What Blade Size Fits the DEWALT 20V Band Saw? Length, Width, and TPI

You have a DEWALT 20V band saw and the blade snapped. You go to the store and see a wall of blades. Some say 44-7/8, some say 32-7/8, some say 35-3/8. None of them say which DEWALT model they fit. You look at your saw. The model number is rubbed off where your hand rests. Now you are guessing.

DEWALT makes four distinct 20V cordless band saws. They look similar but take different blades. Putting the wrong blade in will not damage the saw, but it will not tension and you cannot cut with it. Here is how to figure out which saw you have and which blade it needs.

DEWALT 20V Band Saw Model Lineup

DCS377B: 20V MAX ATOMIC Compact Band Saw

• Blade length: 32-7/8 inches
• Blade width: 1/2 inch
• Blade thickness: 0.020 inches
• Cut capacity: 1-3/4 inches
• Blade speed: 570 SFPM
• Weight: 5.6 pounds

This is the smallest DEWALT band saw. It is designed for cutting small pipe, conduit, and thin stock in tight spaces. The 32-7/8 inch blade is unique to this saw. The factory blade is 18 TPI bi-metal.

DCS378B: 20V MAX XR Mid-Size Band Saw

• Blade length: 35-3/8 inches
• Blade width: 1/2 inch
• Blade thickness: 0.020 inches
• Cut capacity: 3-3/8 inches
• Blade speed: 570 SFPM
• Weight: 8.5 pounds

The mid-size saw bridges the gap between the compact and the deep cut. The 35-3/8 inch blade is the same length used by Milwaukee’s M18 compact band saw, so cross-brand blade shopping is possible.

DCS374B: 20V MAX XR Deep Cut Band Saw

• Blade length: 44-7/8 inches
• Blade width: 1/2 inch
• Blade thickness: 0.020 inches
• Cut capacity: 5 by 4-3/4 inches
• Blade speed: 570 SFPM
• Weight: 13.2 pounds

This is the full-size deep cut saw. It handles the same material as the Milwaukee M18 deep cut. The 44-7/8 inch blade is the industry standard for deep cut portable band saws.

DCS376B: 20V MAX XR Dual-Switch Deep Cut Band Saw

• Blade length: 44-7/8 inches
• Blade width: 1/2 inch
• Blade thickness: 0.020 inches
• Cut capacity: 5 by 4-3/4 inches
• Blade speed: 570 SFPM
• Weight: 13.2 pounds

Same as the DCS374B but with a dual-switch trigger for jobsites that require it. Uses the same blades.

How to Identify Your DEWALT Band Saw

If the model number is worn off, measure the cut capacity (the maximum thickness of material the saw can cut).

1-3/4 inch cut: DCS377B compact. Takes 32-7/8 inch blades.

3-3/8 inch cut: DCS378B mid-size. Takes 35-3/8 inch blades.

5 inch cut: DCS374B or DCS376B deep cut. Takes 44-7/8 inch blades. Count the triggers to tell them apart. One trigger is DCS374B. Two triggers is DCS376B.

You can also check the blade guard. The compact and mid-size saws have a smaller guard opening. The deep cut has a much larger guard to accommodate the 5-inch cut capacity.

TPI Selection for DEWALT 20V Saws

The blade length is fixed by the saw model. The TPI is your choice.

For the DCS377B compact (32-7/8 inch):

• 18 TPI for general purpose (conduit, thin pipe, unistrut)
• 24 TPI for thin sheet metal and small round stock
• The compact saw does not have enough torque for coarse blades (10 or 14 TPI) on thick material. Stick with 18 or 24.

