8 Best Metal Cutting Band Saws for Smooth & Accurate Cuts

Published on: March 31, 2022
Written by David Rowan / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Aiming for a saw, but which type from the numerous powered handsaws? It is a big deal if you are a woodworker, carpenter, or flooring professional. Remembering such saw needy people types, manufacturers have schemed something magnificent, known as metal band saws.

Whether you go for creating faster and precise cuts, even with little fuss, definitely you should buy a metal bandsaw, may not but will produce fewer wastes. But how can you select one identifying your jobs and job site?  

Moreover, it is an important addition to your home garage. Because of its multiple blade angles, the versatility of both output power and ripping capacity, and the speed settings and auto-on/off type key features help make it a productive machine. 

Including hydraulic feed rate, such counterparts are the basis of the metal-cutting bandsaw’s operation you will see in the below listing.

What Is a Metal Cutting Band Saw?

A metal cutting band saw maybe a tool wont to cut metal pieces/tubes/blocks up into smaller pieces.

These tools are available in versatile sizes and shapes. As already mentioned, a band saw is often one among the three following types: horizontal, vertical, or it can do both!

Remember that you simply have to find the right model for your own personal needs. Some are better fitted to at-home DIY projects, others for little business-owned workshops, et al. are perfect for an outsized factory where a high cutting rate is required.

Know Your Cutting Speeds!

Before heading bent, buy a band saw, make sure to see out if it’s multiple speed levels. For instance, a saw with higher speeds would be better fitted to materials made out of metal instead of wood.

Also, confine your mind that the faster the blade is moving, the more careful you’ll get to be together with your fingers around it. Confirm your band saw comes equipped with an honest quality blade guide!

Things to Consider for Metal Cutting Band Saws

Whenever you buy a metal-cutting band saw, there are a few things that ought to be thought of. The saw must be more impressive than expected, quicker, and furnished with more fates. The variables that must be considered are recorded underneath.

Cutting Edge Angles

The best ascending plane band saw has multiple cut points. The average cut is somewhere between 30 and 45 degrees, however, some incredible forms can be pivoted up to 60 degrees. With these lines, remember the off-chance endpoints for better performance of your saw.

Portability

The most ideal choice is a machine equipped with a wheel lock as it will prevent rolling. A piece of metal cutting band saw can really weigh! Remember that you want to carry the saw with you instead of keeping it in your studio while you work.

Variable Speeds

Want to go for a powerhouse, optimize itself with many speed settings? Metal band saws incorporate a wide range of speed settings so that you can opt-out of a better operating one from the available aftermarket options.

Cutting various metals, in particular, brass and aluminum demand lower cutting speed, so this becomes a big deal for all well-established manufacturers. Including acceleration of swivel up to a decent level is considered to be another important opt-out factor.

Size

Either horizontal or vertical, whatever positioned saw you want. It is all about a metal band saw as per your need, right? Though these are available in several logical sizes, for instance, 55 lbs are all about built-in work light and 122 lbs or above is for heavy-duty tasks. 

If you want an accurate metal band saw, it is worth checking out the size while selecting. However, you need a large enough to support your bulk workpiece. Also, the materials you indulge in using further works. Preventing hand strains and back pain issues are also essential to check before buying.

Safety

Similar to transport and other counterparts, safety is a crucial issue regarding metal bandsaws. Is it or not? Plenty of safety concerns related to the machine blade, like blade’s idler guide and wheel spin at a standard speed, are not threats.

But it can harm when it rotates at a great speed. Including eye and ear protection equipment, a blade guard saves your fingers from being injured by the sharp edges. Also, it helps your workpiece remain stable at the operating table, as well as the coolant system matters too to dry it before starting to drive into.  

Details View Our Selected Metal Cutting Band Saws, Below-

As a keen metalworker, you’re definitely within the right place to get the simplest band saws for cutting metal. Here are our expert’s top five picks

1. KAKA BS-712N || 7” Metal Cutting Horizontal Band Saw

• Motor: 1.5 AMP;
• Rip capacity: 7”;
• Blade angles: 0-45 degrees.

