If you find yourself needing to cut long, lengthy pieces of material, one of the options you may consider is a horizontal band saw. Horizontal band saws can be a bit pricey, and you should know that purchasing one will be a bit of an investment.
However, the investment can be well worth your while, as it can produce straight, efficient cuts. When browsing online or through your local hardware store, you’ll find that there are numerous options available. Which horizontal band saw is right for you? Below, you’ll see a list of the five best horizontal band saws available on the market today.
2019’s Best Horizontal Band Saw
Most people have a vertical band saw in their shop. Purchasing a horizontal band saw can help you make straight cuts more quickly. We’ve sorted through and tested the many horizontal band saws available for purchase. Below, you’ll find the five best horizontal band saws of 2019.
KAKA Industrial Metal Cutting Horizontal Band Saw
The KAKA Industrial Metal Cutting Band Saw is an excellent option, providing customers with versatility and numerous cutting settings. You’ll find that this band saw has a capacity of 7” x 12” and that it can handle thick metals, including aluminum and steel. The saw has four cutting speeds.
This horizontal band saw makes it easy for you to make numerous cuts quickly. It comes with quick clamps that allow you to secure and unsecure your material quickly. You can rotate the clamps from zero to 45 degrees, providing you with the ultimate flexibility and control for your project. The saw doubles as a vertical band saw as well, again increasing its versatility.
The KAKA Industrial horizontal band saw also comes with adjustable roller blade guides and an adjustable material stop. The company added these features to help improve the number of materials that the machine can handle. T
he roller blade guides make it easy to adjust the angle of the saw to the optimum position that you need to make your cut.
Lastly, this band saw stood out to us because of its portable design. Many horizontal band saws are clunky and stationary. However, this product is easy to move, as there are wheels affixed to the bottom of the machine. It could be ideal for those with limited space, such as someone using the tool at home in the garage.
The product measures 50” x 20” x 45” and weighs about 350 pounds. You can purchase it for about $1,000. KAKA Industrial offers a one-year warranty on this machine.
What We Like
- Highly portable design
- Versatile, serving as both a horizontal and vertical bandsaw
- Easy to change the angle of the cuts
What Could be Better
- Warranty is severely lacking for a product of that cost
- Customers must find ways to lock the wheels when using this product
Jet HBS-916W 16-Inch Capacity Horizontal Band Saw
Another band saw that you’re likely to come across it the Jet HBS-916W 16” Capacity Horizontal Band Saw. This product first stood out to us because of its large handwheel and built-in gauge, which makes it easy to sense tension on the blade.
We were also impressed with the coolant system that Jet HBS integrated into the design of this saw. Coolant flows throughout the blade guides, which can help keep you safe when using the machine for extended periods.
Another thing that we liked about this horizontal band saw was that the blade is always guarded, no matter what position. The fully-adjustable jaw on the machine swivels from zero to 45 degrees. But the blade guide is always intact, another feature that can help keep you safe.
Lastly, this machine stood out because of its fully-adjustable hydraulic down feed that also features a separate on/off valve. The device measures 66” x 23” x 42” and weighs a bit more than 700 pounds. Customers can purchase the machine for approximately $3,500. We could not find warranty information online for this product.
What We Like
- Large handwheel makes it easy to sense the tension in the machine
- An excellent coolant distribution system
- Full blade protection
What Could be Better
- Could be too expensive for some customers
- Not portable
Grizzly G0613 Swivel Metal-Cutting Horizontal Bandsaw
The Grizzly G0613 Swivel Metal-Cutting Bandsaw stands out due to the number of cuts that you can make when using the machine. Whereas most horizontal band saws have a cutting range of zero to 45 degrees, the Grizzly G0613 stands out because it cuts between zero and 60 degrees.
One of the other features that stands out is the lever-controlled blade guide. The blade guide locks allow users to make adjustments up to the workpiece, providing them with the ultimate support. Furthermore, the blade guides have ball bearings that are fully adjustable. The saw also has a swivel based with degree scale.
