Three small band saws by their makers' figures
| Saw | Throat | Cutting height | Blade length | Blade widths | Speed | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly G0803 (benchtop) | 8-7/8 in | 3-5/8 in | 61-13/16 to 62-3/16 in | 1/8 to 3/8 in | 2460 FPM | 42 lb |
| Rikon 10-305 (benchtop) | 9-5/8 in | 4-5/8 in | 70-1/2 in | 1/8 to 1/2 in | 2780 ft/min | 68 lb |
| Grizzly G0948 (on a stand) | 9-3/4 in | 6-1/8 in | 71-1/2 to 72-1/2 in | 1/8 to 1/2 in | 1520, 2620 FPM | 69 lb |
Each figure is the maker's own. With its fence in place, Grizzly's G0803 cuts 5 in wide and its G0948 6-1/8 in. Not a ranking.
Equipment notePaid link
10-in band saw with stand
Rikon 10-310
Rikon's 10-310, sold with a stand: by Rikon's page, a 9-5/8 in cutting width, a 4-5/8 in cutting height and 3.5 A, the measures the table above compares.
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Matching a small saw to the work
| Work | What suits it | Why, from the documents |
|---|---|---|
| Curves, small parts, toys | Any of the three, with a narrow blade | All take 1/8 in blades; Rikon recommends zero-clearance inserts for small pieces |
| Slicing boards on edge | The tallest cutting height | G0948: 6-1/8 in; 10-305: 4-5/8 in; G0803: 3-5/8 in |
| Straight rips with a wider blade | A saw taking 1/2 in blades | 10-305 and G0948: up to 1/2 in; G0803: up to 3/8 in |
| A slower speed for some cuts | A two-speed saw | G0948: 1520 and 2620 FPM; the others one speed |
| Bigger boards or resawing wide stock | A 14 in floor saw | Grizzly's G0555LX: 6 in high, blades to 3/4 in — see choosing a band saw |
Built from the makers' statements. Not a ranking.
What to compare
- Cutting height. The tallest board the saw slices on edge; it decides whether a small saw can resaw at all.
- Throat. How wide a piece passes left of the blade — and with the fence on, less.
- Blade widths and length. A narrow maximum width limits straight work; the exact length decides which blades fit. Blades are explained in band saw blades.
- Table and fence. Table size and tilt, and whether the fence can be adjusted for lead.
- Dust. Ports of 2 in (G0803) to 2-1/2 in (10-305); the G0948 lists a port taking 2, 3 or 4 in hoses.
- Power. All three run on 115–120 V; current is 2.8 to 3.5 A as stated. Horsepower and amps are different measures and are not compared.
- Mounting. A benchtop saw needs a firm bench at a comfortable height — see the workbench guide.
Safety— Small saw, same rules
Guard in place and covers closed; upper guides down to the work; push sticks for small pieces; the saw off and the blade stopped before backing out of a cut or clearing scraps (Grizzly, Rikon). More in band saw safety.
Before choosing a benchtop band saw
- Thickest board you will cut on edge, against the cutting height
- Widest piece, against the throat with and without the fence
- Blade widths you will use
- Table size and tilt; fence
- Dust hose to fit the port; a bench to mount it on
Full-size saws are compared in choosing a band saw, and handheld portable band saws in choosing a portable band saw. The machine is explained in the band saw guide.
Sources
Specification-based: every figure is the maker's own. Makers name the throat differently — Grizzly's maximum cutting width left of the blade, Rikon's throat — and their terms are kept. Motors are given in horsepower and amps as stated and are not compared. 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: 42 lb; 120 V, 2.8 A, a 15 A circuit; 1/3 HP; 8-7/8 in left of the blade (5 in with the fence); 3-5/8 in cutting height; 2460 FPM; blades 61-13/16 to 62-3/16 in long, 1/8 to 3/8 in wide; ball-bearing guides; a 12 × 12 in table tilting 45° right; a 2 in dust port; a quick-release tension lever; crowned wheels; a deflection tension method.
- 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: 68 lb; 115 V, 3.5 A; 1/3 HP; 9-5/8 in throat; 4-5/8 in cutting height; 2780 ft/min; a 70-1/2 in blade 1/8 to 1/2 in wide; a 12-1/2 × 13-3/4 in table tilting 0–45° right; a 2-1/2 in dust port; roller guides; upper guides about 1/8 to 1/4 in above the work; zero-clearance inserts for small pieces.
- 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 saw on its own stand: 69 lb; 120 V, 3.5 A; 1/2 HP; 9-3/4 in left of the blade (6-1/8 in with the fence); 6-1/8 in cutting height; 1520 and 2620 FPM; blades 71-1/2 to 72-1/2 in long, 1/8 to 1/2 in wide; a 14-3/16 × 12-5/8 in table; a fence adjustable for blade lead and a resaw fence attachment.
- 4.
Model G0555LX 14" Deluxe Bandsaw owner's manual (for models manufactured since 1/14). Grizzly Industrial.
Used for: A 14 in saw for comparison: 6 in of cutting height and blades up to 3/4 in.
- 5.
Used for: Narrower blades for tighter curves, wider blades for straight cuts and resawing.
About this buying guide
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