This floor-mounted metal cutting horizontal band saw gives us a head start from KAKA series BS-712N. Its iron cast construction and hydraulic feeding power separate itself from the standing crowd. 

This unit comes with a 7-inches circular rip capacity at 90-degrees. Whether it offers another 5” rip capacity at 45-degrees and 7”x12” cutting power at 90-degrees, such a 4-speed metal band saw worth its title, like cutting metals of several densities.

Even ensures solid performance under heavy usage too. Besides, you clamp the tool from 0-45 degrees, delivering entire control over the metal projects. You can switch between both vertical and horizontal modes too.

Incorporating auto-shut-off and coolant mechanism to prevent injuries during machine operation. The coolant option prevents your machine and workpiece from getting overheated. Thereby increasing its lifespan too. You can fix the bottom by fastening its four wheels while moving the metal bandsaw around your workspace. 

What we liked

• Switching cutting angles;
• High portability and durability;
• Vertical and horizontal applications; 
• Hydraulic feed.

Disliked

• Lacks wheel-locks;

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2. WEN 94396 Variable Speed Handheld Portable Band Saw for Metal

• Motor: 10 AMP;
• 10/14 teeth per inch;
• Onboard variable speed 60 to 420 feet per minute;
• Features a 10/14 TPI metal-cutting blade.

Searching for a money-worthy metal band saw including awesome features? Then WEN series 94396 is going to add to your perfect selection category.

Offering a conventional design, it is worth mentioning that the tool can convert to a vertical unit by attaching the blade and lifting the head at ease. Later, the vertical mode will enable you to rip complex seamless shapes within a second, for instance, into a wide variety of metals

This 10-amp engine gives users a cutting limit of 5 inches wide and 5 inches deep, permitting you to take on workpieces of an assortment of shapes and sizes. The included metal-cutting edge estimates 44-7/8 by 1/2 crawls in size (1140 by 12.5 mm), with 10/14 teeth for each inch.

Featuring a stable stand with two wheels is a breeze. It does nothing but simply improves the machine’s portability and your work efficiency. 

What we liked

• Lightweight and compact design;
• The adjustable front handle to limit fatigue during long days;
• Adjust the blade speed;
• Affordable;
• Portable and remain stationary option.

Disliked

• None.

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3. JET 414559 || 7” x 12″ Metal Horizontal/Vertical Bandsaw

• Motor: N/A;
• Rip capacity: 7” x 12″;
• Blade angles: 0-45 degrees.

Looking for solid construction that can drive itself through 6-inches round 304 S.S.? This one from JET series 414559 will be a breeze for you, acting both horizontal and vertical bandsaws. Even if you are confused about choosing it, we are giving you reasons.

Not providing reasons only but also going to share our user experience. It is quite easy to carry and transform the machine into a horizontal unit and vice-versa. So you can carry on a wide range of materials, like steel pipes, bar stock, brass, and more. The durable construction is of cast-iron that ensures its long lifespan even after rapid actions for longer. However, it is quite uncommon for such heavy-weighted tools, about 285 pounds.

Another unpopular feature we found, about its bottom 4-set of wheels. Not only this allowed us to move around the workshop but rendered good services at rapid action time also. So we did not have to fret about its being in fatigue condition.

As two plus points, one is its coolant system, so damn awesome that it prevents blade overheating. Another is adjusting blade angles up to 45 degrees, which provide several effortless cutting on a 9-7/16″ X 10″ work table.

What we liked

• Adjustable material stop;
• Vises up to 45-degrees;
• High-quality construction;
• An attached chip tray;
• Both horizontal and vertical bandsaw.

Disliked

• Expensive.

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4. SHOP FOX W1715 || 3/4 HP Metal Bandsaw

• No-load speed: 1725 RPM;
• Motor: 5 AMP;
• Rip capacity: 4.5”;
• Blade angles: up to 60 degrees.

