Bandsaw blades are essential tools in the woodworking and metalworking industry. They cut thick timber, resaw boards, plastics, rubber, and metals of varying shapes and sizes.
The output of your cutting depends on the type of blade used in your bandsaw. There are many different types of bandsaw blades on the market which makes choosing the right one confusing.
Although most blades are versatile, they come with varying features that might need extensive knowledge to pick the right one. In this article, we explore some of the best bandsaw blades, depending on your needs.
Comparison of the Best Bandsaw Blades
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How to Choose a Bandsaw Blade
Since there is no perfect bandsaw blade for any application, some knowledge on what to look out for in a bandsaw blade will draw you close to finding what fits your bandsaw machine and cutting needs. Here is a highlight of some of the features to keep an eye on.
- Blade tooth orientation
- Saw blade material
- Blade teeth count
- Blade thickness
- Blade length and width
Why Are These Features Important?
Here is why each of these is a vital consideration:
Blade Tooth Orientation
Bandsaw blades have varied inclinations suited for different cutting needs.
Raker Tooth
This teeth setting has one tooth pointing to the left while the other points to the right and followed by a straight tooth. This type of teeth is ideal for smooth joints and rounded parts.
Alternate Teeth
Just as the name suggests, this setting has alternating teeth left right, left right without a raker in between.
Wavy Tooth
This type has teeth set left and right and in between is a raker. It is suitable for cutting thin materials.
Saw Blade Material
The common two materials used in bandsaw blades are bi-metal and carbon. Bimetal bandsaw blades are ideal in cutting alloy steels, non-ferrous material, aluminum stainless steel, and carbon steels.
Carbon bandsaw blades on the other hand are best suited for cutting brass, graphite, bronze, aluminum, and carbon.
Blade Teeth Count
Measured in TPI, which denotes-number of teeth per inch, many teeth in a blade mean a smoother cut with a flawless finish. More teeth, however, take longer in cutting, and such teeth setting may be prone to faster dulling than low TPI blades.
A two or three TPI blade is sufficient for cutting thicker material whereas more complicated cutting may require at least a TPI of 14. For all-rounded sawing purposes, a blade with 6 to 8 TPI is fine.
Blade Thickness
A blade that heats and flexes continually can be tiring and hurts your cutting. An appropriate blade thickness is a top consideration if you do a lot of straight cuts. For thinner and more precise work, a thinner blade is ideal.
Blade Length
The proper functionality of a bandsaw blade is directly proportional to the right blade length. Although some bandsaws allow up to a 2-inch margin error, the more accurate the blade length is, the better.
To determine the appropriate blade length for your blade, refer to your manual or use the formula: (2 x A) + (3.14 x B), the distance between the bandsaw wheel center and the upper wheel midway is A (inches) while B is the bandsaw wheel’s diameter.
Blade Width
Based on the type of cutting you want to do, using the appropriate blade width is very essential. A wider blade is appropriate for straight cuts, thicker wood pieces, or other materials and larger cuts. For a curved and more accurate cut, a thinner blade does the magic.
Review of the Best Bandsaw Blades
Here is a review of some of the best blades available on the market today, including the features of a bandsaw blade and their significance.
Best Overall:
POWERTEC 13183X
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 0.1 Pounds
Tooth Type: Regular
Dimensions: 7.75 x 7.75 x 0.5 inches
Build Material: Carbon steel
Review
Built from high-grade carbon and with high-speed performance, you can use a POWERTEC 13183X in heavy-duty production in a busy workshop. At 0.025 inches, the blades are thick enough to give straight cuts on any material.
The blades come in packs of three and work with other popular bandsaw brands, such as Skil, Ryobi, Wen, and Craftsman, among others, which may, however, not be the best blade in case you’ll cut delicate or irregular shapes.
Bottom Line
POWERTEC 13183X is a versatile blade that will cut both wood and metal materials. At 14 TPI, this is considered a standard blade suitable for commercial and heavy-duty production or home workshops. A pack of three blades keeps you safe in case one blade breaks in the course of duty. You may, however, need to get a thinner blade for resawing and contour cutting.
Runner-up:
DEWALT DW3986C
PROS
CONS
Specs:
Weight: 5.60856 ounces
Tooth Type: Variable
Dimensions: 14 x 0.63 x 5.25 inches
Build Material: Cobalt
Review
Coming from a trusted brand, DEWALT DW3986C can be counted on for durability and versatility since it will work for both your woodworking and metalworking needs.
This blade will cut at high speeds, which makes it suitable for heavy-duty production. The blade is also very compatible with most bandsaw brands.
Bottom Line
DEWALT DW3986C is a multi-purpose bandsaw blade suitable for cutting thick, medium, and thin metals and also for all woodworking needs. The blade is made to last long and will stand for long hours of use without heating up.
