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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches“Resaw Kings” is WOOD Magazine’s July 27, 2020 comparison of six premium bandsaws built to resaw stock 12 inches wide or more. Its joint Top Tool picks were the Grizzly G0514X2B and Jet JWBS-18QT-3; the Grizzly G0513X2BF was named Top Value. Those are awards from a 2020 editorial test, not a current-market ranking or confirmation of today’s prices and availability. The comparison is useful because it weighs cut speed and consistency alongside capacity, guides, tensioning, fences, tables and safety features.
What WOOD Magazine tested
WOOD Magazine framed resawing as a way to make bookmatched panels or get more usable material from thick boards. The test compared six premium bandsaws. For its timed power comparison, staff resawed 12-inch-wide hard maple and averaged five timed cuts per saw. The magazine cautioned that motor horsepower alone does not determine cutting performance: how effectively power moves from the motor through the wheels to the blade matters too. Read WOOD Magazine’s full comparison.
For a separate cut-consistency comparison, reviewers tuned each saw for blade drift, fitted a new 3/4-inch Timber Wolf 2/3VPC resaw blade, and sliced multiple thin slabs from an 8/4 maple blank at a slow, steady feed rate. Most machines produced slabs with thickness variation of 1/32 inch or less. The Jet and Rikon initially deflected more, though the reviewers found setup and blade choice could change the outcome.
How the three award-winning saws differed
| Saw and 2020 award | WOOD Magazine’s reported strengths | How to read the result |
|---|---|---|
| Grizzly G0514X2B — joint Top Tool | Fastest cut, clean cutting, tallest fence, preferred table system and blade brake. | A strong showing in this test’s speed and work-support criteria; it is not a current availability or performance guarantee. |
| Jet JWBS-18QT-3 — joint Top Tool | Preferred blade guides and tension system. | The Jet initially deflected more in the slab test. Moving the blade farther toward the rear of its crowned wheels brought its result within the test’s reported 1/32-inch-or-less range. |
| Grizzly G0513X2BF — Top Value | Named Top Value in the 2020 comparison. | The source’s historical article prices for the six saws ranged from $1,350 to $2,300; these are 2020 reported prices, not current quotes. WOOD Magazine did not provide this model’s individual price. |
What matters when choosing a bandsaw for resawing
Capacity and stock support
Resaw capacity tells you the maximum stock height the saw can accommodate, but capacity alone does not ensure a controlled cut. A fence must stay aligned and support tall stock; auxiliary support may be needed for work that rises above the fence. Compare the actual clearance and fence arrangement on the specific model, and plan how you will keep the board stable throughout the cut.
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- 2.8-amp motor rotates the blade up to 2500 feet per minute
- Create cuts up to 3-1/2 inches deep and 9 inches wide
- Uses 59-1/2-inch blades anywhere from 1/8 to 3/8 inches in size
- Spacious 12-1/4 x 11-7/8-inch work table bevels up to 45 degrees
- Includes a 1/4-inch-wide blade, a 2-1/2-inch dust port, a rip fence, a miter gauge, an adjustable blade guard with ball-bearing supports, and a 2-year warranty
Cut speed and consistency
A fast cut is useful, but it does not by itself mean the saw will produce slabs of even thickness. WOOD Magazine’s power test used 12-inch-wide hard maple, while its consistency test used a different procedure: slow, steady feed through an 8/4 maple blank. Treat those results as observations under those conditions, rather than a promise for different species, blade setups or feed rates.
Guides, tensioning and blade setup
Guide design and access affect how readily you can set up the blade and make adjustments. Blade width and length, wheel profile, tracking and the machine’s ability to tension a blade all influence results. Check the current manufacturer’s blade and setup guidance for the exact saw before buying a blade or changing adjustments.
Rank #2
- 5'' Cutting Capacity
- Integrated hang hook allows user to hang the saw without damaging the front handle or base
- LED Work Light with 20 second delay illuminates dark work surfaces for accurate cutting.
- Tool less blade changing lever loosens blade tension
- Variable Speed for versatility and control
In the test, the Jet’s deflection improved when reviewers tracked the blade farther toward the rear of its crowned wheels. That adjustment did not resolve the Rikon’s deflection. A resaw pivot bar attached to the rip fence and hand steering eliminated deflection in the Rikon test, but left a rougher surface that needed more planer or drum-sander cleanup. Trying different blades also produced acceptable Rikon results. These examples show why a poor initial cut is not necessarily a verdict on a machine, and why tracking adjustments are not interchangeable across saws.
Fence, table and safety features
Check whether the table locks securely and whether the fence remains square and aligned under pressure from tall stock. Also compare safety and electrical details, including a blade brake, magnetic switch, voltage and stopping behavior. The 2020 article treated these as meaningful differences, but its reported preferences should not substitute for checking current specifications and the machine’s fit with your workshop.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL 2.8 AMP INDUCTION MOTOR—Rip through a variety of wood materials with the 2.8 amp induction motor
- 2-SPEED DRIVE SYSTEM—Allows tool-free belt tensioning
- QUICK BLADE TENSION SETTING—Set blade tension quickly and accurately for clean cuts
- PRECISION BALL BEARING AND LOWER BLADE GUIDES—Ensure consistent tracking for accurate cutting performance
- RACK AND PINION TABLE ADJUSTMENT—Makes quick angle adjustments
Blade tension: what the test procedure does—and does not—mean
WOOD Magazine found the tension gauges supplied with the tested saws unreliable across blade sizes. For its own test setup, reviewers retracted the blade guides and tensioned each blade until it allowed 1/4-inch side-to-side deflection. That is a description of their comparison procedure, not universal manufacturer guidance. Follow the instructions for your specific saw and blade rather than treating the test’s method as a general setting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What “Resaw Kings” can tell you today
The comparison offers a useful framework for evaluating large-capacity bandsaws: assess effective cutting power, cut consistency, setup, stock support and safety together rather than selecting by horsepower or resaw height alone. Its named winners and historical price range belong to the article’s 2020 test context. Current models, specifications, availability, prices and accessory compatibility are not established by that comparison, so verify them with the manufacturer or retailer before making a purchase.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Power Saws and Accessories
- Made in China
- This band saw is over 20% lighter than the original M18 Compact Band Saw
- The POWERSTATE Brushless Motor combined with Constant Power Technology delivers the fastest cutting Band Saw in it’s class
Rank #4
- 3-3/8" Cut Capacity - Provides Larger Cut Capacity for More Variety in Applicable Materials
- Tool Connect CHIP READY - Chip Pocket Accepts Tool Connect Chip DCE042 and Connects with the Site Manager App for Easy Asset Management on the Jobsite. (DCE042 Sold Separately)
- Powerful Brushless Motor - Provide 535 MWO at 570 SFPM for Demanding Commercial Applications
- Integrated Blade Guard - Helps Protect from Unwanted Blade Contact and Keeps Bandsaw Clean for Increased Durability and Blade Life
- Variable Speed Trigger and Dial - Adds Multiple Methods for Blade Speed Control for a Variety of Applications
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
