Abstract: A direct drive vertical powered band saw is disclosed having a frame of formed metal which carries an idler wheel and a drive wheel with an endless blade entrained around these wheels. The drive wheel is carried by and affixed to the rotor shaft of an electric motor so that the drive wheel is driven directly by the motor without any intermediate belt drive or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the drive wheel and the motor are located above the idler wheel so that sawdust falls clear of the motor. A fan driven by the motor draws air into the closure for the saw so as to cool the motor and so as to exhaust sawdust from within the saw closure in a predetermined manner.