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Band Saw Blades: Find the Right Length, Width, TPI & Material for Your Saw
Getting the right cut starts with the right band saw blade — and unlike most hardware, a blade that's "close enough" in length simply won't tension safely on your machine. POWERTEC stocks band saw blades across nearly 70 length, width, and TPI (teeth-per-inch) combinations, in both economical carbon steel for woodworking and heat-resistant bi-metal for mixed wood-and-metal or all-metal cutting, so you can match a blade to your exact saw and material rather than settling for a generic one-size-fits-most option.
Not sure what size your saw takes? Start with your brand and model below — every fitment in this table is verified directly against POWERTEC's own product listings (or, where noted, independently checked against the manufacturer's published blade spec).
Cordless & Portable Band Saws (Metal-Cutting)
| Brand & Model | Blade Size Needed | Matching POWERTEC Blade |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M12 Sub-Compact (2429-20) | 27" x 1/2" | 27" x 1/2" x 18 TPI Bi-Metal |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL Compact (48-39-0579 blade) | 32-7/8" x 1/2" | 32-7/8" x 1/2" x 18 TPI Bi-Metal (14 TPI and 24 TPI also available) |
| Milwaukee M18 Deep Cut & Compact (2629-20, 2729-20), DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, and WEN portable band saws | 44-7/8" x 1/2" | 44-7/8" x 1/2" x 18 TPI Bi-Metal |
Benchtop & Stationary Band Saws (Woodworking)
| Brand & Model(s) | Blade Size | Matching POWERTEC Blade |
|---|---|---|
| Delta 28-475X, 28-206, 28-276; Grizzly G0580, G0555(X); Shop Fox W1706; Steel City 50100; Rikon 10-320, 10-315 (12"–14" saws) | 93-1/2" | 93-1/2" x 1/4" x 6 TPI (9 width/TPI options available) |
| Delta 28-190 (12"), Delta 28-560 (16") | 82" | 82" x 1/4" x 10 TPI (6 TPI also available) |
| Delta 28-140 (10"), WEN 3962, WEN BB7212/BB7225/BB7237/BB7250 | 72" | 72" x 1/4" x 6 TPI (4 more widths/TPI available) |
| Delta BS100/28-150, Black+Decker BDBS100, Skil 3385-01 (9") | 59-1/2" | 59-1/2" x 1/4" x 6 TPI (5 more widths/TPI available) |
| Delta 28-180 & 28-185 (8"), Pro-Tech, Ohio Forge & other 10" 3-wheel saws | 56-1/8" | 56-1/8" x 1/4" x 6 TPI (2 more widths/TPI available) |
| Rikon 10-300 (10") | 67-1/2" | 67-1/2" x 1/4" x 6 TPI (2 more widths/TPI available) |
| Craftsman 21419, Harbor Freight 96980/60500, Masterforce 2403731, POWERTEC BS900 (9") | 62" | 62" x 1/4" x 6 TPI (4 more widths/TPI available) |
| Craftsman 21460/21461, Hitachi CB8Y (10") | 63-1/2" | 63-1/2" x 1/4" x 14 TPI (2 more widths/TPI available) |
| Craftsman 921400 (10") | 70-1/2" | 70-1/2" x 1/4" x 6 TPI (7 more widths/TPI available) |
| Craftsman (12") | 80" | 80" x 1/2" x 3 TPI (24 TPI also available) |
| Ryobi BS903, Sears Craftsman, Black+Decker, Pro-Tech, and Tradesman (9") | 59-1/4" | 59-1/4" x 1/4" x 14 TPI (3 more widths/TPI available) |
| Any 14" saw with a riser block kit installed | 105" | 105" x 1/4" x 6 TPI (5 more widths/TPI available) |
Don't see your saw listed, or cutting metal instead of wood? Use the length, width, and TPI filters below — or measure your existing blade — to find the exact match from our full selection.
Choosing the Right Band Saw Blade for Your Saw and Material
| Selection Criteria | Blade Spec | Best Used For | Key Features & Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Exact match to your saw | Every band saw — no universal size | Must match your machine's wheel spacing precisely, or the blade can't be tensioned safely. Check the brand/model table above or measure your saw directly. |
| Width | Narrow (1/8"–3/16") | Tight curves, scrollwork, intricate patterns | Turns radii as tight as 3/16"–5/16" — the narrower the blade, the tighter the curve it can follow. |
| Width | Wide (1/2"–3/4") | Resawing, ripping, straight-line cuts | Tracks straighter under load and resists drifting; handles radii of roughly 2-5/8" and up. |
| TPI | Low (3–6 TPI) | Thick stock, fast rough cuts, resawing | Clears chips quickly and cuts fast without overheating in thick material. |
| TPI | High (14–24 TPI) | Thin stock, metal, fine detail work | Delivers a smooth finish — but always keep at least 3 teeth engaged in the material at once (the "3-tooth rule") to avoid stripped teeth. |
| Tooth Pattern | Hook Tooth | Aggressive cuts in hardwood | Wide gullets and a 10° rake angle clear material fast for demanding cuts. |
| Tooth Pattern | Skip Tooth | Resawing, softwood | Wide-spaced, 0°-rake teeth clear chips efficiently without clogging. |
| Material | Carbon Steel | General woodworking — soft and hardwood, plastic, non-ferrous metal | Economical and sharp; the right choice for single-material wood shops. |
| Material | Bi-Metal (M42 Cobalt) | Mixed wood-and-metal projects, stainless steel, dense hardwood | Heat-resistant with a longer life; POWERTEC recommends 6–10 TPI for the best balance on mixed-material jobs. |
1. Filter by Blade Length
A band saw blade's length isn't a preference — it's a fixed measurement set by your machine's wheel spacing, and a blade that's even a little off won't tension correctly or track straight. If your model isn't in the brand/model tables above, measure your existing blade by laying it flat in a single loop and running a tape measure around its full circumference, or wrap a string around both wheels (with the upper wheel set to your normal blade height) and measure the string.
