What Bandsaw Size Do You Need?

What Bandsaw Size Do You Need?

Bandsaws are a fixture in shops and manufacturing facilities around the world. They work in industries from medical device manufacturing to lumbering and aerospace. Finding the right bandsaw is essential for getting the most out of your investment and completing your projects with the greatest efficiency and accuracy. 

Bandsaw size affects the projects you can complete. Using a bandsaw sized specifically for your workpiece is vital. Learn what bandsaw size you need for your application and other considerations for your bandsaw search in this guide. 

How Is the Size of a Bandsaw Determined?

Bandsaw size is often a source of confusion. However, if you're in the market for a bandsaw, it's a critical feature to understand. After all, the size of your bandsaw will determine the kinds of projects you can use it to complete.

To understand bandsaw size, you should first understand bandsaw anatomy and the mechanisms that drive the blade. Here are a few important terms to know:

• Band wheels: Inside the bandsaw, two band wheels drive the blade on a loop and support blade tension. One is called the drive wheel, and the other is the idler wheel. The drive wheel is the primary component that drives the blade in the bandsaw's pulley system. The idler wheel guides the drive wheel and thus the blade's motion.
• Column: The bandsaw column is the post that supports the pulley system within the machine. One side of the pulley is inside the column, while the other holds the blade as it cuts.
• Guard: Bandsaw safety is vital for protecting operators. The guard is a safety mechanism located on the bandsaw column that protects the user while the blade moves on the loop from the upper wheel to the lower wheel. The guard's thickness takes up additional space between the blade and the column.
• Throat depth: Throat depth is the length of space from the bandsaw column to the blade. To get true throat depth, subtract the thickness of the safety guard by the total throat depth.
• Gap height: A bandsaw's gap height is the cutting height — the distance between the table surface and the blade at its tallest height.

Manufacturers determine bandsaw sizes by the band wheels' diameter and throat depth. These two measurements matter because they limit the size of the workpieces the bandsaw can handle. For instance, the size and spacing of the machine's band wheels determine the blade length it can support. Blade length in turn affects the cutting capacity, as does the throat depth. A bandsaw can only cut one wheel's diameter at maximum.

Some bandsaw manufacturers list their machines by the tool's capacity rather than its wheel diameter to eliminate the confusion about sizing. For example, the 3612-VH Vertical Contour Band Saw can handle workpieces with 36-inch width and 12-inch height. This means the throat depth is 36 inches and the gap height is 12 inches. However, the saw has 20-inch band wheels. In this instance, the machine capacity describes the bandsaw's practical size, and the wheel diameter is the bandsaw's true size.

How to Determine the Best Bandsaw for Your Application

What bandsaw size do you need for your specific application? The answer may be as simple as the size of the workpieces you handle for your projects. However, bandsaw size is only one characteristic to examine when choosing a bandsaw for your shop. Follow these steps to determine the best bandsaw size and type for your application:

1. Know Your Material

The materials you work with impact the bandsaw size you need. Bandsaws are versatile machines that can cut through many different materials, including:

• Metal
• Plastic
• Meat
• Glass

Most bandsaws can accommodate multiple blades, providing greater flexibility in the materials the saw can cut. Cutting heavy-grade materials in industrial applications requires a larger bandsaw. The size of your workpieces matters, too, with bigger workpieces requiring larger saws. Some large-scale applications such as metal service centers and automotive manufacturing specifically need a production bandsaw, ideal for cutting large, tough workpieces like titanium and metal sheets. 

2. Determine Horsepower and Speed

You should also consider how much power and speed you need for your application. Different materials require different cutting speeds. For example, softer materials require higher blade speeds while tough, difficult-to-saw materials need a lower blade speed for better tooth engagement. Fortunately, many automatic and semi-automatic bandsaws come with advanced operator controls that allow the user to monitor settings like speed, cutting cycle, blade tension and more, changing cutting speed when needed. 

Horsepower is another consideration for a bandsaw. A greater horsepower sometimes enables a higher cutting rate. Larger bandsaws for industrial material cutting typically have a motor with two or more horsepower and can operate at various speeds. 

3. Look at Machine Capacity

Machine capacity is the workpiece size that a bandsaw can handle. A few specifications impact machine capacity, including: 

• Throat depth: Throat depth is an important dimension since it determines the saw's maximum cutting width. A throat depth of 36 inches, for example, allows you to cut workpieces up to 36 inches wide on the left side of the blade. 
• Gap height: The gap height of a bandsaw determines its maximum cutting height. This measurement indicates the maximum depth of any piece the blade can cut. 

Larger commercial bandsaws often have greater throat depth and gap height to accommodate bigger workpieces. However, the machine's frame and safety guard may reduce its cutting depth. This could bring the machine's capacity down by a couple of inches.

4. Consider Production Level

Are you fabricating many pieces every day? A larger saw is probably better suited to your needs than a smaller one. Commercial bandsaws often have sturdier frames and are available in many sizes, from 18 to 24 inches and beyond. These machines can handle large workpieces and production volumes better than bandsaws with a smaller wheel diameter. 

What Types of Bandsaws Are There?

Once you've determined the size and capabilities you need for your bandsaw, consider the different bandsaw types available on the market. Some bandsaws are uniquely designed to make specific projects easier. In your search for a bandsaw to add to your shop, consider these bandsaw types and how they fit different applications:

• Vertical: The main difference between bandsaw designs is the cutting position. Vertical bandsaws, also known as vertical contour bandsaws, provide precision cuts through softer materials, including non-ferrous metals, steel and aluminum. Vertical saws also have a reduced footprint, making them better for smaller projects.
• Horizontal: Horizontal bandsaws are high-powered and can handle harder materials like tough aluminum and steel. These saws also have a larger footprint than vertical bandsaws. 

Another main category of bandsaw is concerned with how much operator interference is required to make the cuts:

• Manual: Manual bandsaws require the user to manually move the workpiece during operation.
• Semi-automatic: These saws only require operator involvement at the beginning of the cutting process. The operator sets the material feed rate and blade speed, then puts the materials on the saw to make the cuts.
• Automatic: Bandsaws with automatic operation run on preset cut settings, reducing operator involvement even more. 

So, what bandsaw size do you need? The answer depends on your application and priorities. You can choose to get the smallest machine capable of completing your projects or opt for a larger one with wider potential. Either way, do your research before you make the investment, and you can have a tool that performs efficiently for years. 

Find the Right Bandsaw for Any Application at DoALL Sawing Products

Whatever your bandsaw needs, DoALL Sawing Products has you covered. You can find everything you need for your application at DoALL Sawing Products, from standard vertical sawing machines to specialty saws, blades and more. Our bandsaw experts are ready to help you find the right bandsaw and blade for your job.

At DoALL Sawing Products, there's nothing we can't cut! Browse our bandsaws for sale today.