The major downside to this blade is quick dulling, which might also depend on usage frequency.
Best for the Money:
Milwaukee 48390511
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 0.54 Pounds
Tooth Type: Raker
Dimensions: 36 x 8x 1/2 inches
Build Material: Cobalt
Review
Milwaukee 48390511 is a super tough blade that will require less frequent changing due to dulling or breakage. The blade cuts fast and is ideal for cutting soft materials such as aluminum, bronze, angle iron, and tough materials such as tungsten steel and chrome.
However, the blade is 0.0020 inches thick and may not be the best for straight cuts compared to other thicker blade options in this review.
Bottom Line
Milwaukee 48390511 is a highly versatile blade type that will suit most of your cutting needs, from woodworking to tough and mild metals. The raker teeth will cut huge beams in less time and will not dull or break easily.
Best Band Saw Blade For Metal:
Lenox - 80162D2B51640
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 0.8 Pounds
Tooth Type: Regular
Dimensions: 7.35 x 6.95 x 1.25 inches
Build Material: Bimetal
Review
The Lenox - 80162D2B51640 has a variable teeth design, varied raker, and a positive rake angle suitable for contoured cutting and cutting other non-ferrous materials. The variable tooth design has wider gullets for faster cutting and easy removal of debris from the kerf.
The teeth are made of M-24 high-speed steel, making it both wear and heat resistant.
The teeth design is highly versatile and will cut in both straight and irregular shapes. The blade's variable pitch has low vibration and noise levels.
Bottom Line
Durable build bi-metal construction, varied teeth profile, high versatility capable of both irregular and straight cuts makes Lenox - 80162D2B51640 bandsaw blade is among the best choices in this review.
The blade is highly heat resistant and with wide gullets to allow for easy and quick kerf clearing.
Best Band Saw Blade For Resawing:
Timber Wolf 105-3423VPC
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 12.8 ounces
Tooth Type: Variable
Dimensions: 14.8 x 12 x 1.5 inches
Build Material: Swedish Silicon Steel
Review
At 0.25 inches thickness, Timber Wolf 105-3423VPC will give straight cuts without flexing in both small and large boards. The blade is extremely durable and is built from premium Swedish silicon metal.
The blade is razor-sharp and gives smooth finishes without grinding the teeth. The positive claw, variable pitch, and tooth design reduce the vibrancy during cutting.
Bottom Line
Timber Wolf 105-3423VPC is engineered for long production life and superior performance. Although the blade comes in one pack, the strong build will guarantee long services when used appropriately.
Although it works best at resawing, its 0.25 inches thickness makes it for straight cuts too.
Best All-Around Band Saw Blade:
POWERTEC 13155
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 0.282 ounces
Tooth Type: Regular
Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 0.5 inches
Build Material: Carbon Steel
Review
Made from high carbon steel, POWERTEC 13155 is heat resistant and built to offer high precision cutting on wood, plastic and non-ferrous material.
This blade wears uniformly and therefore gives straight cuts even towards the end of its lifespan. It is compatible with most bandsaws but unfortunately comes in just one pack.
Bottom Line
Other than availability in one pack during purchase, POWERTEC 13155 combines most of the qualities that make an ideal bandsaw blade for industrial and home workshop cutting.
High heat resistance, premium build from carbon steel, geometric teeth arrangement, 14 TPI, and high-speed performance are some of the features that make this blade stand out.
Best Band Saw Blade For Hardwood:
Olson Saw FB23193DB
PROS
CONS
Specs
Weight: 0.4 Pounds
Tooth Type: Hook
Dimensions: 10.25 x 10.88 x 1 inches
Build Material: Carbon steel
Review
With 93-1/2" long x 1/2" wide x .025" thick x 3TPI Hook tooth, this Olson Saw FB23193DB is a standard blade that will serve well for both commercial and heavy-duty cutting and also for occasional cutting in a home workshop.
The blade will also fit all 14-inch bandsaws that include brands such as Steel City, Rikon, Jet, and more.
Bottom Line
Olson Saw FB23193DB is a versatile blade that will be ideal in cutting both hardwood, plastics, and other non-ferrous material. The blade, however, comes in one pack, and since you can never predict breakage, it is recommended to order at least two blades to be safe.
Types of Bandsaw Blades
There are a variety of bandsaw blades used in the woodworking and metalworking industry. Here are some of the most common blades used in the industry.
Regular Tooth
Also referred to as a standard bandsaw blade, the regular tooth blade has straight-faced teeth and deep gullets between the teeth.
This blade is ideal for cutting metal and gives very good finishing when used in woodworking for cutting both.
Skip Tooth
The skip tooth blade has a flat gullet and no rake angle. This blade type has some resemblance to the hook tooth and may not be the best for complicated cutting where smooth finishing is required.
The blade works well on soft cutting like aluminum and in woodworking.
