Jigsaw Vs Bandsaw Comparison
Contents
- The Top Bandsaws Are…
- 1. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw
- 2. Grizzly G0555LX Band Saw
- 3. WEN 3962 Band Saw
- The Top Jigsaws Are…
- 1. Makita XVJ03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Jig Saw
- 2. Ryobi’s One+ P523 18 volt T Shank Jigsaw
- 3. Bosch JS470E
- Jigsaw Vs Bandsaw: What Are The Main Differences?
- Buying Guide
- Brand
- Power
- Durability
- Ease Of Use
- Final Thoughts
- Sources
Choosing between saws can be confusing, especially for new woodworkers. Jigsaws and bandsaws both cut curves, but they work very differently.
A jigsaw is a handheld saw with a short reciprocating blade, while a bandsaw is a stationary machine with a continuous blade loop. Below we compare them and review our favorite models of each.
OUR TOP PICK
The JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw is our top pick in the bandsaws category. This bandsaw is strong, easy to use, and a great addition to a home workshop.
The Top Bandsaws Are…
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw | 1. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw Top Pick | - 258 pounds - 29 x 28 x 77 inches - Corded-electric | Check Current Price |
| 2. Grizzly G0555LX Band Saw | 2. Grizzly G0555LX Band Saw | - 229 pounds - 1 HP motor - 6-inch resaw capacity | Check Current Price |
| 3. WEN 3962 Band Saw | 3. WEN 3962 Band Saw | - 73 pounds - 20 x 25 x 58 inches - Corded-electric | Check Current Price |
1. JET JWBS-14DXPRO Band Saw
The JET JWBS-14DXPRO is our first pick. It offers two blade speeds, about 1,500 and 3,000 SFPM, so you can slow down for harder materials.
Its heavy cast iron frame keeps it stable and reduces vibration.
It has a 12-inch resaw capacity, so you can slice thick boards into thinner ones or cut stacked pieces at once for identical parts.
The 15 x 15-inch table and blade tracking window make it easy to set up and line up your cuts.
Specs
- 258 pounds
- 29 x 28 x 77 inches
- Corded-electric
Pros
- 12-inch resaw capacity
- Easy to use
- Strong and durable
Cons
- Heavy
- Expensive
Rating – 4.5/5.0
2. Grizzly G0555LX Band Saw
Our second pick is the Grizzly G0555LX, a 14-inch bandsaw from Grizzly with a 1 HP motor and two blade speeds (1,800 and 3,100 FPM).
According to the G0555LX manual, it has computer-balanced cast iron wheels, ball bearing blade guides, a cast iron frame and a precision-ground 14 x 14-inch cast iron table that tilts 45 degrees right and 10 degrees left.
At 229 pounds, it’s heavy, but that mass keeps it steady. Its resaw height is 6 inches, half that of the JET, so it suits curves and smaller stock better than resawing wide boards.
Specs
- 229 pounds
- 1 HP motor
- 6-inch resaw capacity
- Corded-electric
Pros
- Computer-balanced cast iron wheels
- Ball bearing blade guides
- Designed to last
- Easy to use
Cons
- Only one 4-inch dust port
- 6-inch resaw height
- Heavy
Rating – 4.0 stars
3. WEN 3962 Band Saw
The WEN 3962 is a 10-inch benchtop-class bandsaw on a stand that delivers good value for money. Powered by a 3.5-amp motor, it cuts stock up to 6 inches thick and 9-3/4 inches wide, which suits small projects and light resawing rather than large logs.
The most outstanding thing about this bandsaw is its flexibility. It comes with a table that allows you to make adjustments up to 45 degrees for angle cuts, so you can handle more diverse projects, including those that require angle cuts. Furthermore, it allows you to select between two speeds, 1,520 FPM or 2620 FPM, depending on the project at hand.
The bandsaw is built with cast aluminum components and is backed by a two-year warranty.
Specs
- 73 pounds
- 20 x 25 x 58 inches
- Corded-electric
Pros
- Two blade speeds
- Easy to use
- Lightweight for a stand-mounted bandsaw
Cons
- 3.5-amp motor is underpowered for hardwood resawing
Rating – 4.3/5.0
OUR TOP PICK
Our top pick in the jigsaw category is this Makita XVJ03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Jig Saw. It’s well built and comfortable to use.
The Top Jigsaws Are…
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Makita XVJ03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Jig Saw | 1. Makita XVJ03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Jig Saw Top Pick | - 5 pounds - 3.6 x 12.3 x 9.1 inches - Li-ion batteries - Three years limited warranty | Check Current Price |
| 2. Ryobi’s One+ P523 18 volt T Shank Jigsaw | 2. Ryobi’s One+ P523 18 volt T Shank Jigsaw | - 4.9 pounds - 11 x 12 x 6.5 inches - Battery-powered - Standard T-shank model | Check Current Price |
| 3. Bosch JS470E | 3. Bosch JS470E | - 5.9 pounds - 15.8 x 14.5 x 4.5 inches - Corded-electric - 30-day money-back, and one year warranty | Check Current Price |
1. Makita XVJ03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Jig Saw
The Makita XVJ03Z is our first jigsaw pick for its solid construction and useful features. It is a cordless jigsaw powered by an 18-volt Li-Ion battery, which makes it handy for cutting away from the shop.
