| Best Choice |
|
DeWalt Portable Band Saw Blade | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Best Value |
|
Bosch BS5618-6W Wood Bandsaw Blade | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Premium Pick |
|
Lenox Tools Portable Band Saw Blades | CHECK LATEST PRICE |
- 1. DeWalt Portable Band Saw Blade
- 2. Bosch BS5618-6W Wood Bandsaw Blade
- 3. Lenox Tools Portable Band Saw Blades
- 4. Powertec 13183X Band Saw Blade
- 5. Bosch BS6412-24M Metal Bandsaw Blade
- 6. Olson Saw Hook Saw Blade
- 7. Powertec 13161 High Carbon Bandsaw Blade
- 8. Timber Wolf Bandsaw Blade
- 9. Imachinist Bi-Metal Band Saw Blades
- 10. Ayao Band Saw Blade
A bandsaw can be one of the handiest tools to have in your garage or workshop. It’s versatile, and you can put a bandsaw to work whether you’re cutting wood, metal, or other materials. A bandsaw is a great choice for woodworking, metalworking, and even lumbering. But you need the right blade for your bandsaw in order to perform any of these tasks. Bandsaws employ long, sharp, and continuous bands of metal with teeth of various sizes, shapes, and lengths. The blade you choose for any given project directly affects its outcome. Your saw blade determines whether cuts are smooth and even, jagged and rough, or irregular or curved. It also determines just how tough your saw can be. If you’re looking for the perfect bandsaw blade for your tool kit, check out our picks below.
The Best Bandsaw Blades
The DeWalt Portable Band Saw Blade is highly durable and highly effective no matter what you’re cutting or working with. This well-rounded bandsaw blade is our top pick because it’s versatile enough to tackle various materials and all kinds of cutting needs. And it’s strong too. With eight percent cobalt content, the blade offers extra strength. An alloy steel backer also provides fatigue resistance. This blade is made with a high-speed steel edge that offers great heat and wear resistance, so you’ll be able to count on long-term durability. It’s a 32 7/8 x 0.020-inch blade with 24 TPI. You can use it on thick metal, medium metal, and thin gauge metal. Just make sure before buying this blade that it’ll work with your particular bandsaw.
- Matrix II high-speed steel edge increases resistance to wear and heat
- Made with 8 percent cobalt
- Tooth hardness of 65 to 67
- Measures 32 7/8 x 0.020 inches
- Brand DeWalt
- Model DW3984C
- Weight 4.8 ounces
Fights off potential damage from heat and wear with tough construction
Can be used on metal of various thickness
Stays strong and sharp for longer
Blades can break at the weld
Dulls quickly when used to cut metal
Blades are prone to cracking
The Bosch BS5618-6W Wood Bandsaw Blade is more than just an excellent option for woodworkers. This bandsaw blade is also a great deal when it comes to its cost. The blade is affordably priced, but it certainly doesn’t skimp on sharpness or effectiveness. It measures 56 1/8 x 1/4 inches, and it has 6 TPI. Constructed from premium-grade steel, this blade stays strong and sturdy throughout many uses. It even resists heat build-up to prevent potential damage for a longer lifespan. An optimized tooth geometry delivers excellent cutting performance, and you’ll be happy with its clean and accurate cuts. It’s a great blade to pick if you need something for fine woodworking applications. Compatible with the most common bandsaw sizes, this blade will give you great value for your money.
