Skil 9 In. 2-Speed Benchtop Band Saw

A compact bandsaw that earns its keep in a small shop

Space is at a premium in my shop, so compact tools have to pull their weight. The Skil 9-inch benchtop band saw did more than that. Over several weeks I used it for small furniture parts, jigs and templates, and a handful of decorative wall panels. It’s not a replacement for a heavy, floor-standing machine, but as a portable, light-duty saw with thoughtful features, it struck a compelling balance of precision, power, and footprint.

Setup and build quality

Out of the box, setup was straightforward. The table needs to be installed and squared to the blade, and the usual bandsaw commissioning applies: tracking, tension, and guide adjustment. The included hex wrenches and a basic blade will get you going, but expect to spend a little time dialing in the guides. Once tuned, the saw held adjustments well through several sessions.

The base is steel, which helps stability, but the saw is still light enough to move around one-handed. There’s more plastic in the upper covers and knobs than you’ll find on a pro cabinet saw, but nothing felt flimsy in use. For the best results, I mounted the saw to a piece of 3/4-inch plywood and clamped that to my bench; the added mass tames vibration and makes the machine feel more planted without sacrificing portability.

Features that matter in practice

• Induction motor: The 2.8-amp induction motor is quiet and smooth. It’s not a powerhouse, but for a 9-inch benchtop unit it has enough reserve to cut hardwoods cleanly if you let the blade do the work.
• Two-speed drive: Switching speeds is a belt-and-pulley affair, made easy with a tool-free tension lever. I ran it on the higher speed for most hardwoods, dropping to the lower speed for plastics and when I wanted a bit more control on intricate curves.
• Quick blade tension: The quick-release lever is a small thing that makes a big difference. I release tension between sessions to prolong blade life and re-tension in seconds when I’m ready to cut.
• Bearing guides: Upper and lower ball-bearing guides are easy to set and keep the blade on track. The lower guides are tucked in but accessible; once set, they did their job without fuss.
• Rack-and-pinion table tilt: The table tilts smoothly via a rack-and-pinion mechanism and includes clear angle markings. It’s easier to dial in precise bevel angles than with friction-only trunnions found on many small saws.
• Blade-tracking window: A small sight window in the upper door lets you verify tracking without opening the cover—a simple, thoughtful touch.
• Dust port: The rear dust port pairs with a 2-1/2-inch shop vac hose. More on performance below.
• Miter gauge: It’s included and functional for rough crosscuts and simple angles. If you rely heavily on miter accuracy, you’ll want an upgrade later.

The saw takes 59-1/2-inch blades, which are widely available. I kept a 1/8-inch blade for tight curves and a 3/8-inch blade for straighter cuts and light resawing.

Performance and cut quality

On typical project stock—think poplar, maple, oak, and pine—I was impressed with how cleanly the saw cut. With a sharp blade, I could follow a line confidently and keep drift under control. The bearing guides support the blade well enough that delicate S-curves in 3/4-inch hardwood felt predictable rather than squirrely. For light resawing of narrow boards, the saw stayed on track provided I fed consistently and didn’t rush.

Power is always a question on small benchtop saws. Here, the induction motor and flywheel effect of the cast wheels give a steady feel. I didn’t experience dramatic bogging unless I forced the feed rate or used a tired blade. If you ask this saw to plow through thick, dense hardwood quickly, it will protest. Ease up and it rewards you with straight, burn-free cuts.

Noise and vibration are modest. After a blade change or guide adjustment, I noticed a brief shudder on the first start-up. It smoothed out within a few seconds, presumably as the belt and blade settled on the wheels. Once running, the vibration level is low for a saw of this size—especially when secured to a heavier base or bench.

Accuracy and ergonomics

The table is a hair under 12 inches square, which is adequate for small parts and templates. I appreciate the rack-and-pinion tilt: it allowed me to sneak up on angles and return to zero repeatably. The zero setting on my sample was very close out of the box, and micro-adjustments were easy.

There’s no rip fence included. For straight ripping and resawing, I clamped a shop-made hardwood fence to the table with good results. Skil’s miter gauge is fine for simple work, but it isn’t a precision instrument; paired with a tight-fitting aftermarket gauge, the saw is capable of very accurate miters on small stock.

The sight window and easily reachable tracking knob made blade changes less of a chore. The upper and lower doors swing wide, and with the quick-release lever, I could swap blades and be back to cutting within a few minutes.

Dust collection

Hooked to a 2-1/2-inch shop vac, the dust port captured the bulk of chips from beneath the table. As with most small bandsaws, fine dust still collects on the table surface and around the guides, but overall cleanup was minimal. If you work a lot of MDF or resinous softwoods, a stronger extractor will help, but a standard vac is sufficient for most woodworking tasks on this saw.

Where it shines—and where it doesn’t

Strengths:
- Compact footprint with a stable steel base
- Quiet, smooth induction motor for its size
- Quick-release tension and easy two-speed belt changes
- Bearing guides that hold adjustments and produce clean cuts
- Rack-and-pinion table tilt for precise bevels
- Standard 59-1/2-inch blade length with many options

Trade-offs:
- No included rip fence; plan to make or buy one
- Light overall weight benefits from bolting down or adding mass
- More plastic in the housings and knobs than on heavier-duty machines
- Modest resaw capacity and power; not intended for aggressive, thick hardwood cutting
- Basic miter gauge is serviceable but not a precision tool

Tips for best results

• Mount the saw to a plywood base or bolt it to your bench to reduce vibration and improve cut feel.
• Use the quick-release lever and relax blade tension between sessions to extend blade life.
• Keep multiple blades on hand: 1/8-inch for tight curves and a wider blade for straight cuts.
• Set the guide bearings close to the blade without contact; a few extra minutes here pays dividends in cut quality.
• Don’t rush the feed rate in dense woods; let the motor and blade establish the pace.

The bottom line

The Skil 9-inch benchtop band saw is a well-thought-out small machine that punches above its size. It’s easy to set up, quiet, and capable of precise work on small to medium parts. The two-speed drive, quick tensioning, and rack-and-pinion tilt bring big-saw convenience to a compact format. You give up some features—most notably a rip fence and the mass of a floor-standing saw—and you’ll want to add a base or bolt it down for best performance. But within its lane, it’s an enjoyable, dependable tool.

Recommendation: I recommend this saw to hobbyists, small-shop woodworkers, and DIYers who need a compact, accurate bandsaw for curves, templates, and light resawing. It offers a thoughtful feature set, smooth induction power, and good cut quality at a size and price that make sense. If your work regularly involves thick hardwood resawing or production-level ripping, step up to a heavier, larger-capacity bandsaw; otherwise, this Skil is a smart, space-saving choice that I was happy to keep on the bench.