What Size Generator Do You Need to Run a Chop Saw and Band Saw?
By the Generator Size Calculator Team · Updated · 5 min read
Quick answer: Honda lists a worm drive saw, which it labels a chop saw, at 1,800 running and 2,600 starting watts and a band saw at 1,100 and 1,400. A 2,500-watt generator runs either one alone, and a 3,000-watt generator adds lights and a radio. Check your own saw's label, since a miter or abrasive chop saw may differ from Honda's worm drive figure.
Chop saw and band saw watts
| Saw | Running watts | Starting watts | Extra start-up surge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worm drive saw (chop saw) | 1,800 | 2,600 | 800 |
| Band saw | 1,100 | 1,400 | 300 |
These are Honda's typical figures. Saws vary by blade size and motor, so your label or a plug-in watt meter is the best check. A bigger circular saw or a table saw is covered in circular saw and table saw guides.
Which generator size to choose
| Saw | Generator for the saw alone |
|---|---|
| Band saw (1,100 / 1,400 W) | 2,500 W |
| Worm drive chop saw (1,800 / 2,600 W) | 2,500 W (3,000 W for margin) |
Sizes keep the running load under 80% of the rating and assume a starting capacity about 25% above it. A 1,100-watt band saw needs at least 1,375 watts of rating, which a typical 2,000-watt inverter's 80% mark (about 1,280 watts) does not quite cover, so 2,500 watts is the safer size. A 2,500-watt generator gives an 80% mark of 2,000 watts and about 3,125 starting watts, which covers the chop saw's 1,800 and 2,600.
Example: chop saw, lights and a radio
| Load | Running watts |
|---|---|
| Worm drive chop saw | 1,800 |
| Work lights | 200 |
| Radio | 100 |
| Running total | 2,100 |
The saw's extra start-up load is 800 watts, so the peak is about 2,900 watts. A 3,000-watt generator carries 2,100 running watts under its 80% mark (2,400 watts), and its approximate 3,750-watt starting capacity covers the peak. The lights and radio are example values.
List the saw, lights and anything else.
Tips for a clean start
- Start the saw clear of the work, with nothing else running, then bring the blade in.
- Use a short, heavy cord. See the extension cord calculator.
- One tool at a time. Most job sites do not run two saws together.
Run the generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents. Never in a garage or shed, even with the door open. See how far a generator should be from your house.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a chop saw use?
Honda lists a worm drive saw, which it labels a chop saw, at 1,800 running and 2,600 starting watts. Check the label on yours.
How many watts does a band saw use?
Honda lists a band saw at about 1,100 running and 1,400 starting watts.
Can a 2000-watt generator run a chop saw?
Not reliably. At 1,800 running watts it is above the roughly 1,280-watt 80% mark of a typical 2,000-watt inverter.
What size generator runs a saw and lights?
About 3,000 watts for a chop saw, work lights and a radio.
Is a miter saw the same?
Not necessarily. Honda's figure is for a worm drive saw, so check your miter or abrasive saw's label.
Related calculators
Sources: Running and starting watts from the Honda generator wattage guide (worm drive saw, band saw). Generator sizes apply the 80% running rule and an assumed starting capacity about 25% above the running rating. The lights and radio in the example are assumed values.