Why You Need Good Band Saws

A band saw is a vital tool in woodworking, whether you are a hobbyist woodworker or own a woodworking company. This tool features a continuous looped blade that runs over two separate wheels. It allows you to create precise, uniform cuts on a range of widths and types of wood. A high-quality band saw will allow you to saw efficiently with great accuracy and, of course, safety, whether crafting intricate pieces of furniture or sturdy cabinets. Let’s look a little more at how a good band saw can improve your end products.

The tasks a bandsaw can undertake

A good band saw is a versatile piece of equipment capable of handling a wide range of cutting tasks. 

Straight and curved cuts
Unlike a traditional saw, a band saw can execute more intricate curved cuts with incredible precision. This makes it the perfect tool for decorative woodworking tasks. 

Resawing and thickness reduction 
A band saw is the perfect tool for splitting thicker boards into thinner pieces. It can help you to maximise your material usage whilst also ensuring that you keep waste wood to a minimum.

Rip cuts and crosscuts
A band saw can also cut along the grain of your wood (rip cuts) with ease, or even cut across it (crosscuts). This is something that is incredibly important for those who work making freestanding furniture or fitted cabinets. 
Other uses
Band saws are also used anywhere metal needs cutting. Industrial band saws can slice through steel, aluminium and other types of metal whilst ensuring that the cut edges are clean and that there is minimal material wastage. 

The dangers of a poor-quality band saw

Band saws that are of a lower quality, or even good-quality band saws that are not properly maintained, can be a danger to those who operate them and may pose a serious hazard in any workshop for several reasons.

Blade breakage and kickback 
Poor quality blades can snap under pressure, and this can result in dangerous kickbacks. These can result in injury to the operator. 

Inaccurate cuts and material waster
A lesser band saw can misalign or wobble, resulting in uneven cuts, which may mean needing to start again and wasting materials. 

Increased risk of injury 
Weak blade guards and unstable frames have the potential to cause injuries such as cuts, amputations and other forms of more severe accidents. 

Overheating and motor failure
Weak motors are more likely to be fitted in cheap band saws. These can overheat, which reduces the efficiency of the machinery and may cause a fire risk. 

Excessive noise and vibration
Poor quality in the build of a band saw can lead to excessive vibration and noise which can make it harder to concentrate and may result in more mistakes or even injury. 

Research your product and reap the benefits 
It is important to invest in the best quality band saw that you can afford, and it is often better to look for a good quality refurbished or used band saw, which will represent a better investment than opting for something that is new but of a lesser quality.

Regular maintenance will help keep your band saw running smoothly, allowing you to get the best out of it for the longest time possible.