A message to beginners with neither a band saw or table saw

When learning the art of woodworking, resource availability is key to advancing and learning more. While content exists for band saws, it is far outnumbered by the amount of content for table saws. One of the reasons for why that is, is because of the versatility of a table saw. 

It’s difficult to understand just how much you can truly do with a table saw until you spend at least a couple weekends going down a YouTube rabbit hole. 

Would you believe me if I told you that you could make a bowl on a table saw?

Well… you can!

If you remember the iPhone 3g commercial from 2009 with the phrase, “there’s an app for that,” well for woodworking, the phrase may as well be “there’s a jig for that.”

For the beginner woodworker or weekend DIY-er the recommendation is to buy the table saw first and get the band saw later. If you know you’ll need to be making scroll, or curved, cuts, get a jigsaw with the table saw. Here’s why:

• The table saw has greater cut capabilities than a band saw
• With the exception of those that do solely CNC work, you will get much more use from a table saw in the long run, than a band saw

For those considering upgrading either their table saw or band saw, which is best for you? Here are three scenarios where we recommend upgrading the band saw over the table saw:

1. You create mostly smaller and/or more intricate pieces with many curves and details. CNC projects for example.
2. You regularly purchase and mill down larger pieces of rough sewn lumber and cut down thicker stock to thinner pieces (i.e. greater than 3” in thickness)
3. You often cut different types of material, such as metal or plastic. 

Why is the table saw the preferred tool?

For all woodworkers, money and space are limiting factors for what you can and cannot put in your shop. The most logical approach to purchasing tools is to spend the most money and dedicate the most space to the tools that you will use most often. 

For beginners, that will be the table saw. 

If you were just getting into photography, you spend the most amount of money on your camera, not the tripod. While both are necessary and have their purposes, a camera does things that a tripod cannot. The same goes for the table saw and band saw. Both have their purposes, but one takes priority over the other. 

For those with an already established shop, it depends on what kind of work you do and your methodology for that type of work. 

Some woodworkers do everything on the table saw, which is sometimes by preference and other times by necessity due to the lack of space or other tools. If you’re an experienced woodworker, upgrading to a cabinet table saw or floor model band saw is the next logical step.

Don’t forget to take other factors into consideration like the below:

• Space availability
• Dust collection routing
• Power consumption and availability (120V vs. 240V)
• Workflow processes
• Infeed and outfeed of material through the saw

5 reasons the band saw excels over the table saw

• The ability to perform scroll cuts 
• The ability to cut through thicker material
• Easily remove tabs or make in-out cuts
• The ability to cut through different material
• Removes less material with each cut

Scroll cuts are what the band saw is best at. The thin blade allows you to easily maneuver it around different curves in your work piece. This works for different types of material too - plastic and metal included. Because of the thickness of the blade, you’ll find that a standard band saw blade removes less material than a standard table saw blade. 

Because the blade is one long continuous loop, this provides you with flexibility to cut through much thicker material than your standard table saw can handle. Most 10” table saws have a max cut depth of 3 to 3.5”. Entry level band saws have a cut capacity of 9” or greater. 

You can cut material that’s thicker than 3” on a table saw, although you will have to do multiple cuts to accomplish this. 

Finally, for those who work with CNC machines, tabs are a necessary design element to hold the workpiece in place. However, prior to applying any finish or marking a project as done, removing these tabs is necessary. A flush trim bit with a router is one option, but it’s often easier to fire up the band saw to quickly and accurately remove these remaining pieces. 

2 disadvantages of the band saw compared to a table saw

• A thin, flexible blade that is not ideal for certain cuts
• Limited cut capability

As we’ve already discussed, the band saw does not have the cutting capabilities of a table saw. 

However, more importantly, for the cuts the band saw and table saw can both perform, you generally will see better results on a table saw. 

This is due to the saw’s design and type of blade used. Because the blade is thin and flexible, there is some slop in the blade, in that, there can be some left to right movement in the blade’s path. 

FAQ

Is a band saw better than a table saw?

In general terms, no. A table saw offers great cut capabilities than a band saw does. However, for some specific cuts, like scroll cuts, the band saw is superior. 

Do I really need a band saw?

Yes, for most serious woodworkers, a band saw is a necessary tool in the shop. Most woodworkers start with a jigsaw and will upgrade to a bandsaw at a later time if they do not have the space or money for one now. 

What is the band saw best used for?

A band saw is best used for scroll cuts and milling down rough sewn lumber. The thin blade is flexible and gives the ability to maneuver the workpiece while removing little material. 

Can a band saw replace a table saw?

No, a band saw cannot fully replace a table saw. There are some cuts that only a table saw can do. For example, it’s not practical to cut dados on a band saw.

Is a band saw worth having?

Yes, a band saw is worth the investment if you have the budget and floor space.