The number of people interested in and taking up stained glass has increased in the last few years. As a result, more and more enthusiasts have taken up the hobby of stained glass. But you need the best of the best tools to practice this art form.
A saw is one such piece of equipment that you require. But how do you decide which stained glass saw is ideal for you? Our article on Best Stained Glass Saw in 2022 will help you. We have also mentioned what we like and don’t like about each product to help you swiftly make a decision.
People can see Stained glass artwork in historical monuments, churches, and mosques. They welcome you with their boasting glory and grandeur. It comes in different colors, shapes, and forms to take you by astonishment.
Quick Summary
Editor’s Choice: Gemini Taurus 3 Diamond Ring Saw
“Top-most recommended. Inbuilt water reservoir. Easy to use.”
Best Value: Gryphon Omni-2 Plus Wire Saw
“Gives a professional finish. Excellent features. Durable with low maintenance costs.”
Upgraded Design: Gryphon Zephyr Ring Saw
“Slender design. Large surface area. Delivers robust performance”
Medium-end Product: Gryphon C-40 Band Saw
“ Smooth, efficient, and durable. Affordable. Allows excellent control”
Honorable Mention: Inland Craft DB-100 Tabletop Band Saw Machine
“Smooth operating, high-speed saw. Ensures durability and better strength.”
Best Stained Glass Saw in 2022
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1- Gemini Taurus 3 Diamond Ring Saw
Best PickStained glass requires intricacy and precision, thanks to Gemini Taurus 3 Diamond Ring Saw, which delivers just that! It is one of the top-most recommended saws by stained glass experts as it offers nothing but the best.
It is a powerful tool that offers a surface area big enough for large pieces of glass. This spacious surface makes cutting through thick glass pieces a work of ease. It is also versatile as the saw unit can be detached from the base and function even as a hand saw.
The saw employs a rotating circular blade that allows cutting in all directions, making it efficient for precision in small pieces.
It also has an in-built spotlight that enhances visibility to deliver intricate, top-notch performance. The design of this saw is advanced and handy, which makes it easy to use.
Gemini Taurus 3 Diamond Ring Saw has a powerful and quiet motor, which will impress you and motivate you to work harder. It also comes along with a removable face shield and stabilizer foot.
The average rating of this saw on Amazon is 4.8 stars out of 5 stars, along with some great reviews from verified buyers.
Reasons to Buy
- It is powerful enough to cut through all material and does not make much noise. Additionally, the inbuilt water reservoir ensures there is no wastage.
Reasons to Avoid
- The blade’s spinning results in a splashback of water on the face shield. Also, this saw can be a little challenging for beginners to get familiar with using the product.
Our take on the product: It is affordable, versatile, and quiet. A detachable saw makes it an excellent choice. It will widen the horizon of your imagination and improve your skills significantly. The pros heavily outweigh the cons making this an excellent choice.
2- Gryphon Zephyr Ring Saw
If you are looking for a saw with all the bells and whistles that make it desirable, look no more, the Gryphon Zephyr Ring Saw has everything you need.
The rotating round saw allows you to cut through in any direction without a lot of effort to give you precisely the shape you’ve meant to make.
Its slender design makes it easy to use and is aesthetically appealing. It also operates without making loud noise and is easy to maintain. In addition, this saw has a smooth operation that makes stained glass fun.
The large surface area of the saw enables more freedom and room to work. Zephyr means soft breeze, and that is what working with this saw is exactly like a gentle breeze.
Slender overhead support for the blade allows you to have a clear vision of the material. In addition, most parts are shielded to protect the components from glass dust, making the saw durable.
As the Gemini Taurus saw, this too is detachable and can be used as a hand saw, making it versatile. In addition, the built-in water reservoir makes it even more efficient. The average rating of this saw on Amazon is 4.4 stars out of 5 stars.
Reasons to Buy
- This saw is easy to use and offers an expansive workspace to cut through large pieces. In addition, it has a quiet motor which allows users to work without any disruptions.
Reasons to Avoid
- It does not have a light to increase visibility, making it challenging to work on small intricate patterns. Also, the cooling system for the blade is absent.
Our take on the product: This is a handy and affordable saw which features high-quality material to make it lasting. It delivers robust performance with a great working experience to let you work like a pro!
3- Gryphon C-40 Band Saw
This saw is ideal for stained glass lovers who want a fantastic result on their glass sheets. It is guaranteed to give you excellent performance. Smooth, efficient and durable are synonyms for this saw, making it a popular choice among the stained glass community.
The blade of the Gryphon C-40 Band saw is stainless steel which offers a spacious work surface area that gives you extensive control over the saw. It has a thoughtful design with an inbuilt water recycling tank that eliminates waste and is easy to use.
It has a diamond saw with a minimal kerf that allows you to work on intricate patterns with utmost efficiency. In addition, the band saw moves and will enable you to cut only in one direction with high-speed operation.
