If you are reading this, it means you are already among the many woodworkers or craftsmen who do not limit their bandsaw to just cutting curves.
The bandsaw is a highly versatile power tool that will serve different purposes, chief among them being the ability to resaw. Resawing is the process of making smaller pieces of the same length and width out of larger workpieces.
Read through this article to not only discover the best bandsaws for resawing but to also learn some bandsaw resawing tips. We'll cover what to look for in a resaw bandsaw and the different types of resawing bandsaws available on the market.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Bandsaws For Resawing
- OUR TOP PICK: Delta 28-400
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: WEN 3962
Comparison of the Best Bandsaws for Resawing
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Features of Our Favorite Bandsaws for Resawing
Bandsaws for resawing have several features you should look out for when buying. These include aspects like the resawing capacity, speed adjustment, power, and throat capacity.
Resawing Capacity
The resawing capacity of a bandsaw is the maximum thickness of material that it can cut. It is marked as the distance between the visible-m-inline to the highest point that the saw guide lifts to. It is the distance from the saw's bed to this highest point that you can lift the blade.
The saw's resaw capacity determines the size of stock or workpieces that you can resaw and pass through the saw blade guide. For a 10-inch bandsaw, you'll be able to cut up to 10 inches wide of material with the saw.
The resaw capacity varies from brand to brand. Most bandsaws have a resawing capacity of six inches. Some advanced brands allow you to raise the capacity to up to 12 inches with a riser block.
Delta 28-400
Speed Control
It is important to be able to adjust the speed of the blade during the resawing process. Slow speeds are better for steady cuts. Higher speeds are best for producing cleaner and more precise cuts faster.
You want a bandsaw that allows you to shift the speed between at least two options. The ones that let you vary the speed across a larger spectrum are the best option when you have to work with different materials of varying sizes, shapes, and hardness or softness.
Power
The power of the bandsaw you settle for largely depends on your cutting needs. For general cutting of thin material with minimal resawing, a 1 to 2 HP motor usually comes in handy.
Bandsaws with 2.5 to 3 HP motors come in handy when working with tougher material like hardwoods.
It is important to note that with bandsaws of 2 HP and above, you will require 220 volts power supply.
Throat Capacity
The throat is the space behind the blade that runs to the farthest end of the table. Bandsaws with large tables have large throat sizes and are good for working with large workpieces.
Most free-standing models have the throat size ranging between 9 and 21 inches, which means that the ones with the lower throat size largely limit the size of the workpieces, while the ones with bigger throat size allow you to work with larger pieces.
Review of the Best Bandsaws for Resawing
If you are shopping around for the best bandsaw for resawing, our review of the best ones on the market will come in handy. Be sure to read through and come up with a favorite for your next woodworking projects.
We carefully selected the bandsaws below by considering which provide you with the best service and will last you a long time, even with repetitive and heavy use.
Best Overall:
Delta 28-400
PROS
CONS
Specs
Power: 1 HP
Size: 14 inch
Speed: 1,620 and 3,340 FPM
Style: 6" resaw capacity bandsaw
Review
This Delta 28-400 resaw bandsaw sports an oversized worktable that most users agree comes in handy as it accommodates large workpieces.
The saw's rectangular leg base is compact and saves on space. The legs do not spread outwards, unlike what happens with most other floor-standing bandsaw models.
The saw boasts two adjustable speeds between 1620 and as high as 3340 FPM. This speed duality makes it suitable not only for wood resawing but also for cutting non-ferrous metals.
Bottom Line
The Delta 28-400 resaw bandsaw is the solution for you if you have limited workshop space. Its compact floor-standing design saves you floor space while still ensuring your bandsaw is stable enough for vigorous resawing work.
The saw's large table will be a plus, so you can easily resaw materials of varying sizes.
Best for the Money:
WEN 3962
PROS
CONS
Specs
Power: 3.5 amp
Size: 20 x 25 x 58"
Speed: 1520 and 2620 FPM
Style: 10" wood bandsaw
Review
While most other bandsaws come with only one mounting option, the Wen 3962 model has two mounting variations. The benchtop version comes in handy for the user with limited space in their workshop. It allows for easy portability and usage at different workstations.
The floor-standing version will work best for the user with a lot of space in their workshop.
The bandsaw comes with an adjustable fence that will ensure you make the best straight cuts when resawing. It also has an adjustable work light that illuminates the workstation so you resaw accurately and safely.
