The band saw is a versatile tool that can accommodate woodworkers in a lot of ways. With a budget bandsaw, you can create seamless cuts, trims, and curves for your woodworking projects without spending heaps of money.
If you’re in a rush, pick WEN 3962 bandsaw. We’ve shortlisted this as our best budget bandsaw. Get your hands on this device to make the most out of your buying.
Finding the bandsaw that comes under budget could be confusing at times. There are various pieces of equipment available under the list of the best budget bandsaw. They can leave you bewildered, especially if you’re a new to woodworking.
But you have landed at the right place in search of a valued bandsaw. In this article, we have shortlisted some of the great tools that you can get possession of staying within your budget. We’ll also walk through the key factors to consider when making your buying decision.
Best Budget Bandsaw
Look through these top picks and their reviews of our best budget bandsaws. We hope you’ll end up getting the information you need about buying a bandsaw.
1. WEN 3962 10″ Two-Speed Band Saw – Overall Best
Do you want to make seamless cuts through the thickest of woods in a single pass? WEN 3962 has got you covered with its dual speed combined with a honed throat.
It is the best budget bandsaw that derives power from a 3.5-amp motor. You can make impeccable cuts that are up to 6 inches deep and 9¾ inches wide.
The saw allows two-speed operation, which means you can either run it on 520 RPM or 2620 RPM, depending on the type of material you have to deal with.
It is compatible with 72-inches blades that range anywhere in between 1/8 to ½ inch in size. With this versatile bandsaw, you can make a sturdy as well as intricate cuts through different materials.
Bevel cuts are no more issue with this saw. It can do angles bevel cuts ranges from 0 to 45 degrees to 6 inches in depth. You’ll get a wide working table of 14-1/8 x 12-1/2 inches that eliminate the need for any extra space coverage in your workshop.
This Ball bearing operated saw is long-lasting than ever providing the facility of a smooth application.
WEN bandsaw features a 3-in-1 dust collection port that can be fastened to hoses of sizes 1¾, 2¾, and 4 inches. It ensures a clean and mess-free workspace.
Overall, this is the best value bandsaw that comes with 2 years of warranty. In addition, on your purchase, you’ll get a work light that provides better illumination for the work path, a stand to make the saw stable in a better position, a miter gauge to make angled cuts, and a 3/8 inch blade.
- Dual-speed modes
- Bevel cuts
- 3 in 1 Dust Collection Port
- Power fluctuates at times
It’s a full package that you can get at one low price!
2. MILWAUKEE’S 2429-21XC M12 Cordless Sub-Compact Bandsaw
Milwaukee is our second best budget bandsaw which is not only light in weight but on the pocket as well. It’s a cordless saw that is powered by an XC Red Lithium-ion battery.
It is the most compact of a bandsaw that you can ever think of. You can even handle it with a single hand to achieve seamless cuts. With a cutting capacity of 1-5/8 inches, it can accommodate you for a variety of woodworking tasks from medium to high capacity.
This saw runs by a 12V XC battery that offers over 150 cuts on one-time charge. You won’t be having issues with the recharging of the battery because it takes a max of 30 minutes to get fully charged.
The Milwaukee 2429 features a 27 x 1/2 x0.020 inches lengthy blade. It can be utilized to cut through ¾inch EMT within 3 seconds.
It features an LED that gives increased workspace illumination and gives a clear vision of the cut line.
When talking about security, the bandsaw has blade guards that give high protection to the user while the saw is under working condition.
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On your purchase of the kit, you get the saw along with a saw blade, Red lithium-ion battery, a charger, and a carry bag so you can easily transport the saw to different job sites.
In addition, the 5 years manufacturer’s warranty has got you covered in case of any malfunctioning of the tool.
One downside of the saw is its plastic-built body that won’t fit in if you’re not a plastic fan.
- Extended charge time
- precise & accurate cuts
- One-hand operation
- Plastic Body
Altogether, Milwaukee 2429 is the best budget bandsaw that is worth adding to your workshop to make your woodworking experience more pleasant!
3. DEWALT DCS374B 20V MAX Portable Band Saw – Best Value Bandsaw
We all know for a fact that DEWALT never fails to deliver reliable and high-powered tools. With that being said, here’s our third favorite bandsaw. DEWALT DCS374B is a budget bandsaw that will make you go wow with its performance.
This metal-built saw has a cutting capacity of 5-inches and with that, it can cut through a number of materials.
It has a variable speed that allows you to choose the blade speed of your choice as per your projects’ requirements. This makes the bandsaw versatile and more controllable.
For high durability, you’ll get a brushless motor installed in the tool that offers high performance and reliability as well.
Unlike its counterparts, it comes with an integrated hanging hook. You can easily hang it without making any damage to its handle or base. This adds to the portability of the saw and allows the bandsaw fits even into your small workshop.
The tool-less blade changing eliminates the hassle you have to make with most of the other machines.
