What Blade Size Fits the Milwaukee Band Saw 2629-20? Length, Width, and TPI
You own a Milwaukee 2629-20 M18 cordless band saw and you need to order replacement blades. You know it takes a 35-3/8 inch blade, but you see multiple TPI options and you are not sure which one to use. You cut a mix of conduit, unistrut, thin-wall pipe, and small bar stock. You need a guide that covers the 35-3/8 inch blade options for the 2629-20 and helps you choose the right one.
The Milwaukee 2629-20 is an older M18 cordless compact band saw. It uses a 35-3/8 inch blade, the same blade used by the newer M18 FUEL Compact (2829-20) and the corded compact (6230-20). Blades are interchangeable between all these models.
Milwaukee 2629-20 Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | 2629-20 |
| Type | M18 cordless compact band saw |
| Cut capacity | 3-1/4 inches |
| Blade length | 35-3/8 inches |
| Blade width | 1/2 inch |
| Blade thickness | 0.020 inches |
| Motor | Brushed (older model) |
| Speed | Single speed, 350 SFPM |
| Weight | 10.5 pounds |
| Battery | M18 |
Available TPI Options
14 TPI (Part 48-39-0518)
Best for: Medium wall pipe, thin bar stock, aluminum. Material thickness: 1/4 to 1 inch. Characteristics: Good balance of cutting speed and surface finish. Handles medium-thickness material cleanly.
When to use 14 TPI:
- Cutting medium wall pipe (1 to 2 inches)
- Cutting thin solid bar (1/4 to 1 inch)
- Cutting aluminum and soft metals
- When you need a smoother cut than 10 TPI provides
18 TPI (Part 48-39-0519)
Best for: General-purpose metal cutting. Conduit, thin-wall tubing, unistrut. Material thickness: 1/8 to 3/4 inch. Characteristics: The standard blade for compact saws. Good balance of cutting speed and surface finish. Handles the widest range of materials.
When to use 18 TPI:
- Cutting conduit (1/2 to 1-1/2 inch EMT)
- Cutting thin-wall tubing
- Cutting unistrut (1-5/8 inch)
- General-purpose metal cutting
24 TPI (Part 48-39-0520)
Best for: Sheet metal, small round stock, very thin material. Material thickness: Under 1/4 inch. Characteristics: Fine teeth prevent grabbing and tearing in thin material. Smoothest cut on thin stock.
When to use 24 TPI:
- Cutting sheet metal (16 gauge and thinner)
- Cutting small round stock (under 1/2 inch)
- Cutting very thin-wall tubing
Tooth Profile
Hook tooth (positive rake): Cuts aggressively. Best for thick stock and production cutting. Standard tooth (0 degree rake): Good balance of cutting speed and surface finish. The most common profile. Regular tooth (slight negative rake): Smoothest cut. Best for thin material.
Blade Material
Bi-Metal M42
The standard for the 2629-20. M42 high-speed steel edge hardened to 67 to 69 HRC. Can cut: Mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, cast iron. Blade life: 50 to 200 cuts depending on material and thickness. Cost: 15 to 25 dollars.
Bi-Metal M51
Harder edge than M42. Better for tough materials like stainless steel. Blade life: 20 to 30 percent longer than M42 in tough materials. Cost: 20 to 35 dollars.
Recommended Blades by Task
General-purpose cutting: 18 TPI, bi-metal M42. Handles 80 percent of compact saw tasks. Cost: about 15 dollars.
Medium wall pipe: 14 TPI, bi-metal M42. Finer teeth for smoother cuts in medium material. Cost: about 15 dollars.
Thin-wall tubing: 18 TPI, bi-metal M42. Standard blade for thin material. Cost: about 15 dollars.
Sheet metal: 24 TPI, bi-metal M42. Fine teeth for very thin material. Cost: about 15 dollars.
Stainless steel: 14 TPI, bi-metal M51. The harder edge handles tough stainless. Cost: about 25 dollars.
Cross-Brand Compatibility
The 35-3/8 inch blade is shared with:
- Milwaukee 2629-20 (older M18 compact)
- Milwaukee 2829-20 (M18 FUEL compact)
- Milwaukee 6230-20 (corded compact)
- DEWALT DCS378B (20V mid-size)
Blades from any of these brands will fit the 2629-20. The blade length, width, and thickness are the same.
2629-20 vs 2829-20: Which to Choose
2629-20 (older):
- Brushed motor
- Single speed (350 SFPM)
- 10.5 pounds
- Lower cost on used market (100 to 180 dollars)
2829-20 (newer):
- Brushless POWERSTATE motor
- Single speed (550 SFPM)
- 9.9 pounds
- Higher cost (280 to 350 dollars bare tool)
Which to choose: If you buy used and find a 2629-20 in good condition, it is a capable saw. The 2829-20 has a more efficient motor and higher speed, but the 2629-20 still cuts well.
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.
FAQ
What blade does the Milwaukee 2629-20 use?
A 35-3/8 inch blade in 1/2 inch width and 0.020 inch thickness. Available in 14, 18, and 24 TPI.
What TPI should I use for cutting conduit?
18 TPI is the best choice for conduit. It is the general-purpose blade and handles EMT and rigid conduit cleanly.
Can I use a blade from the 2829-20 in my 2629-20?
Yes. Both saws use the same 35-3/8 inch blade. The blades are interchangeable.
What is the difference between the 2629-20 and 2829-20?
The 2629-20 has a brushed motor and runs at 350 SFPM. The 2829-20 has a brushless motor and runs at 550 SFPM. Both use the same 35-3/8 inch blade.
How often should I replace my 35-3/8 inch blade?
When the cut slows down, the blade starts wandering, or the cut surface becomes rough. A sharp blade cuts smoothly with light pressure.
Can I use a DEWALT 35-3/8 inch blade in my Milwaukee 2629-20?
Yes. The blade length, width, and thickness are the same. DEWALT and Milwaukee 35-3/8 inch blades are interchangeable.
References
- Milwaukee Tool. “M18 Compact Band Saw Owner’s Manual.” Model 2629-20.
- Milwaukee Tool. “Portable Band Saw Blade Specifications.” Milwaukee Tool Product Catalog.
- DEWALT. “Portable Band Saw Blade Reference.” DEWALT Product Catalog.
- LENOX Tools. “Wolf-Band 35-3/8 Inch Blade Guide.” LENOX Industrial Division.
- Pro Tool Reviews. “Milwaukee M18 Band Saw Comparison.” ProToolReviews.com.
