Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
The Ryobi 18V One+ cordless band saw has been one of the most-requested in their lineup tools for years. The P590 is finally here and we’ve been cutting a whole lot of metal and PVC with it.
Buy it if you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive cordless band saw that does a good job of cutting material up to 2-1/2″. Pass if you’re looking for the design quality of premium models.
The Ryobi P590 comes with a pair of 18 TPI blades, which are great for general-purpose metal and plastic cutting. It will cut wood, but you’ll cut it faster with a lower TPI blade. The same goes for PVC and other plastics.
It’s also possible to cut stainless steel, rebar, and other hard and/or thick metals. Go with a higher TPI blade for those.
Pro Tip: As a basic guideline, use a 14 TPI blade for plastics and wood, 18 TPI for soft metal, and 24 TPI for hard metal.
The brushed motor moves the blade at 560 FPM, giving the Ryobi cordless band saw roughly twice the tooth engagement of a good reciprocating saw. When you’re cutting things like 2″ EMT or PVC for electrical and plumbing, you really notice how much faster it cuts compared to a one-hand reciprocating saw.
The 560 FPM specification is on the higher side of the band saw spectrum, even against traditional Pro powerhouses such as DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee. The motor still has to keep that FPM up under load, though, and that’s where we see some of the Pro models outcut Ryobi in tougher and thicker materials.
Even knowing that, we’re very satisfied with the cutting speed we’re getting so far. In cutting 2″ EMT, the blade simply melts through the metal smooth and fast. Even cutting #5 rebar, it does a fine job.
Pro Tip: For the best performance, let the motor keep the FPM up as you cut rather than pushing through and bogging the motor down.
It’s pretty simple to change the blade on the Ryobi 18V One+ cordless band saw and it’s a (mostly) tool-free job. Like most recent cordless saws, start by turning the tension release lever 180º.
Then just work the blade through the rollers and around the pulleys. When you’re taking a blade out, you might need a slotted screwdriver to help work it off around the backside.
Once you have the new blade in place, push the tension lever back to the left, and you’re ready to go.
Safety first: push the switch to the lock position and take the battery out before installing a new blade or making adjustments.
When you’re ready to buy new blades, grab 1/2″ x 32-7/8″.
There are two major adjustments you can make and both require the 2.5mm hex wrench stored just below the battery.
The work stop has two positions you can set it in. It comes in the upper spot, but we like it in the lower position for the types of material we frequently cut.
There are two screws holding it in place. Remove both and shift it to the position you want.
You can also adjust the tracking by turning the set screws on either side of the tension release lever. You need to turn both of them to make the adjustment. Clockwise moves the blade in and counterclockwise moves it out.
The overall design is in line with what we see from Pro-level band saws. It has a pommel over the motor that helps you make a stable, accurate cut. With its position on the guard instead of in line with the trigger, it pretty well guarantees you have to cut right-handed.
Ryobi includes a hang hook. I’m grateful for it, but it’s somewhat limited. It hangs the saw well on 2x material, such as rafters. However, it’s too small to hang on the 2″ EMT we were cutting and it doesn’t hold well on thin materials like ladder rungs or 3/4″ PVC.
Compared to what you see in premium Pro models, the fit and finish aren’t quite as refined even though the P590 shares many of the same design elements. A plastic blade guard instead of metal is one example of the differences you’ll see in this model that’s designed for more occasional use.
You can pick up the Ryobi 18V One+ cordless band saw for $129 as a bare tool with a pair of 18 TPI blades. You can also get it with a 4.0Ah battery and charger for $199. At the time I’m writing this review, the kit is on sale for $179.
It goes without saying that this is a much better price than premium Pro models. When you look around the DIY and Prosumer landscape, Skil, Hart, and Craftsman don’t have a cordless portaband to compare.
If you’re debating between something like this Ryobi cordless portaband or a reciprocating saw, the band saw is definitely faster, has much less vibration, and gives you better accuracy.
Buy it if you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive cordless band saw that does a good job of cutting material up to 2-1/2″. Pass if you’re looking for the design quality of premium models.
Look for the Ryobi P560 at Home Depot.
On the clock, Kenny dives deep to discover the practical limits and comparative differences for all kinds of tools. Off the clock, his faith and love for his family are his top priorities, and you'll typically find him in the kitchen, on his bike (he's an Ironman), or taking folks out for a day of fishing on Tampa Bay.
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Between the M12 subcompact and this ryobi l, for someone who doesn’t have a band saw but would like one available which is a better option. I get the sense that the M12 is a higher quality but how necessary is that quality if i only use it a few times a year?
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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros