Band Saw vs Table Saw | Which Is Better for Your Woodworking Job?
Contents
- The Best Table Saws Are:
- 1. DEWALT DWE7491RS 10” Table Saw
- 2. SKIL 3410-02 Table Saw with Folding Stand
- 3. Bosch Worksite 4100-09 Table Saw
- The Best Band Saws Are:
- 1. WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw
- 2. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw Kit
- 3. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw
- Table Saw vs Band Saw Comparison
- What Is a Table Saw and What Are Its Uses?
- What Is a Band Saw and What Are Its Uses?
- Buying Guide: How to Pick the Best Product
- Material
- Power
- Weight and Portability
- Conclusion
- Sources
As someone just starting out in the woodworking space, you might be stuck in the middle of making a vital decision, band saw vs table saw. Many woodworkers are torn between the two. A table saw makes fast, straight, square cuts; a band saw cuts curves and resaws thick boards, with less risk of kickback.
This article explains what each saw does and reviews three of each.
OUR TOP PICK
Our top choice for the table saw is the DEWALT DWE7491RS 10” Table Saw because of its 32-1/2-inch rip capacity, rack and pinion fence, and included rolling stand.
The Best Table Saws Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. DEWALT DWE7491RS 10” Table Saw | 1. DEWALT DWE7491RS 10” Table Saw Our Top Pick | - Motor: 15 amps - Blade: 10 inches, 24T carbide - Rip capacity: 32-1/2 inches | Check Current Price |
| 2. SKIL 3410-02 Table Saw with Folding Stand | 2. SKIL 3410-02 Table Saw with Folding Stand | - No-load speed: 5,000 RPM - Blade: 10-inch carbide-tooth blade - Folding stand | Check Current Price |
| 3. Bosch Worksite 4100-09 Table Saw | 3. Bosch Worksite 4100-09 Table Saw | - No-load speed: 3,650RPM - Blade: 10 inches, 40T Carbide-tipped blade - Weight: 60 pounds without the stand | Check Current Price |
1. DEWALT DWE7491RS 10” Table Saw
The Dewalt DWE7491RS is a jobsite table saw with a 15-amp motor and a rolling stand that makes it easy to move around. It has a dust collection port for a shop vacuum.
According to DeWalt’s product page, its rack and pinion fence rips up to 32-1/2 inches, and it comes with a 24-tooth carbide blade, a blade guard, and a riving knife.
Specs
- 15-amp motor
- 10 inches, 24T carbide blade
- 32-1/2-inch rip capacity
Pros
- Dust port
- Powerful motor
- Portable
Cons
- Small table size
2. SKIL 3410-02 Table Saw with Folding Stand
This budget jobsite saw comes with a folding stand. Its aluminum table extends to support wider stock, and the blade cuts about 3-1/2 inches deep at 90 degrees, enough for a 4x4 in one pass. The blade bevels from 0 to 47 degrees.
It has a 15-amp motor rated at 5,000 RPM and comes with a 10-inch carbide-tooth blade.
Specs
- 5,000 RPM
- 10-inch carbide-tooth blade
- Folding stand
Pros
- Folding stand
- Budget price
- Portable
Cons
- Only a 1-year warranty period
3. Bosch Worksite 4100-09 Table Saw
The Bosch 4100-09 is a jobsite saw known for its rugged, portable build. Bosch has since replaced it with newer 4100 versions, so check what is sold new before you buy. It comes with a 10-inch, 40-tooth carbide-tipped blade, a rip fence, and Bosch’s Smart Guard system. Its 25-inch rip capacity is enough to cut a 4-foot-wide sheet of plywood down the middle.
Specs
- 10 inches, 40T carbide-tipped blade
- 25-inch rip capacity
- Smart Guard system
Pros
- 40-tooth blade gives cleaner cuts
- Rugged and portable
Cons
- Smaller rip capacity than the DeWalt
- Older model
OUR TOP PICK
For the band saws, our top choice is the WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw because it is an affordable two-speed benchtop saw with a fence and miter gauge included.
The Best Band Saws Are:
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw | 1. WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw Our Top Pick | - Blade speed: 1,520 or 2,620 FPM - Blade: 72 inches - 10-inch benchtop | Check Current Price |
| 2. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw Kit | 2. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw Kit | - Blade speed: 1,500 or 3,000 SFPM - Blade: 105 inches - 12-inch resaw capacity | Check Current Price |
| 3. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw | 3. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw | - Single blade speed - 1/3 HP motor - 10-inch benchtop | Check Current Price |
1. WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw
The WEN 3962 is a 10-inch benchtop band saw with two blade speeds: 1,520 or 2,620 FPM. It comes with a 72-inch blade with a width that ranges from 1/8 to 1/2 inches. It comes with a spacious aluminum table that features a bevel capacity of up to 45 degrees.
