A band saw is an electric or pedal-driven saw with a blade consisting of a long, narrow, flexible band of toothed metal. Band saws can be used for woodworking, metal working, or for cutting a variety of other materials, and are particularly useful for cutting irregular shapes.

Timber mills use very large band saws for ripping lumber; they are preferred over circular saws for ripping because of their smaller kerf (cut size), resulting in less waste. The blades range in size from about (4" wide x 19' long x 22 ga thickness) to (16" wide x 62' long x 11 ga thickness).

Types of Band Saws:

Head saws Head saws are large band saws that make the initial cuts in a log. They generally have a two to three inch tooth space on the cutting edge and sliver teeth on the back.

Resaws

A resaw is a large band saw optimized for cutting timber along the grain to reduce larger sections into smaller sections or veneers. Resawing veneers requires a wide blade - commonly 2" to 3" (52 - 78 mm) - with a small kerf to minimize waste. Resaw blades of up to 1" (26 mm) may be fitted to a standard band saw.

Double cut saws

Double cut saws have cutting teeth on both sides (see sawfiler for a picture of a very small double cut). They are generally very large, similar in size to a head saw.