The bandsaw may be the most versatile machine in the shop. You can use it to cut curves and joinery, to rip boards (rough and milled), and to resaw. Bandsaws come in a range of sizes, from benchtop models to industrial giants. But the perfect size for many woodworkers is 14 in. It's the first bandsaw most of us should get, and could be the only one you'll ever need. A 14-in. bandsaw's small footprint fits easily in most home shops. I've tested a lot of bandsaws, and I've never found one that couldn't rip or cut curves. The real test is resawing wide boards, because it requires a lot of cutting height, a strong motor, and a guide post that doesn't flex. So I tested only saws that can resaw boards at least 10 in. wide without the addition of a riser block, and that have motors of 1½ hp or more. I tested the saws like I would use them when making furniture. I cut curves, made ripcuts, resawed wide boards, changed the blade, and adjusted the guides. I also checked features such as dust collection and the fence, which have a direct impact on the saw's performance. Read on to see which saws made the cut, and which ones fell short.
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