Vertical band saws price

1. Hobbyist / Benchtop Models ($200 – $800)

These are designed for light-duty work, woodworking, plastics, and thin metals (with the correct blade). They are often portable and have a smaller throat capacity (the distance from the blade to the column).

• Typical Throat Size: 9 inches to 12 inches

• Motor: 1/3 HP to 1/2 HP

• Build: Often a mix of steel and aluminum; less rigid.

• Examples & Prices:

  • WEN 9-Inch Benchtop: ~$200 – $250

  • Rikon 10-305 10-Inch: ~$350 – $450

  • Harbor Freight (Central Machinery): ~$200 – $300

• Best For: DIYers, hobbyists, occasional use on soft materials.

2. Home Shop / Serious Hobbyist ($800 – $2,500)

This is the most popular category for home metalworking shops, small professional woodshops, and serious makers. These saws are more robust, often made of cast iron, and have larger motors and throat capacities.

• Typical Throat Size: 14 inches to 18 inches

• Motor: 3/4 HP to 1.5 HP

• Build: Primarily cast iron for stability and vibration damping.

• Examples & Prices:

  • Grizzly G0947 (14-inch): ~$800 – $1,000

  • Rikon 10-326 (14-inch): ~$900 – $1,100

  • Laguna Tools 14|12: ~$1,200 – $1,500

  • Jet JWBS-14DX (14-inch): ~$1,400 – $1,800

  • POWERTEC VT2103 (18-inch): ~$1,800 – $2,200

• Best For: Advanced hobbyists, small fabrication shops, pattern makers. Excellent all-around performers.

3. Professional / Industrial Models ($2,500 – $15,000+)

These are heavy-duty machines built for daily use in demanding environments like metal fabrication shops, foundries, and industrial plants. They feature powerful motors, large throat capacities, and incredibly robust construction.

• Typical Throat Size: 18 inches to 36+ inches

• Motor: 2 HP to 5+ HP (often 3-phase)

• Build: Heavy cast iron and steel, built to last decades.

• Features: Power feed, coolant systems, built-in work lights, hydraulic guides.

• Examples & Prices:

  • DoALL C-916 (18″): ~$4,000 – $7,000 (new)

  • Jet JWBS-20 (20″): ~$3,500 – $5,000

  • W.F. Wells M-18 (18″): ~$5,000 – $8,000

  • Hem Saw 3420-VH (20″): ~$6,000 – $9,000

  • Large Custom Saws (24″ – 36″): $10,000 – $20,000+

• Best For: Professional metal fabricators, industrial manufacturing, shipbuilding, aerospace.

4. CNC Vertical Band Saws ($15,000 – $60,000+)

These are fully automated production machines. An operator loads a program, and the saw automatically makes complex cuts with high precision and repeatability.

• Typical Throat Size: Varies widely

• Features: CNC controllers, servo motors, automatic material clamps.

• Best For: High-volume production shops that need to cut identical parts repeatedly from plate metal.

Key Factors That Affect Price

1. Throat Capacity: This is the maximum distance from the blade to the machine’s column. A larger throat allows you to cut wider pieces of material. This is the single biggest factor in determining a saw’s size and price category.

2. Motor Power (HP): More horsepower allows you to cut harder, thicker materials (like steel) without bogging down.

3. Build Quality: Cast iron frames are heavier, more rigid, and absorb vibration better than aluminum or steel frames, leading to smoother, more accurate cuts. This is what separates cheap saws from high-end ones.

4. Brand Reputation: Established industrial brands like DoALL, W.F. Wells, and Hem command a premium for their proven durability, performance, and customer support. Import brands like Grizzly, Jet, and Rikon offer excellent value.

5. Features:

   • Blade Speed: A variable speed control is crucial for cutting different materials (e.g., slow for metal, fast for wood).

   • Table: A large, sturdy, and tilting table is important for complex cuts.

   • Guides: High-quality blade guides (like ceramic or bearing guides) increase blade life and cut accuracy.

   • Fence/Rip Guide: A good fence is essential for making straight, repeatable cuts.

   • Dust Port: Helps keep your shop clean.

Buying Tip: New vs. Used

• New: Comes with a warranty, known history, and customer support. You pay the full price.

• Used: You can often find incredible deals on the used market, especially for heavy industrial models. A used Delta or Jet 14-inch saw can be found for $400-$600, and a massive industrial DoALL might be $1,500 from a shop that’s closing. Always inspect a used saw thoroughly for cracks, wear, and proper operation before buying.

In summary, define your primary use case (cutting wood, aluminum, or steel?) and your budget first. This will quickly narrow down the category you should be looking in. For most home shops, a 14-inch model from a reputable brand is the “sweet spot” for performance and value.