Last reviewed: May 2026 · MLC editorial team · UK trade workshop perspective
Photo by Ono Kosuki on Pexels
A wood-rated bandsaw will cut metal once or twice before the blade snaps. A proper metalworking saw runs at 20-90 metres per minute with a coolant pump and a vice that holds round stock without spinning. In UK workshops, engineers and procurement teams seek robust machines like vertical or horizontal metalworking bandsaws priced from £500 to over £3,000. These tools must handle tough materials such as steel, aluminium, and brass efficiently, ensuring longevity and precision in cutting operations. For those who demand quality and reliability, understanding the specific features and capabilities of these saws is key to making informed purchasing decisions that meet workshop needs without breaking the bank.
How we picked these
- Cutting speed: variable 20-90 m/min covers stainless through aluminium. Single-speed saws are wood-only in disguise.
- Blade size: minimum 1640mm × 13mm for any serious round stock. Smaller blades break frequently.
- Vice: trunnion or quick-release with V-jaw for round stock. Standard machinist's vice spins round bar.
- Coolant: pump + tank essential for stainless. Mist-only is fine for mild steel up to 50mm.
- Power: single-phase 230V 1.5kW minimum. 3-phase 400V required above 2.5kW.
Reviewed picks
Femi NG120 XL ABS (Horizontal)
Price: £1,400-£1,900 | Best for: medium trade workshop, daily mild + stainless cutting
The Femi NG120 XL ABS (Horizontal) is a robust bandsaw for medium trade workshops, priced between £1,400 and £1,900. Italian build quality ensures durability, while its 2-speed gearbox suits both mild and stainless steel cutting. At 130kg, it's hefty to move around, and the coolant tank quickly fills with chips during use.
| Capacity | 125mm round / 130x120mm rect |
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| Blade | 1640x13mm |
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| Speed | 35/70m/min |
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| Power | 1.1kW 230V |
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| Coolant | Pump+tank |
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Pros
- Italian build quality
- 2-speed gearbox
- Quick-vice with V-jaw
Cons
- Heavy at 130kg
- Coolant tank fills up with chips fast
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Optimum OPTIsaw S 131 (Horizontal)
Price: £1,800-£2,400 | Best for: daily trade workshop, mixed materials including stainless
The OPTIsaw S 131 is a robust horizontal bandsaw for UK trade workshops, handling up to 130mm round stock with ease. At £1,800-£2,400, it offers variable speed control without swapping gearboxes and includes a coolant pump and tank, ideal for mixed materials including stainless steel. However, its variable speed motor can be a maintenance point, making it pricier than some competitors.
| Capacity | 130mm round |
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| Blade | 1640x13mm |
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| Speed | Variable 20-90m/min |
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| Power | 1.5kW |
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| Coolant | Pump+tank |
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Pros
- Variable speed (no gear-box swap)
- Coolant + chip tray
- German engineering
Cons
- More expensive than Femi
- Variable speed motor is a fault point
Check Optimum OPTIsaw S 131 (Horizontal) on Amazon UK →
Sealey SM5T (Horizontal)
Price: £500-£700 | Best for: occasional workshop use or DIY metal fabrication
The Sealey SM5T is a solid choice for occasional workshop use or DIY metal fabrication, priced between £500 and £700. It offers a hydraulic feed mechanism that ensures smooth downward pressure but lacks coolant, limiting its use to mild steel only. At 550W, it struggles with heavier cuts on stainless steel due to the single speed setting, which can shorten blade life.
| Capacity | 100mm round |
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| Blade | 1640x13mm |
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| Speed | Single 60m/min |
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| Power | 550W |
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| Coolant | None |
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Pros
- £500 entry to a real metal saw
- Hydraulic feed downward
- Quick-vice
Cons
- No coolant - limited to mild steel
- Single speed = blade life on stainless is poor
- 550W is borderline for 100mm round
Check Sealey SM5T (Horizontal) on Amazon UK →
Femi NG160 ABS (Horizontal swing-base)
Price: £2,800-£3,600 | Best for: production fabrication, heavy structural section
The Femi NG160 ABS is a robust bandsaw for UK workshops, priced between £2,800 and £3,600. Ideal for production fabrication, it boasts a 160mm round capacity, variable speed control, and a swing-head for mitre cuts up to 45°. However, its 270kg weight means it requires a forklift for relocation, and it operates on 3-phase power only.
