models
SKIL 3386-01: Legacy 9-Inch Bandsaw vs BW9501-00
The legacy SKIL 3386-01 is a separate used-machine decision, not a current BW9501-00 offer. Its manual lists a 2.5-amp motor and one 2,800-SFPM speed; its original package included a fence, miter gauge and work light. The current BW9501 instead uses a 2.8-amp two-speed drive and does not list the older fence or light, so shared blade length does not establish parts compatibility.
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No exact offer is retained for this model. The WEN BA3959 below is a different documented 9-inch woodworking saw, included only as a same-class comparison path.
Documented specifications for SKIL 3386-01
| Model | Machine family | Cut height (in) | Throat (in) | Blade length (in) | Blade width range (in) | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKIL 3386-01 | Compact woodworking | 3.5 | 9 | 59.5 | 0.125–0.375 | No exact offer matched |
- Table dimensions
- 11.75 × 12 in
- Machine weight
- Not confirmed lb
- Blade speed
- 2800 FPM
Legacy model coverage.
Manual blade range: 59-1/4 to 59-1/2 inches.
The legacy package lists a fence, miter gauge and work light; do not transfer those parts to BW9501-00.
Manufacturer-authored manual/catalog hosted by distributors; no verified net weight recorded.
Identify the older design first
The manufacturer’s January 2013 operating instructions cover model 3386, while SKIL’s catalog identifies the retail package as 3386-01. The manual gives a 2.5-amp rating, 9-inch throat and 3-1/2-inch cutting capacity at one listed 2,800-SFPM speed. The current BW9501-00 is 2.8 amps with 1,700- and 2,500-FPM settings, so a review or part labeled only SKIL 9-inch remains ambiguous.
A seller who calls the machine a SKIL nine-inch saw has not provided enough information for a parts order. Obtain a legible label photograph and compare the controls and supplied items with the correct manual. If the listing includes several documents, make sure none belongs to a different tool. A familiar brand is helpful context, but the exact designation is the useful ownership detail.
Keep the blade range straight
The manual lists lengths from 59-1/4 to 59-1/2 inches and widths from 1/8 to 3/8 inch. This guide records 59-1/2 inches as the nominal length while retaining the permitted range in the notes. A shared nominal blade length with another saw does not establish compatibility for fences, tires, motors or guide assemblies.
For a used purchase, examine the included consumables as separate items. An assortment can contain worn, wrong-size or unsuitable blades. Plan the initial project first, then identify a compatible blade intended for wood and that style of cut. Buying every accessory mentioned by a seller is unnecessary if the core machine is incomplete or your normal work exceeds its capacity.
Completeness matters more than cosmetic condition
The original package documentation includes a fence, miter gauge and work light, and the manual lists an 11-3/4 by 12-inch table. Verify what is actually present on the example you are considering. A missing accessory affects usefulness differently from a damaged table support or absent guard; do not combine all missing items into a vague needs-work description.
Ask specifically about the condition of the switch, covers, table insert, blade guides and adjustment hardware. Where a defect exists, find out whether the exact replacement is obtainable before committing to the machine. A clean housing does not prove correct tracking, and a noisy demonstration should not be dismissed merely because the machine is old. Use the manufacturer’s inspection and operating precautions.
A realistic role in a small woodshop
My assessment is that an intact 3386-01 can make sense for small exterior patterns, modest curved parts and other jobs that remain well inside the opening. It is not a way to obtain large resaw capacity cheaply. The most useful buying question is whether its likely projects are small enough that its compactness remains an advantage after the initial excitement.
If you already own one, describe the specific reason for upgrading. A sharper compatible blade and corrected setup may address a cutting problem, whereas insufficient height requires a different machine or a different way to prepare the stock. Replacing it with another saw in the same capacity class should have a concrete benefit, such as a needed operating feature or better fit in your workstation.
Avoid inheriting someone else’s unsupported modifications
An older saw may have homemade controls, missing covers or improvised parts. Evaluate those against the original documentation, and seek qualified service where repair exceeds the manual’s maintenance scope. Do not operate an altered machine merely to discover whether it works. A used-tool bargain has little meaning until the equipment can be used in its intended configuration.
Preserve the correct manual and model information after purchase. Make a short record of blade dimensions and any confirmed replacement part numbers. That record is particularly valuable for a legacy model because generic online compatibility lists often group superficially similar saws. This guide stays with woodworking applications and does not approve metal cutting based on seller descriptions or fine-tooth blades.
Questions about SKIL 3386-01: Legacy 9-Inch Bandsaw vs BW9501-00
Is 3386-01 the same saw as BW9501-00?
No. They are separate model families; the older 3386 manual lists one 2,800-SFPM speed.
What nominal blade length should I search for?
59-1/2 inches, while checking the manual’s 59-1/4 to 59-1/2-inch permitted range and 1/8 to 3/8-inch widths.
Should I buy one with missing guards?
Resolve missing safety components and exact replacement availability first. Do not operate it incomplete to evaluate the purchase.
