Hey everyone! I'm diving into the world of bandsaws and I'm especially interested in the resawing capabilities. I'm considering getting a 14" bandsaw, but I'm kinda stumped on how much horsepower (HP) I should be looking for to effectively resaw hardwood. I've seen a lot of options with 1/2 HP motors, but I'm not sure if that's enough power. Any insights or recommendations would be super helpful!
3 Answers
For a 14" bandsaw, a motor with 1 to 2 HP is usually plenty for most hardwoods. I think the key is a high-quality blade. A good blade can work wonders, even on smaller motors. For a great option, check out the Lenox Woodmaster carbide blades; they make a significant difference!
I've been resawing hardwoods like rosewood and mahogany on my Jet 12" bandsaw, which has a 1 HP motor. It's handled everything I've thrown at it, including veneers as thin as 1/16". You definitely don't need a huge saw to get great results! Stick with quality blades, and you'll be just fine.
Horsepower is important, but tuning your bandsaw and using a quality blade is even more crucial. I have a standard Grizzly 333 with a riser, and it cuts beautifully now that I've set it up properly and invested in a good resaw blade. You'll be surprised how effective a 1 HP saw can be with the right setup!
Absolutely! The blade can make a world of difference. Just focus on set-up and you’ll be golden.

That’s really encouraging to hear! I’ve been hesitant about settling for lower HP, but it sounds like it might not be a dealbreaker after all.