A portable band saw is a powerful tool for cutting pipes, rebar, conduit, wood or angle iron, etc. You can cut various objects anywhere because of its portable design, which makes it transport-friendly.
So, cut your desired sizes and transport them to your workshop for further processing. Moreover, this tool is great for projects related to the lumbering & woodworking industries offering accurate cuts. To bring this fantastic tool to your workplace, read the following guide on choosing the portable band saw for wood & Metal.
Let’s have a look!
List of Top 5 Portable Band Saws for Wood & Metal
Here’s the list of the top 5 portable bands saws for wood & Metal:
1. VEVOR Portable Band Saw
VEVOR Portable Band Saw is a powerful cordless machine that has a 1100W 10 amp powerful motor. The pure copper motor ensures a cutting speed of 137.8-472.4ft/min. Moreover, it practices smooth cutting for various materials with no sparks and burrs.
Performance and Features
Features
- Fast and accurate cutting: Its maximum cutting capacity (without base) is 127mm, and (with base) is 100mm. At the same time, the speed is 137.8-472.4 feet per minute which is perfect for various materials.
- Easy to use: The ergonomic design, LED lamp, and adjustable blade guard ensure smooth operation. Moreover, the saw blade tightness switch helps you replace the switches.
- Removable alloy base: It has a removable base that can perform rotations from 0-45 degrees and 45 to 90 degrees with the base.
Performance
- Material: Steel
- Power: 1100W
- Cutting Size: 5 in/12.7 cm
- Product Dimensions: 21.7″×11″×14.2″
- Product Weight: 28.66 lbs
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Adjustable speed levels
- Suitable for all metal and wood materials
- Durable body
2. DEWALT DCS371B Portable Band Saw
DEWALT DCS371B Portable band saw powered by lithium-ion batteries has a cut capacity of 2-1/2-inch. Its ergonomic design and LED lighting while cutting make it a very all-rounder machine. However, it is on the pricey side but does its job well.
Features and performance
Features
- Dual-bearing blade-guide: It has dual-bearing blade-guide rollers, which increase durability. Also, it has a blade tracking adjustment for checking the blades’ status. To change the blade, you can use a tool-free blade-changing lever that loosens very well.
- Ergonomic designing: This tool especially has a centered handle position which is great for comfort and grip. Moreover, soft gripping ensures very smooth cutting.
Performance
- Material: Metal
- Power: Battery operated
- Cutting Size: 2-1/2-inch
- Product Dimensions: 15.38″L x 12.2″W x 8.7″H
- Product Weight: 1 Pound
Pros
- Great ergonomics
- Presence of a dual-bearing blade-guide roller
3. Metabo HPT MultiVolt 36V Deep Cut Band Saw
Metabo HPT MultiVolt 36V Deep Cut Band Saw is a powerful tool that can cut 4¾ inches by 4¾ inches, with 640 feet per minute maximum blade speed. Its ergonomic design, LED lighting, and amazing power and speed make it a great pick. However, you must adjust it for the perfect cut, which has significant weight.
Features and Performance
Features
- Amazing power and speed: It can achieve 640 feet per minute maximum blade speed, and the most common range is 200 feet per minute to 640 surface feet per minute.
- Enhanced blades: It features the longest band saw blade life, performing more than twice the regular cuts.
- It supports multiple volts: It is compatible with a multi-volt AC Adapter for adding flexibility.
Performance
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Power: Battery operated
- Cutting Size: 4¾ inches
- Product Dimensions: 22.5 x 19 x 7.75 inches
- Product Weight: 16.5 Pounds
Pros
- It can cut through a variety of materials
- Great speed and power
4. Makita XBP02Z
Makita XBP02Z is a powerful machine that can make cuts of 4¾ inches that are sufficient to handle various materials. Moreover, it can deliver 275 FPM to 530 FPM of speed. This powerful machine is very versatile and modern. But, you will not get a charger and batteries with this tool; it can also be a bit noisy.
Features and Performance
Features
- Excellent cutting: The speed and precision are top-notch. It features a 44⅞-inch long blade with an 18TPI and six adjustable speeds for precision cutting.
- Safe design: It has a protected electrical circuit that alerts when the motor is over-torqued to prevent accelerated wear.