It has three orbital settings plus straight cutting, so you can match the action to the job. With the right blade, it cuts wood, plastic and metal.
Another selling point of this jigsaw is the ergonomic design that makes it easy to work for a longer period without getting tired. Also, the jigsaw has a D-handle and a big 2-finger variable speed trigger to enhance the user’s comfort.
Makita’s Star Protection system communicates with the battery to help prevent overloading, over-discharging and overheating.
Specs
- 5 pounds
- 3.6 x 12.3 x 9.1 inches
- Li-ion batteries
- Three years limited warranty
Pros
- Easy to change the blade
- Long-lasting
- Cordless
- A long 3-year limited warranty
Cons
- Battery is bought separately
Rating – 4.7/5.0
2. Ryobi’s One+ P523 18 volt T Shank Jigsaw
In second place is Ryobi’s One+ P523 18 volt T Shank Jigsaw, a budget-friendly cordless option.
Like our first pick, it runs on an 18-volt battery, which is powerful enough for most DIY cutting tasks. Its top speed of about 3,000 strokes per minute is competitive with many corded models.
Its speed control lets you set the blade speed for the material you’re cutting, which helps with cleaner cuts in plastic and metal.
It takes standard T-shank blades, and the blade change is tool-free. With the battery removed, release the clamp, pull out the old blade and snap in the new one.
Specs
- 4.9 pounds
- 11 x 12 x 6.5 inches
- Battery-powered
- Standard T-shank model
Pros
- Adjustable speed control
- Cordless
- Compact, light, and easy to use
Cons
- Works only with T-shank blades.
Rating – 4.7/5.0
3. Bosch JS470E
The Bosch JS470E is a strong corded jigsaw. It could outperform our cordless picks on long, demanding cuts, but its cord ties it to an outlet, which is why it ranks third.
It has four orbital settings plus straight cutting, and a variable speed dial so you can set the blade speed for the task.
The rubberized top handle gives a secure grip, and it’s large enough to guide the saw comfortably.
Specs
- 5.9 pounds
- 15.8 x 14.5 x 4.5 inches
- Corded-electric
- 30-day money-back, and one year warranty
Pros
- High-efficiency dust management system
- Can be used on a wide range of cutting projects
- Easy to change the blade with no tools
Cons
- It is corded
Rating – 4.7/5.0
Jigsaw Vs Bandsaw: What Are The Main Differences?
A jigsaw is a handheld power tool with a short reciprocating blade. Its main advantages are portability and the ability to cut curves and interior cutouts in large sheets: you drill a starter hole and cut from the middle of a panel. Most jigsaws can also tilt their shoe for bevel cuts.
The blade sticks out below the saw’s shoe and moves up and down. Jigsaws are easy to operate, but their thin blades can deflect in thick stock, so cuts may not be perfectly square.
A bandsaw is a stationary machine with a continuous blade loop that runs on two (sometimes three) wheels. You move the workpiece through the blade on the table.
Bandsaws cut thick stock with a square edge, resaw boards into thinner pieces and cut identical parts from stacked boards. With the right blade, they also cut plastic and some metals. They can’t make interior cutouts without cutting in from an edge, and the size of the table and throat limits how large a panel you can handle.
Buying Guide
Having differentiated between the bandsaws and jigsaws, you are now closer to identifying the ideal piece for your workshop or DIY tasks.
So we will now tell you how to narrow down to the best piece. Here are the main things to consider.
Brand
Brand affects quality, parts availability and support, so stick with established names.
Respected brands include Makita, Rikon, Grizzly, Ryobi, DeWalt, and Bosch, among others.
Power
More motor power helps with thick or hard stock. For a bandsaw you plan to resaw with, look for at least 1 HP and a tall resaw capacity.
Remember that if you are using cordless power tools, it is important to ensure your batteries are properly charged and have several spares to use when the main one runs out.
Durability
When you decide to buy a bandsaw or a jigsaw, the goal is picking a piece that is reliable and durable. Therefore, it is important to look for the model that is engineered to last. You can know this by checking several things, including the manufacturer’s warranty, money-back guarantee, and past users’ feedback.
Ease Of Use
Look for comfortable handles, easy-to-reach switches and quick blade changes. On a bandsaw, easy blade tensioning, tracking and guide adjustments matter most.
Whichever saw you choose, wear safety glasses, keep your fingers out of the blade’s path, and unplug the tool (or remove the battery) before changing blades.
Final Thoughts
Jigsaws and bandsaws are designed for different jobs. The bandsaw is bigger and more powerful, and it’s the better choice for thick stock, resawing and square curved cuts.
The jigsaw is smaller and portable, and it’s the better choice for cutouts in sheet goods and work away from the shop.
Our top choices are JET JWBS-14DXPRO (bandsaw category) and Makita XVJ03Z (jigsaw category) because of their features and demonstrated performance.
Sources
- Model G0555LX Owner's Manual, Grizzly Industrial
- A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing and Using a Jigsaw, This Old House
