Choosing a band saw: throat, resaw capacity and blade width from the makers' specs

What do band saw sizes like 10-inch and 14-inch mean?

WEN explains that band saws are rated in inches, often by their maximum cut capacity or by their wheel diameter. (WEN Products)

WEN defines throat capacity as the distance between the blade and the frame, and depth (thickness) capacity as the distance from the top of the table to the bottom of the upper blade guide, which sets the thickest workpiece the saw can cut. (WEN Products)

The two numbers rarely match exactly: Powermatic's PM1500 manual lists a 15" wheel diameter with a 14-1/2" throat capacity, and RIKON's 14" Deluxe 10-1414 lists a 13-5/8" cutting width. (Powermatic (JPW Industries); RIKON Power Tools)

Taikra doesn't rank or test tools; every figure here is from the maker's own page or manual, linked.

What size band saw for resawing?

On 10 in. saws, RIKON lists a 5" cutting height for the 10-3062 and WEN says the 3962T cuts up to six inches deep. (RIKON Power Tools; WEN Products)

Because the wheel-size label and the resaw height don't track each other, the sections below keep the maker's own cutting-height line next to each model.

What size blade for resawing?

Powermatic's PM1500 manual states that the ideal blade for resawing is the widest one the machine can handle, because a wider blade holds a straight line better. (Powermatic (JPW Industries))

That manual says the PM1500 is designed for blades from 1/8" to 1" wide, while RIKON lists a blade width range of 3/16" to 3/4" for the 10-1414. (Powermatic (JPW Industries); RIKON Power Tools)

WEN notes that a wider blade is stiffer and suggests perhaps 3/4" to 1" for clean, straight cuts, and a narrow blade, usually 1/8" to 1/4", for fretwork and small-radius cuts. (WEN Products)

For curves, the PM1500 manual's blade chart has you measure the smallest radius in the job and select the widest blade that will saw that radius. (Powermatic (JPW Industries))

How much horsepower does a band saw have?

RIKON's range shows the spread: 1/2 HP on the 10" 10-3062, 1-3/4 HP on the 14" 10-1414, 3 HP on the 14" 10-353, and 4 HP on the 18" 10-347. (RIKON Power Tools; RIKON Power Tools; RIKON Power Tools; RIKON Power Tools)

Smaller saws are often rated in amps; WEN notes that generally, the higher the amperage, the more powerful the motor, and lists a 3.5 amp motor on the 3962T. (WEN Products; WEN Products)

One blade speed or two?

Some saws offer two speeds: RIKON lists 1,476 / 3,280 ft/min for the 10-1414, and WEN lists 1520 or 2620 FPM for the 3962T. (RIKON Power Tools; WEN Products)

DELTA's page for the 28-400 lists two speeds as 1,620 and 3,340 RPM. (DELTA Machinery)

WEN explains that woodworking band saws tend to run at higher speeds than metalworking band saws and use blades with fewer, larger teeth. (WEN Products)

Setup and operating instructions are in each maker's manual.