Engineers and inventors struggled with the early prototypes of the band saw. First patented by Englishman William Newberry in 1809, efficient operation proved difficult due to the flexibility of early blades and true band saw functionality was not achieved until Frenchman A. Perin invented a flexible blade in the 1860s. Since then, the band saw has flourished in its production and has progressed greatly, through much trial and error, to become one of the most utilized and useful cutting tools available today.
Band saws are power saws used primarily in woodworking, metalworking, and lumbering. Band saws are comprised of a long, thin blade with a band of toothed metal stretched between two or more wheels to cut a variety of materials, including plastic, wood or metal.
The blade configuration is determined by tooth pitches (teeth per inch, or TPI), which is a crucial factor depending on the application. Another key factor when selecting a bandsaw is its motor. The horsepower required will depend completely upon what you wish to cut and how thick or hard the material is.
Band Saw Manufacturers
Surplus Record has a wide assortment of band saw by top manufacturers. Read more about our top band saw manufacturers.
Types of Band Saws
Horizontal Band Saws
In metalworking, a large to medium sized horizontal bandsaw is used for cutting of lengths of steel down to the required sizes of a welder, fabricator, fitter or machinist. Welders will often cut at specific angles to create accurate weld joints. Horizontal band saws hold the workpiece stationary while the blade swings down through the cut.
Vertical Band Saws
In woodworking world, vertical bandsaws are used by woodworkers to cut medium to small material down to size and into specific shapes for furniture making, joinery work and more. The horizontal is great for processing large sections of timber down to more manageable pieces, which could later be processed further and more accurately by a vertical bandsaw. A vertical band saw keeps the blade’s path stationary while the workpiece is moved across it.
