Can You Cut Metal on a Wood Bandsaw?

While both tools share the same basic design — a continuous loop of toothed steel spinning between two wheels — that’s where the similarities end.

• 1. Blade speed (SFPM or m/min)
  – Wood bandsaws: 800–1500 metres per minute (2,600–5,000 SFPM).
  – Metal bandsaws: often just 20–90 m/min (60–300 SFPM) for steel.
  
• 2. Tooth design & pitch
  – Wood blades: large, widely spaced teeth.
  – Metal blades: finer teeth (more TPI).
  
• 3. Heat management
  – Metal cutting generates far more heat and often requires coolant or lubrication.
  
• 4. Debris differences
  – Sawdust is soft and non-abrasive.
  – Metal swarf is sharp, heavy, and can damage tyres, guides, and bearings.
  
• 5. Motor load
  – Metals take more torque to cut; wood saw motors are not geared for this.

What Happens If You Try It Anyway

Expect shortened blade life, excessive heat, rough cuts, and swarf contamination.

If You Must Cut Metal on a Wood Bandsaw

For one-off or small jobs in soft metals:

• Use a fine-tooth bi-metal M42 blade (14–18 TPI for thin material, 10–14 for thicker stock).
• Feed slowly.
• Use lubrication (wax or oil).
• Clean thoroughly afterwards.
• Stick to soft metals.

To cut Non-ferrous metals (these are metals that do not contain iron) and softer than Ferrous Metals.
You can use a carbon blade or a hobby blade in a fine tpi. 10 or 14 tpi for thin material down to a few millimeters, or a courser blade (less TPI)for thicker material. Generally any courser than 8 tpi is not recommended. Cutting metals thicker than 10 mm is very hard on the life of carbon blades.

The Reverse: Cutting Wood on a Metal Bandsaw

Possible, but too slow for efficient wood cutting.

The Better Option

For frequent metal cutting, use a dedicated metal-cutting bandsaw or a variable-speed model.

Final Word

A wood bandsaw can cut metal in a pinch, but it’s not recommended for regular use.