Vertical Bandsaws vs. Horizontal Bandsaws

Choosing a band saw for your residential or commercial use is often a difficult task. There are so many options available from the popular manufacturers that it gets tedious to wade through the false claims and promises. One question that always seems to rise is whether vertical bandsaws are better or worse than horizontal bandsaws. No matter who you ask, you will always get a different reply. The only way you can find the honest truth is to investigate the pondering for yourself. You may find that you prefer one over the other, but what is the truly best type will differ with each person and his or her personality.

The major difference between the two is the direction in which the blade cuts. The horizontal band saw blade cuts vertically; the horizontal band saw blade cuts horizontally. I suppose this may seem a no-brainer, but it is an important difference that has caused heated discussions around the world. How the blade cuts is important. The speed, the cut, and the finish are all determined by the type of blade you use. Many people just have a set preference that has been instilled in them since birth.

Vertical bandsaws are popular because of their ease of use. Often, vertical bandsaws are reported as to be a cleaner cut, but this is heavily disputed by horizontal bandsaw owners worldwide. Do you prefer vertical bandsaws, or do you prefer horizontal bandsaws? Whichever you decide should be a decision made on personal experience. Sometimes, you may be able to talk a friend into letting you use their bandsaw; then you can make an educated decision based on your personal preference.

The truth is, some people just work better with one type rather than the other. There is no better or worse in this scenario. Since you are the deciding factor for you, there is nothing more I can saw on the subject of which is better. I would have a better answer for which came first, the chicken of the egg.

As is obvious, you have a decision to make. Do you prefer vertical bandsaws or horizontal bandsaws. Whichever you choose is the “right” choice for you, but it doesn’t have to be the right choice for others. Take a comparative glance at the features, the prices, and the safety record of both, you will be surprised at what you find.