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Best Band Saw Blades for Woodworking
- WWPN Staff
For clean and precise cuts, band saw blades are the go-to tool in every workshop. This tool alone can efficiently handle a number of cutting projects.
However, band saws can be paired with myriads of blades, each with a specific purpose and point, to meet different cutting needs. If you’re new to the band saw outfitting game, you may need help finding the ideal blade, given the overwhelming number of options on the market.
This guide will walk you through the top band saw blades for woodwork and their detailed specifications. Plus, a buying guide further explains how to choose the ideal band saw blade.
Table of Contents
Top Band Saw Blade Picks
With the right blade, you can cut through metal pieces or wood in straight lines and curves with band saws. Find the best band saw blades to purchase in the current market in the list below. The list is compiled keeping in mind durability, performance, and stability. Each band seen on this list is unique in construction and offers fantastic benefits.
BEST OVERALL: BOSCH BS5678-6W Band Saw Blade
BEST VALUE-FOR-MONEY: Lenox Tuff Tooth Band Saw Blade
BEST IN TERMS OF VERSATILITY: Powertec 13132 Band Saw Blade
BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Olson Saw FB19293DB Band Saw Blade
BEST IN TERMS OF DURABILITY: Makita B-40543 Band Saw Blade
1. Olson Saw FB19293DB Band Saw Blade
Product Specification
- Material: Wood
- Style: Heavy-duty
- Number of Pieces: One
- Cutting Compatibility: Wood, Plastic, Alloy Steel, Metal
Product Description
When you need to rip through wood, the general-purpose blade of the BOSCH BS5678-6W offers the ideal smoothness and durability. With a pitch of 6 TPI, this band saw blade can easily fit through most machines and make long cuts.
One thing that differentiates this band saw blade from the others on this list is that the tooth has a wide offset angle. This leads to coarse cuts, and the kerf is expansive. In case you’re worried about the rough design, don’t be. This is because the blade’s design is such that it is not suited for tasks involving finesse.
In fact, the wide tooth design is made for heavy boards and thick wood pieces. This band saw blade is highly efficient and reliable in its price range.
Sale
Olson Saw FB19293DB 3/8 by 0.025 by 93-1/2-Inch HEFB Band 4 TPI Skip Saw Blade
- The product is easy installation and easy handling
- The product is manufactured in China
- The product is easy to use and highly durable
- For hard or soft wood, plastic, mild steel and non-ferrous metal
- For all vertical, stationary, floor standing 2-wheel band saws.These are heavy duty, durable, commercial Grade band saw blades for industrial, woodworking, DIY and professional Craftsmen
Pros
- An 8% cobalt addition is helpful in offering wear and heat resistance
- The steel backing of alloy further limits wear-and-tear
- The 24 TPI is useful for cutting thin metal sheets with swift, neat cuts
- Reasonable pricing for onsite cutting needs
Cons
- Given its design, the blade may break at the weld without proper care
2. POWERTEC 13132 Band Saw Blade
Product Specification
- Material: Aluminum, Plastic
- Teeth Specs: 14 TPI
- Style: Compact
- Number of Pieces: Three
- Cutting Compatibility: Plastic, Metal, Wood, Aluminum
Product Description
This band saw blade is available in several pitches and widths. This makes it ideal for various applications. For instance – the regular tooth design can be used for speed cutting, whereas the all-purpose design is ideal for rough cutting applications.
With a TPI of 14, the teeth easily cut through lumber pieces, providing a smooth finish. The guaranteed weld and high resistance allow you to rip through soft and hardwood. Made using high-grade carbon steel, this band saw blade is easy to handle and install.
It falls under the compact style and is suitable for onsite applications.
Sale
POWERTEC 62 Inch Bandsaw Blades, 1/8″ x 14 TPI Band Saw Blades for WEN, Ryobi, Grizzly, Skil, Sears Craftsman and POWERTEC 9″ Band Saw for Woodworking, 1 pack (13132)
Pros
- Different widths and TPIs available
- Robust welding that maintains teeth spacing
- High wear and tear resistance
Cons
- May not be as long-lasting as other blades on this list
3. Lenox Tuff Tooth Band Saw Blade
Product Specification
- Material – Metal
- Number of Teeth – 18
- Style – Regular Teeth
- Cutting Compatibility – Metal, Wood, Alloy Steel, Carbon Steel, Plastic, and Other Non-Ferrous Metals
Product Description
Need an overall multipurpose band saw blade? Then, the Lenox Tuff Tooth Band Saw Blade is undoubtedly the cream of the crop. This blade is a good investment if you are heavily involved in wood and metal cutting. It may be expensive, but a better term would be bang for the buck.
