Abstract: A band saw wheel and blade combination including a pulley having a peripheral groove and a tire mated with and received within the groove. The tire has an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the groove to be free floating within the groove. The band saw blade is received against the outside surface of the tire and forces the tire into the groove. As a result, a firm frictional contact between the tire and the pulley and between the band saw blade and the tire is achieved to provide a strong driving force of the blade by the pulley.