Seven band saws by their makers' figures
| Saw | Class | Resaw height | Throat | Blade widths | Supply as stated | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly G0803 | 9 in benchtop | 3-5/8 in | 8-7/8 in | 1/8 to 3/8 in | 120 V, 2.8 A | 42 lb |
| Rikon 10-305 | 10 in benchtop | 4-5/8 in | 9-5/8 in | 1/8 to 1/2 in | 115 V, 3.5 A | 68 lb |
| Grizzly G0948 | 10 in, stand | 6-1/8 in | 9-3/4 in | 1/8 to 1/2 in | 120 V, 3.5 A | 69 lb |
| Grizzly G0555LX | 14 in | 6 in | 13-1/2 in | 1/8 to 3/4 in | 110/220 V, 1 HP | 229 lb |
| Powermatic PWBS-14CS | 14 in | 6 in | 13-1/2 in | 1/8 to 3/4 in | 115/230 V, 1.5 HP | 166 lb + 84 lb stand |
| Grizzly G0817 | 14 in resaw | 14 in | 13-1/2 in | 1/8 to 3/4 in | 110/220 V, 2 HP | 319 lb |
| Powermatic PM1500 | 15 in | 14 in | 14-1/2 in | 1/8 to 1 in | 230 V, 1-phase, 3 HP | 394 lb |
Each figure is the maker's own; Grizzly's throat is its maximum cutting width left of the blade. Not a ranking.
Equipment notePaid link
10-in band saw with stand
Rikon 10-310
Rikon's 10-310, a 10 in saw with a stand: by Rikon's page, a 9-5/8 in cutting width, a 4-5/8 in cutting height and a 70-1/2 in blade.
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Matching a saw to the shop
| Work | What suits it | Why, from the documents |
|---|---|---|
| Curves, small parts, a small shop | A benchtop saw | G0803 and 10-305: 42 and 68 lb, 115–120 V; blades to 3/8 or 1/2 in |
| General work and resawing up to 6 in | A 14 in saw | G0555LX and PWBS-14CS: 6 in high, blades to 3/4 in |
| Resawing wide boards | A saw with a tall resaw height | G0817 and PM1500: 14 in under the guides |
| The widest blades | A saw rated for them | PM1500: up to 1 in; most others 3/4 in or less |
| Stopping the blade quickly | A saw with a brake | G0817: foot brake; PM1500: brake pedal |
Built from the makers' statements. Not a ranking.
What to compare
- Resaw height, not the wheel class. Two Grizzly 14 in saws give 6 in and 14 in under the guides; check the figure, not the size it is sold by. The difference is drawn in the band saw guide.
- Blade widths. A saw's widest blade decides how straight it can resaw; its narrowest, how tight it curves. Blades are explained in band saw blades.
- Speed. One speed on most saws here; two on the G0948 and G0555LX. A slower speed does not make a woodworking saw a metal saw.
- Guides, fence and resaw aids. Ball-bearing guides on most of Grizzly's saws, dual roller-bearing guides on the G0817, whose manual also covers Euro-style roller-disc guides; a resaw fence attachment on the G0817 and G0948; a fence plate and resaw pin on the PM1500.
- Supply. Benchtop saws run on 115–120 V; the 14 in saws on 110/115 V or 220/230 V single-phase as wired; the PM1500 on 230 V with a 20 A circuit. Wire any change as the manual says.
- Dust. Grizzly asks for 400 CFM at the G0555LX's port and Powermatic for 350 CFM at the PWBS-14CS's — figures at the port, not a collector's rating.
- Wheel size and blade life. Blade maker Suffolk reports shorter blade life on saws with wheels under 14 in; it is one factor, not a ranking.
Safety— Rules the manuals share
Guard in place and wheel covers closed; upper guides down to the work; blade at full speed before the cut; hands out of line with the blade; the saw off and the blade stopped before backing out or clearing scraps (Grizzly, Powermatic, Rikon). More in band saw safety.