The most handsome metal band saw from SHOP FOX W1715 in our listing. Though your applications matter a lot, offer a generic V-belt replacement out of the factory.  

Sometimes, you need the chopping capability more of a stand-up metal band saw. But you do not afford a thousand bucks to buy one. This saw is something like that, not only improves your rip capacity with its 3-speed 64-1/2″ x 1/2″ x 0.025″ sized blade but runs great with a ¾ HP, 110Volt single-phase motor also. It features a depth of 6-inches and an awesome throat of 4-½”.

Though it has a single-phase 1725 RPM minimal speed, it is ideal for small and large projects with varying hardness. You may enable straight cuts through the entire metal piece on-board by switching the saw head to a vertical position within a second.

What we liked

• Included stand;
• Perform repeat cuts;
• Provides both slower and faster feed rate;
• V-belt replacement;
• Ergonomic handles;
• Good portability with bearing wheels;
• Inexpensive.

Disliked

• No coolant system.

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5. Jet HBS-916W || 9” x 16” Capacity Metal Horizontal Band Saw

• Motor: 1 HP;
• Rip capacity: 9” x 16”;
• Blade angles: 0-45 degrees.

Our fifth option, Jet HBS-916W features only a 1HP motor, specially engineered to drive itself into the entire thickest metal, for instance, 10″ x 6″ i-beam that’s about a 1/8″ thick. You can use it to slice off the .010″ variance in the thickness, without its attached coolant mechanism. However, the system is allocated through the blade guides.

This overall 9-inches solid piece of machinery integrates gauge for perfect blade tensioning, including an oversized handwheel. Whether the supporting role plays by the parallel dual row ball-bearing, integrated with the blade guide from the manufacturer.

However, the blade guard protects the blade, except for the blade guide position. You can adjust the vise by swiveling jaws up to 45 degrees. And obviously, it is rather quick for getting positioned. You can do it at ease with an auto-on/off switch, compact with a hydraulic down feed.

What we liked

• Large hand wheel;
• Swivels up to 45 degrees;
• Parallel dual ball-bearing support;
• Best for rapid actions.

Disliked

• Hefty-priced.

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6. Grizzly Industrial G0561|| 7″ x 12″ 1 HP Metal-Cutting Bandsaw

• Motor: 1 HP;
• Rip capacity: 7″ x 12″;
• Blade Length 93 Inches;
• Blade size: 3/4″ X .03″ X 93″;
• Blade speeds: 80, 130, 180, 235 FPM.

If you are reluctant to make extra cuts at a single-blade speed, the Grizzly Industrial series G0561 metal bandsaw is for your choice.

Grizzly takes into account your cutting precisions and accuracy while manufacturing the metal band saws. Considering your ripping power, it is damn straightforward that it allows itself to rotate 0-45 degrees. So no time loss with less effort during the quickest blade applications. 

Running the operations with the bulk condition, about 343 pounds with 110 Volts can convert to a 110/220V and 1 HP single-phase pump motor. Featuring a comfy floor-to-table height moving option that does not let to have any back pain and hand strains in case of challenging operations.

Something remarkable is its level controlling guide locks known as cam locks. The locks support adjusting the blade angle and workpiece for optimum support. The ball-bearing assures straight cuts on both circular and rectangular metals about 48″L x 16″W x 40″H diameter.  

What we liked

• Hydraulic feed control’
• Automatic shut off;
• Solid work table;
• Ball-bearing cam locks;
• More cutting angles;
• Easy to change workpieces;
• For heavy-duty jobs.

Disliked

• Lacks portability.

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7. DEWALT DCS374B || 20V MAX Portable Band Saw

• Motor: N/A;
• Rip capacity: 5”;
• Blade angles: N/A;

Looking for a budget-friendly, battery-powered portable metal bandsaw? DEWALT DCS374B is such a powerhouse yet lightweight for doing short work of rebar, pipes, and conduit. And anything like these that stand in your way and the effective outcome of your project. 