- Measures 56 1/8 x 1/4 inches
- Constructed out of premium-grade steel
- Optimized 6 TPI pattern
- Fits most popular bandsaw brands, including 9- and 10-inch models
- Brand Bosch
- Model BS5618-6W
- Weight 0.32 ounces
Able to resist heat build-up for a longer lifespan
Optimized tooth geometry provides smooth, accurate cutting
Can be used for fine woodworking or other types of wood cutting
Can leave very wide and rough kerfs
Prone to breaking at the weld seam
Final cuts can be jagged and rough
If you’re looking for a premium-quality bandsaw blade with professional-level results, it’s tough to beat Lenox Tools Portable Band Saw Blades. This 44 7/8 x 1/2 inch blade with 18 TPI is constructed out of high-speed steel with a cutting edge that’s as strong as it is durable. It’s also shatter-resistant, with bi-metal blades that bend and resist potential breakage to keep you cutting even through the toughest materials. A unique Tuff Tooth design also reinforces the blade’s teeth for more strength. This bandsaw blade can cut through wood as well as most metals, and it’s great whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist. Oh, and you won’t get just one blade. Although the price is higher, you’ll get a set of five blades. Now that’s great value for the money you’re spending on these premium bandsaw blades.
- Measures 44 7/8 x 1/2 inches
- Shatter-resistant construction prevents breakage
- Tuff Tooth design adds extra reinforcement
- 18 TPI
- Brand Lenox
- Model 80108358PW185
- Weight 11.2 ounces
Very long-lasting and highly durable
Blade’s cutting edge stays sharper for longer
Ideal for professional contractors and fabricators with premium cutting results
More expensive than similar blades
May get stuck or lose teeth when cutting metal
The Powertec 13183X Band Saw Blade is a great option if you want a blade that can tackle an awful lot. This versatile blade is made from premium high-grade carbon steel, which provides extra heat resistance and sturdiness. It measures 70 1/2 x 1/8 inch with 14 TPI — each tooth on the blade is 0.025 inches thick. It’s designed to offer precise cutting with seamless, smooth results even at a high speed. However, the flexible hard-edge blade also adapts to various types of wood. It’ll work effortlessly with both hard and soft woods. It can also cut plastic and non-ferrous metals. Compatible with most common bandsaw brands, including Craftsman, Skil, and Ryobi, you’ll have no problem putting this blade to work in many different ways.
- Constructed out of high-grade carbon steel with a flexible hard edge
- 18 TPI
- Works with most bandsaw brands
- Delivers straight cuts at high speeds
- Brand Powertec
- Model 13183X
- Weight 1.58 ounces
Works with all types of wood as well as plastics and non-ferrous metals
Precise no matter what speed you’re working at
Consistent performance even over many uses
Blade is very thin and may snap easily
Not as durable over the long term
Blade can flex, affecting cut accuracy
The Bosch BS6412-24M Metal Bandsaw Blade is a fantastic choice for anyone who needs a blade that can handle both woodworking cuts and metalworking cuts. This blade can work with both materials, and it offers special design features to give you the quality cuts and results you need. It’s a 64 1/2 x 1/2 inch blade that features 24 TPI. Constructed out of premium-grade steel with optimized tooth geometry, the blade can resist heat build-up and last you a long time to come. The teeth are precision-sharpened, which makes cutting fine and intricate shapes easier. Everything about this blade is optimized to deliver cuts large and small, no matter what kind of wood or metal is underneath your saw.
- Measures 64 1/2 x 1/2 inches
- 24 TPI
- Heat-resistant for increased durability
- Fits most of the popular bandsaw brands, including 9- and 10-inch models
- Brand Bosch
- Model BS6412-24M
- Weight 4.8 ounces
Optimized tooth geometry allows for precision cutting regardless of material
Delivers great results for fine cutting projects
Works great on steel and aluminum
Generates a lot of heat while cutting
May not cut with perfect accuracy
Best used on very thin metal
Flexibility isn’t necessarily something you’d want to look for in a bandsaw blade, but the Olson Saw Hook Saw Blade is flexible in several ways. And that can offer you some fantastic benefits. This blade is heavy-duty, designed for industrial-level woodworking as well as professional craftsmen and DIY enthusiasts. It measures 93 1/2 x 1/2 inch in size, with 3 TPI. It can cut through hard and soft wood, plastic, mild steel, and any kind of non-ferrous metal. And this bandsaw blade can even be used in a wide array of different types of bandsaws — including vertical, stationary, and floor standing two-wheel saws. That wealth of options means you’ll get great use out of this very flexible blade.
