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What Is the Best Portable Bandsaw?
Best Portable Bandsaw:
Makita DPB180Z 18 V Portable Band Saw
The Best Budget Portable Band Saw:
Makita DPB181Z 18 V LXT Mini Band Saw
Best Alternative Portable Bandsaw:
Dewalt DCS371N-XJ DCS371N-XJ-Sierra de Banda XR 18V
A bandsaw is an excellent addition to the tool arsenal of anyone who works with wood. Still, it can also be used to cut a variety of other materials, making it a very versatile piece of equipment.
With so many bandsaws on the market, shopping for one may not be as simple as one may first think and it is important to look at the features of each tool to ensure that it will be a good fit for your needs.
In this article, we will be looking at some of the most common bandsaw uses as well as discovering a variety of the best portable band saws currently available.
What Is A Portable Bandsaw And What Is It Used For?
Bandsaws are upright pieces of equipment that are used for cutting wood and other materials such as metal.
A single, long piece of toothed metal is fitted inside the housing, and this is used to make the cut.
They are quite large and so, for the most part, are static tools that are placed within a workshop. However, there are portable versions of these tools which are ideal for the woodworker on the go.
These scaled-down versions give people who don’t usually work in one location the opportunity to take advantage of these handy pieces of equipment.
Despite its simple appearance, the bandsaw does have quite a diverse repertoire of abilities and is a highly-favoured tool, especially in the woodwork trade.
- Bandsaws can effectively cut curves in a variety of lumber and other materials. Whilst many people might use a jigsaw for this reason, a bandsaw gives the user greater control and delivers a more precise cut.
- A bandsaw is also frequently used for recutting, which is a process whereby a thicker piece of wood is cut in half once again – many might compare this to opening a book.
- A lot of people in the woodworking profession will use a bandsaw to create veneers. This involves cutting the wood along its thickness but in much thinner pieces.
- Quite often, a bandsaw will be used to make rip-cuts. In this instance, you will require a blade with fewer teeth and which is thicker.
- Bandsaws are great at cutting through metal.
- There is a specific type of bandsaw that is often used to cut through meat and bones in the butchering trade, and although these are less common and unrelated to carpentry or other DIY tasks, it is important to understand that these tools exist.
Do I Need A Bandsaw?
In essence, a bandsaw is an excellent piece of equipment for people who need to cut through larger pieces of wood, whose thickness exceeds two inches. Anything thinner than this and a handsaw will be perfectly adept. However, there is no reason that a bandsaw cannot be used to cut smaller pieces of material.
Additionally, if you have a lot of wood or metal to cut through, it can be beneficial to use a bandsaw as this drastically reduces the physical strain on your body.
If you are working in one location, a fixed bandsaw is a good idea, but for most people, a portable bandsaw is a great alternative.
For the freelance woodworker who never works in one location for more than a few days or the avid DIYer who needs a bandsaw that can be used all over the house, these portable options are invaluable.
What To Look For In A Portable Bandsaw
One of the primary things to think about when you are looking to purchase a portable bandsaw is your budget – it’s brilliant that there are so many options from high-end to budget-friendly, so you’re not going to be short on choice.
Of course, you want to be sure that you are buying a portable device. But what makes a bandsaw portable? In short, these tools are not fixed into a bulky stand, like those you see in workshops. In contrast, the saw is set in a handheld casing which can be moved around with the user.
Furthermore, you should look at the weight of the saw, since some are quite heavy and if you are cutting multiple pieces of wood, this can become tiresome.
How your saw receives power is an important thing to consider since this will have an impact on how you use it. Many modern models are now cordless, and this is great if you are going to be using it for shorter periods. However, unless you have multiple batteries, it will require charging between uses. In contrast, a corded model will keep working until you’ve had enough and so may be preferable for larger jobs.
Perhaps the most critical aspect of a bandsaw is the opening size. This will allow you to cut various sizes of wood – a larger opening size equals the ability to cut larger pieces of wood and metal. However, it is essential to keep in mind that those with larger openings may be heavier.
Finally, you should check what accessories the bandsaw comes with; in some cases, you will notice that blades and batteries are sold separately, so you must be prepared to factor this into your budget.
The Best Portable Bandsaw
There is a vast array of portable band saws on the market, and even considering the above points, it can be challenging to find the best one – especially if you are new to using this type of equipment.
We have put together a list of our top three portable band saws to save you the hassle of sourcing your own – and we know you will be just as impressed as we are.
Makita DPB180Z 18 V Portable Band Saw
This is a diverse piece of equipment that will make light work of a variety of materials. If you’re looking for a bandsaw to cut metal or wood, then this is an excellent option. It offers variable speed settings which can be adjusted to match the material you are cutting.
The adjustable foot gives you precision cutting at the same time as protecting the material, so you know you’re going to get it right every time. The tool accepts a standard blade size so any that you already have can be used with this equipment.
Whilst this may be on the more pricey end of the scale where bandsaws are concerned, and there is the additional cost of buying a battery, Makita is a trusted brand, and this is a high-spec tool, so you can feel confident that buying it will be something of an investment.
Check the latest price of the Makita DPB180Z 18 V Portable Band Saw
Dewalt DCS371N-XJ DCS371N-XJ-Sierra de Banda XR
However, much like our previous offering, this one requires a battery to be purchased separately. In this instance, the saw itself is much more affordable, so this is great if you are looking to keep things budget-friendly.
The saw offers an extraordinarily smooth cut which will ensure that the materials are left burr-free and thanks to the spark-free operation, cutting metal is easier than ever.
Much like the Makita, the Dewalt is a compact device that is easily transported wherever you need to go. Furthermore, at just under 4kgs, this is one of the most lightweight pieces of equipment, you will be able to get your hands on.
Check the latest price of the Dewalt DCS371N-XJ DCS371N-XJ-Sierra de Banda XR
Makita DPB181Z 18 V LXT Mini Band Saw
The Makita mini bandsaw may be small, but it certainly is mighty, and its features are truly astonishing when you consider the price.
Of course, it goes without saying that a portable bandsaw needs to be lightweight, so when you learn that this one is a mere 4.3kgs, it isn’t difficult to see how easy it will be to take to various jobs. In addition, it’s compact size means it can be stored away with the rest of your tools when not in use.
It is perfect for cutting a variety of materials and features a stopper plate that can be adjusted, allowing you to make cuts near the floor, ceiling or pipes without obstruction.
You’re also getting a built-in LED job light that makes this the ideal tool for working in low light conditions, further adding to its diversity.
However, much like the previous two bandsaws, this one doesn’t come with batteries, so even though it is budget-friendly, you will need to factor in the cost of the battery too.
Check the latest price of the Makita DPB181Z 18 V LXT Mini Band Saw
Conclusion
It isn’t hard to see that a portable bandsaw can provide you with many advantages – precise cutting and far less physical strain than a hand saw. However, if you are looking to purchase one of these tools, there are some things that you should look out for.
We have searched far and wide to bring you three of the best portable band saws out there, and whether you are looking for something high-end or a little more gentle on your wallet, there is a product for you.