It’s also easy to move to your next cut when using this product, thanks to the quick-release lever and stock length stop. We found that these features were easy to use and they allowed us to move through multiple materials quickly and efficiently.
The machine measures 63” x 29.75” x 43” and weighs roughly 500 pounds. You can purchase this machine for a bit more than $1,900. Grizzly offers a one-year warranty for this product, which protects only against manufacturer defects.
What We Like
- Adjustable up to 60 degrees
- Quick-release lever and stock length stop makes it easy to change materials
- Blade guide locks keep users safe
What Could be Better
- The warranty could be longer
- Lacks speed adjustment
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpTws2n0qqA&w=560&h=315]
WEN 3970 Metal-Cutting Horizontal Band Saw with Stand
The Metal-Cutting Band Saw with Stand from WEN stands out for a few reasons. First and foremost, you can adjust the blade speed to 80, 120, or 200 feet per minute. Customers should find that this band speed allows them to cut through numerous materials with ease.
Second, this horizontal band saw stood out because the vise allows you to make cuts from zero to 60 degrees. The band saw is also versatile because you can operate it in either the vertical or horizontal position.
Additionally, the band comes with an automatic shut-off feature. When you’re finished cutting, the blade will shut down automatically, a nice safety feature.
This machine also stood out because it is portable. However, unlike some of the other devices on our list, this horizontal band saw comes with two wheels instead of four. Two wheels make it easier to keep the saw stationary, moving it only when necessary. The saw measures 16.5” x 36” x 38” and weighs about 105 pounds.
Lastly, the WEN horizontal band saw stands out because of its price and warranty. Customers can purchase this saw for about $300, considerably less than some of the other options on our list. Furthermore, the company offers a two-year warranty for this saw.
What We Like
- Automatic shut-off feature could prevent injury
- Two-year warranty and affordable price
- Multiple blade speeds
What Could be Better
- May be too undersized to handle certain materials
- The saw sits very low, and it’s not easy to mount on a bench
JET Horizontal Bandsaw
Another option from JET makes its way onto our list, thanks to this highly-portable horizontal/vertical bandsaw hybrid. The saw comes with a rapid-action vise that miters up to 45 degrees, providing you with the ability to make numerous cuts quickly.
Another nice feature of this saw is that it comes with a built-in storage cabinet and chip tray. Not only does this make it easy to store things such as eye and ear protection so that they’re readily accessible, but it also helps keep your shop clean.
This horizontal band saw also comes with an adjustable material stop. We found that this was useful in allowing us to repeat our cuts, providing both consistency and reliability. The saw also comes with wheels, making it easy to move around your garage or workshop.
This product measures 48” x 17” x 40” and weighs around 285 pounds. Interested customers can purchase the product for less than $1,500.
What We Like
- Built-in storage cabinet allows you to store eye and ear protection
- Chip tray makes the cleanup process a breeze
- Material stop provides repeatable cuts
What Could be Better
- Some customers complained the coolant pump did not work
- The vise is not the easiest to use
Horizontal Band Saw Buyers Guide
If you are interested in adding a horizontal band saw to your workshop, you may be struggling to determine which option is best. Purchasing a band saw could prove quite beneficial for your shop, as it allows you to make straight, repeatable cuts efficiently. So, what criteria should you keep an eye out for when making your purchase? Below, we’ve provided a brief buyer guide to help get you started.
Table
When choosing a horizontal band saw, one of the primary things with which you should be concerned is the table. You’ll want to make sure that the table is at a comfortable height. You’ll also want to make sure that it is large enough to handle the materials that you wish to use.
Portability
Some of the best horizontal band saws come with wheels, which make it easy to move the saw around your shop. If you’re someone who works out of your garage, having a portable model could make your life much more comfortable.
However, one of the problems often seen on these portable models is that they come with four wheels, increasing the likelihood that they can roll away. You should look for models that have wheel-locks. Otherwise, you’ll need to find some other way to secure the machine in place before beginning your project.
