What Blade Size Fits the Milwaukee Band Saw M18? Length, Width, and TPI

You bought a Milwaukee M18 band saw and the blade snapped. You go to the store and see two different blade sizes: 35-3/8 and 44-7/8. Both say they fit Milwaukee M18 band saws. You are not sure which one fits your saw because you do not know if you have the compact or the deep cut.

Milwaukee makes two sizes of M18 band saw: the compact and the deep cut. They look similar but take different blades. The compact takes a 35-3/8 inch blade. The deep cut takes a 44-7/8 inch blade. The blades are not interchangeable.

How to Identify Your M18 Band Saw

M18 FUEL Compact Band Saw (2829-20):

• Cut capacity: 3-1/4 inches
• Blade length: 35-3/8 inches
• Weight: 10.2 pounds
• The saw is smaller and lighter. The cut opening is about 3-1/2 inches wide.

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

• Cut capacity: 5 by 5 inches
• Blade length: 44-7/8 inches
• Weight: 15 pounds
• The saw is larger and heavier. The cut opening is about 5-1/2 inches wide.

The easiest way to tell them apart is the cut capacity. Measure the maximum thickness of material the saw can cut. If it is about 3-1/4 inches, you have the compact. If it is about 5 inches, you have the deep cut.

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

M18 Compact (2829-20) Blade Specifications

Length: 35-3/8 inches Width: 1/2 inch Thickness: 0.020 inches Material: Bi-metal M42

Available TPI:

• 14 TPI (part 48-39-0518): Medium wall pipe, thin bar stock, aluminum
• 18 TPI (part 48-39-0519): General purpose, conduit, thin-wall tubing
• 24 TPI (part 48-39-0520): Sheet metal, small round stock

The 18 TPI is the general-purpose blade and the best starting point. The 14 TPI is for slightly thicker material. The 24 TPI is for very thin stock.

This blade length is shared with the older M18 compact (2629-20), the corded compact (6230-20), and the DEWALT 20V mid-size saw (DCS378B). Blades are interchangeable between these models.

M18 Deep Cut (2729-20, 2929-20) Blade Specifications

Length: 44-7/8 inches Width: 1/2 inch Thickness: 0.020 inches Material: Bi-metal M42

Available TPI:

• 8/10 TPI variable pitch (part 48-39-0601): Thick solid bar (2+ inches)
• 10 TPI (part 48-39-0500): General purpose, unistrut, conduit, pipe
• 10/14 TPI variable pitch (part 48-39-0502): Mixed work, thick and thin material
• 14 TPI (part 48-39-0510): Medium wall pipe, aluminum, thin bar
• 14/18 TPI variable pitch (part 48-39-0522): Thin wall tubing, sheet metal
• 18 TPI (part 48-39-0520): Thin wall tubing, conduit, sheet metal
• 24 TPI (part 48-39-0530): Very thin sheet metal, small rod

The 10 TPI is the general-purpose blade. The deep cut has the widest TPI range of any Milwaukee saw because it handles the thickest material.

This blade length is shared with the corded deep cut (6232-20, 6232-21), the DEWALT 20V deep cut (DCS374B, DCS376B), and the Makita 18V LXT (XBP02TX). Blades are interchangeable between all deep cut saws.

TPI Selection by Material

For the M18 Compact (35-3/8 inch)

The compact saw is designed for material up to 3-1/4 inches. It does not have the motor torque for very thick solid bar.

14 TPI: Medium wall pipe (up to 2 inches), thin bar stock, aluminum. Good for material 1/4 to 1 inch thick.

18 TPI: General purpose. Conduit, thin-wall tubing, unistrut, angle iron. The best starting point for most work. Handles material up to 3/8 inch well.

24 TPI: Sheet metal, small round stock (under 1/4 inch), thin-wall tubing. Fine teeth prevent grabbing in very thin material.

For the M18 Deep Cut (44-7/8 inch)

The deep cut handles material up to 5 inches and has the motor torque for thick solid bar.

