Bench Top Machines

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by pufame

Does it cut straight?

This is more a function of properly setting up and adjusting the saw, as opposed to an inherent quality of the saw.

A band saw is easy enough to set up correctly, but I have rarely seen it done (outside my own shop). You cannot just put on a blade and go, all of the guides must be adjusted, and checked frequently as they do drift a bit, especially on smaller machines.

Even a small benchtop machine will perform well if adjusted and operated properly. And, like DeepWater wrote, choosing the right blade is critical for best results. Don't be afraid of changing the blade for different cuts, a band saw isn't "set it and forget it" like a table saw.

Don