Hook Tooth
Just as the name suggests, this blade has hook-like teeth, a wide rake angle, and 10 degrees undercut face.
This blade is ideal for coarse and fast cutting on both huge and tiny materials. The blade cuts deep and is ideal for heavy-duty cutting needs such as beams.
The blade also works well in cutting other non-ferrous material.
Diamond Blade
This type of blade is mostly used in metalworking, although it also works well when used in cutting wood. A diamond blade is for cutting hard materials such as concrete, tiles, ceramic, glass, porcelain, and many more.
Why Bandsaw Blade Size and Tooth Count Matter
When shopping for a bandsaw blade, pay close attention to features like teeth per inch (TPI), blade length, and width, and for a good reason.
Closely packed teeth give fine cuts, but due to tiny gullets, removing debris may be difficult when compared to loosely spaced teeth. Thicker blades on the other side are ideal in cutting straight lines since the blade is less prone to flexing.
Thinner blades best suit cutting irregular and curvy shapes and soft materials.
When choosing the ideal blade size and teeth count, the choice narrows down to the type of material you intend to cut.
Bandsaw Blade Size and TPI Chart
The TPI chart below shows different blade sizes, tooth type, blade size, and manufacturer.
Brand | Tooth Size | Tooth Type | Blade Size | Manufacturer |
---|---|---|---|---|
POWERTEC 13183X | 70-1/2-Inch x 1/8-Inch x 14 TPI x 0.025 | Regular Tooth Profile | 7.75 x 7.75 x 0.5 inches | POWERTEC |
DEWALT DW3986C | 32-7/8-Inch, 020-Inch, 14/18 TPI | Variable Tooth Design | 14 x 0.63 x 5.25 inches | DEWALT |
Milwaukee 48390511 | 14 TPI 0.020 thickness | Raker Tooth Design | 36 x 8 x 1/2 inches | Milwaukee |
Lenox - 80162D2B51640 | 4.5" L 1/2" W, 0.025" Thick,10-14 TPI | Regular Tooth Design | 7.35 x 6.95 x 1.25 inches | LENOX, Newell Rubbermaid |
Timber Wolf 105-3423VPC | 105" x 3/4'' x 2-3TPI x 0.025 | Variable Tooth Design | 14.8 x 12 x 1.5 inches | Timber Wolf |
POWERTEC 13155 | 59-1/4” x 1/4” x 0.014 x 14 TPI | Regular Tooth Profile | 6.5 x 6.5 x 0.5 inches | POWERTEC |
Olson Saw FB23193DB | 1/2"Wx 93-1/2" L 3TPI | Hook tooth | 10.25 x 10.88 x 1 inches | Blackstone Industries, LLC |
Top Brands in the Bandsaw Blade Space
The high demand for bandsaw blades in both the woodworking and metalworking industry has seen many less-known manufactures enter the market. Here we discuss some of the most reputable brands in the industry.
Dewalt
Founded in 1924, Dewalt Products Co. has been around for almost a century now. Their reputation as one of the best woodworking tool manufacturers is undisputed. Dewalt saws they were first used in World war II for constructing barracks, crates, housing, and more.
Dewalt manufactures a wide range of reliable and highly durable power tools trusted by professionals. Some scam websites have reportedly posed as Dewalt hoping to increase their power tools sales.
The Dewalt DW3985C bandsaw blade is one of their durable products that comes packed in three pieces and has a 3-year warranty.
Bosch
Bosch is yet another trusted brand that sells high-quality engineering and technology products. Founded by Robert Bosch in Stuttgart in 1886, this German company has stood the test of time as a leading manufacturer of both hardware and software products.
Other than power tools and other industrial technology products, Bosch also manufactures household appliances and other building technology products.
Most Bosch products are for heavy-duty usage. The Bosch BS6412-24M bandsaw blade is one of their toughest products and comes with a 24 TPI and is 641/2 inch in length.
Most Bosch products have generous warranties, which further stamps their authority and trust as lead players in the power tools industry.
Skil
Skil Power Tools is a trusted manufacturer of electric power tools and other accessories. The Chinese-owned brand was founded in 1926 and has its headquarters in Naperville, Illinois.
A look at one of their products, Skil 80151 bandsaw blade is enough conviction why the brand is trusted by many. Skil 80151 is a heavy-duty cutting blade with a 15.6 TPI rating, is 591/2 inches long, comes with three blades, and has a one-year warranty.
Other top brands away from the three discussed above are Lenox Tools and Imachinist.
Price Points of Bandsaw Blades
Bandsaw blades come in different price ranges that may differ depending on the brand, performance, and other bandsaw blade features, as discussed in the article. Below are categories according to prices and the types of bandsaw blades you can find depending on your budget.
$10 and Below
Bandsaw blades in this price point are made from mid-grade material and might not be the appropriate choice for heavy-duty cutting.
