I'm thinking about getting a horizontal band saw as a quieter alternative to my miter saw, since I live in a townhouse and I want to minimize noise for my neighbors. Has anyone used one of these in their workshop? I'm also considering an old powered hacksaw for the same purpose. I realize both are primarily designed for metalworking, but do you think I could just switch out the blades for wood?
3 Answers
Sure, I've tried a horizontal band saw before. Technically, I have a sawmill version of it. But honestly, it's not the best choice for woodworking. They just aren’t very accurate for that purpose, even if you change the blades. If noise is a concern, I'd recommend looking into a vintage miter box saw instead. They're super quiet and accurate, just like the one in this video I found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIGx_N8WnOw.
If you're looking for something quieter, a hand saw or coping saw might be your best bet. They create much less noise and dust—definitely more suitable for woodworking than a band saw.
I wouldn’t recommend a horizontal bandsaw for wood. They just can’t compete with the precision of a miter saw. The sawmill I have is basically an oversized bandsaw, and it works well for lumber, but for fine woodworking, you might wanna stick to traditional tools.