For the DCS378B mid-size (35-3/8 inch):

• 14 TPI for medium wall pipe and bar stock up to 2 inches
• 18 TPI for thin wall tubing and conduit
• 24 TPI for sheet metal

For the DCS374B and DCS376B deep cut (44-7/8 inch):

• 10/14 TPI for thick solid bar (2 inches and up)
• 14 TPI for general purpose (unistrut, angle iron, pipe)
• 18 TPI for thin wall tubing and conduit
• 24 TPI for sheet metal and small round stock

DEWALT vs Milwaukee Blades

DEWALT and Milwaukee deep cut saws both use 44-7/8 inch blades. The blades are interchangeable. But there are differences in blade quality.

DEWALT factory blades (DW3983, DW3984) are adequate but not exceptional. They dull faster than Milwaukee and LENOX blades. The bi-metal construction is standard M42, but the tooth geometry is less aggressive than Milwaukee’s.

Milwaukee blades (48-39-0500 series) hold an edge longer in the same material. The tooth set is wider, which produces a slightly rougher cut but clears chips better and runs cooler.

LENOX Wolf-Band blades are the best third-party option. They outlast both DEWALT and Milwaukee factory blades by 20 to 30 percent in independent testing. The trade-off is cost. LENOX blades run about 30 percent more than DEWALT.

For the compact and mid-size saws, blade options are more limited because the 32-7/8 and 35-3/8 lengths are less common. DEWALT factory blades are the easiest to find. Milwaukee also makes 35-3/8 inch blades (48-39-0518 series) that fit the DCS378B.

Recommended Blades

For the DEWALT DCS374B deep cut band saw, the best all-purpose blade is the Milwaukee 48-39-0500 in 10 TPI. It fits the DEWALT saw, cuts aggressively, and holds an edge longer than the DEWALT factory blade.

For the compact DCS377B, the DEWALT DW3984 in 18 TPI is the most readily available option. It is a decent blade for the price. If you want better life, the Milwaukee 48-39-0515 in 18 TPI fits the 32-7/8 length but is harder to find.

One issue with DEWALT saws: the blade tensioning mechanism is a thumb wheel that can be hard to grip with gloves on. Milwaukee uses a larger knob that is easier to turn. This is a minor complaint but matters if you change blades frequently.

FAQ

What blade does the DEWALT DCS374B use?

The DCS374B deep cut band saw uses a 44-7/8 inch blade in 1/2 inch width and 0.020 inch thickness. The factory blade is 14 TPI bi-metal.

Will Milwaukee blades fit a DEWALT band saw?

Yes, if the blade length matches. Milwaukee 44-7/8 inch blades fit the DEWALT DCS374B. Milwaukee 35-3/8 inch blades fit the DEWALT DCS378B. The blade dimensions are industry standard.

What is the difference between the DCS374B and DCS376B?

The DCS374B has a single trigger. The DCS376B has a dual-switch trigger for jobsites that require both switches to be pressed. Both use the same 44-7/8 inch blades.

Can I use a 44-7/8 blade in the compact DCS377B?

No. The DCS377B takes a 32-7/8 inch blade. A 44-7/8 inch blade will not fit or tension in the compact saw.

What TPI should I use for cutting steel pipe?

For schedule 40 steel pipe, 14 TPI is the best all-around choice for the deep cut saw. For thin-wall tubing, use 18 TPI. For thick solid bar, use 10/14 variable pitch.

How do I change the blade on a DEWALT 20V band saw?

Open the blade guard, remove the old blade, loop the new blade around the wheels with teeth pointing down and toward the cut direction, close the guard, and tension the blade with the thumb wheel. The process is the same for all DEWALT 20V models.

References

• DEWALT. “20V MAX XR Deep Cut Band Saw Owner’s Manual.” Model DCS374B.
• DEWALT. “20V MAX ATOMIC Compact Band Saw Owner’s Manual.” Model DCS377B.
• DEWALT. “Portable Band Saw Blade Specifications.” DEWALT Accessories Catalog.
• Milwaukee Tool. “44-7/8 Inch Portable Band Saw Blade Guide.” Milwaukee Tool Product Documentation.
• LENOX Tools. “Portable Band Saw Blade Compatibility Chart.” LENOX Wolf-Band Series.