They’ll do a great job for occasional sawing but will also tend to dull faster. They are among the cheapest bandsaw blades on the market for those who are on tight budgets.
Some of the bandsaw blades found within this price range include POWERTEC 13155, Bosch BS80-15S, POWERTEC 13161.
$10-$15
Bandsaw blades in this price range are a little studier and durable. They are more improved and can be classified as being standard. They will not dull as quickly as their cheaper counterparts.
Some of the bandsaw blades in this category include Olson Saw FB23193DB, Bosch BS6412-24M.
$15 and Above
This price range consists of some of the best-engineered and highly durable blades. Products in this category come with multiple blades in the package suitable for those who use their bandsaw blades frequently.
Some of these blades that are also heavy-duty include Timber Wolf Bandsaw Blade, Bosch BS9312-18M, DEWALT DW3992, POWERTEC 13206.
Common Bandsaw Blade Problems and How to Fix Them
As much as a bandsaw blade will tremendously improve output in your workshop, expect to run into some problems that will require your time to fix. Below we discuss some of the most common problems and actions you can take when they occur.
Blade Breakage
Possible causes of blade breakage include:
- Use of incompatible blade in the bandsaw
- Worn or chipped pressure block
- Imbalanced blade tension setting
- Using inappropriate cutting fluid
You can easily correct breakage caused by either high or low blade tension by adjusting the tension accordingly. This breakage can result from the bandsaw staying in one place longer than usual before use or even when changing cutting material.
Regularly check the tension before starting any application.
You can correct blade breakage that results from wrong cutting fluid or blade by adhering to coolant recommendations and proper selection of your bandsaw blade. Most of these problems can be fixed or avoided by just a little attention to smaller details also found in the user manual.
Premature Teeth Dulling
This occurs due to:
- Imbalanced fluid mix ratio or wrong fluid
- Blade installed backward
- Speed is set too high
- High bandsaw feed
- Applying incorrect blade break-in process
Causes of teeth dulling are very minor and easy to fix on your own. Pay attention to how to install the blade properly by consulting your manual. Set speed as per the recommendations, and read instructions on the right procedure of blade break-in.
Teeth Stripping
Teeth stripping may occur as a result of:
- High feed pressure
- Wrong plate pitch
- Poor cutting application or fluid ratio
- Wrong blade break-in procedure
To avoid the teeth stripping menace while using your bandsaw, ensure you select the right tooth type and use the right coolant that is balanced appropriately (always check the coolant recommendations).
Follow correct blade break-in procedures and adjust the feed pressure to the right recommendations.
Conclusion
An ideal bandsaw blade combines several factors, as discussed in the article. Although you won't find a bandsaw blade that is perfect for all your applications, it is important to invest time to explore available options and ask questions about their features and what to expect.
This way, you can find a blade that closely addresses your cutting requirements hence improved general output.
Recap - Best Bandsaw Blades
Heading out? Here's a refresher on our best bandsaw blades:
People Also Ask
The availability of many bandsaw blades with varied features can be confusing enough on performance, usage, maintenance, and more. Here we answer some common questions from some users and those planning to buy bandsaw blades.
Are More Teeth on a Saw Blade Better?
Measured as TPI, which means teeth per inch, the teeth count on a bandsaw blade may affect your cutting output depending on the material being cut.
While a bandsaw blade with a high teeth count is suitable for cutting fine and smooth finishes, it can be slow and accumulates debris in the kerf, which can be tiring to clean.
How Do I Know If My Bandsaw Blade is Dull?
Watch out for a blade that wanders and does not cut in a straight line. It may also need excessive force when cutting. A dull blade causes you to exert extra force on the blade during cutting, which can cause injuries and should be avoided.
How Tight Should a Bandsaw Blade Be?
Measured as pounds per square inch (psi), the right tension for your blade should be between 15,000 psi to 20, 000 psi for a regular carbon steel blade.
However, for much stronger blades like spring steel, bimetal, and carbide-tipped blades, a higher tension between 25,000 psi and 30,000 psi is recommended.
What Size of Blade Does a 14-inch Bandsaw Take?
To determine a bandsaw blade length, use a piece of tape placed on the floor, mark it and roll your bandsaw blade in a straight line. Be sure to mark your starting point both on the tape and the blade. Using this trick, a 14-inch bandsaw will take a 93-1/2 inches long blade.
What Does a 14-inch Bandsaw Mean?
A wheels’ diameter in the bandsaw is used to determine the bandsaw size. So, a 14-inch bandsaw translates to a wheel that is 14 inches in diameter.
Is a Bandsaw Dangerous?
A bandsaw can pose a great danger to your life when used improperly. Such dangers can include fire, electric shock, or personal injury. To stay safe with a bandsaw, make sure the machine is solely used for its intended purpose.