DEWALT DCS374 has a durable base and an installed LED. the light works with a 20-seconds delay that illuminates the workspace to give more accuracy and precision in the cuts.
There’s a rubber band you’ll find around the saw’s drive wheel that interrupts the blade while cutting. The unnecessary jumping of the blade can be disturbing at times. The brand really needs to work on that.
- Durable base
- Hassle-free blade switching
- High accuracy and precision
- Blade gets displaced at times
DCS374 overall is a good bandsaw model that is worth the money. We recommend it to you in order to add accuracy to your work.
4. RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw With Fence
If you want a tool that is low to moderate capacity work, then grab RIKON 10-35 bandsaw. You can effortlessly deal with giant wood pieces using this bandsaw.
This sturdy tool is constructed of steel plate, which makes it stronger unlike the plastic build-frames models available out there.
RIKON 10-35 bandsaw runs on a 1/3 HP motor to offer a top speed of 2780 FTM. This much power makes it to easily cut bowls and free blanks.
Its cast-iron table offers a 13 ¾ by 12 ½-inch work area to handle a variety of wood materials. You usually don’t find this wide surface in other models of this size.
With its cutting depth of 4 5/8 inches compatible with 70½ blades ranges from 1/8 and ½inch in size, you can achieve high accuracy and precision in your cuts with this workhorse.
The aluminum rip fence along with a 0-45 degree tilting table adds more to the versatility of the cuts it makes. It makes the work easy to handle.
It also features a micro adjustable guide that can easily raise and lower the guide post height easily with a handle. In short, this bandsaw is a full package providing ease of handling and convenience along with high performance.
The easy operation of this bandsaw at one low price makes it a perfect choice for hobbyists and DIYers. It can accommodate if you’re on a limited budget and limited workshop space.
- Re-saw capacity
- Wide workspace
- Accuracy and precision
- Not ideal for heavy-duty projects
Other additional features like a dust collector, 4-5/8 re-saw capacity 2½ inch dust collector, and edge-bearing thrust, this tool has got you covered all over. You might have guessed already that it can be your best work buddy!
5. SKIL 3386-01 120-Volt 9-Inch Band Saw
SKILL 3389-01 is another best bandsaw under $200 that is perfect for bolder and a variety of projects. It can make impeccable cuts through pieces of lumbers.
The bandsaw runs on a 2.5-AMP motor to offer accurate and incredible cutting capacity. It gives 3 inch deep cuts at 9-inches on a wide aluminum table of 11 13/16-inches square.
Its rack and pinion adjustable table enable you to change angle and height quickly. The rip fences ensure straight cuts and the miter gauge facilitates crosscuts.
You can effortlessly align the blade with the help of its EZ blade view. The LED light helps you keep an eye on the cutting line. You’ll never feel off the track with this bandsaw when working on your dream projects.
Moreover, it weighs 40 lbs that make it a highly portable saw. You’ll not face that hard time storing and transport this bandsaw.
Apart from all the wowing features, you may feel it under powered to be used for your heavy-capacity projects. It is specially designed for light to moderate capacity woodworking tasks and can give you some maintenance headaches.
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Its integrated dust collection port will make your work easy and manageable. The productivity of your work will be increased with its mess-free and quiet operation.
- Fine and aligned cuts
- Integrated dust collector
- Quiet Operation
- High maintenance
All-inclusive, this is the best cheap bandsaw that is worth the money and will make your tasks hassle-free!
6. Makita XBP03Z Cordless Compact Band Saw
Makita XBP03Z is our last pick for the best budget saw. It’s a cordless workhorse that will offer you a quick and high curing capacity.
It operates on a lithium-ion battery to deliver high torque. Its 630 ft./min blade speed and 2-½inch cutting capacity are perfect for metal-cutting tasks as well as for cutting channel, corrugated, all threads, sheet metal, and square tubing, etc.
Its 24 teethed blade is made of aluminum which ensures high durability. There’s an exterior blade adjustment which can track your blade to achieve excellent performance.
The LED and onboard storage for a wrench, and stopper plate adjustment add to the convenience.
The lithium-ion battery it supports has the fastest charging time. This will allow you to work without breaking its flow to charge your battery for a long time.
One of the highlighted attributes of this bandsaw is the start protection technology installed in it. This communication technology makes it possible for the battery and tool to communicate in real-time. This data exchanging will protect the device from overloading, overheating, and overcharging.
Along with all the excellent features, this tool has a downside as well. You may face some difficult times with its blade adjustment. More often than not, you’ll have to do blade changing.
- Fast battery charging
- Star protection Technology
- High cutting capacity
- Blade replacement is required quite often
You can always count on Makita’s power tools to get excellent performance out of them. It’s the best bandsaw under 500.
