Best Benchtop Metal Bandsaw in 2024 – [Reviews & Buying Guide]
A bandsaw is one of the most versatile tools that you can have in your workshop. Not only that but its convenience and efficiency can help you get a lot of work done with a multitude of materials in a faster timeframe.
It’s surely something that both a DIY enthusiast and professional should have in their arsenal so they can get creative with their projects. Having a bandsaw on hand gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to the designs and output you want to create and at the same time, eliminates the need for some more cumbersome tools.
Here in this article, we shall discuss some of the best benchtop metal bandsaws in the market today for you to choose from.
Our Top Picks
IMAGE | MODEL | RATINGS | WEIGHT | Voltage | BUY NOW |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Klutch Metal Cutting Band Saw | 5 | 55 pounds | 120 Volts | Check Price | |
RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw | 4.4 | 75.8 pounds | 115 Volts | Check Price | |
SHOP FOX Metal Cutting Bandsaw | 4.4 | 110 Volts | 110 Volts | Check Price | |
KAKA Metal Cutting Band Saw | 4.3 | 356 pounds | 115 Volts | Check Price | |
Eastwood Metal Cutting Bandsaw | 4.7 | 47 pounds | 120 Volts | Check Price |
Best Benchtop Metal Bandsaw Product Reviews
1.Klutch Benchtop Metal Cutting Band Saw
First on our best benchtop metal bandsaw review is the affordable Klutch Benchtop Metal Cutting Band Saw. This unit right here is constantly included in any benchtop bandsaw related list or reviews and for a lot of good reasons.
As mentioned, it comes at a very good price point and you’ll surely get a lot of work out of it. Its compact design surely wouldn’t occupy a lot of space and it operates under 120 volts plus 0.5 horsepower for safe and efficient cuts.
Its bi-metal blade can be adjusted to deliver speeds from 130 to 288 FPM to cut all sorts of materials and is most especially effective for metal. It only weighs 48 pounds and it’s one of the most flexible bandsaws you can ever have.
It’s easy enough to utilize and adjust to it can accommodate a lot of different cuts and you can surely accomplish a lot of projects with it. Perfect for DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists alike.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Perfect for beginners
- Very safe to operate
- Reliable and durable
- Flexible and versatile for a lot of types of cuts you’d need to do
Cons
- Could use a little bit more power
2.RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw
The RIKON 10-305 Bandsawis also a bit popular nowadays due to its versatility and ability to make the most intricate cuts that you can ever do with a bandsaw. As a matter of fact, those who have tried it would tell you that it’s the best benchtop bandsaw to use if you want to repurpose materials.
It works just as well on metal as it does with wood. Due to its dust and debris-cleaning feature, you can work efficiently and with nothing to bother your path on making those delicate cuts.
It comes with a rip fence that is easily adjustable for your needs. It’s got a steel plate frame too for additional durability. It offers a stable work surface and a cast iron table for you to adjust your workpiece according to your needs.
Pros
- Very ergonomic design
- Convenient dust cleaner to keep things clear as you work
- Durable frame and overall parts
- Easy to transport and store
- Relatively good price point
Cons
- Blade installments are not as easy as you’d think they should be
3.Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe Bandsaw
If you’re looking to get productive but accurate on your cut then be sure to go get the Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe Bandsaw which is guaranteed to be a great investment.
This top-notch machine allows for cuts from 0 to 60 degrees. This accurate unit is perfect if you are working in a rush to get a project done as it is super easy to adjust and so you can make one cut after another really quick.
It’s got guide locks that are level-controlled that also give your workpiece the support it needs at all times so it’s stable enough for you to be extra-efficient on your work. It also comes with fully adjustable ball bearings so straight cuts would be a breeze.
Apart from that, it runs at 1 horsepower, and with all its features that power is impressive enough.
Pros
- You can truly make a lot of types of cuts with this unit
- A workhorse and meant for long-term usage
- Very durable
- Easy to adjust or modify
- Easy to utilize too
Cons
- Not as portable as you like it to be
4.SHOP FOX W1715 3/4 HP Metal Cutting Bandsaw
Next on our list is the SHOP FOX W1715 3/4 HP Metal Cutting Bandsaw. It’s got enough power to help DIY enthusiasts and hobbyists alike to get a lot of projects done efficiently and conveniently.
