saw is when it comes to making adjustments.  From our experience a lot of tweaking is often required for Wen products to work optimally and this one is no exception.  Problems can occur in things like correcting blade tension and can involve a bit of fiddling around to get things right.

Since even minor adjustments to tracking and blade tension make significant differences in the quality of cut, you want this to be right.  I think the problem is complicated by the fact that there aren’t any markings on the tension spring (this beggars belief).  Be prepared that this machine will need adjustments and most likely from a trial and error approach.

Also, in all honesty will mention that the tension knob is known to break easily and many have had it replaced.

Also the tracking adjustments on the blade are incredibly sensitive. The slightest touch can throw them off, forcing you into frustration as you need to start again.

The initial assembly is relatively easy and straightforward and within its limits, it’s a good saw that is a best seller. It is worth reading some reviews as it is a popular product and won’t break the bank.

To check out the price and read some reviews of the WEN 3962 Resawing Band Saw, click here.

Key Features:

• Operates at two speeds of either 1520 or 2620 FPM
• Includes; a work light, a 3-in-1 dust port, a fence, a miter gauge, and a 3/8-inch blade (6 TPI)
• Bare tool only
• 2 year warranty plus 90 day commercial
• 72” blade length
• 73 pounds
• Throat 93/4”
• Metal
• Approx 0.5 HP (3.5 Amps)

The Good:

• Basic 6″ resaw capacity (good for DIYer of hobbyist)
• Bevels up to 45 degrees
• Cast-iron table
• Ball bearing construction
• Low cost

The Bad:

• Less power with only 1/2 hp
• Excess vibration
• Difficult adjustments
• Sensitive tension knob

A Smart Choice Resawing Band-Saw –

Grizzly G0555LX

This bandsaw comes with a solid cast-iron construction, including the frame and precision-ground table. The machine runs very quietly and with little vibration. The fence is sturdy aluminium construction plus has a built in magnifying window and quality miter gauge. The guides are simple and easy to adjust.

The ball bearing construction throughout means adjustments are simple and smooth. Changing the blade on this saw is quick, easy, and simple. The fence is sturdy aluminum construction and has a built-in magnifying window and miter gauge for ease of adjustment.

The resaw capacity for this saw is only 6″ but you can get a separate riser to extend it to 12″. This will allow you to resaw large pieces of either hardwood or softwood. The riser kit is a little difficult to install but after a little elbow grease, it works well once in place (a tight fit).

There were a couple of other issues that prevented it from being our top pick -the dust port collection is a bit shallow and you may need a clamp to hold it in place.  Plus the blade has a tendency to break at the weld point.  Even though you may get extra blades anyway, at this price point, it’s a bit disappointing.

It is a good unit for the serious home shop user with assembly straight forward and easy.  You will be able to turn logs into lumbar which is what a good band saw should be able to do.

To check the price and read reviews of the Grizzly G0555LX Resawing Band-Saw, click here.

Key Features:

• 247 pounds
• Cutting height 6”
• Blade speed 1800 – 3100 FPM
• 1 hp
• Cast iron frame and table
• Blade 92.5”
• 1 year warranty

The Good:

• Cast-iron frame and table
• All ball bearing construction
• Good riser kit
• 4” dust port
• Open frame stand
• 3/8” blade, extruded aluminium fence and miter gauge

The Bad:

• Riser kit is hard to install
• Included blade tends to break
• Lower horsepower compared to other professional grade models

Most Powerful Resawing Bandsaw – 

Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 14 x 12

Laguna power tools offer a premium product with a premium price tag to match.  If you’re spending top dollar, you would expect to get what you pay for.  If you’re after power, this beast won’t disappoint.  At a monster 1 ¾ hp, the powerful motor cuts like a dream plus has minimal vibration as you would expect.

It is a heavy piece of equipment with a sturdy base and includes a 12-inch resawing capacity.  Great for supporting the heaviest of lumber.

You’ll need metric wrenches and allen-wrenches for the set-up but the instructions are good and easy to follow.

A bit disappointing at this price point that it does not come with a blade so perhaps order one at the time of purchase.

Also noticed that the blade guides are ceramic (we prefer sealed bearings) but they still stand up to task.  Adjusting them is trickier so patience is needed here.

Regardless, it is a top quality saw with minimal vibration (puts my old Delta one to shame) and plenty of power.  The saw dust collection is ‘average’ but not a disaster.  Also it doesn’t come with a roller/base but you can put it on 1/4” plywood to save money here just to keep it off the floor.