- Measures 93 1/2 x 1/2 inches
- 3 TPI
- Can be used on wood, plastic, steel, and non-ferrous metal
- Compatible with most types of bandsaws
- Brand Olson Saw
- Model FB23193DB
- Weight 8 ounces
Works on a wide array of different bandsaws
Commercial-grade blade can handle heavy-duty needs and tasks
Offers valuable flexibility to switch between materials, machines, and types of cutting
Can cause increased vibration for some saws
Can dull faster than other band saw blades
May be too long or too loose for some saws
If precision is your biggest concern, the Powertec 13161 High Carbon Bandsaw Blade is a great choice. This blade is all about delivering precision cuts, whether you’re working with wood, metal, or plastic. Made out of high-grade carbon steel alloy, this 56 1/8 x 3/8 inch blade with 6 TPI is sturdy yet flexible. To deliver the utmost in precision cutting, the blade has a flexible carbon hard-edge blade that can adapt to materials like hard and soft wood, plastic, and non-ferrous metals along with careful tooth spacing for exact finishing. Each one of these bandsaw blades is built to wear evenly over time and use yet still deliver straight cuts at extreme speeds. And that’s reliability you can trust in no matter what you’re working on — or with.
- Measures 56 1/8 x 3/8 inches
- 6 TPI, with hook teeth profile
- Fits most common brands of bandsaws
- Made from high-grade carbon steel
- Brand Powertec
- Model 13161X
- Weight 0.32 ounces
If you’re searching for something different than your usual bandsaw blade, you’ll want to consider the Timber Wolf Bandsaw Blade. This uniquely designed blade measures 93 1/2 x 1/2 inch, with 4 TPI. It has a thin kerf and is made out of high silicon, low carbide steel for lasting strength and smooth results. The blade operates under low tension, which requires less horsepower from the bandsaw itself. Another perk is the fact that this blade runs cooler — less heat can help the blade wear more slowly. And it features more than 60 percent of the speed capabilities of a hook blade while delivering the same finish of a skip. This blade is a particularly great choice if you need to resaw thick stock.
- 6.5-degree rake
- 0.25-inch thin kerf blade
- 4 TPI
- Measures 93-1/2 x 1/2 inches
- Brand Timber Wolf
- Model 144711
- Weight 5.6 ounces
Blade delivers smooth results even under low tension
Round gullet design eliminates work hardening zones
Cuts efficiently with less wear on your bandsaw overall
Blade can become deformed with use
May have a short lifespan
Blade may snap or fail at the weld seam
The Imachinist Bi-Metal Band Saw Blades are a bit different from your usual blade — they feature variable teeth, which can offer some unique benefits for woodworking or metalworking. This characteristic lessens vibrations and noise while the saw works, potentially extending the life of the blade and creating smoother cuts. Ideal for use on soft metal, this bandsaw blade can be used for metalworking projects of all kinds, including cutting thin pipe tubing. It measures 93 x 3/4 inches with 10 or 14 TPI based on the variable teeth profile. This blade also comes with a teeth cover or shield, which is meant to protect the teeth from breakage or getting crushed on its way to you; it can be removed before you apply the blade to your bandsaw.
- Measures 93 x 3/4 inches
- Variable teeth, with 10 or 14 TPI
- Can cut through soft metals, including pipes and tubing
- Right-facing teeth direction
- Brand Imachinist
- Model S933414
- Weight 10.93 ounces
Variable teeth reduce noise and vibrations
Teeth pattern may offer increased durability and a longer lifespan
Perfectly suited for metalworking
Blade has a shorter than usual lifespan
Teeth may break down or break off
Tougher materials can make the blade weak quickly
The Ayao Band Saw Blade is a fantastic bandsaw blade to choose if you’re looking for top-notch quality and a long-lasting lifespan. This blade is very well-rounded, crafted from carbon steel with a thinner structure to offer you long-term durability. Even though the blade is thinner, it can cut wood, PVC, and even thin aluminum. The blade is also blued, which helps prevent rusting and corrosion. It measures 80 x 1/4 inch with 6 TPI — and as an extra perk, you’ll get two bandsaw blades for one price. Whether you need a blade for general purpose woodworking or versatility for multiple needs, this bandsaw blade can help you cut through an array of materials. And thanks to evenly-arranged racker teeth and a thin blade, you can get many, many uses out of just one of these Ayao blades.
