The deeper you get into this industry, the more you realize that there are many ways that a job can go wrong, but there is only one perfect outcome. Great craftsmanship taught me how it was made from a very young age. Perhaps the most inspiring work is in the form of fine carpentry. Even today, I stop to admire the intricately detailed corbels, columns, shelves, and more. There are many tools and skills involved in bringing these pieces to a finished state. A band saw is one such tool. Professionals may gravitate toward larger, freestanding models, but the light-duty needs of the DIYer or hobbyist fit the Ryobi BS904G 9-Inch Band Saw.
Ryobi BS904G Features
There are few parts to assemble on the Ryobi BS904G, but they are critical. In particular, I mean blades and tables. The sawed double door cabinet opens without tools. Inside the cabinet are two aluminum wheels and ball bearing brackets. You need to lower the lever on the back of the saw to lower the top wheel.
Simply pass the blade of the Ryobi BS904G Band Saw through the blade guide assembly and around the wheel, then move the blade to the center of the wheel. You can fine-tune blade tracking with the adjustment knob located on the back of the saw.
Even if your blade tracking is a bit off at this point, you can raise the top wheel by lifting the lever. Then, rotate the lower wheel by hand while using the tracking knob to center the blade. The process is very simple, even for first-time users.
main features
- Powerful 2.5 amp induction motor
- 9" hose capacity and 3-1/2" cutting capacity height for versatility
- Quick Set Blade Tensioning System
- Blade tracking window improves accuracy
- Free Tool Cabinet Access
- All aluminum wheels and ball bearing brackets
Set Blade Tension
To set the blade tension on the Ryobi BS904G 9-Inch Band Saw, first close the cabinet door. You can adjust the blade tension with the top knob. For some reason, band saw blade tensioning is a mysterious process. Tensioners are expensive (more than this $179 saw) so watching blade deflection at this level is enough.
On the one hand, tension is important so the blade stays on the wheel. On the other hand, you don't want to stress the blade or the motor. For thick hardwood material, the band saw really only needs to be at its highest tension.
Even though the Ryobi 9-inch band saw has a 3.5-inch cutting capacity, I don't anticipate asking its 2.5-amp motor to cut such thick workpieces, especially on hardwoods. Anyway, by raising the blade guide up to 3.5" and pushing against the side of the blade, I pulled the blade taut to deflect about 1/8".
let's discuss this
The second key piece is the 11-3/4 inch square table. While most jobs are done with the table at 90 degrees to the blade, this small band saw has an adjustable rack and pinion table that allows for bevels up to 45 degrees. It takes a little attention to adjust the locknut and bolt so that the table is at right angles to the blade. When you're done, you can use the adjustment lever to loosen the table and create bevels. I'm not a big fan of the way the table swings when the adjustment lever is released, but you should keep the design simple for the price point of the saw.
I bolt the saw to my workbench, but it can also be clamped for temporary use. During my review, I easily moved the saw to the workbench between the two sawhorses and back to the shop.
Safety first
Now comes the fun part – the cutting. When you reach for the power switch, you'll notice a strange yellow key. The key is a safety feature and must be plugged into the power switch for the chainsaw to work. Without it, the saw can be inserted but remains inoperable. The benefits are obvious, but so is the downside – the tiny key is easy to lose. When you're done with your day's work, make sure you know where you put it.
make the first cut
It was so much fun to use this saw for a fun weekend project. With a little practice, even a novice can easily make smooth, curved cuts, as long as you don't twist the blade. You can use the included 90-degree miter gauge guide for cross cuts, or its simple adjustment knob for miter cuts.
Pro Tip: Before you start working with your project stock, grab some splinters of pine or other softwood for some practice. This will give you an idea of the saw's cutting characteristics and help you determine the cuts you need to make.
The secret to band sawing is relief cutting, and while relief cutting can be too much, it makes cutting easier and template cuts more accurate. Ryobi handled my emboss cuts and subsequent curves with ease. I quickly cut two wine glasses and a wine bottle, planning to make a wine rack. Of course, I protect my eyes all the time.
The 9" throat is reasonable clearance for small projects. I used 3/4" pine boards to make the template cuts for this review. Even in miter cuts where the saw blade is in contact with more wood, the saw will not bind. However, the saw lacks a fence, which is a major limitation. I made a speed square and a clamp myself, but adding this really makes this model stand out in the value category.
get the job done
You may read reviews complaining that this saw won't re-cut. I really didn't expect that – it's really a job for the larger professional grade band saws. This is a great saw for the hobbyist who primarily wants to cut softwood.
The Ryobi 9-Inch Band Saw can help you create projects you'll be proud of with just a little practice. You laugh (or cry!) when you look back on your first project—all of which happened at some point. But it's satisfying to see a new skill begin to form and to develop it with the right tools.
As a side note, this project also gave me the opportunity to try out a Ryobi 12V compact drill/driver. I'll be reviewing it soon, but it looks like it's going to be another great value product from Ryobi,
The Ryobi BS904G 9-Inch Band Saw offers aspiring hobby carpenters a great way to hone their craft before buying a full-size tool. If you keep reasonable expectations for what it can do, you'll be happy with the price and the results. After a few years, you may choose to upgrade to a larger saw, but with $179 to test the waters, it's hard to go wrong.
Ryobi 9" Band Saw Specifications
- Model: Ryobi BS904G
- Power supply: 120V AC
- Motor: 2.5 Amps
- No-load speed: 2,460 SFPM
- Cutting Capacity: 3.625 inches
- Throat Capacity: 9 inches
- Blade Length: 62"
- Blade Width: 0.025"
- Table Dimensions (LW): 14.75 x 11.75
- Overall Dimensions (LWH): 31.3 x 17.4 x 12
- Weight: 37.3 lbs
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $179 (Home Depot)