What Blade Size Fits the Milwaukee Band Saw? Length, Width, and TPI

You bought a Milwaukee band saw at a yard sale. The label is worn, the blade is missing, and you cannot tell if it is an M12, M18, or corded model. The saw works when you plug in a battery or pull the trigger, but without a blade it is just a noisy paperweight. You need to figure out what blade fits.

Milwaukee makes more band saw models than any other tool manufacturer. The blade sizes are not interchangeable between models. Put the wrong blade in and it will not tension, will not track, or will not fit through the blade guides.

Milwaukee Band Saw Blade Size Chart

Here is the complete breakdown by model.

M12 FUEL Compact Band Saw (2529-20)

• Blade length: 30-9/16 inches
• Blade width: 1/2 inch
• Blade thickness: 0.020 inches
• Available TPI: 18, 24
• Part number (18 TPI): 48-39-0515
• Part number (24 TPI): 48-39-0516

This is the smallest Milwaukee band saw. It cuts material up to 1-5/8 inches thick. The 30-9/16 blade is unique to this saw and does not fit any other Milwaukee model.

M18 FUEL Compact Band Saw (2829-20)

• Blade length: 35-3/8 inches
• Blade width: 1/2 inch
• Blade thickness: 0.020 inches
• Available TPI: 14, 18, 24
• Part number (14 TPI): 48-39-0518
• Part number (18 TPI): 48-39-0519
• Part number (24 TPI): 48-39-0520

The M18 compact takes the same blade length as the older M18 compact (2629-20). The 35-3/8 inch blade fits both models. This saw cuts material up to 3-1/4 inches thick.

M18 FUEL Deep Cut Band Saw (2729-20, 2929-20)

• Blade length: 44-7/8 inches
• Blade width: 1/2 inch
• Blade thickness: 0.020 inches
• Available TPI: 8/10, 10, 10/14, 14, 14/18, 18, 24
• Part number (10 TPI): 48-39-0500
• Part number (14 TPI): 48-39-0510
• Part number (18 TPI): 48-39-0520
• Part number (24 TPI): 48-39-0530

The deep cut is the most popular Milwaukee band saw. It cuts material up to 5 by 5 inches. The 44-7/8 inch blade is the most common portable band saw blade size in the industry. DEWALT, LENOX, MK Morse, and others all make blades in this length.

Corded Deep Cut Band Saw (6232-20, 6232-21)

• Blade length: 44-7/8 inches
• Blade width: 1/2 inch
• Blade thickness: 0.020 inches
• Available TPI: Same as M18 deep cut

The corded deep cut uses the same blades as the cordless M18 deep cut. The blade specifications are identical. The only difference is the power source.

Corded Compact Band Saw (6230-20)

• Blade length: 35-3/8 inches
• Blade width: 1/2 inch
• Blade thickness: 0.020 inches
• Available TPI: 14, 18, 24

The older corded compact uses the same 35-3/8 inch blade as the M18 compact. Blades are interchangeable between the corded and cordless compact models.

M18 FUEL Dual-Trigger Deep Cut (2729S-20, 2929S-20)

• Blade length: 44-7/8 inches
• Blade width: 1/2 inch
• Blade thickness: 0.020 inches
• Available TPI: Same as M18 deep cut

The dual-trigger version uses the same blades as the standard deep cut. The dual-trigger mechanism is a safety feature, not a blade compatibility change.

How to Identify Your Milwaukee Band Saw

If the label is worn off, you can identify the saw by measuring the cut capacity and the blade channel.

Cut capacity 1-5/8 inches: M12 compact (2529-20). Takes 30-9/16 inch blades.

Cut capacity 3-1/4 inches: M18 compact (2829-20) or corded compact (6230-20). Takes 35-3/8 inch blades.

Cut capacity 5 by 5 inches: M18 deep cut (2729-20, 2929-20) or corded deep cut (6232-20). Takes 44-7/8 inch blades.