- Measures 80 x 1/4 inches
- 6 TPI
- Cuts through wood, PVC, and aluminum
- Fits 12-inch Craftsman bandsaws
- Brand Ayao
- Model 203266
- Weight 3.2 ounces
Blades are thinner to offer increased longevity
Two blades offer great value
Can tackle versatile materials with ease
Blades are very thin
Blades are so flexible it can cause cutting issues
Can leave behind deep blade marks
Best Bandsaw Blades Buying Guide & FAQ
Picking a bandsaw blade means finding the perfect partner for your power tool. You want to equip your saw with everything it needs to power through wood — and even more, like metal and plastic. Choose the right bandsaw blade, and you’ll have no problem breezing through woodworking projects that are essential and intricate, tough, and fine-tuned. However, if you don’t choose the right blade, you can face a multitude of problems that can stop you right in the middle of a project. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a less-than-quality blade
If you’re wondering which bandsaw blades are the best of the bunch, we can help. Follow our buying guide to discover how to find the right blade for your tools and your woodworking needs.
Why Do You Need a Bandsaw Blade?
If you own a bandsaw, then you need a bandsaw blade. Different types of saws require different types of blades, and a bandsaw requires one of these continuous, thin blades. You can choose a more customized blade for your bandsaw based on the projects you need to work on — blades with thinner kerfs, for example, or smaller or larger numbers of teeth per inch. And that’s one big benefit to picking out a particular bandsaw blade.
Whether you’re fine-tuning a woodworking craft or splitting lumber, a bandsaw is a very versatile tool. However, it’s only as powerful as its blade. That’s why it’s important to choose a bandsaw blade that’ll perfectly suit your material, your task, and your various needs.
- Bandsaw blades aren’t restricted to cutting wood alone, or specific kinds of wood only.
- Blades can feature different types of teeth, including hook, variable, and other styles.
- Bandsaw blades tend to be thinner, which can reduce waste and improve longevity.
- These blades create precise, reliable results you can count on.
- You have increased control, which is ideal for finer woodworking and metalworking.
Types of Bandsaw Blades
Bandsaw blades can be broken down into a few different categories. There’s size — each blade has a different length and width, and the size determines what kinds of bandsaws a blade will fit. There’s also the number of teeth per inch, which affects the types of cuts your saw will be able to make. But one of the easiest ways to identify and distinguish bandsaw blades is by the type of teeth they have. The following are the three main types of teeth you’ll find on a bandsaw blade.
Regular-Tooth Blades
A regular-tooth bandsaw blade is the most common kind of blade you’ll come across. They’re simple and straightforward; these blades have straight teeth that are evenly spaced across the blade’s length, with deep gullets between the teeth.
Typically, a regular-tooth bandsaw blade features a straight or zero-degree rake. This kind of blade can be used for general purpose cutting and woodworking, like cutting off pieces or contour sawing. It produces the best results on thin material, but it’ll work on both general metals and woods. This blade will cut smoothly, and it’s often available with higher teeth per inch counts.
Hook-Tooth Blades
A hook-tooth bandsaw blade takes saw blade teeth to a new level. These blades have deep gullets, larger teeth, and wider spaces between each tooth. They tend to feature an undercut face with a positive 10-degree rake angle.
The benefits of hook-tooth blades are that they can make faster, coarser cuts in any material. You can put this type of blade to work on plastic, metal, thicker wood, and hardwood varieties. It’s well-suited for tough material, and this kind of blade won’t hesitate. This bandsaw blade is also a good option if you need to make longer cuts, as the deeper gullet and rake angle move material that’s already been cut out of the way quickly.