The 374B features a max 20V motor in the best of its class. Also, a throat 1-5/8″ in diameter with 14 TPI blades, enough for all job site usage. Besides, the LED sight light, time after time, assures your ax is spot on.

It offers a variable speed trigger, gives more controlling power even in the 20-second delay of dark work surfaces created by the LED light from the toolbox. If you want to leave on somewhere while you are away, hang the saw by using an integrated hook behind. It will neither damage the front saw handle, nor the base and other counterparts.

What we liked

• Battery-powered bare tool;
• Lightweight;
• Portable;
• Integrated LED site light;
• Hang hook;
• Variable speed trigger;
• Quick blade changing lever.

Disliked

• Battery sold separately.

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8. WEN 3959T 2.5-Amp 9-Inch Benchtop Band Saw

• Motor: 2.5 AMP;
• Weight 40 pounds;
• Spacious 12-1/4 x 11-7/8 inch work table bevels up to 45 degrees;
• Includes a 1/4-inch-wide blade, a 2-1/2 inch dust port, a rip fence, a miter gauge.

The WEN 9-Inch benchtop band assaulted barricades with slices to 3-1/2 inches down and 9 inches wide. The 2.5-amp engine pivots the included 1/4-inch cutting edge at up to 2500 feet each moment. This saw utilizes 59-1/2 inch cutting edges somewhere in the range of 1/8 to 3/8 creeps in width for both multifaceted and strong cuts. The openwork table estimates 12-1/4 x 11-7/8 in. in size. And can be evened out up to 45 degrees.

The 3959T is designed to be managed by one person and can either be used to size a steel bench or as a benchtop band saw. The worktop you can swivel up to 45 degrees angles and 5-inches of depth resawing options is greater than other competitors’ metal band saws models. Along with the compact design creates its best value designation by simple storage and easy to carry options.

What we liked

• Robust 2.5 AMP motor;
• Compact design;
• Dual speed blade;
• Built-in work light.

Disliked

• None.

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FAQs

What Length of Metal Band Saw do I Use?

A band worth its name from its identical design and features. A true-stand up band of metal with keen teeth runs between sets of 2 or more wheels, used to chop big lumbers or small brass pieces. 

Many people remain confused while choosing a typical length of metal band saw, including blade lengths. To determine the length of a band saw as per your need, first measure its distance between blade and throat. The metering is the accuracy that the saw can handle. For example, a 12”-13” metal band saw can take around 80-89.5 inches of lengthy blade at once. Have you metered up your necessity?

How to Work with a Metal Band Saw?

We mentioned that a metal bandsaw is a pop for its signature user interface. Every counterpart of it is so easy to maintain, but hobbyists find it somehow hard to maintain. 

Although wood band saws individualize from the metal bandsaws, one can slice-off both wood and metal at the same time with metal-made saws.

Because their robust-constructions conclude with tighter blade tension as well as carbide blades that can drive into the depth of your material, even how hard and dense it is. First, fix it on the work table by adjusting the position to meet your needs. Don’t forget to take on the safety equipment. 

Can I Sharp My Metal Band Saw Blade?

In short, yes. But proper sharpening a blade requires time, patience, and experience too. Do you have enough confidence to go for it? If the answer is yes, pick any whetstone and oil before sharpening your saw blade. The process is very simple. You should have a flat-edged power tool, as well as a cylindrical filing tool.

Fill the tips into the first-mentioned one, and the other requires the underside of the tips. Follow the process and sharpen your metal blade as much as possible to drive itself through the material. In many ways, you can watch numerous instructional videos before taking steps.

At Bottom Line

With a metal band saw, no interruption occurs in the chopping motion. This reason is enough to make it the best aftermarket searching saws category. It does not matter whether you are an electrician, carpenter, plumber, or a newbie craftsman. 

Follow our buyer’s guide, save your time, and act as a potential buyer. Happy sewing.

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