Bottom Line
The 10-inch Wen 3962 bandsaw is a good solution for your resawing needs. Its powerful 3.5-amp motor coupled with the two adjustable speeds will offer you a great resawing experience.
If you are worried about straightness when resawing, the fence is a plus go ensure you make the best straight cuts to achieve resawn boards with equal length and width.
3. Shop Fox W1706
PROS
CONS
Specs
Power: 1 HP
Size: 14 inch
Speed: 1,500 and 3,200 FPM
Style: 6 to 12" resaw bandsaw
Review
The Shop Fox W1706 resaw bandsaw sports various adjustable features to help with your different resawing needs. It has two adjustable blade speeds, which helps you adapt the speed according to the thickness of the workpiece.
The saw also has an adjustable resaw capacity that can be raised from the maximum 6-inch capacity to 12-inch resaw capacity using the included 6-inch extension block kit.
The other key features include the cabinet stand that doubles up as a miniature store and the 43-inch height above the floor to ensure you do not have to bend while working.
Bottom Line
This resaw bandsaw by Shop Fox is a good bet for your resawing projects given its unique features that ensure you are more comfortable while working. The saw stands 43 inches high above the floor, ensuring your back is safe as you don't need to bend when working.
Although the motor power is low at only 1 HP, the saw can run at two different speeds to match materials with various thicknesses and is suitable for your repetitive resawing needs.
Honorable Mention:
Grizzly Industrial G0555XH
PROS
CONS
Specs
Power: 1.75 HP
Size: 14"
Speed: 3000 FPM
Style: 12" resaw capacity bandsaw
Review
This 14-inch resaw bandsaw from Grizzly Industrial has unique features that make it stand out from other resaw bandsaw models. It has a high resaw capacity of 12 inches, unlike the 6-inch resaw capacity for most 14-inch bandsaws.
The saw comes with a high removable saw fence that accommodates thicker workpieces. You can flatten the fence to help with cutting out veneers.
The saw has a powerful 1.75 HP motor that is suitable for larger resawing applications.
Bottom Line
When looking for a suitable 14-inch bandsaw with high motor power, adjustable fence, and a high resaw capacity, the G0555XH model from Grizzly Industrial will come in handy.
The saw has advanced features like computer-balanced wheels that will ensure that you enjoy your resawing work with no vibration disturbance that would otherwise ruin your accuracy levels.
Why Use a Bandsaw for Resawing?
A bandsaw is not the only power saw you can use for resawing. The table saw is also a good fit for the job, but it comes with its limitations. Most expert wood or metal workers prefer to first set the pace for resawing on the table saw and then finish it on the table saw.
The bandsaw has a thinner kerf, which allows for better resawing since there is less wastage of material, which ensures the cut is smoother than when done with a table saw.
The bandsaw can cut wood of greater thickness since you can adjust the blade to accommodate wood of varying thicknesses.
The bandsaw is also safer for resawing because the saw is visible as the wood goes through the saw bed. As such, you can see if any adjustments are required so you don't ruin your wood pieces.
Shop Fox W1706
Types of Bandsaws for Resawing
There are various types of bandsaws suitable for resawing as discussed below.
Vertical Bandsaws
With a vertical bandsaw, you can do some complicated cuts that are not possible with other bandsaws. Vertical bandsaws are good for resawing and making intricate cuts and curves with precision and smooth transmission.
The blade revolves between two wheels - an idler wheel above the worktable and a driver wheel below the worktable. The blade doesn't move to meet the workpiece, so you have to push the workpiece from one end as the blade cuts through it.
Vertical bandsaws are the most common benchtop bandsaws used in mills and woodworking places for many woodworking projects. They have less power than horizontal bandsaws and don’t cut through hard material well.
As a plus, vertical bandsaws can cut various shapes despite their complexity. However, you can only cut small wood pieces. The size of the vertical bandsaw does not accommodate large objects.
Grizzly Industrial G0555XH
Horizontal Bandsaws
Horizontal bandsaws are good for cutting larger workpieces as they have more power than vertical bandsaws. They are usually used in industrial outfits or highly commercialized professional wood workshops rather than in simple home-based workshops for the hobbyist.
A horizontal resaw bandsaw has its blade moving during cutting such that in this case, it is the workpiece that remains stationary.
Horizontal bandsaws can make straight cuts on a variety of wood shapes and sizes, even on the hardwood varieties.