It also comes with a 3-in-1 dust port that helps to keep your workspace clean. This tool comes with a work light, a fence, a miter gauge, and a 2-year warranty.
Specs
- 1,520 and 2,620 FPM
- 72 inches
- 73 pounds
Pros
- Benchtop size
- Two speeds
- Worklight
- Variety of blade options
Cons
- The flimsy tension knob is made with plastic
2. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw Kit
This 14-inch floor-standing band saw has a cast iron table and frame and a 1-1/4 HP motor. It resaws boards up to 12 inches tall and cuts up to 13-1/2 inches wide. Its 15 x 15-inch table tilts 45 degrees right and 10 degrees left, and it runs at 1,500 or 3,000 SFPM.
Specs
- 1,500 and 3,000 SFPM
- 105 inches
- About 250 pounds
Pros
- Dual-speed control
- Easy-to-view blade tracking window
- Large cutting surface
- Adjustable table
Cons
- It is weighty
3. Rikon 10-305 Bandsaw
The Rikon 10-305 is a 10-inch benchtop band saw with a 1/3 HP motor and a single blade speed. Its table tilts to 45 degrees, and a 2-1/2-inch dust port connects to a shop vacuum.
Specs
- Single speed
- 1/3 HP motor
- 10-inch benchtop
Pros
- Compact
- Simple to set up
- Tilting table
Cons
- Small motor limits resawing
Table Saw vs Band Saw Comparison
What Is a Table Saw and What Are Its Uses?
A table saw is a power tool with a circular blade that sticks up through a flat table. You push the wood through the blade, guided by a fence or miter gauge, for fast and accurate straight cuts.
A table saw has some standard components including the miter gauge, riving knife, rip fence, bevel system, anti-kickback pawls, and a blade guard. All the components have different functionalities and usefulness. Table saws range from portable jobsite saws to heavy stationary cabinet saws.
Table saws are used for cutting wood. You can use this machine to make straight, long cuts that go either across (crosscuts) or with (rip cuts) the wood grain. You can also use this machine to make bevel (angled cuts) and miter cuts. Many woodworkers choose table saws over handheld circular saws because of their accuracy and speed. The downside is that a table saw takes up more space and can kick a board back at you. OSHA’s kickback guidance notes that kickbacks happen more often when ripping and recommends a spreader, anti-kickback fingers, and standing to the side of the blade.
What Is a Band Saw and What Are Its Uses?
Bandsaws are different in design. The blade is a long, thin loop of steel with teeth on one edge, running around two (sometimes three) wheels. The blade moves straight down through the table, and only a small section between the guides and the table is exposed.
You push the workpiece across the table into the blade. Narrow blades can follow tight curves. Like the table saw, the bandsaw also has some standard components. The standard components of a woodworking bandsaw include a table, motor, blade, wheel cover, wheels, guides, dust collection ports, and a rip fence.
The three main types are portable, horizontal, and vertical band saws. Woodworkers mostly use vertical saws; horizontal and portable saws are mainly for metal.
The downward cutting action makes curves and irregular shapes easy to control. A band saw can also cut tenons, rip small pieces, and resaw thick boards into thinner ones. Because the blade pushes the work down into the table, kickback is far less of a risk than on a table saw. Blade contact is still the main hazard, so OSHA advises keeping the guard close to the stock and using a push stick near the blade.
Buying Guide: How to Pick the Best Product
While the particular saw you need to purchase mainly depends on your needs and personal preference, there are certain factors you still need to put into consideration when buying any of these saws.
Material
The material used to make the tool is very important. When it comes to a band saw vs table saw, frames and tables are usually made of steel, aluminum, or cast iron.
Cast iron is heavy, flat, and absorbs vibration, so it is the best choice for a stationary saw. Aluminum keeps portable saws light.
Power
Consider the motor, too. A 15-amp motor is standard on jobsite table saws. For band saws, more horsepower helps with resawing thick hardwood.
A two-speed band saw is useful: the higher speed is for wood, and a lower speed helps with plastics and some non-ferrous metals.
Weight and Portability
If you move your saw often, look at weight and whether it has a folding or rolling stand.
Conclusion
When it comes to bandsaw vs table saw, your projects decide. Choose a table saw for fast, straight, repeatable cuts and sheet goods; choose a band saw for curves and resawing. For more, see this scroll saw comparison.
For the table saw, our top pick is the DEWALT DWE7491RS 10” Table Saw because of its large rip capacity, accurate fence, and rolling stand.
For the band saws, our top pick is the WEN 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw for its value and two speeds.
Sources
- DWE7491RS 10 in. Jobsite Table Saw, DeWalt
- Woodworking: Machine Hazards, Kickbacks, OSHA
- Machine Guarding: Band Saws, OSHA
- JET 14” Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit: Beefed-up for Bigger Sawing Jobs, Woodworker’s Journal