The blade is available in two variants, 18 TPI and 24 TPI. The blade’s teeth design is wavy and smooth, making it easier to handle tasks involving clean, thin cuts. Since the blade is designed to handle high-carbon and alloy steel, you can count upon its fatigue resistance.
The hook teeth have a thickness of ¾”. This ensures you do not get stripped teeth even while making straight cuts through hard materials (metals). The Lenox Tuff Tooth Band Saw Blade can be used for everything from rectangular cubes to cylindrical solids and structural shapes.
Sale
Lenox – 29232CLB72360 Classic Tuff Tooth Band Saw Blade, Bimetal, Regular Tooth, Wavy Set, Positive Rake, 93″ Length, 3/4″ Width, 0.035″ Thick, 18 TPI
Pros
- Robust, hook tooth design to make smooth straight cuts through hard materials
- High-speed edge reduces wear-and-tear
- Multipurpose and compatible with all kinds of cutting materials – lumber, carbon, steel, metals, etc.
Cons
- The blade produces loud noise while cutting
- May lean on the pricier side
4. Makita B-40543 Band Saw Blade
Product Specification
- Material – Stainless Steel
- Number of Teeth – 14
- Style – Compact, Portable
- Tooth Specs – Wavy Tooth Set
- Cutting Compatibility – Wood, Alloy Metals
Product Description
The Makita B-40543 Compact band saw blade is also designed for onsite applications and thin metal cutting needs. A unique aspect of this blade is that it is available in three pitches – 14, 18, and 24 TPI, respectively.
As a result, you can choose your ideal pick based on thickness requirements. The brand, Makita, claims that the blade is manufactured with a highly improved weld which extends its shelf life. It can be used for extended cutting periods without fearing the blade breaking.
Wavy teeth design is also helpful because it creates less pressure on the high-speed teeth. The Makita band saw blade comes with robust fatigue resistance. Finally, the blade can be used for metal sheets and lumber of varying thicknesses.
Sale
Makita B-40543 Compact Portable Band Saw Blade, 32-7/8″, 14TPI, 5/pk
Pros
The long-lasting performance offered by sharp, bi-metal blades
Different pitches suitable for various cutting applications
Wavy tooth design that puts less stress and ensures smooth cuts
Cons
- Relatively expensive among the portable band saw blades
5. BOSCH General Purpose BS5678-6W Band Saw Blade
Product Specification
- Item Weight – 7 ounces
- Cutting Compatibility – Wood
- Number of Pieces – One
- Blade Length – 57 inches
Product Description
When you need to rip through wood, the general-purpose blade of the BOSCH BS5678-6W offers the ideal smoothness and durability. With a pitch of 6 TPI, this band saw blade can easily fit through most machines and make long cuts.
One thing that differentiates this band saw blade from the others on this list is that the tooth has a wide offset angle. This leads to coarse cuts, and the kerf is expansive. In case you’re worried about the rough design, don’t be. This is because the blade’s design is such that it is not suited for tasks involving finesse.
In fact, the wide tooth design is made for heavy boards and thick wood pieces. This band saw blade is highly efficient and reliable in its price range.
BOSCH BS5678-6W 56-7/8-Inch X 1/4-Inch X 6-Tpi General Purpose Stationary Band Saw Blade
Pros
- Highly efficient cutting due to high-speed teeth edge
- The blade can be used with a wide array of band saws
- Good price point
Cons
- The tooth angle is such that it creates a wide kerf
- The blade is not suitable for smooth finish cuts
6.Timber Wolf Band Saw Blade
Product Specification
- Material: Silicon Steel
- Number of Pieces: One Blade
- Style: Compact
- Cutting Compatibility: Wood
Product Description
If your cutting needs mainly revolve around lumber, there’s no going wrong with the robust Timber Wolf Band Saw Blade. The product reviews are at-par with the brand’s claims. Heavily into tooth construction, this band saw blade’s milled teeth are at least 50% sharper compared to competitor brands in the same price segment.