All sorts of applications that you can do with this unit right here. It comes with six different blade speeds that make it versatile enough. It’s got an auto-shutoff feature so it is very safe to utilize too.
We also like the fact that it’s got wheels so it’s as portable as they come. Its versatility doesn’t stop there as it’s a unit that can make both horizontal and vertical cuts making it a great investment for anyone, even professionals.
It’s got a stable and strong vise too that ensures your workpieces are held securely. Large and small projects no matter what you’re trying to accomplish can be done with this bandsaw with ease.
Pros
- Very versatile design
- Portable for its size and weight
- Safe to use
- Powerful unit
- Good value for money
Cons
- It can be a bit bulky
5.KAKA BS-712N Metal Cutting Horizontal Band Saw
Next on our list of the best benchtop metal bandsaw is the popular KAKA BS-712N Metal Cutting Horizontal Band Saw.
If you want the best of both worlds and by that, we mean industrial quality but with a consumer version then go get this unit right here. It is indeed the best of both worlds in terms of convenience, versatility, and power.
It can be rotated at a 0 to 45 degree angle which gives you a chance to do a lot of cuts. This unit can cut through brass, aluminum, and a lot of other metals you want to work on. It’s got an automatic shutoff feature too.
It’s got a powerful enough motor with a variable speed control plus a frame lock option for faster and more efficient cutting.
Pros
- Very good value for money
- Powerful and consistent operation
- Professionals may use it too
- Meant last
- Very good ratings
Cons
- Not as adjustable as the rest of the machines on our list
6.Eastwood Electric Benchtop Metal Cutting Bandsaw
Let’s move right into the penultimate entry into our list with the Eastwood Electric Benchtop Metal Cutting Bandsaw.
Also amongst the top quality bandsaws in the market today, this unit is as innovative as they come. For example, this unit right here is really specially made to cut metal ranging from steel to aluminum.
It may be a benchtop bandsaw that can handle both big and small projects. The machine also only weighs about 47 pounds and so it’s easy to move around and won’t occupy much space for storage.
This is also a unit known for making perfect miter cuts with 90 to 45 degree angles. Apart from those features, this is one bandsaw known for its fast as well as accurate cuts. It’s also quite easy to control with its trigger and pistol grip handle.
Pros
- Modern design
- Ergonomic too
- Comes with multiple color options
- Reliable and consistent operation
- Enough power and very versatile
Cons
- Can be a bit expensive
7.WEN 3975T Metal-Cutting Benchtop Band Saw
Last but not least on our best benchtop metal bandsaw review is the WEN 3975T Metal-Cutting Benchtop Band Saw. We can also say that this unit is also a bit popular.
It comes with a spacious workspace that we’re pretty sure you’ll value. It comes with a miter scale, stain port, and a blade guard that’s easily adjustable for all your cutting needs. We can say that this unit is a smooth operator and users attest to its durability after years and years of use.
Needless to say, this machines meant for a variety of even the most complex cuts that you’ll ever have to do. It’s also one of those units where it’s borderline for professional and hobbyist usage due to its top notch quality.
Pros
- Very good investment
- Easy to utilize
- Sleek design and color
- Very reliable and long lasting frame
- Versatile cuts guaranteed
Cons
- May not be as suitable for larger materials to cut
Benchtop Metal Bandsaw Buyer’s Guide
Here are some of the important aspects that you should watch out for as you purchase your next benchtop metal bandsaw.
Frame
There are basically two types of bandsaws if you categorize them by their frame. You have the floor or freestanding bandsaws and the benchtop models that we listed above.
Floor type bandsaws are obviously the larger ones and they would naturally occupy a lot of space but they are heavy-duty ones that can cut through any type of material. Naturally, they are used to handle larger materials in commercial or industrial settings. DIY enthusiasts or hobbyists probably won’t have any business buying one of these.
This leads us to the benchtop models that are very popular right now mainly because they are more affordable, versatile, and flexible. They won’t occupy a lot of space and are easier to utilize plus you can do all sorts of DIY projects with them.
