Band saws are a useful tool to have in your workshop to implement small-scale projects. They are portable yet powerful, with a mixture of versatility.
However, with so many choices available in the local markets, choosing which band saw to buy can be quite a challenging task.
To make matters more complicated, you may often have to work on a budget, making the task more difficult.
While on a budget, you will no doubt want to get the best possible product for your money’s worth.
In such a case, you may have to deal with a variety of factors that will ultimately influence your decision.
But, worry not! Whether you are an amateur in using band saws, or a professional, this article will guide you through the steps in choosing the best bandsaw under 500.
Purpose
It can be tempting to pick the cheapest band saw you come across; however this could be a foolhardy move!
The type of task you want to complete is of primary importance when choosing a band saw. Balancing the nature of your task with your budget could save you a lot of money.
While some projects require finesse and delicacy, others require power, especially if you are looking to cut through tough materials like hard wood.
For example, if your task requires certain features like grooves and patterns, you may have to look for a specialized band saw to get this done. However, these specialized band saws could cost you more, and strain your overall budget.
On the other hand, if you are aiming to complete a short task-of perhaps week-long duration, a cheap band saw can easily get the job done.
In summary, it is of utmost importance to keep your needs in mind when buying a band saw and that is the first step of choosing something that will fit well within your budget.
Shop for Value
While choosing within your budget is certainly important, try not to become too restrictive with spending.
It can be tempting to purchase a cheap band saw, however, the end result might be to see the band saw break and fall into damage while you are well into your work.
Such a setback can be damaging, especially if you are on a tight schedule. Hence, be aware of your budget, but do not try to save more money than needed.
Keep the limitations and requirements of your task in mind when buying a band saw. This will help you shop for value and maintain your budget simultaneously.
Power And Size Requirements
A band saw with a powerful motor can surely speed up your work immensely, as well as help you maintain your schedule.
However, a key factor to keep in mind is the material you are working with and the size of the task you aim to achieve.
If you are dealing with large scale projects, especially those involving metal or large pieces of wood, a powerful band saw is worth considering.
In this case, the powerful motor of the band saw will be able to cut through hard metal and large pieces of wood in a relatively short time. Hence, you will have extra time on your hands to deal with details and other various intricacies.
When working with smaller projects, having a highly powerful band saw will not be very cost efficient. In this case, consider buying a less powerful band saw.
The Type Of Blades Used
When shopping for a band saw, there is no single blade for every task. Blades also come in different sizes and shapes.
Like different tasks and projects, blades are modelled to give different levels of performance for each task.
If you are working on a single project, consider buying a band saw that can utilize a few types of blades. This will prove to be more cost efficient.
But if you are dealing with a variety of tasks at hand, it is crucial that you buy a band saw that can work with different types of blades and of different sizes as well.
This will ensure that your project does not come to a halt just because your band saw is not compatible with the blade required.
The Ease In Switching Blades
While this may not seem to be very important at first glance, switching blades can take up precious time, depending on the band saw.
If you are working on a large project but with little time in hand, the process of switching blades every now and then can add to your frustration and throw you off schedule.
In this case, remember to pick a band saw that allows fast and also easy changing of blades. This will save time in the long run.
Versatility
A versatile band saw will have many functions in one. For instance, try picking a band saw that has multiple features in one, such as speed control, different blade sizes, powerful motor etc.
Of course, it is also important to make sure that the band saw with multiple features falls within budget.
A versatile tool will allow for greater precision and more control over your task, and will definitely be of more use in the long run.
Durability
A sturdy band saw will have a strong frame and body, not allowing vibrations during use. This will let you focus more on your project, instead of worrying whether the band saw is stable or not.
Cast iron is a good choice for the frame, but plastic is not. Make sure to keep this in mind when buying a band saw.
Conclusion
This article is written to help you choose the appropriate band saw while staying within budget.
While we can’t pinpoint how cheap your band saw will be, if you follow the recommendations we stated above, we expect you can get the best band saw under $1000.
We hope the information above can help you make a cost-efficient decision and ensure you a fun and enjoyable time with your woodwork.
