Ridgid Band Saw and Alternatives

What is the best entry-level band saw? Ridgid is one brand that used to top the list. Offering reliable performance, heavy-duty construction, ergonomic design, and affordability, it was a favorite with hobbyists and more experienced, professional woodworkers. While the rigid company itself is going strong, it discontinued its bandsaws. This article explains what happened and presents some solid alternatives.

Why Was The Ridgid Band Saw Discontinued?

The Ridgid band saw R474 and a few other Ridgid brands of saws have been discontinued, including the very popular Ridgid BS1400 bandsaw blade.

After being introduced by Ridgid in 2001, the Ridgid Bandsaw BS1400 spent over a decade serving woodworkers. Emerson Electric acquired Ridgid tools from TTI, though it’s unclear which conglomerate discontinued the Ridgid bandsaw to make way for new rigid products. Today, most Ridgid brands of power tools are portable or cordless. The good news for wood is plenty of excellent alternatives to Ridgid band saws.

While it is sometimes possible to find a used Ridgid bandsaw on a site such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, searching for a pre-owned Ridgid band saw and an alternative in good condition can be frustrating. You probably won’t enjoy the benefit of a warranty. Still, if you’re on a tight budget and can find money for an excellent used Ridgid bandsaw, go for it!

rigid band saw

Rigid band saw

Choosing the Best Band Saw for Home Use: The Definitive Band Saw Buying Guide

Setting up your woodshop at home is undeniably exciting, but the cost of creating a complete woodworking setup will likely give you pause unless you’ve been collecting power tools for years. On the one hand, you need quality tools built to last. After all, you don’t want to spend even more money replacing them after just a few years or months. On the other hand, you want to save as much as you can and perhaps upgrade gradually over time.

This is where many people wonder what to look for in a band saw tool and ask, “What is the best band saw tool for home use?” Our quick guide to choosing a good tool for a bandsaw will help you make a decision you’re happy with. Here are some main points to consider.

Cutting Capacity

Consider throat capacity one of the most important factors when deciding on the best bandsaw for your shop. Throat capacity is the distance between the bandsaw’s blade and the column supporting the upper and drive belt. This determines the maximum size model number of projects you’ll be able to create with a compact band saw without doing a lot of finagling. Standard close band saw top sizes range from 10 to 24 inches. If you only plan for tiny woodworking projects, a tight band saw with a smaller cutting capacity will be fine. Most people prefer a medium-size bandsaw with a larger motor and a throat capacity of 13 to 14 inches.

Height Capacity

A bandsaw’s height capacity is measured between the bottom of one word; the upper blade guides to the top of the platform/table. This is important to consider if you are into resawing wide material or plan to work with thicker wood. Twelve inches or higher is ideal.

Bevel Capacity

If you’d like to make beveled cuts, be sure that the compact band saw you’re considering has adequate bevel capacity. This feature allows the bandsaw’s table to tilt. Most models of close band saws will only tilt to the right, with a maximum tilt capacity of 45 degrees. A few bandsaws have tables that will lean to the left, but only to about 10 degrees or so, maximum. Some compact band saws offer higher tilt capacity, but this feature can add to the machine’s cost.

Dust Collection

Bandsaws have fine blades producing plenty of dust. You can always clean your shop, but wouldn’t you rather empty a shop safety box or bag? Look for a bandsaw with a dust port that supports your shop vac or dust bag. Most have 2-1/4″ to 4″ ports.

Floor Stand and Saw vs. Bench Top Bandsaw:

If your shop has plenty of floor space, then it’s the ideal setting for a floor stand band saw. Benchtop bandsaws are designed to rest on a complete metal workbench rather than their dedicated metal tool stands. They’re ideal for smaller shops where the same space must house multiple tools.

Power

As with all other saws, the more power, the better. You’ll get smoother operation and better results with higher horsepower. Floor stand bandsaws offer more ability than benchtop bandsaws. While most benchtops can hold their own on smaller projects, extensive, heavy work calls for a floor-standing compact band saw. Most floor stand close band saws have motors rated at 1.0 HP or better. Some offer a bit more power, around 1.5 HP to 2.0 HP. Choose the most potent bandsaw you can afford to cut metal. Higher-powered compact band saws make dealing with comprehensive material and hardwood stock easier.

Blade Tension Indicator

Is there a blade tension indicator on the bandsaw you’re considering? This is on the list of “nice to have” things, as it helps you set changing blades to the correct tension and prevent problems like premature blade wear caused by too-tight tension and blades deflecting off track when tension is too loose.

Wheels

A band saw’s wheels provide inertia, which transfers to the saw blade and helps the tool’s edge maintain speed and consistency of blade movement during cutting. The heavier the saw’s wheels, the better the blade moves. Band saws with cast iron wheels are more potent than light aluminum ones.

Replacement Blade: As you’re shopping, check reviews to see if reviews say it’s easy to find bandsaw replacement blades for the models(s) on your shortlist. Most companies do a good job here, but it’s a consideration worth double-checking the reviews for before committing money to a brand or specific blade model.

Price

In general, the larger and more powerful the cut capacity of the bandsaw blade, the more it will cost. Expect to budget around $1,000 for an excellent 14-inch band saw or $200-$300 for a lovely benchtop model. Spending a little time investigating anything that seems to be priced well below average is a good idea, as the prices of some deals are just too reasonable to be true.

Alternatives To Discontinued Ridgid Band Saws

As promised, here is a quick list of popular alternatives to Ridgid Bandsaws. Most are rigid 14-inch floor stand models, but we’ve also included reviews of some other brands of benchtop bandsaws.

  • Grizzly G0555LX Deluxe Bandsaw
  • Grizzly B0513ANV 2 HP Bandsaw, Anniversary Edition, 17-inch
  • JET JWBS-14DXPRO 14-inch Deluxe Pro Band Saw Kit
  • Laguna Tools MBAND1412-175 14×12 Bandsaw
  • RIKON Power Tools 10-324 14″ Open Stand Band Saw
  • RIKON 10-305 Bandsaw with Fence, 10-Inch
  • SKIL 3386-01 2.4-Amp 9-Inch Band Saw
  • WEN 3962 2-Speed Band Saw with Stand and Worklight, 10-inch