Blade Length
The easiest way to find your blade length is by using our Bandsaw Blade Finder or checking your machine’s owner’s manual.
Note: If your machine has a riser block, the Blade Finder results won’t reflect the added height. In this case, search by blade length or contact us for assistance.
Can't I just measure my blade?
You can measure your bandsaw blade to get a close estimate. We suggest using the bandsaw blade finder tool mentioned above, or you can consult your machine's owner's manual.
To verify the length of your bandsaw blade, follow these simple steps:
Lay the blade flat on the floor with the teeth facing inward, so it forms a circular shape.
Position the weld (where the blade is joined) so it is touching the floor.
Mark the floor directly under the weld using a piece of masking tape or painter’s tape.
Carefully roll the blade forward along the floor until the weld contacts the floor again.
Place a second piece of tape at the new weld contact point.
Measure the distance between the two pieces of tape. This measurement is the approximate blade length.
But Which Width/Tooth/Pitch Should I Choose?
Blade choice is typically determined by the type and purpose of cut, the hardness and thickness of wood, and the desired trade-offs between cutting speed vs. cutting quality. Read on to understand what each means.
Blade Width
Wider blades → Better for straight cuts; less blade wandering.
Narrower blades → Better for curves; smaller minimum cutting radius.
The graphic below shows the recommended minimum radius of cut based on the blade width:
Blade Teeth
Main tooth styles:
Hook – Cuts faster, leaves a rougher finish.
Raker – Cuts slower, leaves a smoother finish.
Other variations (Skip, Positive Claw, AS-S) are modified versions of these two styles for specialized cuts.
The graphic below shows the difference between tooth styles:
Tooth Pitch
Fine pitch (more teeth per inch) → Smoother cut, slower feed, better for harder woods.
Coarse pitch (fewer teeth per inch) → Faster cut, rougher finish, better for softer woods.
Rule of thumb: Have at least three teeth in contact with the workpiece at all times.
Metal Blades
When it comes to selecting blades for cutting metal, there are other things to consider. This video discusses how many teeth per inch you need on your metal cutting blades based on your application.
In summary, these are the points to remember when selecting your metal cutting blade:
Blade Selection Based on TPI
- TPI (Teeth Per Inch) affects cutting speed and finish.
- More TPI: Slower cutting speed, better cut quality.
- Less TPI: Faster cutting speed, rougher cut finish.
- General purpose blade: An 8-10 TPI blade is suitable for most cuts at a medium speed.
Can a Wood Bandsaw Cut Metal?
We get this question a lot. Please see here for more details: Can a wood bandsaw cut metal or vice versa?