Wen 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw Review
Contents
- Presenting the Wen 3962 Bandsaw
- Features and Benefits
- Small Footprint
- Two-Speed Setting
- Variety of Blade Options
- Bevel Cuts from 0 to 45 Degrees
- Six-Inch Re-Sawing Capacity
- Packed with All Useful Accessories
- General User Impressions
- Our Opinion
- Things to Consider
- Two or Three Wheels
- Bandsaw Blades
- Product FAQs
- Final Thoughts
- Sources
A band saw makes cuts other shop tools can't. It is the go-to tool for curves and circles, and it lets you resaw thick boards into thinner ones.
Long sweeping curves on your workpiece can create a nice accent or design element. And without the right band saw, this would be a challenge to cut.
Because the blade cuts downward, it pushes the workpiece against the table and carries most of the dust below it.
In this Wen Bandsaw Review I have covered all the features that make this product a good investment.
Presenting the Wen 3962 Bandsaw
WEN sells band saws in several sizes, but this review covers the 3962 10-inch model. It has a 3.5-amp motor and two speeds: 1,520 or 2,620 feet per minute (FPM).
Having two speeds is useful for hobbyists. The saw's manual tells you which speed to use for each material.
Another impressive feature that Wen installed is the 6-inch resaw bandsaw. This means you can re-cut up to six inches in a single pass.
Combined with the 9-3/4-inch throat, that gives you room for fairly wide workpieces on a benchtop-sized saw.
Features and Benefits
The bandsaw is well-built. When I got it in the package, the entire unit comes assembled except for the table and the stand is not attached to the bottom.
Here is my roundup of all the important features this product comes with:
Small Footprint
The very first thing that I love about this product is the small footprint. I had no issues finding it the appropriate location in my shop.
Also, relocating the machine to a different place in the shop isn’t a big deal. You can easily achieve this on your own.
Two-Speed Setting
The two speeds are 1,520 and 2,620 FPM. Check the manual for which setting WEN recommends for wood and other materials.
Variety of Blade Options
This tool uses 72-inch blades, which can vary in size from 1/8-inch to 1/2-inch with respect to the particulars needed.
A narrow band saw blade removes less wood than a table saw blade, so you waste less material when resawing.
Bevel Cuts from 0 to 45 Degrees
The 14-1/8-inch by 12-1/2-inch table tilts up to 45 degrees for angled cuts.
Six-Inch Re-Sawing Capacity
This bandsaw comes with a six-inch re-sawing capacity, which is great because it allows you to tackle six-inch thick workpiece with ease.
Packed with All Useful Accessories
This saw comes equipped with:
- A versatile work-light for illuminating the workpiece
- A three-in-one dust port for effective dust collection
- A heavy-duty fence for re-sawing and producing straight cuts
- A stand for elevating the bandsaw
- A miter gauge
General User Impressions
Most users seem to be impressed by the quality of the frame, which they say is robust, sturdy, and pretty heavy. The heavy part being a concern for hobbyists and first-time users.
Those who are getting into woodworking for the first time really appreciate the re-sawing capacity of the bandsaw. The six-inch re-sawing capacity is just perfect for a novice user.
It appears to be a slightly expensive choice for some users when they compare it to other brands of the same size, such as Rikon 10-inch or Craftsman 10-inch bandsaws.
Most woodworkers appreciate the small footprint of this bandsaw. It doesn’t take much space in the shop, which is great because it doesn’t prevent you from buying other machines.
Re-sawing hobbyists are overly impressed with the generous size of the bandsaw table, and the high-quality fence. In fact, the fence made re-sawing remarkably easier.
As much as I would like to defend the performance of this machine, there are few users who had bad experiences while using the machine.
Some woodworkers claimed that the bandsaw wasn’t capable of re-sawing cabinetry or large pieces of firewood.
Other users had a blade that kept on coming out of alignment, due to bearings and tension flaws. Also, the lack of pressure gauge appeared to be a big deal for some users.
Our Opinion
The very first thing that I would like to mention in this part of our Wen 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw Review is the small footprint and the rigid frame.
It was so easy to get the table mounted and the blade was already installed. I just had to adjust the tension on the top wheel to get the whole thing ready for the job.
This bandsaw runs smoothly because I was able to cut six-inch boards with ease. I was simply ripping the boards down in the middle.
I did have a little side-to-side action with the blade. So, there were times when I couldn’t get a perfectly straight cut. But I think that was partially my fault and I need to work on the type and speed of the blade I am using.