Before choosing a band saw
- Tallest board to resaw, against the resaw height
- Widest and narrowest blades you will use
- The supply: voltage, phase and circuit
- Floor space and weight, or a bench for a benchtop saw
- Fence, resaw aids and brake
- Dust collection for the port
Small saws are compared in more detail in choosing a benchtop band saw; handheld portable saws in choosing a portable band saw; blades in choosing a band saw blade.
Sources
Specification-based: every figure is the maker's own. Throat and resaw height are given in each maker's terms. Motors are listed in horsepower, volts and amps as stated, and are not ranked against each other; a saw's voltage and phase must match the shop's supply, wired as its manual says. No saw was tested and none is ranked.
- 1.
Model G0803 9" Benchtop Bandsaw owner's manual (for models manufactured since 09/15). Grizzly Industrial.
Used for: The G0803: 9 in benchtop, 3-5/8 in high, 1/8 to 3/8 in blades, 120 V, 2.8 A, 42 lb.
- 2.
10-305 10" Woodworking Bandsaw Operator's Manual (10-305M5), as hosted by a public library. Rikon Power Tools.
Used for: The 10-305: 10 in benchtop, 9-5/8 in throat, 4-5/8 in high, 1/8 to 1/2 in blades, 115 V, 3.5 A, 68 lb.
- 3.
Model G0948 10" 1/2 HP Bandsaw owner's manual (for models manufactured since 03/25). Grizzly Industrial, 2025.
Used for: The G0948: 10 in on a stand, 6-1/8 in high, 1/8 to 1/2 in blades, 1520 and 2620 FPM, 120 V, 3.5 A, 69 lb.
- 4.
Model G0555LX 14" Deluxe Bandsaw owner's manual (for models manufactured since 1/14). Grizzly Industrial.
Used for: The G0555LX: 14 in, 13-1/2 in left of the blade, 6 in resaw height, 1/8 to 3/4 in blades, 1800 and 3100 FPM, ball-bearing guides, 1 HP at 110 V (11 A) or 220 V (5.5 A) single-phase, a 4 in port needing 400 CFM, 229 lb; a fence adjustable for lead, no resaw fence.
- 5.
Operating Instructions and Parts Manual, 14" Woodworking Band Saw, Model PWBS-14CS (M-1791216, revision G1). Powermatic, 2018.
Used for: The PWBS-14CS: 14 in, 13-1/2 in throat, 6 in resaw, 1/8 to 3/4 in blades, 3000 SFPM, 1.5 HP at 115 V (11 A) or 230 V (5.5 A), a 30 A or 20 A circuit, a 4 in chute needing 350 CFM, 166 lb body and 84 lb stand.
- 6.
Model G0817 14" Resaw Bandsaw with Foot Brake owner's manual (for models manufactured since 05/25). Grizzly Industrial, 2025.
Used for: The G0817: 14 in, 13-1/2 in left of the blade, 14 in resaw height, 1/8 to 3/4 in blades, 2820 FPM, dual roller-bearing guides and instructions for Euro-style roller-disc guides, 2 HP at 110 V (19 A, a 20 A circuit) or 220 V (9.5 A), two 4 in ports, a foot brake, a resaw fence attachment, 319 lb.
- 7.
Operating Instructions and Parts Manual, 15-inch Woodworking Band Saw, Models PM1500 and PM1500T (M-1791500, edition 10). Powermatic, 2023.
Used for: The PM1500: 15 in, 14-1/2 in throat, 14 in resaw, 1/8 to 1 in blades, 3100 SFPM, 3 HP single-phase 230 V, 12 A full load, a 20 A circuit, a brake pedal, a fence plate and resaw pin, 394 lb assembled.
- 8.
Timber Wolf Blades catalog 2026. Suffolk Machinery, 2026.
Used for: A blade maker's report of shorter blade life on two-wheel saws with wheels under 14 in.
About this buying guide
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