Best Band Saw Blades For WOOD, Metal, & More

Reviews Of The Top Band Saw Blades

1. BOSCH BS80-6H

The BOSCH BS80-6H bandsaw blade is affordable but built for heavy-duty cutting applications. Its durability is mainly owed to the heat-resistant material the blade was made with.

Rather than its budget-friendly price tag, our testers were more impressed with the blades 80 x 1 cm length and six teeth per inch feature. This allows it to fit most bandsaw blade specifications.

And because its material is made to resist heat, users can expect it to offer smoother bandsaw operations and lessen the chances of wearing.

What We Like

  • Different types of cuts can be executed
  • It can resist heat for less wearing & long-lasting usage
  • Compatible with most bandsaws, budget-friendly
  • Made by a trusted brand of power tools
  • Its made of premium grade steel

2. LENOX Tools 8010838PW185

If youre engaged with several bandsaw projects, buying blades like LENOX Tools 8010838PW185 is a smart move, especially because theyre sold in bulk. You can have spare blades in case one of them wears out.

We are sure that the blade’s tuff tooth design will pique your interest as much as ours when you look at it closely. This feature allows the blade’s cutting edge to remain sharp and durable despite repeated use.

These blades are resistant to shattering and can bend without causing damage. Because of this, you can count on this blade option for tough cutting conditions.

What We Like

  • Sold with five blades in one purchase
  • Impressive cutting performance
  • Blade life and cutting edge durability are important.

What We Don’t Like

  • Sold at a higher cost
  • Other options have a shorter length

3. POWERTEC 13104

We were not surprised to find that the POWERTEC 13104 blade measures around 151cm and can be used for most types of cutting tasks. It is made with high-grade carbon steel material and will withstand heavy-duty use without any damage.

It can cut accurately at any speed setting as its optimized with a geometric tooth design. This blade can be used to cut different materials such as wood, plastic, or metal.

This feature is also aided by a carbonated hard edge blade, making cutting results seamless and accurate.

What We Like

  • It is versatile and can be used to cut different materials.
  • This is the ideal tool for heavy-duty cutting operations
  • Effective and reliable saw tooth spacing

What we don’t like

  • It is not recommended to be used on a daily basis.
  • May cut slower than other models

4. DEWALT DW3986C

As a brand widely known for reliable woodworking machines , testing DEWALT DW3986C portable bandsaw blades isnt something we can skip. The edge is made of high-speed steel Matrix II and can withstand heat and reduce the chance of it wearing.

The blades hardness rating can be measured around RC 65-67 standards, further proving its lasting durability. Because of this, cutting medium metal pieces, thick or thin, wont be an issue.

As if this wasn’t enough proof of its strength, did know that the blade comes with an alloy steel backer. With this component, the blade can resist fatigue as well.

What We Like

  • You can make precise cuts at different speeds
  • Resistant against fatigue, wearing, or tearing
  • Lower price range than other blades

What we don’t like

  • It’s not as long as the other options
  • Compatibility may vary per model

Buyers Guide For Bandsaw Blades

Length And Width

If you want your bandsaw blade to cut well, you must buy a model that has the right length and width suited for the material youll be cutting.

If these features arent included in the manual, we suggest using the length formula (2XA) + (3.14XB). In this equation, A is the distance between the center and the upper wheels. B, on the other hand, is the diameter of the bandsaws.

As for the blades width, youll have to consider what type of cuts youll be doing. For straight cuts, a wider blade will work. For more intricate cutting tasks, however, smaller blades will be more precise and better suited.

Thickness

When buying thick bandsaw blades, you should know that theyre more susceptible to breaking and bending than thinner ones. Our testers also noted that they are more resilient to tough material cutting.

We suggest buying thinner blades if you need to bend or twist the blade during cutting operations.

TPI

The number of teeth in a tooth (TPI), is the measurement of how many you have. This helps you get smoother cuts. We think that blades that are good for general use can be found between 6 and 8 TPI.

A regular blade with around 2 to 3 TPI should suffice to cut through thick materials. Blades with 14 TPI are best for intricate projects.

Blade Type

Regular Tooth

Regular tooth blades are exactly like their name. They have equal-proportioned spacing. Thanks to this, its highly suitable for general-purpose bandsaw usage.

Rather than durability, these blades are known for their finer finish on thin materials.

Skip Tooth

These blades have teeth spaced far apart. The angle of each tooth is 0-degrees rake-like, which makes it resistant to clogging. It can also be used for cutting metal or plastic.

Hook Tooth

Unlike the other two options, hook-toothed blades are designed bigger. The blade’s material feeding process is consistent thanks to the 10-degree angle of its rake. It also cuts faster than other blades.

Material Durability

If you scan the market as much as we did, most of the blades youll encounter are made with bi-metal and high-carbon material. How do you know which blade is the best? The answer still depends on what kind of material youll be cutting.

Cutting typical materials like wood and plastic for a carbon-made blade wont be a problem. It can handle fiberglass and other nonferrous materials. Meanwhile, bi-metal blades are durable enough tocut stainless steeland other metal types.

Benefits Of A Good Band Saw Blade

  • Bandsaw blades have high efficiency and put fewer materials to waste than other blade types.
  • It can deliver more accurate cutting results regardless of the material.
  • These blades are easier to control, making them capable of cutting intricate shapes.

These Are The Must-Know Tips

  • For longevity, don’t forget to let your blades relax after each use.
  • For smoother cuts, lubricate your blade regularly during use.
  • Dont let sawdusts and residues settle around the blade to avoid cutting inaccuracies and accidents.

FAQ

What bandsaw blade should I use to cut steel?

The best bandsaw blade you should use to cut steel is a bi-metal variation. Hook teeth are also an option as they offer a consistent material feeding process.