Skip-Tooth Blades
A skip-tooth bandsaw blade is almost the opposite of a hook-tooth blade. These blades have shallow gullets and wide spaces between the teeth, with a zero degree rake. The teeth are set at 90 degrees. This sharper tooth angle helps wood (or metal or plastic) debris to come out cleanly and with precision.
Skip-tooth blades are a great choice if you’re looking to limit or cut down on clogging while you saw. They can be particularly helpful when you’re working with softwood, plastic, or non-ferrous metals, as this type of blade is less likely to accrue build-up that can get in your way and alter your results.
What to Consider When Buying Bandsaw Blades
How can you tell a high-quality bandsaw blade from all of the rest of the available options? Well, you’ll want to consider certain aspects and features of each blade to find the right fit for your needs and standards. First and foremost, you’ll want to consider the material any blade can cut. While some bandsaw blades are best for solely cutting wood, others can tackle metal, plastic, and other materials. Think about what you plan to use your bandsaw blade for, and what it’ll need to be able to cut through.
Size and teeth are two more important details to consider. Every saw and saw blade features different teeth and different blade sizes, and these factors can affect functionality. Consider what size blade your bandsaw can take, and think about the types of projects you’ll be working on. That can help you determine whether more teeth or fewer teeth are the right choice.
Care and Maintenance of Bandsaw Blades
Maintaining your bandsaw blade can extend its lifespan and give you many more uses from a single blade. It’s the best way to ensure you’re still getting clean, precise cuts even over many uses. With use, blades become dull — but you may be able to retain a sharp edge and use your blade for longer if you practice proper care and maintenance.
Bandsaw blades can become dull due to resistance, heat, and even working with hard materials. Make sure you’re maintaining your blade by sharpening it regularly using a sanding stone or other tools. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for broken teeth that could affect how smooth and precise your cuts turn out. Cracks and breaks around the seams of these blades can also be common, so look to prevent stress on the blade as much as possible.
- Break in your bandsaw blade by reducing the speed and performing some test cuts before beginning a new project.
- Lubricate your blade to reduce noise and keep things moving smoothly.
- Sharpen your blade every so often to keep it working at its best.
- Always release the tension from your blade when you’re done working to prevent cracking as it cools down after use.
The Best Bandsaw Blades FAQ:
You have a lot of choices when it comes to bandsaw blades. However, with a little knowledge, you can separate the quality options from all of the rest. No matter what type of bandsaw you own and the kind of blade you’re looking for, there’s something that can suit every need. Wondering where to start? Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about buying, owning, and working with a bandsaw blade.
The lifespan can really vary. Some blades last years; others last just a few months. It all depends on how you use your blade if it’s used correctly, and its construction and durability.
On average, you can sharpen a bandsaw blade four to five times. Any more and the shape and structure of the blade’s teeth will begin to change.
There are a few signs that can indicate a dull blade. If your blade is drifting, or if you have to push harder to make cuts, the blade is likely dull. More tearout can also be a sign that it’s time for a new blade.
Our Top Pick
We’ve chosen the DeWalt Portable Band Saw Blade as our top pick for the best bandsaw blade. It’s hard to top the strength and reliability of this blade, as its 8 percent cobalt and alloy steel construction are features that help it to stay sharp throughout many cuts and projects. It’s even crafted with a special high-speed edge to reduce heat and excess wear while you work. You’ll be able to rely on this blade to saw right through various types of metal in various gauges or thicknesses, and it’ll deliver the smooth cuts you expect.
Final Thoughts
You can’t go wrong with the DeWalt Portable Band Saw Blade on your bandsaw — it’ll work effectively whether you’re working with wood or other material thanks to its strong construction. If you need a more affordable option, the Bosch BS5618-6W Wood Bandsaw Blade is an alternative that offers you a premium-quality blade with long-lasting durability at a budget-friendly price.
Sources:
- Bandsaw – Wikipedia
