How to Measure Your Bandsaw Blade Length

There are three different ways to measure the length of a bandsaw blade.

1. If you do not have a bandsaw blade to look at
2. If you have a bandsaw blade that is still intact but is just dull or missing teeth
3. If you have a broken bandsaw blade that you believe is not missing any of its length

One – If you do not have a bandsaw blade to look at

STEP 1 

Fix the bandsaw pulleys or wheels into the mid range working position. 

STEP 2 Determine the distance from the centre hub on the driven and the free spinning band wheels (later referred to as “C”). 

STEP 3 

Determine the radius of each wheel, by measuring from the centre to the outside of the wheel. 

STEP 4  Apply the following formula: (R1 x 3.1416) + (R2 x 3.1416) + (2 x C) = Saw blade length.

TWO – If you have a bandsaw blade that is still intact but is just dull or missing teeth: “Rolling out the Blade”

STEP 1 

Put a strip of tape on the floor to mark a starting point. 

STEP 2 

Stand the blade hoop up on the strip of tape, and use a pen to mark a line on the inside of the blade and onto the tape. 

STEP 3 – Roll the blade in a straight line for one rotation – until the mark on the inside of the blade hits the floor. 

STEP 4  Hold the blade steady so that the mark remains at the floor, and make a finishing mark there on another piece of tape.

STEP 5 

Measure the distance between the marks made on the two pieces of tape. That’s the length of your bandsaw blade!

THREE – If you have a broken bandsaw blade that you believe is not missing any of its length:  

STEP 1 

Touch the sheared ends back together and verify that they nest together like puzzle pieces. 

If the ends do not nest together perfectly, then some length of the blade has broken away when it sheared, and you won’t be able to make an accurate measurement of its original length. 

STEP 2  Lay the blade down flat in a straight line. 

STEP 3 

Measure the length of the blade from end to end.