This saw is affordable and has an overall rating of 4.2 stars out of 5 stars on Amazon. It cuts through quickly and is easily adjustable. It can easily cut through stone, tile, and ceramic, but more rigid materials will wear the blade faster.
Reasons to Buy
- It is fast and operates smoothly. If cut smoothly, it eliminates the use of a grinder. Unlike most saws, emptying the water tank is easy given its support pillar. This saw allows excellent control which enables you to cut the desired shape flexibly.
Reasons to Avoid
- Most reviews suggest that it is noisy, which can be disturbing for users. It only cuts in one direction, making it a little challenging to work on advanced, intricate designs. The blades wear faster, and it is advised to buy replacement blades.
Our take on the product: If you’re looking for a saw to work on stained glass with basic designs, this is ideal for you, as the saw is not durable for heavy work. If a band saw meets all your requirements, Gryphon C-40 Band saw is the best choice for you.
4- Inland Craft DB-100 Tabletop Band Saw Machine
Stained glass artists looking for a smooth operating, high-speed saw have to look no further, as the Inland Saw is at your rescue. Most stained glass lovers choose this because it is reliable and has excellent features.
The saw body is made of lightweight plastic, which makes it portable and free from rust. Its permanent magnet DC motor has variable speeds of 800rpm to 3400rpm, making it ideal for stained glass lovers.
It also features a large surface area for work that is resistant to corrosion and allows large pieces of glass to be cut. The coolant system of the saw ensures a continuous flow of clean water to the blade. This keeps it lubricated to deliver smooth performance.
The water control valve allows you to control the flow of the water quickly. In addition, structural grade thermoplastic that makes up the water reservoir ensures durability and better strength.
It has an average of 3.9 stars out of 5 stars rating on Amazon. Additionally, this saw has a one-year manufacturer warranty, making it reliable during times of need.
Reasons to Buy
- It comes with three different band blades to suit your projects. In addition, the motor of the saw is powerful and quiet, allowing you to work without interruptions.
Reasons to Avoid
- The band saw moves only in one direction and may not be appropriate for all stained glass projects. Also, it can be a little challenging to get familiar with using this saw.
Our take on the product: The saw is suitable for hobbyists and enthusiasts working on basic patterns and designs. The band saw can restrict movements to work on special projects. In addition, this saw employs high-quality materials and is durable.
5- Gryphon Omni-2 Plus Wire Saw
Most stained glass experts recommend this saw as it has a list of excellent features that make it desirable. It has a smooth operation which gives a professional finish to all your cuts. This stained glass saw is affordable and is easy to use.
It offers a vast workspace to deliver flawless performance with its round diamond studded blade. The wire saw cuts in all directions, which makes it ideal for intricate patterns and designs.
Powerful motors of the saw allow the blade to cut through thick pieces making sawing a jolly good experience. It features six different blades to suit your stained glass needs.
Its advanced cooling technology enables you to work for a longer duration without having to let the saw cool down frequently. In addition, it has a unique design which makes this Gryphon Wire Saw handy.
The inbuilt spotlight of the saw enhances visibility allowing you to focus on your project without any troubles. This saw is also built with superior quality materials that make it durable with low maintenance costs.
The Gryphon Saw has an overall rating of 3.8 stars out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Reasons to Buy
- The spotlight is an impressive feature combined with cooling technology. In addition, the unit is durable with low maintenance costs. The diamond-studded blade lets you cut through thick glass sheets with great ease.
Reasons to Avoid
- Compared to other saws, this is heavy, which makes it difficult to carry around. In addition, the blades are fragile and get easily broken. A few complaints also suggest that the water pump is too high which makes it difficult to see your cutting area.
Our take on the product: It is a powerful and versatile saw which delivers excellent performance with precision and intricacy. This saw has all the features that make it ideal for stained glass artists. If you’re looking for a wire saw, Gryphon Omni-2 Plus Wire Saw is the perfect choice for you.
Stained Glass Saw Buying Guide
Budget:
Make important decisions about the budget before purchasing a saw. Fixing a budget will ensure you don’t burn a hole in your pocket.
High-end units are safer and offer better features. Ensure that you research all the available products in your price range and choose the one that makes the most sense to you. High-end products do not always guarantee better performance. Sometimes, a decently priced saw can also do the trick.
You do not have to stretch your pocket to buy a stained glass saw. Most saws are priced between $200 to $400.
Type of Stained Glass Saw:
Based on the needs of your projects, choose the type of saw that is most suitable for you. The different types of saws are-
Ring saw: This type of saw spins and cuts in all directions allowing it to work on intricate designs. The rings are made of robust and durable steel.
Band saw: it uses a flat blade that cuts in one direction, which does not make sharp turns limiting its movement. However, it is more affordable than a ring saw.
