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Not Sure Which Blade? We Can Help.
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⚙ Scroll Saw Blade Finder Find the perfect blade by type, material, and tooth style EXPLORE GUIDE ⚙ Band Saw Blade Finder Search by saw brand, blade length, or material to cut FIND YOUR BLADE

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Not Sure Which Blade? We Can Help.
Interactive tools to find the right Olson blade for your project
⚙ Scroll Saw Blade Finder Find the perfect blade by type, material, and tooth style EXPLORE GUIDE ⚙ Band Saw Blade Finder Search by saw brand, blade length, or material to cut FIND YOUR BLADE
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What size blade does my band saw use?

Back to all

What size blade does my band saw use?

To determine the what size blade your band saw uses, you need to consider a few key factors specific to your saw. The size of a band saw blade is typically determined by the saw’s throat capacity and the distance from the blade guides. Here’s a general guide on how to find the right blade size for your band saw:

1. Consult the Manufacturer’s Specifications

  • The easiest and most accurate way to find out what size blade your bandsaw requires is to consult the manufacturer’s manual or specifications. Most manufacturers provide this information clearly in the user manual or on a label on the machine itself.
  • If you don’t have the manual, you can often find this information on the manufacturer’s website by searching for your band saw model.

2. Measure the Saw Yourself

If for some reason you cannot find the manufacturer’s specifications, you can measure it yourself. You’ll need to know two key measurements: the throat capacity (distance from the blade to the vertical frame) for vertical band saws, which gives you an idea of the maximum width of material that can be cut, and the length of the blade.
To measure the length of the blade:

• If the old blade is available, simply measure its total length. This is the easiest method. You can mark the blade with an indelible marker and roll it along a tape measure on the floor.

• If the old blade is not available, you will have to manually calculate the blade length. This can be done by wrapping a flexible measuring tape or a piece of string around the wheels of the band saw, following the same path the blade would take. Make sure to go around the wheels exactly once and measure the length of the tape or string. This measurement is the total length of the band saw blade you need. Or you can use this formula : (R1 X 3.1416) + (R2 X 3.1416) + (2 X C) = Length
• Where R1 is the radius of the first wheel and R2 is the radius of the second wheel and C is the distance between center of the wheels

Other Things to Consider

Blade Width and Thickness

Besides the length, the blade width and thickness are also important and depend on what you intend to cut and the minimum radius you wish to cut. Wider blades are better for straight cuts and resawing, while narrower blades are suited for cutting curves. The specifications of your band saw will often include the range of blade widths it can accommodate.

Teeth Per Inch (TPI)

Consider also the TPI based on the material you are cutting. More teeth per inch result in smoother cuts but slower cutting speed, ideal for fine woodworking. Fewer teeth cut faster but with rougher results, which may be suitable for rough cuts in thicker materials.

 

Conclusion

Finding the right size blade for your band saw involves knowing the length of the blade that fits your saw, as well as understanding the kind of work you intend to do with it to choose the appropriate width, thickness, and teeth per inch. Always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications first for the most accurate information. If that’s not possible, careful measurement and understanding your cutting needs will guide you in selecting the correct blade size.

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