Band saw vs. table saw | which one should you buy first?

Did you find yourself stuck in the decision loom of band saw vs. table saw? We agree that picking the right machinery for your job is the first step towards healthy woodworking. It is okay if you opt for a more important one in the beginning. You might be a learner or have a low budget or space. Whatever the reason, the right tool truly affects your crafts and projects.

In this guide, we will compare both the saws with different parameters that will lead you to a smart decision. Let’s refine your doubts about the band saw vs. table saw. We hope that you’ll be able to make the right move by the end of the article.

Quick Comparison—Band saw Vs. table saw

If you are in a rush and can’t go through the entire guide, here are some quick key points with a basic comparison between the saws.

Band Saw	Table Saw
Their footprint is smaller than table saws.	They offer a larger work table than band saws.
They are usually safer than table saws.	The cuts are more accurate and finished with this saw.
Band saws are useful for making curves and irregular cuts.	Table saws are efficient for straight cuts.
They can handle a variety of materials, including wood, metal, or plastic.	They are specifically used for wood or timber.

Recommended Band saw Vs. Recommended Table Saw

General Overview of Table Saws

The table saw is a must-have companion for most woodworking shops. Especially cabinet and furniture shops consider it a significant tool for making straight cuts in plywood or hardwoods.

Not only straight cuts, but this versatile tool can also create miter cuts, compound cuts, and angled cuts. Also, consider it for making rip cuts and crosscuts at a specific angle and cutting depth. Modern table saws even allow bevel cuts with tilting wheels on them.

The size of a table saw determines its depth capacity and maximum rip capacity. For instance, 10-inch table saws usually provide a depth capacity of around 75 mm. Usually, they hold an electric motor that runs the circular saw blade in an upward motion.

Because of the upside movement of the blade, the workpiece has a high chance of leaving its place and immediately hitting the operator. This consequence is called a kickback. The main reason behind a kickback is when the table saw is not properly set or tuned as instructed in the manual.

Playing it safe, ensure the saw is well-set up; do not stand very close to it while operating. To prevent accidents, most table saws now provide safety tools, including anti-kickback pawls, riving knives, splitters, and blade covers.

General Overview of Band Saws

For any woodworker, a band saw is a highly valuable tool they can have. They are best suited for small workshops because of their narrow footprint and ability to handle multiple tasks.

Unlike table saws, band saws operate with thin blades. These blades are a continuous series of sharp teeth, having a longer life span than typical saw blades. Since the blades are designed for cutting irregular shapes or curves, band saws are not decent at straight cuts. Anyway, this nature does not break the deal; the band saw is still a tool that you will need now or soon. In fact, they can better replace a jigsaw for making irregular cuts.

Its blade is secured between two rotating wheels and moves toward the table while operating the cuts. This effectively lowers the chances of kickback, which is why the bandsaw is a safer option than the table saw.

NOTE: The blades can be as alarming as those of a table saw. Using any power tool with sharp accessories is critical unless taken seriously. 

Although bandsaws offer more depth capacity than table saws, the cuts are not as finished as those of a table saw. But no worries-a little sanding will work like magic.

Re-sawing is an extra mile the bandsaws go. This means you can re-saw 50mm lumber into 20mm and keep the extra 30mm aside. That’s a great deal to make the most of the expensive materials.

Band saw vs. Table saw: Detailed Comparison

Here are some simple parameters for a clear understanding of the band saw vs. table saw:

1. FOOTPRINT:
   Band Saw: Because of the taller footprint, the band saw easily fits around a corner in the workshop. Even an industrial band saw takes up less space than a basic table saw for hobbyists.
   
   Table Saw: A table saw occupies the premium space on the floor, which may pose an issue for small setups.
   When looking for a table saw, you may go for a cabinet type of saw, which is the largest of its types. A cabinet table saw will need even more space than a bench-top one.
   
   Along with the footprint, considering the in-feed and out-feed space of the machine is unavoidable. Make sure that the saw has enough and equal area for feeding the material, forward and backward.
   
2. VERSATILITY:
   Band Saw: Band saws are versatile for cutting through a wider range of materials because of their special blades. Band saws are designed for making curves, but somehow you can use them for making straight cuts too. However, it won’t do this with as much accuracy and finish as the table saw.
   An additional benefit of having a band saw is that you can re-saw or veneer the planks using it. 
   
   Table Saw: It is often regarded as the “workhorse of the woodworking.” Although table saws are mainly recognized for cutting wood or lumber, they can also cut rabbets and dados. Not only are they specific to making straight cuts, but they also work great for compound and bevel cuts.
   However, the blades are not very adaptable when compared to the band saw blades, but they are way more durable for working on hardwoods.
   
3. ACCURACY AND QUALITY OF CUTS: 
   Band Saw: A band saw is precise at making irregular cuts, but the finish is not as convincing as that of a table saw. Even if the saw is well set up, some sort of wobble will remain. For a polished look, cuts will need some extra sanding. 
   
   Table Saw: The table saw makes efficient rip cuts and crosscuts like none other. All it needs for flawless cuts is a well-maintained setup, and a decently fitted blade. The materials will only need a single go; light sanding may be required.
   
4. BLADES AND CHANGING MECHANISM: 
   Band Saw: Band saw blades have a continuous loop of teeth in an even manner. A narrow-toothed blade ensures a smoother cut and works best for irregular cuts; while a wider blade helps with straight cuts. 
   However, changing the blades in band saws is time-consuming. It is tiresome when the project requires a different blade at every step. You need to reset almost all the settings, including tension, tracking, and fence.
   
   Table Saw: Table saw blades are widely available on the market. The right blade depends on your material type and the type of cut you want to make.
   Changing the blades is a simple in a table saw. Just loosen the nut and remove the old blade from the arbor. Insert a new one and tighten the nut.
   
5. SAFETY: Anyone should pay more attention to safety while understanding band saws vs. table saws. You must follow the safety precautions mentioned in the manual.
   Band Saw: Band saws are a safer choice than table saws, but only if the required safety is considered. Since the blades are easier to handle because of their thin structure, the chances of a kickback are rare.
   
   Table Saw: The table saw is complex machinery that demands a good level of expertise and practice.
   As mentioned earlier, the blade movement in a table saw is basically towards the operator, which raises the chance of kickback. Meaning that if the workpiece is not grabbing its place, it may wiggle and hit you hard.
   As a solution, modern table saws feature a blade-stop mechanism that identifies the human flesh and immediately stops the moving blade. Also, look for a riving knife or a splitter while shopping for a saw, as these ensure extra security.
   
   Safety note for table saws: 
   A table saw is useful for what it can do. But recommending it to an inexperienced worker would be irresponsible. Ignoring the risks may cause irreparable harm to oneself.
   Whereas, some brands, like Saw Stop, work for innovative safety parameters. Still, completely relying on this is not a wise option, as the blade spins at a high velocity and is an obvious threat to the operator. Seek an expert’s advice before going for one.
   Check out this video for safety guide on table saws. Hope we add some value!
    
6. NOISE:
   Band Saw: As the bandsaws are quite calm during operation, you can even keep it in a corner of your home. However, it is crucial to put on ear protection.
   
   Table Saw: A table saw generates a lot of noise during operation or even when empty, making it one of the loudest machines. And there is no technical method to reduce this noise. Hence, ear protection is crucial for its use. 

Frequently Asked Questions