Wire saw: It is similar to a ring saw but has a straight blade that moves up and down. As a result, it can cut in all directions, making it suitable for delicate work.
Analyse which type of saw will be the most useful for you and make a decision accordingly. All of these are suitable for different purposes, so make sure you know what your project demands.
Blade Material:
The material of the blade affects the operational efficiency of the saw. The material of the blade can be-
Steel blades: Steel blades offer clean and precise cuts. However, they are fragile and wear off quickly.
Diamond-coated blades offer a clean, smooth finish and are much durable compared to steel blades.
Size and Working Surface
Although a small saw would be easy to store, it runs the risk of cutting your finger. A saw that offers a large working surface is usually bigger. Nevertheless, it is recommended because it helps cut through large pieces of glass as per your requirement.
A large surface area also facilitates freedom in movement as there is more space and air for you to work. You may need to move the glass piece while working and it becomes easy when the surface area of the saw is wide.
Is it also important to check how much a saw weighs because a heavy saw is not easily portable, whereas a lightweight saw is portable and can easily be managed.
Cooling:
Wet saws are preferred for cutting through the glass as it is essential to keep both the glass and the saw cool.
Wet saws use water for cooling, which prevents the glass from breaking. Therefore, it is better to buy a saw with a water reservoir that keeps recycling the water and provides clean water instead of buying a saw that needs constant refilling.
Accessories:
It is also wise to purchase the saw that comes with a few essential accessories for you to work, like additional blades and safety gear.
Instead of spending on these items additionally, it becomes more accessible when the saw offers the accessories. Of course, these saws can be a little expensive, but you will still incur fewer costs than buying a saw and accessories separately.
Having an inbuilt spotlight is also helpful because it helps increase visibility to deliver accurate cuts on glass sheets.
Noise:
A few saws can produce a lot of noise which makes working and concentrating difficult. It is advised to look for machines that emit less noise to help you focus on work without facing any disruptions.
However, for loud noise-making machines, using earplugs might help. The noise depends on the functioning of the motor.
Throat Height:
This measure determines the maximum height of the object that can be cut through the saw.
For stained glass, you must ensure that the throat height of the saw is greater than that of your glass sheets. If you plan to cut multiple sheets of glass together, see to it that the throat height is suitable to do so.
Conclusion
A good tool can make all the difference in the field of stained glass. The right set of tools can lead to professional-looking, magnificent stained glass masterpieces. When you combine your efforts with superior quality tools, the result will surely surprise you.
Using a saw can be dangerous, which is why it is essential that you know how to use it. Wearing protective gear is a necessity to save you from injuring yourself. You must make safety your priority and engage in cutting activity with utmost care and precautions. It is also important to wear a face mask to avoid inhaling the dust residue from cutting the glass.
We recommend the Gemini Taurus 3 Diamond Ring Saw and Gryphon Omni-2 Plus Wire Saw as they have the edge over other products owing to their quality and design. They both offer superior performance and are durable.
Out of the many available stained glass saws, it becomes daunting to choose the one that is right for you. However, we hope our list of the Best Stained Glass Saws in 2021 helped you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1- Can stained glass saws cut complex shapes?
Specific shapes can not be cut out by hand. Instead, they require machinery, and a stained glass saw can help you achieve the shape you desire.
When you want multiple pieces of glass with the shape and size, you can stack them together and cut them with the right saw to give you consistent results.
2- Do the saws require connection to the water source?
The stained glass saws do not require a connection to the water source as they have water tanks attached to their base.
Once you fill water in it, you do not need to worry about keeping the saw wet, as the water circulates and keeps it lubricated. However, It is advised not to drain the water in your sink because the glass residue can damage the plumbing of your homes.
3- How to treat the blades
The blades must be treated carefully to ensure that you do not have to replace them often. Blades are expensive, and regularly replacing them can be heavy on your pockets.
You must cut through glass slowly to ensure that the blades do not get blunt or broken. Purchasing a saw that provides multiple blades is a safe option. You must not apply excessive pressure as it damages the blade.
The type of material you’re trying to cut also affects the durability of the saw. Most blades do not work on rough surfaces, and trying to cut through harsh surfaces can damage the blades, making them unfit for future use.
4- How do you know the blade is dull?
With frequent use, the blades of your saw are bound to wear off. There are several signs that point out that the blade has become dull.
If the saw heavily vibrates when you turn it out, it means the blade has worn up. Such blades take longer to cut and make unpleasant, harsh noise. It is also visible as the blades get damaged physically.
5- How much does a wet saw cost?
A wet saw generally costs $200-$400 depending upon the features and characteristics it offers. A few saws cost higher as they provide additional accessories like protective gear, which would otherwise be an additional dost.
However, sophisticated saws can cost $500. But they also function better and employ superior quality material that makes them durable and efficient.