You can also measure the distance between the two blade guide arms. A deep cut saw has about 5-1/2 inches between the guides. A compact saw has about 3-1/2 inches.

TPI Selection by Material

Once you know the blade length, you need to pick the right TPI.

8/10 TPI (deep cut only): Thick solid bar, heavy wall pipe, structural steel. The variable pitch (8 and 10) reduces harmonic vibration and produces smoother cuts in thick stock.

10 TPI: General purpose for metal cutting. Handles unistrut, conduit, angle iron, and pipe up to 2 inches. Good starting point if you are not sure.

14 TPI: Medium wall pipe, thin bar stock, and aluminum. Produces a cleaner finish than 10 TPI on thinner material.

18 TPI: Thin wall tubing, sheet metal, and small round stock. The fine teeth prevent grabbing and tearing in thin material.

24 TPI: Very thin sheet metal, small diameter rod (under 1/4 inch), and non-ferrous metals. Will burn if used on thick stock.

Recommended Blades

For the M18 deep cut, the Milwaukee 48-39-0500 44-7/8 inch 10 TPI bi-metal blade is the factory standard. It handles most jobsite cutting well and holds an edge for 50 to 100 cuts in mild steel.

For better blade life, the Milwaukee 48-39-0601 extreme thick metal blade in 8/10 TPI variable pitch is worth the extra cost if you cut a lot of solid bar. The variable pitch reduces vibration and the M42 tooth edge lasts longer than standard bi-metal.

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Deep Cut Band Saw (2729-20) itself is the saw most people should buy if they do not already own one. It cuts faster than the corded version, runs on the same M18 batteries as your other Milwaukee tools, and the 44-7/8 blade selection is the widest of any portable band saw.

One flaw: the blade tensioning knob on the M18 deep cut is plastic. It works, but after a year of daily use it can crack. Milwaukee sells a replacement knob, but it is an annoying failure point on an otherwise excellent tool.

FAQ

What size blade does the Milwaukee M18 deep cut band saw use?

The M18 deep cut (2729-20, 2929-20) uses a 44-7/8 inch blade in 1/2 inch width and 0.020 inch thickness.

Will Milwaukee blades fit a DEWALT band saw?

If the blade length matches, yes. Milwaukee 44-7/8 inch blades fit DEWALT deep cut saws (DCS374B) and vice versa. The blade dimensions are industry standard.

What is the difference between 10 TPI and 14/18 TPI variable pitch?

Variable pitch blades alternate between two tooth spacings. This breaks up harmonic vibration and produces a smoother cut in thick stock. For thin material, a single pitch blade (14 or 18 TPI) is better because the tooth spacing is consistent.

Can I use a Milwaukee band saw blade on a non-Milwaukee saw?

Yes, as long as the blade length matches. Milwaukee blades are industry standard in length and width. The blade quality is generally good, but MK Morse and LENOX make comparable or better blades in the same sizes.

How do I know when to replace the blade?

When the cut slows down significantly, the blade starts wandering, or the cut surface becomes rough and torn. A sharp blade cuts smoothly and quietly. A dull blade pushes you to apply more pressure, which causes blade breakage.

What is the best all-purpose TPI for a Milwaukee deep cut?

10 TPI is the best all-purpose choice. It handles thick and thin material adequately. If you only want to stock one blade, make it 10 TPI.

References

• Milwaukee Tool. “Portable Band Saw Blade Specifications.” Milwaukee Tool Product Catalog.
• Milwaukee Tool. “M18 FUEL Deep Cut Band Saw Owner’s Manual.” Model 2729-20.
• Milwaukee Tool. “M12 FUEL Compact Band Saw Owner’s Manual.” Model 2529-20.
• LENOX Tools. “44-7/8 Inch Portable Band Saw Blade Guide.” LENOX Wolf-Band Documentation.
• MK Morse. “Portable Band Saw Blade Comparison.” MK Morse Technical Literature.