Not only that but the teeth construction process is also unique as compared to competitor brands – precision induction vs. conventional flame hardening. A unique aspect of this band saw blade is that despite being high-performance, its blade stays cool – the steel is comparatively more ductile than other high-carbon leads.
Also, the teeth’ edges are 20% harder than other blades’ high-carbon steel. As a result, you can enjoy a longer sharp time. With a weight of 7.2 ounces, this band saw blade is compact and good for spaces where wider blades may not fit easily.
Sale
Timber Wolf Bandsaw Blade 1/2″ x 93 1/2″, 3-4 TPI Variable Positive Claw
Pros
- Highly durable silicone blade that is resilient, precise in cutting, and durable
- Flexible blade material resists breakage and stays cool
- The claw design is such that it improves the cut finish and speed
- Reduced chipping due to the kerf
Cons
- Maybe a little pricey
Buying Guide
Want your band saw to perform like a champ? Purchase the correct blade, and you’re halfway there! However, this is a too simplistic answer because no band saw blade is a one-size-fits-all requirement. Blades in the market differ in size, thickness, width, and tooth configuration.
So, how will you know which blade is ideal for your ripping and cutting needs? Keep reading this buying guide to understand.
1. Blade Length
The length of a band saw blade would be its circumference. Meaning, the length value you get if the blade were rolled out flat before welding. Determining the length of the blade requires measuring it from one end to the other.
The measurement part can be a little tricky. You can mark the blade, then open up a measuring tape and roll out the band saw from the blade mark in full circle (till it reaches the mark again).
The blade length is vital because every blade may not fit into every band saw.
2. The Width/Thickness of the Blade
To measure the width or thickness of the blade, run the tape from the tip of the blade’s tooth up until the blade’s flat bottom part. However, a numerical answer will not suffice.
Meaning, the ideal blade thickness will also depend upon your band saw’s size, the material you’re planning to cut, and how smooth you want the finish to be. For instance – a portable, three-wheeled band saw will require a thin blade.
But, three-wheeled band saws that are larger may require a thicker blade. Also, if you’re purchasing a blade for cut-off sawing or re-sawing purposes, a thicker blade will offer smoother straight cuts.
3.The Teeth per Inch or TPI
The shocking truth is that many workers still use the wrong tooth pitch on their band saws. The rule of thumb is that at least three of the blade’s teeth should be involved in the cutting action, with 18 being the maximum.
Blades with lesser teeth are more suitable for rougher cutting action because they generally cut faster and offer better clearance. This makes them suitable for re-sawing purposes. So, blades with 6 or 8 TPI are considered good for general cutting purposes.
Blades with a TPI of 14 or above are typically good for ripping through thin stock items such as plastic or non-ferrous metals. Metals are cut better using blades with more teeth as such blades cut slower and offer a smoother finish.
4.Types of Tooth
Not even all band saw blade teeth are equal. For instance – the most common type is the regular tooth blade suitable for deep straight cuts. These blades are most suited for general metal-cutting purposes.
Then comes the hook tooth design – with slightly longer teeth, these blades are widely spaced and ideal for rough, coarse cuts. Blades with hook-tooth designs are ideal for woodwork, non-ferrous allows, and plastics.
The skip tooth design is another kind wherein the teeth are again widely spaced with a rake angle of 0 degrees. This makes them suitable for woodwork and soft, non-ferrous metals susceptible to clogging.
Finally, the variable tooth design consists of different sizes of teeth on the same blade. The aim is to offer sharp, smooth cuts without vibrations. These blades are suitable for both contouring and woodwork.
Bringing to a Close
Six of the most reliable, best-rated, and multipurpose band saw blades have been described in this guide. However, your ideal pick will largely depend upon your unique cutting needs. If you are heavily involved with woodwork daily, then the overall best Timber Wolf band saw blade or the multipurpose PowerTec and Lenox Tuff Tooth blades are ideal.
In case your needs are heavy-duty and you’re a professional woodworker, the Olson Saw band saw blade is the best. In any case, ensure you carefully understand your cutting needs, compare the specifications of your band saw with the blade, and then make an informed choice.
So, what’s holding you back? Assess your needs and grab a new addition to your toolbox today!
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