Replacing Craftsman 12-Inch Band Saw Blade: How to Match the Correct Size and Material
You have a Craftsman 12-inch band saw (model 113.248320 or similar) and the blade finally broke or dulled beyond use. You need to order a replacement, but you are not sure what length, width, TPI, or material to buy. The old blade is in pieces and you cannot read the markings. You need a guide that tells you exactly what to order and how to install it.
The Craftsman 12-inch band saw uses an 80-inch blade. This is one of the more common blade lengths and is available from multiple manufacturers including Olson Saw, Timber Wolf, LENOX, and Starrett. The blade is available in widths from 1/8 to 1/2 inch, TPI from 3 to 14, and in carbon steel and bi-metal materials.
Confirming the Blade Length
The Craftsman 12-inch band saw (model 113.248320 and similar) uses an 80-inch blade. If you are not sure, check the saw’s manual or measure the old blade.
To measure a broken blade: Lay the pieces flat end to end and measure the total length. If the blade is in one piece, lay it flat, mark a point, and measure around the loop back to the mark.
Do not guess. The 12-inch Craftsman uses 80 inches, but the 14-inch Craftsman uses 93-1/2 inches and the 10-inch uses 70-1/2 or 62 inches depending on the model. Ordering the wrong length wastes time and money.
Choosing the Blade Width
1/8 Inch (14 TPI)
Best for: Tight curves and scroll work. Minimum turning radius about 2 inches. Not for: Straight cuts. The narrow blade wanders on straight lines longer than 6 inches. When to buy: When you do detailed curve work or scroll cutting.
1/4 Inch (6 TPI)
Best for: General curve cutting. Minimum turning radius about 4 inches. Handles straight cuts in stock up to 2 inches. When to buy: When you need a second blade for curve work alongside your general-purpose blade.
3/8 Inch (4 TPI)
Best for: The best all-around width for the 12-inch Craftsman. Tracks straight for ripping and crosscutting. Still handles curves with a 5 inch radius or larger. When to buy: If you only buy one blade, make it 3/8 inch with 4 TPI. This handles 80 percent of woodworking tasks.
1/2 Inch (3 TPI)
Best for: Straight ripping and resawing. Handles the full 6-inch resaw capacity of the 12-inch Craftsman. Will not cut curves tighter than about 12 inch radius. When to buy: When you need to resaw boards or rip thick stock.
Choosing the TPI
| TPI | Best For | Stock Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| 3 TPI (hook) | Resawing | 3+ inches |
| 4 TPI (skip) | General woodworking | 3/4 to 2 inches |
| 6 TPI | Smoother cuts | 1/2 to 1 inch |
| 10 TPI | Thin stock | 1/4 inch and under |
| 14 TPI | Scroll work | 1/4 inch and under |
Rule of thumb: At least 3 teeth should be in the material at all times. For 1/4 inch material, you need at least 12 TPI. For 1 inch material, you need at least 3 TPI.
Choosing the Tooth Profile
Hook tooth (positive rake): The tooth leans forward. Cuts aggressively. Best for thick stock and resawing. Can grab in soft woods if feed is too fast.
Skip tooth (0 degree rake): The tooth is straight up. Large gullet for chip clearance. The most common profile for general woodworking. Good in soft or gummy woods.
Regular tooth (slight negative rake): Cuts slower, produces the smoothest finish. Best for thin stock and fine work.
Choosing the Blade Material
Carbon Steel
The standard for the 12-inch Craftsman. Holds an edge for 2 to 4 hours in softwoods, 1 to 2 hours in hardwoods. Good for occasional use. Cost: 10 to 18 dollars. When to buy: For general woodworking and occasional use.
Bi-Metal M42
M42 high-speed steel edge on flexible backing. Lasts 3 to 5 times longer than carbon steel. Handles hardwood resawing without dulling mid-cut. Cost: 18 to 35 dollars. When to buy: For regular use, hardwood cutting, or resawing.
Carbide-Tipped
Longest-lasting but expensive. Overkill for most 12-inch saws. The 1 HP motor on the Craftsman 12-inch may not have the power to take full advantage of carbide. Cost: 60 to 120 dollars. When to buy: Only for production resawing.
Recommended Blades for the Craftsman 12-Inch
General woodworking: 3/8 inch, 4 TPI skip tooth, carbon steel. Cost: about 12 dollars.
