This superb, rugged band saw has a very capable 3.5-amp motor for a 10-inch saw. It runs on 120 volts. You can carve through boards as thick as 6-inches and 9 ¾ inches wide without needing multiple passes. The WEN has a 9 ¾-inch throat so you’ll be able to accommodate more material than with many comparable 10-inch band saws. It’s man enough to deal with a range of timber including hardwood.

Although the performance is impressive, the WEN has a fairly small footprint so it won’t eat up too much space in your workshop. The unit measures up at 20 x 25 x 58 inches.

Getting up and running is straightforward. Simply slip the cross supports and legs into place, slot on the work table and you’re ready to install and tweak the blade…

This is where a few issues come to the fore. If the adjustment is not spot-on, you’ll find this band saw pretty unforgiving. This model is extremely sensitive and setting up the stock blade is a tricky and rather tiresome procedure. For this reason alone, we’d suggest that the WEN is much better suited to woodworkers with at least some experience.

For such an affordable saw, you get plenty of bang for your buck…

The work table is substantial so you can accommodate large pieces of timber without a headache. You can bevel to the right anywhere from 0 through 45 degrees to the right. This allows you to make angled cuts 6 inches deep.

The work light illuminates your cutting line perfectly. This allows you to beaver away with precision in complete safety even if your workshop is a little on the dim side.

You’ll get a superbly solid and stable base to operate from thanks to the stand included. This will help you achieve strong, clean cuts without warping or skewing. It also adds a nice element of safety.

The WEN takes 72-inch blades which can be anywhere from 1/8-inch in thickness up to ½-inch so it’s a very versatile piece of kit. Band saw blades are rated according to TPI (teeth per inch) or PPI (points per inch). For most standard woodworking applications, 3 TPI will be adequate to deal with green wood and to make sure the sawdust is blitzed away and doesn’t clog up the works. For finer sawing, shoot for an extra set blade which has additional teeth.

You’ll get a miter gauge and rip fence thrown in for a bit of added cutting versatility.

Hooking up your band saw to a dust collection hose is a cinch. There’s nothing worse than working surrounded by sawdust and particles. Stay clean and stay safe. There are 3 differently sized ports meaning it will connect to most standard shop vacs.

There are a couple minor flashpoints with the WEN worth drawing your attention to…

The principal downside of this saw is that making adjustments can be a testing process. Take the time to become familiar with this procedure as it will make all the difference when you are cutting.

Several users have complained about light reflecting back in your face off the table.

These drawbacks are certainly not deal-breakers but worth being aware of so you don’t end with a nasty surprise.

If you want the performance of a larger saw without spending a fortune, the WEN 3962 is a strong contender for the best band saw.

This will not be any use for constant commercial use but if you want a heavyweight cutting beast for woodworking at home, the 3962 is a great starting point. If you compare it to band saws at a similar price point, it comes out very favorably in the mix.

Although this saw is cheap, it certainly doesn’t feel that way. Build quality is first-rate and little extras like the LED light are a nice touch for a pocket-friendly band saw.

Stability is uppermost with the SKIL. Although the casing is might from a durable but lightweight alloy, the base is fashioned from a much heavier cast-iron. This mix of weights delivers an extremely rigid experience and means you won’t need to attach the saw to a table.

When you are cutting, this light picks out the cutting line wherever you are working, even if it’s in a dull or gloomy workshop. Combined with the 1 ½-inch dust port, you can kick back and focus on your woodworking without straining your eyes or being niggled by sawdust.

The 2.5-amp motor is not capable of generating the power necessary for extended commercial cutting but for home use it’s more than fit for purpose. As with all power tools, a crucial part of your buying decision should be an honest appraisal of your needs. It’s not a question of getting the right band saw, there’s no right or wrong answer to that. All that counts is getting the best band for your needs and budget. Casual hobbyists will find the SKIL more than able.

You’ll be able to cut some metal with the SKIL but it works best with lumber. Think about the materials you have in mind so you don’t fall for the manufacturer’s hype if you fancy cutting plenty of metal. Stick to non-ferrous metals (aluminum, nickel, zinc, tin and copper) while avoiding iron and steel and you’ll be just fine.

EZ View blade tracking makes fine-tuning your blade super-simple. There’s nothing worse than messing around trying to get the alignment right. Where the WEN is rather problematic in this area, with the SKIL you’ll be up and running in no time even if you’re an absolute beginner.

Cutting depth locks in to 3 1/8 inches which is respectable enough for a saw of this stature. You’ll be able to cut through fairly thick stock without any troublesome stalling. The throat is 9 inches deep. Think about the size of the workpieces you’ll be dealing with and make sure this is adequate for your needs.

There’s a safety on/off switch so if you run into any trouble, you can slash the power in a trice. This is essential, especially if you’re a novice not used to operating a band saw.

The SKIL comes with a rip fence for making straight cuts while the miter gauge helps you with cross-cuts. Many saws at this price point don’t come with these extras included so that’s a nice bonus. You’ll also be able to cut curved and irregular shapes. It’s even possible to rip lumber into thinner pieces so this SKIL is a versatile piece of kit.

There are 3mm side blade guides but these are sadly not equipped with blade tension release. That said, changing the blade is pretty simple. All you need to do is unhook the blade from the knob on top.

Adjusting the table couldn’t be more straightforward. A rack-and-pinion system allows you to alter the angle and height in a flash. You can tilt the table up to 45 degrees for rapid changes of height and angle fuss-free.

For a no-nonsense bench-top band saw that’s built to last, this 9-incher from SKIL merits further investigation if you’re a home woodworker with relatively lightweight cutting projects in mind.

The power is lacking if you have more ambitious work in mind so be aware of this so you don’t end up buying an unsuitable saw.

For woodworking hobbyists and building contractors alike, this 5-inch band saw from DeWalt offers a great deal of bang for your buck.

You’ll be able to cut up to 5 inches in depth which is admirable for such a lightweight and portable unit.

If you are moving from one job to another on site, a huge band saw is of very little use to you. It only weighs 15 pounds but kicks out performance in line with a far larger saw.

The variable speed dial means you can shift from 100SPM all the way up to 350SPM. Whatever material you want to work with, this fine-tuning of speed will give optimum results.

The LED light along the cutting line lets you work in even gloomy spots with total accuracy.

With a roomy and comfortable handle, you can work even for extended periods without sore, blistered hands.

For a truly lightweight and ultra-mobile cutting solution, this 5-inch band saw from DeWalt gives you excellent performance in a highly durable package.