I'm looking to buy a bandsaw for my woodcarving projects. My first experience with carving was pretty rough; I tried cutting shapes with just a knife, and it left me with sore hands instead of smooth woodwork. I want a benchtop bandsaw since I don't have space for a full-sized one in my basement. I've got my eye on a Bauer model from Harbor Freight, but I've heard that most bandsaws in this price range aren't great. Given that I'll mostly be using it to make rough shapes out of soft woods, do you think it matters which bandsaw I get as long as it functions properly? I also want to mention that I've seen some negativity around Harbor Freight, but I don't mind; I just need an affordable option that's nearby. Also, I'm a hockey fan and like Bauer gear!
4 Answers
Hey! How long have you been carving? I'm not trying to steer you away from getting a bandsaw, but if you don’t already have quality hand tools like knives and gouges, you might wanna invest in those first. It’s totally possible to shape wood well without a bandsaw. I use some pretty robust knives and gouges and they get the job done just fine! But if you really feel you need the bandsaw, then definitely go for it!
Not exactly what you're looking for, but have you considered a scroll saw for smaller projects? They don’t handle larger materials like a bandsaw, but if you're sticking to pieces under 2 inches, it might be worth a look.
I thought about it, but I want the flexibility of a larger clearance! A bandsaw better suits my needs.
I've owned a Rikon bandsaw and a WEN; both were good in their own right. I really loved my WEN because it was a solid small floor model that I could move around easily. If your goal is to take off a lot of material quickly, don't underestimate good knives like the Mora Kniv—they cut smoothly and hold an edge well!
I had a Ryobi benchtop saw for years and it worked like a charm. I'd say just go for a budget-friendly option and focus on staying precise with your cuts. For woodcarving, you don’t need super high precision as you’re mostly rough cutting soft woods. The key factors to look at are clearance—both vertical and horizontal—since this will determine what you can actually work with.
I have two Flexcut knives but that's about it. I might just need more patience, but I'd prefer to work alongside someone instead of just watching tutorials!