Band Saw Accessories: Features, Limitations, and Buying Guidance
You want to know about band saw accessories and which ones are worth buying. Band saw accessories can improve cut quality, accuracy, safety, and convenience. You need to know the types, features, limitations, and what to look for when buying.
Band saw accessories are add-on products that enhance the performance, accuracy, safety, or convenience of a band saw. Some accessories are essential (like replacement blades and tires), while others are optional upgrades (like bearing guides and riser blocks).
Essential Accessories
1. Quality Blades
The single most important accessory. A quality blade makes more difference than any other upgrade.
Recommended brands: Olson Saw, Timber Wolf (Suffolk Machinery), LENOX, Starrett. Cost: 10 to 40 dollars per blade. How to choose: Match the blade length to your saw. Choose TPI based on material thickness. Choose material based on application (carbon steel for woodworking, bi-metal for resawing and metal).
2. Replacement Tires
Tires provide traction, protect the blade, and absorb shock.
Recommended type: Urethane tires. Cost: 15 to 35 dollars per pair. When to replace: Cracked, hardened, or causing tracking problems.
3. Blade Guides
Blade guides keep the blade on track during cutting.
Types:
- Metal guide blocks (stock on most saws): Inexpensive, adequate for hobby use.
- Cool Blocks (Olson Saw): Better than metal blocks, 15 to 20 dollars.
- Carter bearing guides: Best blade support, 50 to 80 dollars.
Accuracy Accessories
4. Fence
A fence guides the workpiece for straight ripping cuts.
Types:
- Stock fence (if included with the saw): May be adequate for basic use.
- Aftermarket fence (Kreg, Carter, Laguna): Better accuracy and adjustability. Cost: 30 to 150 dollars. Limitations: A fence only works for straight cuts, not curves.
5. Miter Gauge
A miter gauge guides the workpiece for angle cuts.
Types:
- Stock miter gauge (if included): May have play in the slot.
- Aftermarket miter gauge (Incra, Kreg): Better accuracy. Cost: 20 to 100 dollars.
6. Resaw Guide
A resaw guide helps with resawing thick stock by providing a tall fence and a point contact.
Types:
- Aftermarket resaw guide (Carter, Kreg): Tall fence with adjustable point. Cost: 30 to 80 dollars. Limitations: Requires a saw with sufficient resaw capacity (6 inches or more).
7. Tension Gauge
A tension gauge measures blade tension accurately.
Types:
- Spring-type gauge: Simple and affordable.
- Digital gauge: More precise. Cost: 20 to 80 dollars. Benefits: Ensures correct tension for better cut quality and longer blade life.
Capacity Accessories
8. Riser Block
A riser block increases the resaw capacity of a 14-inch saw from 6 to 12 inches.
Compatibility: Most 14-inch saws (Delta, Jet, Grizzly, Rikon, Craftsman, RIDGID). Cost: 50 to 100 dollars. Blade length change: From 93-1/2 to 105 inches. Limitations: Requires a longer blade. May reduce blade stability at the increased height.
9. Extension Table
An extension table increases the work surface area for large workpieces.
Types:
- Aftermarket extension tables (various brands).
- Shop-built extension tables. Cost: 30 to 100 dollars (aftermarket), 10 to 30 dollars (shop-built).
Safety Accessories
10. Push Stick
A push stick keeps your hands away from the blade.
Cost: 5 to 15 dollars. Recommended: Buy or make several in different sizes.
11. Featherboard
A featherboard holds the workpiece against the fence for safer ripping.
Cost: 15 to 30 dollars.
Dust Collection Accessories
12. Dust Port
A dust port connects the saw to a shop vacuum or dust collector.
Compatibility: Check the port size (2-1/2 or 4 inches). Cost: 10 to 30 dollars (if not included with the saw).
13. Dust Collection Brush
A brush that cleans the sawdust from the lower wheel.
Cost: 10 to 20 dollars.
Convenience Accessories
14. Mobile Base
A mobile base lets you move the saw around the shop.
Compatibility: Check the base size and weight capacity. Cost: 30 to 100 dollars.
15. Work Light
A work light illuminates the cutting area.
Types:
- Magnetic base light: Attaches to the saw frame.
- LED light strip: Mounts inside the wheel cover. Cost: 10 to 30 dollars.
16. Blade Welder
A blade welder joins broken blades or lets you make custom-length blades from blade stock.
Cost: 200 to 500 dollars. Limitations: Only practical for production shops.
What to Buy First
Priority Order for a New Saw Owner
- Quality blade (10 to 40 dollars) - The most important upgrade.
- Urethane tires (15 to 35 dollars) - If the stock tires are worn.
- Cool Blocks (15 to 20 dollars) - Better than stock metal guides.
- Dust port (10 to 30 dollars) - If not included.
- Push stick (5 to 15 dollars) - Safety essential.
- Tension gauge (20 to 80 dollars) - For accurate tension.
- Riser block (50 to 100 dollars) - If you need more resaw capacity.
- Aftermarket fence (30 to 150 dollars) - If the stock fence is inadequate.
- Carter bearing guides (50 to 80 dollars) - For the best blade support.
- Mobile base (30 to 100 dollars) - If you need to move the saw.
FAQ
What band saw accessories do I need?
Start with a quality blade, urethane tires (if needed), and Cool Blocks. Add a dust port and push stick for safety and cleanliness. Add a riser block if you need more resaw capacity. Add an aftermarket fence if the stock fence is inadequate.
Are Carter bearing guides worth the cost?
For serious woodworkers, yes. They provide the best blade support, which improves cut quality and blade life. For hobby use, Cool Blocks are sufficient at a lower cost.
Is a riser block worth buying?
If you need to resaw stock thicker than 6 inches, yes. A riser block increases the resaw capacity from 6 to 12 inches on a 14-inch saw. It requires a longer blade (105 inches instead of 93-1/2).
References
- Carter Products. “Band Saw Accessory Guide.” Carter Products.
- Olson Saw. “Band Saw Blade and Guide Guide.” Olson Saw Company.
- Kreg Tool. “Band Saw Fence Guide.” Kreg Tool.
- Fine Woodworking. “Band Saw Upgrades.” Taunton Press.
- Woodcraft. “Band Saw Accessory Buyer’s Guide.” Woodcraft Supply.
