models
SKIL BW9501-00: Current 9-Inch Bandsaw vs 3386-01
The current SKIL BW9501-00 is not a renamed 3386-01. Both are compact nine-inch woodworking saws with a nominal 59-1/2-inch blade system and 3-1/2-inch opening, but the BW9501 adds two speeds and quick tension while its listed package omits the older model’s fence and work light. Use the exact plate and manual before transferring parts or setup advice.
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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 BW9501-00
| Model | Machine family | Cut height (in) | Throat (in) | Blade length (in) | Blade width range (in) | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKIL BW9501-00 | Compact woodworking | 3.5 | 9 | 59.5 | 0.125–0.375 | No exact offer matched |
- Table dimensions
- 12.25 × 12 in
- Machine weight
- Not confirmed lb
- Blade speed
- 1700 / 2500 FPM
Blade length range in manual is 59-1/4 to 59-1/2 inches; nominal record is 59-1/2.
Manual table dimension differs from product-page 11-4/5-inch square figure.
Current included-items list names a miter gauge, tools and blade but not the legacy model's fence or work light.
No verified net weight recorded.
Two speeds within a small opening
The manual specifies 1,700 and 2,500 FPM, a 9-inch throat and 3-1/2-inch maximum cutting height. SKIL describes the higher setting as generally suitable for softwoods and the lower for hardwoods, with scrap testing to choose the setting. This guidance concerns woodworking; it is not approval for cutting metal.
My assessment is that the speed choice is most relevant when your projects vary in wood type while remaining small. It does not substitute for vertical capacity. If the intended board must stand five inches high, neither pulley position solves the fit. Decide on workpiece dimensions first and treat drive flexibility as a secondary benefit within a suitable size class.
Know the blade dimensions before buying a set
The manual permits blade lengths from 59-1/4 to 59-1/2 inches and widths from 1/8 to 3/8 inch; the product listing uses the nominal 59-1/2-inch designation. Both the length and width must be compatible. A product advertised only as fitting a nine-inch band saw is not specific enough.
Choose a small initial blade inventory around your actual patterns. If most work is decorative curves, begin by reviewing the tightest radius in those patterns. If you intend straight cuts, think about stock thickness and the woodcutting tooth configuration instead of assuming the narrowest blade does everything. Label stored blades with their dimensions so later changes do not become a guessing exercise.
The accessory list deserves a close read
SKIL’s current BW9501-00 page lists the saw, miter gauge, two hex wrenches, one wrench and one blade; it does not list a rip fence or work light. The machine has a 2-1/2-inch dust connection, tracking window and quick blade-tension control. By contrast, the legacy 3386-01 catalog lists a fence, miter gauge and work light. Package history is not evidence that the old accessories fit the current saw.
If straight ripping is central, resolve the current fence arrangement before choosing this package. A miter gauge guides a different operation and is not a substitute. If curves are the main job, the missing fence may matter less than the BW9501’s two-speed routine and guide access. In either case, compare the exact delivered bundle rather than a photo or older review.
Why this guide uses the manual’s table measurement
The current product page gives an 11-4/5-inch square table, while the owner’s manual specifies 12-1/4 by 12 inches. The specification record follows the model-specific manual and flags the conflict. Weight is left unfilled here because a verified manufacturer net-weight figure was not established in the sources used.
For ordinary project comparison, a small table measurement difference may not matter. For a fitted cabinet, auxiliary support or tight storage opening, it does. Verify the critical measurement on the actual saw or with SKIL before building around it. It is better to leave a nonessential data field unknown than substitute a shipping weight or copy a nearby model’s figure.
A compact workstation that stays usable
Plan enough room to change blades, reach the lower guides and attach the hose without straining it. Include the width of the workpiece as it turns, not only the footprint of the base. A compact saw can still require a surprisingly open patch of bench when the pattern is broad.
For a first project, follow the manual’s assembly and adjustment sequence, then try representative scrap before committing finished material. Keep a record of blade and speed choice so a useful result can be repeated. If cuts are unsatisfactory, distinguish a blade-selection issue from support or adjustment. The strongest case for BW9501-00 is a small woodworking station with varied suitable projects and a clear plan for the accessories those projects need.
Questions about SKIL BW9501-00: Current 9-Inch Bandsaw vs 3386-01
What are the BW9501-00 blade speeds?
The owner’s manual specifies 1,700 and 2,500 feet per minute.
Is a rip fence included?
A rip fence is not in the manufacturer’s listed included package. Confirm any separate bundle before purchasing.
Which table size does this guide use?
The manual’s 12-1/4 by 12 inches, with the different product-page figure explicitly noted.