The name horizontal bandsaws derive from their manner of operation. They cut through the workpieces horizontally. The blade moves down horizontally and cuts through the workpiece.
Although not highly suitable for intricate cuts and curves, horizontal bandsaws are good for cutting large timber into smaller, manageable pieces. They are thus a favorite tool for both professional and amateur woodworkers.
Photo credit: cordtocordless.com
Bandsaw Resawing Tips
If you are to best use your bandsaw for resawing, you need to learn several tricks and hacks with the tool. Resawing takes time to perfect and is both a science and an art as you use your past outcomes and creativity to inform you on the best practices.
What are some of the best tips for resawing with a bandsaw?
Choose the Right Blade
A good blade for resawing should allow for easy waste management. The wider the blade is, the better it is at this. For a 14-inch bandsaw, this should be a 3/4-inch or a 1-inch bandsaw depending on the model.
A blade with three or four teeth per inch comes in handy for resawing and has effective waste management.
Get the Tension Right
Proper blade tension is not always easy to achieve. Some bandsaws come with a tension gauge, but in case this one isn't effective, you have to learn the art of getting the tension right.
The right tension allows you to make faster and smoother cuts. Tune your blade to the characteristic musical High "C" note. It shouldn't be either too loose or too tight.
Master the Proper Feed Rate
Well, you may have all the bandsaw settings right in place, but if you don't get the feed rate right, you will end up ruining your workpieces and the blade itself.
You should feed material into the bandsaw freely, which means you don't have to push either too hard. A slow and hard feed rate causes the blade to wear out fast.
WEN 3962
Conclusion
Getting the best bandsaw for resawing calls for taking into account factors like the resawing capacity, throat capacity, speed control, and motor power capacity.
The golden rule is to find one that strikes a balance between these such features such that it has at least 6-inch resawing capacity, dual speed controls, and 1 HP motor power and above.
Be sure to pick a favorite from our list and go-ahead to practice and enjoy the art of resawing and other woodworking applications.
Recap - Best Bandsaws For Resawing
Heading out? Here's a refresher on our best bandsaws for resawing:
People Also Ask
You may still have some questions that may go unanswered if we do not dedicate this last section to answering them. Whether you are a professional or a beginner woodworker, you will always have a question or another as you explore your bandsaw's capabilities.
Let's see some of the most common bandsaw questions.
What is the Resaw Capacity on a Bandsaw?
The resaw capacity of a bandsaw refers to the distance between the visible-m-inline to the topmost point the blade guide can rise to. It is the distance between the saw's bed and the highest point to which you can lift the blade.
Most bandsaws have a resaw capacity of six inches. On some models, this capacity can be raised to up to 24 inches using a riser block.
How Do You Set a Bandsaw to Resaw?
You can follow the steps below to set your bandsaw to resaw.
Photo credit: woodcraft.com
- Install and align the blade securely on the wheels
- Tension the blade as earlier suggested to the musical High "C" note or such that it only deflects by about 1/4 inch when you press it
- Adjust both the top and bottom side guides such that they are not in contact with the blade's cutting teeth
- Adjust the thrust bearings to ensure they do not rotate as the blade moves but only as soon as some little pressure is applied to the blade
- Square the table such that it is 90° to the blade
- Align the fence parallel to the blade using a ruler
- Make a test cut by slicing off a thin veneer from a board
- Make adjustments if any, and where necessary
Laguna Tools MBAND1412
Why Does My Bandsaw Burn the Wood?
If your bandsaw's blade is too dull, it will cause the wood to burn because the blade is not sharp enough to smoothly cut the wood. As such, it produces excessive friction and consequently the heat that burns the wood.
To correct this, be sure to switch off the bandsaw and sharpen your blade. If it is too worn out, consider replacing it with a new, high-quality bandsaw blade.
Can You Resaw Plywood?
Since resawing involves cutting a workpiece into thinner pieces of the same width and length, it becomes a tricky undertaking to resaw plywood. Plywood pieces are already so thin. Making other pieces out of them calls for setting up the bandsaw carefully.
To resaw plywood, start with a piece of plywood that is slightly wider and longer than the desired final piece. You might have to opt for the table saw this time and adjust the rip fence to trim off the veneer.
What Width Bandsaw Blade is Best For Resawing?
To get the best results with resawing, use a blade that is between 3/4 to 1 inch wide. A wide blade has better waste management characteristics when resawing.
Wide blades also come in handy for making straight cuts on thick wood and are more precise than narrow blades used for cutting curves.