It is one of the most versatile bandsaws I have ever come across. It has a dust port on the backside for dust extraction. The port has three hose sizes (4, 2-3/4, and 1-3/4 inches).
It has a 3.5-amp motor mounted on the back.
I really liked the steel adjustment and angling parts, unlike the plastic parts that come with conventional machines.
It has a very nice LED work-light on it with an on/off switch on the side. The light is highly flexible, I could easily twist it to direct the light where I want it to be.
You will not need an after-market fence with this bandsaw because the one that comes with it is pretty well-made.
It was very easy to move with the side lever, which locks into place once you have positioned the fence on your desired spot.
It has four bolts on the bottom of the table, which make it easy to align the scale with respect to the position of the fence.
My only major concern is the quality of the blade. The blade quality is not long-lasting and you may need a replacement sooner than you may have imagined. Ryobi bandsaw is a direct competitor to WEN bandsaw.
Pros
- Comes Half Assembled Out-of-the-Box: Most of the parts come already assembled, which makes it very easy to set up. It only took me about one hour to completely finish the installation. Also, its small footprint allows for easy installation of the stand.
- Roomy Table: The 14-1/8 x 12-1/2-inch table is large for a 10-inch saw, and mine was flat enough for accurate resawing.
- Comes with Reliable Instructions: One of the things that makes me like Wen products is their instruction manual. It is usually detailed and properly laid-out for easy understanding. Even a novice user can easily make blade adjustments by following the instructions.
- Creates Good Curves, Circles, and Re-Saw Cuts: I had no issues, creating curves and circles for every project I did with this bandsaw. The re-sawing capacity was impressive for the small workpieces I was working on.
Cons
- Some Parts are Poorly Made: I found a broken pin on the floor after a re-sawing session.
- Poor blade quality: The original blade made a few good cuts but dulled quickly, and I had to replace it.
Things to Consider
Choosing the best bandsaw for woodworking requires you to take into consideration a few factors, such as:
Two or Three Wheels
Bandsaws are sized according to their throat capacity, which is the distance between the blade housing that connects the lower and the upper wheels and the blade.
On two-wheel designs, throat capacity is determined by the wheel diameters. On three-wheel designs, the additional wheel is used to increase throat capacity.
While they provide large throat capacity, the smaller wheels on three-wheel bandsaws flex the blade more, which can shorten blade life. Most woodworkers are better off with a two-wheel design.
Bandsaw Blades
This is a very important factor, especially when you want to change the original blade with an after-market model.
The length of the blade varies with respect to the bandsaw machine type as well as specifications. You can determine the ideal length of the blade on the user manual.
The next thing I usually look for is the width of a blade. I use the word width, but it normally comes down to a minimum radius of cut and the maximum capacity the bandsaw can hold.
Therefore, narrow blades are best suited for contour sawing, while wider blades resist deflection, so they are best for straight rips and re-sawing. On this saw, that means a 1/2-inch blade with about 3 teeth per inch for resawing.
Product FAQs
Do I Need to Buy a 72-inch Blade or Can it Work with a Slightly Large One?
The 10-inch bandsaw is engineered to work with a 72-inch blade. You shouldn’t buy a larger blade, you may not be able to tension it properly.
Can this Machine Cut 4-Inch Oak?
Yes. With a 6-inch resaw height, 4-inch oak is within its capacity. Use a sharp blade with fewer teeth per inch and feed slowly. Use a bi-metal blade for metal.
Do I have to adjust the Blade Guide Bearings every time I Change Blades?
Check them every time. A blade of a different width or thickness usually needs the guides reset. Unplug the saw before changing blades or adjusting guides, as OSHA advises for all power tools.
Final Thoughts
This is my Wen Bandsaw Review in a nutshell. Everything seems to be quite easy with this product. Whether it is installation, blade change, or adjustments.
In fact, adjustments are the easiest to make because there is a knob for blade alignment on the top wheel. There is also a lock knob that will prevent the blade from coming out of alignment.
Apart from the inability of the blade to retain sharpness, everything on this bandsaw appears to be well-made. If you are interested to know more about bandsaw then read this article on table saw vs band saw.
So, that’s it, my Wen 3962 Two-Speed Band Saw Review. It has proven to be a great little unit. I will do an update review for you in the future to let you know more about its durability.
Sources
- Hand and Power Tools (OSHA 3080), OSHA
- Essential Bandsaw Blades, Fine Woodworking