Performance
- Material: Metal
- Power: Battery operated
- Cutting Size: 4¾ inches
- Product Dimensions: 22.4″L x 14″W x 10.7″H
- Product Weight: 14.3 Pounds
Pros
- Great grip and ergonomics
- Smooth cutting
5. Milwaukee 6238-20
Milwaukee 6238-20 is a portable corded band saw with an 11 Amp motor that puts a 44⅞-inch long blade in motion. The speed can be 300 FPM or 380 FPM, which ensures 5 inches cuts.
Features and Performance
Features
- Great cutting capacity: Its powerful motor and blade offer a great cutting capacity of 5 inches. Moreover, the corded supply ensures no fear of battery consumption.
- Safety design: It features greater ergonomics and gears protecting the clutch. Also, it has a tool-free locking adjustable shoe.
Performance
- Material: Metal/Plastic
- Power: 11 Amp
- Cutting Size: 5 inches
- Product Dimensions: 21″L x 6.5″W x 12.5″H
- Product Weight: 14.75 Pounds
After a thorough review, we discovered VEVOR Portable Band Saw is a very all-rounder tool with budget pricing in all the feature-rich options. In comparison, DEWALT is great but a little pricey. Also, Metabo requires some adjustments.
On the other hand, Makita is noisy and needs a battery and charger. Also, the Milwaukee is corded, which means it’s only partially portable. Opting for a portable band saw is a long term investment. Therefore, you must look for all the advanced features, your future prospects and other things. A smart buy can make your years of work effortlessly easy.
Different Types of Portable Band Saw for Wood & Metal
Here are some popular types of band saws:
Portable Band saw
Portable band saws are very handy, powerful, and ergonomic. You can carry them anywhere, which makes the process quite easy. For example, you can go to the warehouse to cut your desired size iron pipes and bring them back. One fantastic example is VEVOR Portable Band Saw, which can operate anywhere on metal and wood.
Horizontal Band Saw
Horizontal band saw cuts through the material horizontally and offers great precision. The blade is stocked horizontally and attains a smooth finish. Moreover, it is suitable for large objects.
Vertical Band Saw
The vertical band saw features a working table and two blades. One is above, and another is at the bottom of the worktable—the stock moves from one end to another to initiate flawless cuts. The force of an electric motor carries this process.
What Should You Look for When Buying a Portable Band Saw for Wood & Metal?
Here are some things you must consider while buying a portable band saw for wood & metal:
Power Source: You can choose the cordless or cord option per your requirements. But cordless options have extra batteries and are very convenient for ensuring quick cuts anywhere.
Cutting features: This is the most important thing to know. The cutting width and depth must be suitable for all your projects. For example, VEVOR Portable Band Saw cuts 5 in/12.7 cm, which is sufficient for all the materials. Also, look for speed which is given in SFPM (surface feet per minute) or “FPM (feet per minute). For portable models, 0 to 550 FPM is the range.
Additional features: It is better to look for weight, material, LED lighting while cutting in the dark, and other ergonomic features; this will help you choose the best machine.
Are Portable Band saw for Wood & Metal Worth It?
Portable band saws for wood & metal are worth it. This handy machine lets you carry your projects anywhere you need. Just imagine that you don’t have to transport all large materials to your workspace; with a portable band saw, you can go to the store, cut your pieces and bring them back without extra transport charges.
Moreover, these are economical, quick, and efficient in cutting wood and various metals. So, going for an all-rounder machine such as a VEVOR Portable Saw is great. It lets you practice smooth, clean, and instant cuts anywhere. The icing on the top is the safe design, ergonomic features, and durability.
FAQ About Portable Band saw for Wood & Metal
Q. How does a portable band saw work?
Portable band saws have a trigger button just like all the other machines. You must position the machine on the material, adjust the speed, switch on the button, and let it slice through it. It’s quite easy, and the machine has an ergonomic design, which allows you to effortlessly cut the materials.
Q. How do I clean my portable band saw?
There is cleaning instruction for each machine that must be followed. Usually, the dirt is accumulated near the wheels, which can be cleaned with an air gun or other equipment.
Q. How long do portable band saws last?
Portable band saws last for years if you take proper care. Good storage, cleaning, and timely checkups will let them work for years.