9-Inch Band Saw Blade: Choosing the Right TPI and Tooth Profile
You own a 9-inch band saw and you need to choose the right blade. 9-inch band saws are benchtop saws designed for hobby woodworking. You need to know about blade lengths, TPI, tooth profiles, and material.
A 9-inch band saw is a benchtop band saw designed for hobby woodworking and light use. It is the smallest common size of band saw. The 9-inch saw uses a 59-1/2 inch blade in widths from 1/8 to 3/8 inch.
Blade Lengths by Model
9-Inch Band Saw Blade Lengths
| Brand | Model | Blade Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryobi | BS900, BS901, BS902, BS903 | 59-1/2 inches | Popular |
| WEN | 3959, 3959T | 59-1/2 inches | Popular |
| Skil | 3104, 3105 | 59-1/2 inches | Popular |
| Craftsman | 113.24xxxx (9-inch) | 59-1/2 inches | Older models |
| Central Machinery | 9-inch | 62 inches (verify) | Check manual |
| Delta | Shopmaster BS-100 | 62 inches (verify) | Check manual |
How to Verify Blade Length
- Check the manual for the blade length specification.
- Measure the old blade length.
- Check the saw for a blade length label.
- Contact the saw manufacturer with the model number.
TPI Selection
TPI Chart by Task
| TPI | Best For | Material Thickness | Cut Quality | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 TPI | Resawing, thick stock | 2 to 3-1/2 inches | Fair | Fast |
| 4 TPI | General woodworking | 3/4 to 3 inches | Fair to good | Fast |
| 6 TPI | General woodworking | 1/2 to 2 inches | Good | Medium |
| 8 TPI | Smoother cuts | 1/4 to 2 inches | Good | Medium |
| 10 TPI | Thin stock | 1/4 inch and under | Good to excellent | Slow |
| 14 TPI | Scroll work, thin stock | 1/8 inch and under | Excellent | Slow |
The 3-Teeth Rule
At least 3 teeth should be in the material at all times. Too few teeth produces rough cuts and potential tooth damage. Too many teeth produces slow cutting and blade loading.
Recommended TPI by Application
General woodworking (3/4 to 2 inch stock): 6 TPI. Curve cutting (1/2 to 2 inch stock): 6 TPI. Resawing (2 to 3-1/2 inch stock): 3 to 4 TPI. Thin stock (1/4 inch and under): 10 TPI. Scroll work (1/8 inch and under): 14 TPI. Plywood and MDF: 6 to 10 TPI.
Tooth Profiles
Skip Tooth (Large Gullets)
Large gullets clear sawdust efficiently. Good for soft or gummy materials. Best for: General woodworking, softwoods, particleboard, MDF. Cut quality: Fair to good. Speed: Fast.
Hook Tooth (Positive Rake)
The positive rake angle pulls the blade through the material. Cuts aggressively. Best for: Hardwoods, thick stock, resawing, ripping. Cut quality: Fair. Aggressive cut produces rougher surface. Speed: Fastest.
Standard Tooth (0 Degree Rake)
Good balance of cutting speed and surface finish. Best for: General-purpose cutting. Cut quality: Good. Speed: Medium.
Blade Width
Width Selection by Task
| Width | Best For | Minimum Cut Radius |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 inch | Scroll work, tight curves | 5/16 inch |
| 3/16 inch | Tight curves | 5/8 inch |
| 1/4 inch | Curve cutting, general use | 7/8 inch |
| 3/8 inch | General woodworking | 1-1/2 inches |
How to Choose Width
- For curves: Choose the narrowest blade that can cut the radius you need.
- For straight cuts: Choose the widest blade that fits your saw.
- For general use: 1/4 inch is a good all-around width.
Maximum Width for 9-Inch Saws
Most 9-inch band saws accept blades up to 3/8 inch wide. Check the manual to confirm.
Blade Material
Carbon Steel
The most affordable option for woodworking. Hardness: 62 to 65 HRC. Best for: General woodworking, hobby use. Cost: 8 to 18 dollars. Lifespan: 6 to 12 months of hobby use.
Bi-Metal M42
M42 high-speed steel edge on flexible spring steel backing. Hardness: 67 to 69 HRC. Best for: Resawing hardwood, production cutting. Cost: 18 to 30 dollars. Lifespan: 2 to 5 times longer than carbon steel.
Recommended Blades by Task
General Woodworking
Blade: 1/4 inch, 6 TPI skip tooth, carbon steel. Cost: 10 to 15 dollars.
Ripping
Blade: 3/8 inch, 4 TPI skip tooth, carbon steel. Cost: 12 to 18 dollars.
Resawing
Blade: 3/8 inch, 3 TPI hook tooth, bi-metal M42. Cost: 18 to 30 dollars.
Curve Cutting
Blade: 1/4 inch, 6 TPI skip tooth, carbon steel. Cost: 10 to 15 dollars.
Scroll Work
Blade: 1/8 inch, 14 TPI, carbon steel. Cost: 8 to 12 dollars.
Where to Buy 9-Inch Band Saw Blades
Olson Saw: Carbon steel and bi-metal blades in 59-1/2 inch length. Timber Wolf (Suffolk Machinery): Low-tension blades. Woodcraft: Various brands and materials. Rockler: Carbon steel and bi-metal blades. Amazon: Various brands and materials. Bandsawparts.com: Blades and parts.
FAQ
What blade does a 9-inch band saw use?
Most 9-inch band saws use a 59-1/2 inch blade. Some models (Central Machinery, Delta BS-100) may use a 62-inch blade. Check the manual to verify.
What TPI should I use for my 9-inch band saw?
3 to 4 TPI for resawing and thick stock. 6 TPI for general woodworking. 10 TPI for thin stock. 14 TPI for scroll work.
Can I resaw with a 9-inch band saw?
Limited resawing is possible with a 3/8 inch, 3 TPI hook tooth blade. The 3 to 4 inch resaw capacity and small motor make it best for thin stock only.
References
- Olson Saw. “59-1/2 Inch Band Saw Blade Guide.” Olson Saw Company.
- Suffolk Machinery (Timber Wolf). “Blade Selection Guide.” Suffolk Machinery Corporation.
- Ryobi. “BS900 Owner’s Manual.” Ryobi Power Tools.
- WEN Products. “3959 Owner’s Manual.” wenproducts.com.
- Fine Woodworking. “9-Inch Band Saw Blade Guide.” Taunton Press.
