A stained glass saw can save you time and expand an artist’s capabilities. If you want to improve those hard cuts and want to add a glass saw to your collection of stained glass tools here are a few options to consider. The best stained glass saw out there is the Taurus 3 Diamond Ring Saw and it is used by many glass artists but take look at our full guide to really understand your specific needs.

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If you love working with glass-like myself, then you understand that it is more than just a job or a hobby. It’s an intricate art form that requires incredible precision, attention to detail, and hard work. Whether you are soldering pieces of glass for a panel, or grinding intricate glass pieces for a stained glass masterpiece, the most important thing you can invest in is your equipment. It can mean the difference between a high-quality cut and a poor one that leads to breakage.

In order to create the best cuts possible, there are two pieces of equipment that professionals and hobbyists use most: stained glass saws and handheld glass cutters. Both of these tools can be used to add a professional touch to your work, and in some cases allow for cuts to be made that otherwise might not be possible.

Take a look at the following guide, complete with reviews, which we have put together for stained glass saws. I hope it helps you in your search!


How To Choose: A Guide to Glass Saws

 
Glass ring saws feature a table-like surface with a saw blade, also called a “ring”, placed in the table’s center. They are ideal for cutting thicker pieces of glass that need to be shaped into panels, such as stained glass or sheet glass. There is also a bandsaw style for glass cutting. If you are interested in buying a stained glass saw, then there are a number of things that you will want to consider including your budget, how often you plan on using your saw, and many other factors including whether a glass ring saw or glass bandsaw would be best.

In this guide, I am going to run you through the process I use to pick out the best glass saw for my needs. Before purchasing a stained glass saw, I’ve always found it helpful to list out the most important factors to take into consideration.

  • BUDGET
  • SAW TYPE
  • BLADE TYPE
  • ADDITIONAL FEATURES

BUDGET

Stained glass saws are available at many different price points. They can range from $150 to over $1,000. The lower end saws are usually in the $150 – $250 range and will often feature lower quality materials. Personally, I don’t recommend lower-cost stained glass cutters because they do not always make smooth cuts and can sometimes chip the glass you are working on. If you are a beginning glass cutter, or cut glass sporadically as a hobby, these can be a great affordable option.

Saws in the $300 – $600 range are ideal for more serious glass cutters, including those who cut glass on a professional level. These saws feature higher-quality blades, higher quality cuts, and incredible blade support. These factors are important to ensure precise cuts and are essential features for any professional.

The stained glass saws for sale above $600 offer rock-solid features and capabilities. These are ideal for professionals who need to be able to cut through just about any piece of glass. These higher-end stained glass saws often feature diamond coated steel blades, replacements, and the ability to cut through extremely thick glass.

SAW TYPE

There are two different types of saws used in glass work and it is important to distinguish which type would work best for your purpose.

Glass Ring Saws are named for the type of bladed it uses. The blade is a circle and round in shape providing a 360-degree cutting surface. This allows for cuts in virtually any direction making it a very versatile and useful stained glass tool.

Glass Bandsaws are very much like the ones used in woodwork. The main difference being the blade which is one suited for cutting glass. This type of saw excels at cutting thicker pieces of glass and unlike the ring saw, it only cuts in a forward motion only capable of turns that are wide and sweeping. A benefit of the bandsaw is the ability to also cut wood and other materials by a quick change of blades.

BLADE TYPES

If you are looking at purchasing a stained glass saw, you will also want to consider the types of blades that come with it. Different blades specialize in cutting different types of glass, and also have different uses.

  • Diamond Coated Blades: These are some of the most common blades you will come across and are found on BANDSAW style glass saws. They can be found in both mid-priced and the most expensive stained glass saws. These blades are extremely strong and have the ability to cut through glass safely and smoothly. They are also your best bet for cutting thicker pieces of glass for heavier duty projects.
  • Wood Blades: These are much less common and are primarily used for cutting materials without the use of water or oil.
  • Round Blades: These blades are found on RING SAW style glass saws. They are useful for artisans who want complete control and versatility while using a stained glass saw. Round blades allow you to begin the cut from any angle including forward, backward, and sideways. This ensures incredible precision for even the most difficult cuts.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

There are many additional features you will want to consider when looking for a stained glass saw. They include the following:

  • Work Surface: This is the surface on which you will place glass to be cut.
  • Throat Depth: This is the depth at which the saw can cut into the material.
  • Motor Power: The power of the motor will determine how well the will handle thicker pieces of glass.
  • Accessories: These may include a face shield, stabilizer foot, extra blades, spotlight and more.

 

The Best Stained Glass Saws – Top 3 Reviews

 

Taurus 3 Diamond Ring Saw Review

best stained glass taurus 3 ring saw

“Best Stained Glass Ring Saw For Professionals”

The Taurus 3 Ring Saw is an extremely popular model for a number of reasons. For starters, it is practical because the saw portion can be removed from the rest of the unit and used as a separate hand saw. This glass saw also features a quiet 1/5 horsepower motor and long-lasting parts.

The Taurus 3 also offers glass cutters an impressively large 17 ¾” x 16” surface and a 5 5/8” throat depth. These features will allow you to cut large pieces of glass with ease. The Taurus 3 Ring Saw is also useful for cutting thick glass, tile, bronze, brass, silver, stainless steel, copper, plastics and more thanks to a strong diamond-coated ring blade. Additional features include a spotlight for improving accuracy by reducing shadows, an optional face shield, a stabilizer foot, and even an instructional DVD.

Overall, the Taurus 3 Ring Saw is an incredible piece of machinery that offers some of the best features you could hope for right out of the box. If if you are looking for a quality stained glass saw, this should be a strong contender.


 

Omni-2 Plus Wire Saw Review

best hobbyist stained glass ring saw

“Best Stained Glass Saw for Power and Durability”

The Omni-2 Plus Wire Saw features a unique round diamond blade that allows you to make cuts from any direction. This is ideal for artisans who want incredible control over their work, as well as for those who make difficult cuts on a regular basis. The blade is also remarkably thin, with a .063” diameter that offers even more flexibility and intricacy when making cuts.

Other benefits to the Omni-2 Plus include its large 12” x 12” surface, a spotlight to highlight your work area and a powerful ¼ horsepower motor. It also features a convenient automatic pump that continuously cools the saw so that you can make precise cuts without worrying about your blade’s temperature.

If you are a professional looking for a durable stained glass saw that provides incredible functionality, then the Omni-2 Plus Wire Saw is your machine. Its convenient features and advanced blades will make it worth your while.


 

Studio Pro Precision 2000 Deluxe Glass Bandsaw Review

stained glass ring saw alternative

“Best Glass Saw For Versatility”

The Studio Pro Precision 2000 Deluxe Band Saw is specially designed for the all-purpose worker. It is capable of cutting many materials including glass, wood, metal, plastic, and others. This particular glass saw also comes with an adjustable blade arm that allows you to work with materials of varying thickness.

This diverse glass saw features two unique blades. The first is a Studio Pro Diamond Blade, which is incredibly strong and is especially useful for wet cuts. The other is a Studio Pro Wood Blade that is designed for dry cuts, such as wood.

This is a relatively small glass saw, which makes it perfect for hobbyists or those with limited space. It is also extremely easy to use, features rust-free aluminum materials, and includes a nice three-year warranty.


 
I hope you found the list and guide useful. Be sure and let us know what your experience has been with any of these or any other model you have tried!