2. Filter by Width & Curve Radius
Width determines how tight a curve your blade can follow — and the rule of thumb is to use the widest blade the cut allows, since wider blades track straighter and resist wandering on long or resaw cuts. As a general reference:
- 1/8" wide blades turn radii down to about 3/16"
- 1/4" wide blades turn radii down to about 5/8"
- 3/8" wide blades turn radii down to about 1-7/16"
- 1/2" wide blades turn radii down to about 2-5/8" and are the standard choice for resawing and straight ripping
- 3/4" wide blades turn radii down to about 5-1/2" and are built for maximum straight-line stability
3. Filter by TPI & Cut Type
Lower TPI blades cut faster and clear chips well in thick stock, while higher TPI blades leave a smoother finish in thinner material — but no matter the material, keep at least 3 teeth in contact with the workpiece at all times (fewer than that risks stripped or snapped teeth). As a starting point: 3–6 TPI for resawing and thick hardwood, 6–10 TPI for general-purpose wood cutting and dual wood/metal work, and 14–24 TPI for thin stock, tubing, and metal.
4. Filter by Blade Material
Carbon steel blades are the economical, everyday choice for softwood, hardwood, plastic, and non-ferrous metals like aluminum. Bi-metal blades, built with a high-speed steel cutting edge welded to a flexible alloy backing, add the heat resistance and durability needed for dense hardwoods, thick composites, and hard metals like stainless steel — and are the right choice if you're switching between wood and metal without wanting to swap blades constantly. For a deeper breakdown by material, see POWERTEC's full guide to choosing a blade by material.
Band Saw Blade FAQ
What size band saw blade does my saw need, and how do I find it?
Check your saw's brand and model against the fitment tables above — they cover the most common benchtop saws (Delta, Craftsman, Rikon, Grizzly, Ryobi, and more) as well as cordless portable saws (Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, WEN). If your exact model isn't listed, measure your current blade's full circumference, or measure the length of string needed to wrap around both wheels at your normal blade height.
What TPI should I use for resawing thick hardwood?
Stick to a low TPI — generally 3 to 6 teeth per inch — paired with a wide blade (1/2" or more). Low TPI clears sawdust fast in thick material and prevents the blade from overheating or binding, while the extra width keeps the cut tracking straight through a tall resaw.
What's the difference between carbon steel and bi-metal band saw blades?
Carbon steel blades are built for wood, plastic, and soft non-ferrous metals, and are the more affordable option for single-material shops. Bi-metal blades add a high-speed steel cutting edge for extra heat resistance and durability, making them the better choice for mixed wood-and-metal projects or cutting hard metals like stainless steel.
Does POWERTEC make a blade that fits my Milwaukee, DeWalt, or Makita cordless band saw?
Yes. POWERTEC's 44-7/8" x 1/2" Bi-Metal blade is built to fit the popular 44-7/8" portable saws from Milwaukee, DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, and WEN. Milwaukee's smaller M12 Sub-Compact and M18 FUEL Compact models use shorter 27" and 32-7/8" blades respectively — check your saw's manual for its exact blade length before ordering.
Regular, hook, or skip tooth — which pattern do I need?
Regular tooth blades, with evenly spaced teeth, are the general-purpose choice for smooth cuts across most woods. Hook tooth blades have a more aggressive rake angle for fast, heavy cutting in hardwood. Skip tooth blades use widely spaced teeth with a neutral rake for resawing and softwood, where clearing chips without clogging matters more than an aggressive bite.
Why does my band saw blade keep breaking or wandering off the line?
The most common causes are using a blade that's too narrow for the cut you're making (drifting on straight cuts or resaws), running a TPI too high for the material thickness (fewer than 3 teeth in the cut at once, which strips teeth), or incorrect blade tension. Match your blade width to the cut type, keep the 3-tooth rule in mind when picking TPI, and check your saw's tension gauge before each use.
Can one band saw blade cut both wood and metal?
Yes — bi-metal blades are designed for exactly this. A medium TPI in the 6–10 range gives the best balance of a clean wood cut and reliable metal-cutting performance, so you're not swapping blades every time a project mixes materials.
What width blade do I need for cutting curves versus resawing?
For tight curves and scrollwork, use a narrow blade — 1/8" to 3/16" wide can turn radii as small as 3/16" to 5/16". For resawing or long straight rips, use the widest blade your saw and cut allow, typically 1/2" or wider, since width is what keeps a long cut tracking straight instead of drifting.
How often should I replace my band saw blade?
Watch for the practical signs rather than a fixed schedule: burning or excessive heat during a cut, a blade that wanders even with correct tension, visibly dulled or missing teeth, or a noticeably rougher cut finish than when the blade was new. A dull blade also forces you to feed harder, which raises the risk of kickback or a snapped blade.