Buying Guide For The Best Budget Bandsaw
When you’re on a limited budget, you need to keep in mind that you’ll have to somehow sacrifice some of the great features. But, it doesn’t mean you cannot the best budget bandsaw. Try not to overlook the key features we have mentioned below to make the most out of your purchase.
Bandsaw Blade Type
When you go to grab any type of saw, the quality, and type of blade are the most key factors to consider. It decides the performance and ripping capacity that the tool offers to cut through different types of wood materials.
It’s recommended that you check the blade’s thickness, width, and teeth per inch. The thickness of a blade depends on its dimensions. Some of the blade types available for various models are regular tooth blades, hook teeth, standard set teeth, and wavy set teeth.
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There’s no rule of thumb for selecting the perfect blade. You just take into account the demand of your project. Just try not to hook on an under-capacity but quality blade.
Bandsaw Motor Capacity
The motor is another significant component that compliments the blade to deal with the wood. A high-powered motor combined with the right type of blade can make projects reach the next level.
For daily driven tasks or smaller projects, 1 HP motor can serve just fine. But if you have to deal with some commercial and high-capacity tasks, don’t go below 1.5 HP at least. An under powered motor can badly affect the accuracy and precision of your tasks. So, we suggest you steer clear of compromising on the horsepower of the motor.
Bandsaw Construction
The construction or build quality of the bandsaw indicates how durable it can be. Most bandsaw models are constructed from aluminum and cast steel or iron. You can count on these tools to get high longevity.
Another construction factor to consider is the category of the bandsaw. There are two categories you’ll come across. One is the bench-top, which is mounted on the bench top and is compatible with a compact blade. The other one is the floor-standing bandsaw which offers standing operation and supports larger blades.
Versatility
Your tools versatility can benefit you for longer terms. A versatile tool accommodates your investment in the most appropriate manner. In the case of buying the best budget saw, forget about the fact that you’re on a short budget. Because the versatility of the equipment doesn’t cost you some extra bucks.
All you need to do is to check all the features thoroughly. A versatile tool will allow you to deal with a variety of projects. Especially if you’re an experimental kind of a person, looking out for versatility in your tool is a must-have for you.
Ease of Handling and Blade adjustment
Some bandsaws are designed for professional use and can only be handled by professionals. Whereas, some deliver high performance as well and easy and convenient handling. Steer clear of picking up the device that you don’t have skills to operate for cutting if you’re a beginner.
Another factor that adds to the ease of handling is the blade adjustments. If the machine doesn’t allow easy blade changing and fixing, you can face a really hard time on it. The improper blade fastening can make it wobble while you’re making cuts through wood pieces.
Dust Collector
Having a dust collector in a bandsaw helps to provide you a managed and mess-free workspace. Some of the models come with an integrated dust collection mechanism. They keep collecting the dust as the tasks proceed.
Wheel of Bandsaw
The size of the bandsaw wheel denotes the performance and power delivery. The rule of thumb is that the bigger the better. The larger wheel enables the saw to rotate quickly and efficiently, thus ensuring smooth cuts.
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FAQ’s For Best Budget Bandsaws
What is the best budget bandsaw for money?
WEN 3962 is the best budget bandsaw under 500. It runs on the 3.5-amp motor to deliver a seamless cutting capacity of 6 inches in depth and 9-¾ inches wide. You can choose the speed of the saw as per your project requirement with its dual-speed feature. It can be utilized to make bevel cuts as well. It can perfectly deal with a number of your woodworking tasks.
How much does a good bandsaw cost?
You can get a saw with impeccable cutting capacity and efficient performance under $500. Any model within this price bracket can serve your multiple wood cutting and trimming tasks. There’s no rule that to get a good bandsaw, you have to spend heaps of bucks. An equipment with reasonable price can also be of great use.
Final Words on Getting The Best Budget bandsaw
After going through the whole article, you now must have a clear idea in mind about getting the best budget bandsaw for yourself. Try to get a tool that meets most of your project’s demands. Getting a budget tool doesn’t indicate that you should pick any low-profile or under powered tool. Choose the one that provides great value for money as well as meets your working standards.
WEN 3962 bandsaw offers dual-speed modes. It comes with a working table. That helps you provide you with ease of dealing with your tasks without worrying about any additional workshop space.
MILWAUKEE’S 2429-21XC cordless saw offers one-handed operation. With its extended battery time, it can accommodate you on your longer project for hours. The accuracy and precision of the saw are also up to the mark.
DEWALT DCS374B is a portable compact bandsaw. It has a dual-coated base. You will never face any hassle for its blade changing. It also features an LED light that turns on after 20 seconds delay to increase cutting line vision.
I’m Thomas Steven with more than 12 years of experience in woodworking. It has always been my passion to become a successful woodworker. I have completed hundreds of successful projects. This blog is a way of sharing my woodworking experiences and what tools get the best results. I write about woodworking while being an associate with Amazon and I earn a little commission from every qualifying purchase.