Resawing: 1/2 inch, 3 TPI hook tooth, bi-metal. Cost: about 25 dollars.
Curve cutting: 1/4 inch, 6 TPI skip tooth, carbon steel. Cost: about 12 dollars.
Fine work: 1/8 inch, 14 TPI, carbon steel. Cost: about 10 dollars.
Hardwood ripping: 1/2 inch, 4 TPI skip tooth, bi-metal. Cost: about 22 dollars.
Installation Steps
Step 1: Remove the old blade. Unplug the saw. Open the upper and lower wheel covers. Release blade tension by turning the tension knob counterclockwise. Slide the old blade off the wheels and through the table slot.
Step 2: Clean the saw. While the covers are open, clean the wheels and tires. Remove sawdust and pitch buildup. Check the tires for cracks and flat spots. If the tires are worn, replace them before installing the new blade.
Step 3: Install the new blade. Thread the new blade through the table slot and around both wheels. The teeth should point down and toward the table. Position the blade in the center of both tires.
Step 4: Tension the blade. Turn the tension knob clockwise to apply tension. For a 3/8 inch blade, tension to about 15,000 PSI. On the Craftsman 12-inch, this is when the knob is snug plus a quarter turn. Do not overtension.
Step 5: Set the tracking. Close the wheel covers. Plug in the saw. Turn it on briefly and watch the blade on the upper wheel. The blade should run in the center of the tire. If it drifts, adjust the tracking knob on the back of the upper wheel housing.
Step 6: Adjust the blade guides. Set the side guides about 1/32 inch from the blade sides. Set the thrust bearing about 1/64 inch behind the blade. The guides should not touch the blade during free running.
Step 7: Check the cut. Make a test cut on scrap wood. The cut should be straight and clean. If the blade wanders, check the guides, tension, and tracking.
Blade Break-In
New bi-metal blades need a break-in period. Run the first 10 to 20 cuts at half feed pressure. This lets the tooth tips wear evenly and prevents chipping. Skipping break-in can reduce blade life by 30 to 50 percent.
Carbon steel blades do not need as much break-in, but a few light cuts still help.
Common Mistakes
Wrong blade length: The 12-inch Craftsman uses 80 inches, not 93-1/2 (14-inch) or 70-1/2 (10-inch). Double-check before ordering.
Too much tension: Overtensioning breaks blades at the weld and can damage the saw’s tension spring. Tension to the recommended level and no more.
Guides too tight: If the guides touch the blade, they generate heat and wear the blade. Set them about 1/32 inch from the blade.
Not breaking in bi-metal blades: New bi-metal blades have a feather edge that chips under full load. Break in with light cuts.
FAQ
What size blade does the Craftsman 12-inch band saw use?
An 80-inch blade in widths from 1/8 to 1/2 inch. The most common all-purpose blade is 3/8 inch with 4 TPI.
Where can I buy replacement blades for my Craftsman 12-inch band saw?
Olson Saw, Timber Wolf, LENOX, and Starrett all make 80-inch blades. They are available from online retailers and woodworking supply stores.
What is the best blade for resawing on the Craftsman 12-inch?
A 1/2 inch wide, 3 TPI hook tooth bi-metal blade. The bi-metal edge survives the heat of deep cuts in hardwood.
How do I know what width blade to buy?
For general work, 3/8 inch. For curves, 1/4 or 1/8 inch. For resawing, 1/2 inch. If you only buy one blade, 3/8 inch with 4 TPI handles 80 percent of tasks.
Can I use a bi-metal blade on my Craftsman 12-inch?
Yes. Bi-metal blades are compatible with the 12-inch Craftsman. They last 3 to 5 times longer than carbon steel and are worth the extra cost for regular use.
How often should I replace the blade?
When the cut slows down, the blade starts wandering, or the cut surface becomes rough. A sharp blade cuts smoothly with light pressure.
References
- Sears Parts Direct. “Craftsman 12-Inch Band Saw Owner’s Manual.” Model 113.248320.
- Olson Saw. “80-Inch Band Saw Blade Guide.” Olson Saw Company.
- Timber Wolf Blades. “80-Inch Blade Specifications.” Suffolk Machinery Corporation.
- Carter Products. “Blade Tension Guide for 12-Inch Saws.” Carter Products.
- Fine Woodworking. “Choosing Band Saw Blades.” Taunton Press.