| Capacity | 160mm round / 200x140mm rect |
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| Blade | 2080x20mm |
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| Speed | Variable |
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| Power | 1.6kW |
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| Coolant | Pump+tank |
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Pros
- Swing-head for mitre cuts to 45°
- Big capacity for steel I-beams
- Variable speed
Cons
- 3-phase only for full power
- Heavy at 270kg - needs forklift to move
Clarke CBS9B (Vertical)
Price: £250-£380 | Best for: sheet metal trimming / scrolling work
The Clarke CBS9B is a vertical bandsaw favoured in UK workshops for its affordability at £250 to £380 and compact bench-top design. Ideal for sheet metal trimming and scrolling work with a 150mm throat capacity and a versatile 3-speed motor, it handles various metals efficiently. However, its light-duty 370W motor and lack of coolant system limit its use to thin sections only.
| Capacity | 150mm throat |
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| Blade | 1640x13mm |
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| Speed | 3-speed |
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| Power | 370W |
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| Coolant | None |
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Pros
- £250 entry to vertical
- 3-speed for different metals
- Compact bench top
Cons
- No coolant
- Light-duty motor
- Limited to thin section
Check Clarke CBS9B (Vertical) on Amazon UK →
Optimum OPTIsaw GZ 4035 Combi
Price: £900-£1,200 | Best for: workshops short on floor space
The OPTIsaw GZ 4035 Combi offers a versatile solution for UK workshops with limited space, priced between £900 and £1,200. It swiftly converts from horizontal to vertical operation in just 60 seconds, providing two functions in one machine. However, its capacity is smaller than dedicated models, and the vertical mode lacks the rigidity of a purpose-built vertical bandsaw.
| Capacity | 100mm round |
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| Blade | 1640x13mm |
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| Speed | 2-speed |
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| Type | Combi (hor + vert) |
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| Coolant | Pump+tank |
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Pros
- Converts hor↔vert in 60 seconds
- One machine, two functions
- Coolant included
Cons
- Capacity smaller than dedicated hor
- Vertical mode less rigid than dedicated
Recommendations at a glance
| Best overall (trade) | Femi NG120 XL ABS - best price-to-build at trade workshop scale |
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| Best premium | Optimum OPTIsaw S 131 - variable speed makes blade life worth the premium |
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| Best for production | Femi NG160 ABS swing-base - handles structural section daily |
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| Best budget | Sealey SM5T - entry to a real metal saw at £500 |
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| Best space-saver | Optimum GZ 4035 Combi - hor + vert in one footprint |
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Related reference on MLC
Frequently asked questions
Can I cut metal on a wood bandsaw?
No. Wood bandsaws run at 1000-2000 m/min - way too fast for metal. The blade overheats, loses temper, and snaps. Metalworking saws run at 20-90 m/min.
Do I need coolant for mild steel?
Up to 50mm diameter, no - mist or dry cutting works. Above that, or for stainless of any size, yes - flood coolant doubles or triples blade life.
Horizontal or vertical bandsaw?
Horizontal for billet / round / structural stock (workshop standard). Vertical for sheet metal, plate, and curved cuts. Combi machines do both with compromises.
What blade do I buy?
TPI (teeth per inch) depends on material thickness. 6-10 TPI for solid stock, 14-18 for tube/hollow. Use a bi-metal blade (M42 backing, HSS teeth) for stainless. Cheap carbon blades are mild-steel-only.
Why does my bandsaw blade keep snapping?
Usually: wrong blade for material, wrong cutting speed, vice not holding work square, or blade tension wrong. Variable-speed saws solve the first two; trunnion vices solve the third.
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