What Is a Bandsaw and How Does It Work

A bandsaw is a versatile power tool essential to both woodworking and metalworking. It features a continuous, looped blade—similar to a thin metal ribbon—stretched between two or more rotating wheels. This design allows the blade to move in a constant downward motion, providing the power and precision needed to cut through wood, metal, and plastic.

Primary Applications

The bandsaw is prized for its ability to handle tasks that other saws cannot:

• Intricate Curves: Because the blade is thin and flexible, it can navigate tight corners and irregular shapes with ease.

• Resawing: This involves slicing thick timber into thinner boards. It is the go-to method for creating custom veneers or book-matched panels.

• Material Versatility: Beyond wood, specialised blades allow the saw to cut through plastics and various metals.

• Specialty Industries: In addition to workshops, heavy-duty bandsaws are even used in the meat-processing industry for cutting large sections of bone and meat.

Choosing the Right Type

Bandsaws are categorized by their orientation and size. The “size” of a bandsaw is determined by the diameter of its wheels; larger wheels allow for wider blades and greater cutting capacity.

Why Every Workshop Needs One

Whether you are a professional craftsman or a weekend DIY enthusiast, the bandsaw is a foundational tool. Its ability to perform everything from delicate scrollwork to heavy-duty resawing makes it one of the most hardworking machines in any shop environment.