An intense battle between Band saw vs Jigsaw.
Are you having a hard time choosing your saw? It is no surprise, especially for beginners, since there are many different saws with similar functions. The Band saw and the Jigsaw are among the most popular power saws. Worry not, as you will know which is your ideal companion after reading this Band saw vs Jigsaw comparison.
Table of Contents
Band Saw vs Jigsaw: Comparison in Details
Similarities
The band saw and Jigsaw appear to be identical at first glance. Both have a relatively thin blade for making straight, curved or irregular cuts. Also, users can control their work better as the saws use the push-and-pull motion of the blade to create cutting action. However, the blade option can heavily affect their cuts.
Differences
1. Definition
- Jigsaw is a handheld power saw which uses a reciprocating blade to cut through the material. Because of its compact design, the Jigsaw is portable and easy to handle. Generally, people like this saw as it can make a variety of cuts with high accuracy. It is a saw for on-the-spot cutting projects.
Jigsaw in use
- A bandsaw is a power saw that uses a sharp blade made from a continuous band of toothed metal. The bandsaw usually has two wheels that spin in the same plane continuously. These propel the blade forward as it slices through anything you give it.
A bandsaw may cut any material with an appropriate blade. One thing that it’s inferior to its rival is that it is not a handheld device.
2. Purpose
Jigsaw
- Best for creating complicated irregular cuts due to its mobility.
- Capable of making cuts inside a piece of wood without cutting through the item’s outside edge.
- Suitable for DIY or general cutting.
Band saw
- Due to its standing-up design, it’s simple to realign your wood in any direction and get the cut you want. They’re fantastic at reusing wood because of this feature.
- One of the most important features of a Band saw is re-sawing larger lumber into a usable one or thin wood layers for veneers without waste.
3. Versatility
- A Jigsaw is very versatile, capable of creating rough and narrow cuts with acceptable accuracy. It isn’t just useful for producing curved cuts. The Jigsaw will make any cut you want if you use the correct blade. Its ability to work with different materials and lightweight makes it an excellent onsite tool.
- The Band saw is a powerful tool. However, depending on the type of cut, it needs several modifications to function properly. You may need to change the saw blade for each task for the bandsaw to operate properly.
The bandsaw adjustment process comprises adjusting the wheel, installing the new blade, and repositioning the desk.
4. Blade selection
- Jigsaw: The most crucial aspect when using a Jigsaw is selecting the correct blade. The blade’s size, material, and tooth design would affect the cut. For instance, a larger blade would fit quick straight cuts. On the other hand, a thin one can avoid unintentional slides to form curves.
Aside from blade size, tooth shapes are significant since blades with bigger teeth may perform quicker cuts, while the smaller blades will make smoother cuts.
- Band saw: It features guard components that protect you from being cut. When choosing a Band saw, keep in mind that a horizontal type is safer than a vertical one.
There are three types of blades. For most woods, a normal tooth blade provides smooth cuts. If you have to work with hardwoods, pick yourself a hook tooth blade as forcefully enough. Nevertheless, a skip tooth blade makes a less aggressive, smoother cut for resawing applications.
Quick Rundown of Jigsaw vs Bandsaw
1. Pros of each type
Jigsaw:
- Light and small, handheld available.
- High versatility.
- Doesn’t require much maintenance.
- Suitable for DIY projects.
Band saw:
- High accuracy, even with large cutting.
- Perfect for resawing.
- Has safety features.
- Can work with various materials.
2. Cons of each type
Jigsaw:
- Less effective when working with large material.
- Lower cut precision.
Band saw:
- Requires frequent maintenance.
- Requires more experience.
- Cut size depends on blade width.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is hard to tell which one is better between Band saw vs Jigsaw. This decision would depend on what material you are working with, what kind of cut you want to make and your experience.
If you are looking for a simple general-purpose tool for DIY projects, then get yourself a Jigsaw. Need to resaw or make a heavy cutting? Consider buying a Band saw instead. However, you should get both types if possible as they aren’t interchangeable, and using both will help your work more efficiently.