If you should ask, there are also cordless bandsaws that are essential for construction sites or in hard to reach work areas for making complex cuts too. They are super convenient to use but as expected won’t have a lot of power compared to the first two we discussed.
Capacity
There are two aspects that you need to take note of as you shop around for a bandsaw, first is its throat measurement, and second, its cutting depth.
The distance between the saw blade and the vertical column is the measurement of your bandsaw’s throat and this is important because it determines the width of the material your tool can handle.
If you see a measurement in the product description in inches (9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 inches) then that should be the throat measurement.
On the other hand, the cutting depth refers to the distance between the bandsaw’s table to its upper blade guides. This then determines the maximum thickness of any material your bandsaw can work with.
Power
Lastly, you need to determine the right amount of horsepower you really need for your projects. Professionals should go for anything from 2 hp or higher while most of you DIY enthusiasts should be satisfied with a bandsaw with 1.5 hp or below.
Smaller freestanding or benchtop bandsaws usually run from 0.5 to 1.5 hp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is a bandsaw mostly used for?
Answer: Similar to a lot of power saws, bandsaws are very useful tools when it comes to making different kinds of cuts. But, bandsaws are generally known for making more complicated cuts and making them look easy. A bandsaw also cuts downwards and because of that motion, your material is kept clean from any debris as most if not all of it is driven downwards. This mechanism gives you a clearer workpiece thus making complex cuts even easier. Cutting curvatures and working right around the edges of material is easy if you use a bandsaw. They are tools utilized to work on making or designing furniture, toys, home décor, and a lot of other projects.
Question: How to determine the size of a bandsaw that you’d need?
Answer: As you saw on our list, naturally, bandsaws also come in varying sizes and configurations. As a general rule when it comes to sizing, the larger the bandsaw the better it would be for more professional work. We don’t really know a lot of DIY enthusiasts or hobbyists having to need the larger models and mostly benchtop models like the ones we’ve listed are enough for their needs. Also, horizontal bandsaws are generally utilized for commercial or industrial purposes and to cut metal.
Question: What are the key differences between a horizontal and vertical bandsaw?
Answer: The key difference between a horizontal and vertical bandsaw is that the former is generally use to cut larger pieces of material such as metal and the latter is used for much smaller pieces. Horizontal bandsaws also aren’t used to make complicated cuts as opposed to vertical bandsaws that are a lot more versatile and perfect for making intricate cuts like curvatures. So, in essence, it’s like trading off power for versatility and vice versa.
Question: What are the dos and don’ts of using a bandsaw?
Answer: All right, let’s talk about a few basic safety rules as you operate your bandsaw. Please do not take these safety rules for granted, most of what we are about to tell you applies to operating a power tool, in general.
First of all, you need to wear safety glasses as you operate a bandsaw no matter its size or power. If it gets loud then be sure to wear earplugs and if you have long hair then make sure to tie it neatly that it won’t get caught up in whatever it is that you are working on.
For straight cutting, be sure to use a guide or a fence. For curves, be sure to mark your cut properly. Do not let your fingers get too close to the blade as you cut, don’t be too overconfident with your skills, even seasoned operators experience mishaps due to being cocky around these power tools. Don’t push your material too hard and be patient with your work. And lastly, do not cut round materials that are unsecured.
Question: What are the key advantages of using a bandsaw as opposed to some other power tool?
Answer: Primary advantage of using a bandsaw as opposed to saw a jigsaw is that your cuts should be better controlled. Bandsaws also create cuts that are more predictable or qualitative. Because you’ll have more control of the blade then your cuts will be more precise upping its quality. Lastly, cutting using a bandsaw reduces wasted materials and will help you repurpose a lot more for other projects.
Final Thoughts
There you have them, some of the best benchtop metal bandsaws in the market today. We’ve intentionally listed down a diverse list so you may explore them all and see to it that what you’re going to purchase is the best fit for your metal cutting needs.
Don’t get us wrong, these bandsaws are as versatile as they come and while they are superb on metal, they can also work on a whole lot of other materials. These are some of the best models from some of the best brands and any of them would be a good investment for someone always finding themselves making complex cuts.
So, what are you waiting for? Go get your benchtop metal bandsaw now and see the difference with your projects. As always, stay safe around these power tools, and most of all, enjoy making those projects!
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