Blade Speed
One of the other features commonly found on band saws is different blade speed settings. Manufacturers now produce band saws with multiple speed settings, allowing you to choose the ideal option for your cut.
For instance, if you are going to cut through thick metal, you’ll want to turn the blade speed up high. However, if you attempted to use a high blade speed setting on a thin sheet of metal or wood, you’ll likely end up damaging the material. The best horizontal band saws allow you to choose the speed setting that best matches your project needs.
The Angle of the Cuts
The best horizontal band saws allow you to cut at multiple angles. While most band saws will enable you to cut anywhere from zero to 45 degrees, some manufacturers have now made it possible for you to cut up to 60 degrees. Although this may not seem necessary for your project, it’s a nice feature to have for potential projects down the road.
You’ll also want to look at how easy it can be to change the angle of the cut. The best horizontal band saws allow you to change the positioning rather quickly, with features such as quick-release vices that enable you to perform your cuts and switch materials with ease.
Safety Features
When evaluating horizontal band saws, you’ll also want to consider some of the safety features that the product offers. Many of the best horizontal band saws today come with a coolant system that allows you to cut for an extended period without having to worry about the belt or motor overheating. If you plan to use your saw frequently, a quality coolant system is a must.
Another common safety feature is guides on the blades. The best horizontal band saws have guides that remain in place, no matter which angle you’re cutting. You should never operate your horizontal band saw without the blade guide in place. Doing so could put you at risk of serious harm.
Other safety features can include things such as automatic shut-off, which means the blade stops running once your cut is complete. When evaluating horizontal band saws, you should keep these safety features in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about whether a horizontal band saw is right for you, there’s no need to worry. Below, we’ve provided some of the questions most commonly asked when purchasing a band saw.
Do I need a horizontal band saw?
Whether you need to purchase a horizontal band saw depends on your needs. If you are someone who needs to cut straight lines frequently, then a horizontal band saw could be in your best interest. The saws may also be appealing to those who must cut dense metals.
However, if you don’t plan to use a horizontal band saw frequently, you may be better off purchasing a battery-powered model. These devices are a bit more portable and affordable. It’s an option worth considering if you plan only to use your horizontal band saw once in a blue moon.
Do I need both a horizontal and vertical band saw?
There are perks to both horizontal and vertical band saws. However, purchasing both machines could not only impact your wallet considerably, but it could also take up significant space in your shop. Fortunately, the best products today are hybrids between the two, allowing for both horizontal and vertical cuts.
How much does horsepower matter?
When choosing a horizontal band saw, you may find yourself initially concerned about the horsepower of the machine. However, this tool does not require a lot of power to operate. If you plan on using the device for thin metals, you shouldn’t need much more horsepower than .75. If you intend to cut thicker metals, you’ll want to look for something with one horsepower.
Conclusion
A horizontal band saw could be a worthwhile addition to your shop, so long as you’re willing to make the investment and have the space to do so. If so, you’ll likely find yourself happy with the cuts that come as a result, especially if you choose one of the five best horizontal band saws that we took the time to review.
Although we feel that you’d be satisfied with any of the options on our list, if we had to recommend one bandsaw, it would be the Grizzly G0613. This model is quite impressive, as it features a blade angle that goes up to 60 degrees. It also comes with numerous features that allow users to change materials quickly.
We find it very frustrating when we have to spend a couple of minutes setting up a piece for the sole purpose of making a cut that’s complete in a matter of seconds. The Grizzly horizontal band saw helps prevent this from happening. Quick-release levers make it easy for you to change materials.
If the Grizzly model is out of your price range, we recommend looking at the WEN 3970. Not only is this the most affordable option on our list, but it also comes with an extended warranty of two years, versus the industry average of one. This horizontal and vertical band saw hybrid is an excellent choice for those searching for a beginner’s option.
However, the one thing to note about the WEN is that it sits low to the ground. It is not a standing saw. You may want to find a way to mount it on a bench before using. Otherwise, it is an excellent horizontal band saw worthy of your consideration. Which one do you think is the best? Tell us in the comments.