8/10 TPI variable pitch: Thick solid bar (2+ inches) and heavy wall pipe. The most aggressive blade. The variable pitch breaks up vibration in thick stock.

10 TPI: General purpose. Unistrut, conduit, angle iron, pipe up to 2 inches. The best starting point.

10/14 TPI variable pitch: Mixed work. Handles both thick and thin material. Reduces vibration and produces smoother cuts.

14 TPI: Medium wall pipe, thin bar stock, aluminum. Cleaner finish on thinner material than 10 TPI.

14/18 TPI variable pitch: Thin wall tubing and sheet metal. Variable pitch for a range of thin stock.

18 TPI: Thin wall tubing, conduit, sheet metal. Fine teeth prevent grabbing.

24 TPI: Very thin sheet metal, small rod. Will burn on thick stock.

Blade Speed

M18 Compact: 550 SFPM, single speed. No speed adjustment. Match the blade TPI to the material rather than adjusting speed.

M18 Deep Cut (2729-20): 380 SFPM, single speed. No speed adjustment.

M18 Deep Cut (2929-20): Similar speed with improved Constant Power Technology that maintains speed under load better.

Neither M18 saw has a variable speed dial. If you need variable speed for cutting different materials, the corded 6232-21 has a speed dial that adjusts from 120 to 350 SFPM.

Battery Life

M18 Compact with 5.0 Ah battery: Up to 150 cuts per charge in 1-5/8 inch unistrut.

M18 Deep Cut with 5.0 Ah battery: Up to 78 cuts per charge in 1-5/8 inch unistrut.

For extended use, 8.0 or 12.0 Ah batteries provide longer run time. The saw will run on a 2.0 Ah battery but will drain it in 15 to 20 cuts.

Recommended Blades

For the M18 compact, the Milwaukee 48-39-0519 18 TPI blade is the general-purpose choice. For longer blade life, the LENOX Wolf-Band 35-3/8 inch blade in 14/18 variable pitch is worth the extra cost.

For the M18 deep cut, the Milwaukee 48-39-0500 10 TPI blade is the factory standard. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Deep Cut Band Saw (2729-20) itself is the most popular Milwaukee band saw for good reason.

For longer blade life on the deep cut, the LENOX Wolf-Band 44-7/8 inch blade in 14/18 variable pitch outlasts the Milwaukee factory blade by 20 to 30 percent.

FAQ

What blade does the Milwaukee M18 band saw use?

It depends on the model. The M18 compact (2829-20) uses 35-3/8 inch blades. The M18 deep cut (2729-20, 2929-20) uses 44-7/8 inch blades.

Will M18 compact blades fit the M18 deep cut?

No. The compact uses 35-3/8 inch blades. The deep cut uses 44-7/8 inch blades. They are not interchangeable.

What TPI should I use for general-purpose cutting?

For the compact: 18 TPI. For the deep cut: 10 TPI. These are the factory blades and the best starting points.

Can I use DEWALT blades in my Milwaukee M18 saw?

Yes, if the blade length matches. DEWALT 35-3/8 inch blades fit the M18 compact. DEWALT 44-7/8 inch blades fit the M18 deep cut.

How do I know if I have the M18 compact or deep cut?

Measure the cut capacity. If the saw can cut material up to 3-1/4 inches thick, it is the compact. If it can cut up to 5 inches, it is the deep cut.

What battery should I use with the M18 band saw?

A 5.0 Ah battery is the minimum recommended. For extended use, 8.0 or 12.0 Ah batteries provide longer run time.

References

• Milwaukee Tool. “M18 FUEL Compact Band Saw Owner’s Manual.” Model 2829-20.
• Milwaukee Tool. “M18 FUEL Deep Cut Band Saw Owner’s Manual.” Model 2729-20.
• Milwaukee Tool. “Portable Band Saw Blade Specifications.” Milwaukee Tool Product Catalog.
• LENOX Tools. “Portable Band Saw Blade Compatibility Chart.” LENOX Wolf-Band Series.
• MK Morse. “Portable Band Saw Blade Comparison.” MK Morse Technical Literature.