The light attachment is also a bit useless (we’re fussy with lights though!) and this one creates far too many shadows.  A good goose-neck light is better anyway as you can get much closer to the work piece.

Good things to note are that the fit and finish are near perfect, the blade change is easy and fast as is the fence adjustment.  Will mention that the fence has two settings – low and high so you can support those bigger boards when resawing.

It’s not perfect and found minor complaints.  But for sheer resaw performance and capacity, this saw is ideal.

To check out the price and read reviews of the Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 14 x 12 resawing bandsaw, click here.

Key Features:

• 267 pounds
• Corded electric
• 1 ¾ HP
• 115” blade length
• 12” throat capacity
• Vertical bandsaw
• 2 year warranty

The Good:

• Blade change fast and easy
• Tracking window
• Sturdy stand
• Functional Fence
• No vibration
• Heavy duty cast iron trunion

The Bad:

• Fence scale is a little crude (perhaps best for rough estimates)
• No blade included (we recommend a 3/8 blade for general work and a resaw king blade for larger resawing)
• 3/4” blade is the largest it will accept (be good if it accepted a 1” one)

Best Compact Benchtop Bandsaw –

Rikon 10 – 305 Bandsaw – Compact BenchtopFor a saw with only 1/3 horsepower, this saw runs surprisingly well.  Admittedly the blade it comes with is a bit of dud, so would definitely recommend a higher quality blade and adjust the guides accordingly.

The saw runs smoothly with no significant vibration or noise.  It’s only a small, 10” saw (like the Wen 3962 reviewed above) so not intended for heavy duty wood work, but you can still resaw hardwood and softwood timber without issue.  If you want to handle large stock, opt for a bigger saw.

As a bench top band saw, it’s compact and great size for your home work shop (particularly if you’re short on space!)  If you decide you want to use this on a stand instead of a benchtop, one is available but has to be ordered separately.

It’s easy to assemble and tracks well right out of the box.  Have known others to have issues with ‘warped bases’ but think that might have had something to do with shipping issues as others have not had this problem.  It also comes with a 5 year warranty so that’s reassuring.

One of the best aspects is definitely the low up front cost.  It has a sturdy construction, a fence that can be adjusted properly, a miter slot adequately milled and the drift remains almost constant.

Overall, a good low-end band saw that is perfect for the hobbyist and a DIY’er with modest demands.

To check out the price and read reviews of the Rikon 10 – 305 Bandsaw, click here.

Key Features:

• ⅓” hp
• 70 ¾” blade length
• 76 pounds
• Blade speed 2780 FPM
• 5 year warranty

The Good:

• Compact size
• Good dust port (allows for the removal of most dust)
• Durable cast iron table
• Tracking adjustments are easy to use
• Rip fence included
• Low cost

The Bad:

• No stand included
• Adjusting the table tilt can be difficult
• Does not have multiple speeds
• Low horsepower
• Poor blade quality
• No LED light
• Miter gauge not included

Final Thoughts…….

The JET JWBS-14DXPRO is our top pick among the reviews we did. This is clearly the best bandsaw for a wide variety of reasons, not the least of which is the high quality of the cast-iron and ball bearing construction. This tool will resaw just about anything you throw at it.

Our next favorite would be the Laguna MBAND1412-175 14 x 12, which at 1 3/4 horse power is a powerful bandsaw.  Plus it has a 12″ throat which is great for resawing purposes.

In terms of budget models the Wen 3962 or Rikon 10 – 305, are good options and certainly won’t break the bank.  Lower cost means less power plus limitations on ripping and resawing capacity but will be able to handle a lot of jobs.  Consider what projects you would like to do and whether a smaller saw would be up to task.

Different bandsaws obviously deliver different results. What works for one person won’t be useful for another.  We would recommend checking out our buyers guide to resawing that will address the various features of bandsaws and what to look out for before you hand over your hard earned cash.

We hope our review guide (and buyer’s guide) helps you decide which bandsaw is the right fit for you!

Cheers – Ash

Check out our reviews to some other cutting tools such as; miter saws, circular saws, sawzalls, table saws and jigsaws.

Click links to the saws in this review:

1. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Resawing Band Saw – Top Pick
2. WEN 3962 Resawing Band Saw – Budget Friendly
3. Grizzly G0555LX Resawing Band-Saw – Smart Choice
4. Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 14 x 12 Resawing Bandsaw – Most Powerful
5. Rikon 10 – 305 Bandsaw – Compact Benchtop