10 Best Band Saw Blades for Metal in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks

Even the best band saw on the market won’t cut metal well if the blade is of inferior quality. It pays to use high-quality band saw blades for metal to get the best cuts when using your band saw. The challenge, of course, is knowing which blade is best. Numerous manufacturers and brands sell band saw blades for metal, and most claim their blade is superior.

To help you meet the challenge and choose an excellent metal cutting blade for your band saw, we have reviews and a buyer’s guide below to help you make the best choice. Some are slightly better than others, but all of the band saw blades for metal on today’s list will do a fine job and provide professional results.

A Glance at Our Winners in 2023

Image	Product	Details
	Imachinist Thick Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blades	Extremely durable Perfect for thin pipes	CHECK PRICE
	POWERTEC 13230 Bi-Metal	Cuts metals, wood, and some plastics Highly precise cuts Rake set teeth to reduce clogging	CHECK PRICE
	Starrett – 99188-05-04-1/2 Intenss Pro-Die	A wavy tooth set provides better control Very durable under heavy cutting conditions Doesn’t need coolant under most conditions	CHECK PRICE
	Imachinist S64514 Bi-Metal	Cuts softer metal very well Smooth cutting on most projects Doesn’t overheat	CHECK PRICE
	SuperCut 50110	Highly flexible for intricate cuts Stays cool during longer projects Extremely durable for longer life	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Band Saw Blades

1. Imachinist S64121214SS 64-1/2” Long, 1/2” Wide, 0.025” Thick Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blades

Our Top Pick for band saw blades for metal features 14 teeth per inch (TPI), making it perfect for cutting thin pipes made from stainless steel and other hard metals. The iMachinist blade is a bi-metal band saw blade designed to be durable. The backing strip is the key, adding extra strength without adding too much to the cost.

One caveat is that this metal-cutting band saw blade is not recommended for non-ferrous metals. Customers liked the Imachinist’s durability and long life, even after several metal-cutting projects.

2. POWERTEC 13230 Bi-Metal

Since it’s made to cut non-ferrous, soft metals, and nickel-based alloys easily, the Powertec 13230 can also handle wood and hard plastics. It’s excellent for structural metal and tubes with a small diameter. This band saw blade is also accurate and durable. The teeth are set at a raked angle to reduce clogging and provide a smoother finish with every cut.

Triple-tempered high-speed cobalt steel is used to add strength and provide a longer useable life. Lastly, Powertec engineered its welding points to perform well without overheating or warping the blade.

3. Starrett – 99188-05-04-1/2 Intenss Pro-Die

The Starrett Intenss line is manufactured from triple-tempered, high-speed cobalt steel to cut various metals. It features an alloy strip backing that is more durable for longer jobs. It also features a variable tooth pitch to reduce vibration and noise during cutting jobs. The Starrett’s wavy tooth set makes it stand apart from the competition.

It has groups of teeth on each side of the blade in a controlled pattern, which prevents stripping and allows you to make thinner cuts. As with several other brands mentioned today, Starrett also uses triple-tempered M-42 high-speed cobalt steel with an alloy steel backing. This helps the blades resist fatigue and perform straight cuts.

4. Imachinist S64514 Bi-Metal

If soft ferrous metal is what you need to cut, this band saw blade for metal is a great choice. It’s made to cut thin pipe tube profiles and does the job very well.  The blade’s M-42 high-speed cobalt is one of the reasons this product is popular, allowing for superior performance and fine, smooth cuts, even during bigger projects where many other blades would overheat and warp.

Customers said the blades were excellent, and they were impressed by how well they cut. iMachinist blades tend to be thicker than other brands, which adds to their stability when cutting and provides a straighter, smoother cut.

5. SuperCut 50110

These premium bi-metal band saw blades are welded by lasers under a high vacuum. That ensures their spring steel backing attaches firmly and provides a flexible, tough finish for metal cutting projects of all types. Another benefit is that you can run the blades at high speeds (up to 300 fpm) without being cooled.

High-speed M-42 cobalt gives the teeth on SuperCut band saw blades their durability and toughness. It also keeps them highly pliable and prevents overheating during long cuts. They are optimal for cutting stainless steel and a variety of mild steel. Their spring-steel backing strip also allows you to run these blades longer without warping, thanks to the teeth milled into the M-42 steel.

6. BOSCH BS6412

Manufactured using premium-grade steel, these BOSCH saw blades for metal don’t heat up during longer projects, providing superior performance. They also have an optimized tooth geometry, which gives more precise, thinner cuts. If needed, they can also be used for wood projects and have a longer life than many other blades.

Bosch has long been known for their premium band saw blades, and these are no exception. Cutting fine and intricate shapes is a breeze, and the result is a smooth cut with fewer burrs and less need to sand and polish. Unlike many other brands, there is little need for time-consuming adjustments as Bosch band saw blades are good to go straight out of the packaging.

7. DEWALT DW3984C Portable Band Saw Blade

Incorporating their MatrixⅡhigh-speed steel edge that’s 8% cobalt, the Dewalt band saw blades have very high heat and wear resistance. The resistance is increased further by an alloy steel backer and Rc 65-67 tooth hardness (relatively high).

These blades cut deftly through thick and medium metal but still deliver a fine cut on thin metal. The alloy steel backer on Dewalt band saw blades is the key to its durability and ability to stay cool during longer cutting projects. It also helps increase fatigue resistance and makes them perfect for cutting thick, medium, and thin gauge metals.

8. FOXBC Bi-Metal Bandsaw Blade

These durable band saw blades cut a wide variety of metals well. They also cut well at slower speeds thanks to the addition of 8% cobalt, which significantly increases their durability and wear time. FOXBC also uses a unique welding joint that’s stronger and smoother for less strain on your band saw.

The positive rake angle on FoxBC band saw blades makes them perfect for cutting solid, structural, and tubular shapes. They are also an excellent choice for various metals, including aluminum, chrome, tungsten steel, and galvanized pipe, and work well at slower cutting speeds. Lastly, these blades are also ideal for cutting hard plastics and all types of wood.

9. Skil 80151

Since they’re manufactured from premium grade steel, Skil band saw blades resist heat buildup to deliver a better cut, higher durability, and excellent performance. Also, a unique teeth geometry allows for smoother cuts with less feedback and keeps the blades from overheating.

Unlike some brands, Skil has a dedicated customer support team if you have problems or questions. Top-grade steel goes into their construction to add longevity and durability and keeps the blades cool under heavy use during big cutting jobs. They also track very well to provide a smoother cut and finish.

10. Lenox – 29232CLB72360 Classic Tuff Tooth

With a special design to reduce tooth stripping, the Lenox Classic Tuff Tooth band saw blade cuts all types of steel, including carbon, stainless, structural, and alloy steel, as well as aluminum and non-ferrous metals. Their wavy tooth set provides thin cuts and prevents stripping simultaneously.

Also, the constant pitch of the teeth and uniform gullet depth make these blades an excellent choice for all your general-purpose cutting projects. The M-42 high-speed steel teeth are incredibly durable and heat-resistant with a positive rake. Lenox blades are perfect for fine cuts and general-purpose cutting of several solid, rectangular, and structural shapes.

Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Band Saw Blades for Metal

Finding the best band saw blade to cut the metal isn’t the most difficult challenge. However, depending on the project, the right blade for the job can be critical, especially if you’re cutting an expensive metal like stainless steel.

The good news is that, for the most part, band saw blades for metal aren’t ridiculously expensive. If you purchase one that isn’t perfect for your job, you can set it aside for another project and buy another. You might consider purchasing two or three blades simultaneously to save the extra trips to the store.

What to Look for in a Band Saw Blade for Metal

Bandsaw blades for cutting metal are manufactured using several materials, including carbon steel, bimetal, carbide-tipped, and diamond-tipped. However, carbon steel and bi-metal bandsaw blades are the most common for home use. Below, we’ll take a quick look at both.

Carbon Steel Blades

Most band saw manufacturers include a carbon steel band saw blade with their products. The main reason is that carbon steel band saw blades are inexpensive. They can also cut various materials, including metal, wood, fiberglass, and plastics. One drawback is that they wear out quickly, especially when cutting metal.

Bimetal Blades

Bi-metal bandsaw blades are created when two types of metal are fused, usually carbon and cobalt steel. Bimetal blades cost slightly more than carbon steel blades but are significantly harder and more durable due to the addition of cobalt.

Blade Dimensions

Length

Every band saw requires blades of a specific length. If you purchase a blade that’s the wrong length, it won’t work, so be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the correct blade length for your band saw. The most common is 64 ½”.

Width

While the length of the bandsaw blade is fixed, the width can differ depending on what your project requires. The band saw blades typically run from ⅛ inch to 2 inches wide for home use. It’s recommended to purchase the widest blade possible for your project, as a wider blade will allow you to make a straighter cut and give you the most control. However, a narrow blade will allow you to cut a tighter curve if necessary.

Thickness

The thickness is almost unimportant when choosing a bandsaw blade. The reason is that few options are available unless you have a custom-made blade, which would be expensive and probably unnecessary for a DIY project.

Teeth Per Inch (TPI)

Teeth per inch (TPI) is an essential feature in a bandsaw blade when cutting metal. The higher the TPI, the better, smoother, and straighter your blade will cut, especially with durable metals like stainless steel. That’s why most metal cutting band saw blades have a comparatively high tooth count, from 8 TPI to 20 TPI (and higher).

Band Saw Blades for Metal TIPS

Below are a few excellent tips that will help you get the most out of your band saw blades for metal and ensure you stay safe during your metal-cutting projects.

Here are a few tips to know when it’s time to change blades:

Final Thoughts

Of the 10 band saw blades for metal we’ve reviewed today, the Top 3 provide the highest durability, smoothest cuts, and longest life. They include the Imachinist S64121214SS Bi-Metal, the POWERTEC 13230 Bi-Metal, and the Starrett – 99188-05-04-1/2 Intenss Pro-Die.

All three of these excellent band saw blades will serve you well during your metal DIY projects and give you excellent cuts that are straight, smooth, and require a minimal amount of grinding, sanding, and polishing. The top picks are similarly priced like the rest of the band saw blades on today’s list, and you won’t have to pay a premium to get excellent results.

Featured Image Credit: Anna Shvets, Pexels