Since Candoff is a machinist, it wasn’t much trouble for him to work out a speed reduction solution by adding a second set of pulleys and convert his wood cutting bandsaw to a metal bandsaw. Candoff’s Rockwell wood saw uses one pair of pulleys to connect the electric motor to a second set of the 1:1 pulleys used for the blade. Primary Pulley System Secondary Pulley System Drive pulley diameter: 2 inches Drive pulley diameter: 3.5 Driven pulley diameter: 12 inches Driven pulley diameter: 13.5 Primary underdrive ratio: 6:1 Secondary underdrive ratio: 3.85:1 Motor speed: 1,800 rpm Motor speed: 300 rpm Primary driven pulley shaft speed:1,800 / 6 = 300 rpm Secondary driven pulley shaft speed:300 / 3.85:1 = 78 rpm We also measured the diameter of the pulley that drives the blade.
I wanted to experiment with cutting metal on my bandsaw, so I bought some metal cutting bandsaw blades. The problem is that metal cutting bandsaw blades need to run at less than a tenth of the speed of wood cutting blades. With metal cutting, the blade only lasts so long, so between the shorter life and lower speed, the metal cutting blade doesn’t have to bend and un-bend as much in its lifetime as wood cutting blade does.
BAND SPEED AND RECOMMEND CUTTING RATES FOR BI-METAL SAWING APPLICATIONS. Regardless of them type of steel you are working with, the Saw Blade Speed and Feed Chart can help you determine the right blade speed and cutting rate for your cutting operation. The Band Saw Blade Speed and Feed Chart is divided primarily by material size: Up to one inch, one to three inches, three to six inches, and over six inches. Beneath tooth pitch, the chart lists the blade speed and cutting rate for each type of material size.
Too often, a homeowner or hobbiest tries to cut metal with the wood cutting bandsaw they have. The saw is mainly used for wood but on occasion I cut metal. As you can see above, the reason for his inablility to cut stainless had nothing to do with the blade, but everything to do with the saw.
metal cutting band saw rpm Related Question:
What RPM should a metal bandsaw run?
You want the blade running at about 75 RPM for steel, 150 max. Any faster and you will work harden as you cut (due to heat build up) and fry your blade.
What RPM should a bandsaw run at?
Bandsaws always use 1725 rpm. The 3450 rpm are way too fast. From contributor R: Depending on the size of the wheels bandsaw blade speeds can vary between 2000 SFPM to over 4500 SFPM.
Can you cut metal with a band saw?
Band saws are not suitable for cutting very thin sheet metal; a rule of thumb suggests the metal to be cut should be thicker than the depth of 3 band saw blade teeth, however they are excellent for cutting thin walled profiles such as box and angle.
What TPI is best for cutting metal?
Cutting thinner metals, including sheet metal, requires a finer cut. Use 18-24 TPI bi-metal blades. For thicker metals such as steel pipe, angle irons, or tubing, use 14-18 TPI bi-metal blades. For aluminum, an 8-10 TPI blade is best.
How much tension should a bandsaw blade be?
For carbon steel toothed blades (cutting blades) this is typically 15,000 to 25,000 PSI. Slitting type blades typically are tensioned in the range of 12,000 to 20,000 PSI. In general bandsaw blades are never tensioned past 35,000 psi.
How long is a 14 bandsaw blade?
Olson® All Pro&trade band saw blades 93-1/2″ length fits most 14″ band saws (Delta, Jet, etc.), hard back and exclusive material, in skip, hook, or regular teeth.
How can I speed up my bandsaw?
Answer: Some models of bandsaws do provide the ability to alter the speed of the blade (usually expressed as FPM – feet per minute). The change of speed is usually accomplished by moving a drive belt to a secondary location on the pulley(s) of the drive pulley and motor pulley.
How is bandsaw speed calculated?
The formula to determine S.F.P.M. is: Motor RPM multiplied by the Motor pulley diameter divided by the Driven pulley diameter times the Bandsaw wheel diameter times pi (3.1416) divided by 12 = S.F.P.M.
What speed does a circular saw run at?
It is clear that in the speed range from 1173 to 1500 rpm, the circular saw would easily be- come unstable and pose a hazard to the people working with it. Critical rotational speed theory of the circular saw has been a subject of many scientific publications.
Can a bandsaw cut hardened steel?
Carbide band saw blades provide high wear resistance and toughness when cutting a variety of applications such as: case hardened steels, spring steels, high speed steels, nickel based alloys, case hardened steels, composite graphite, high nickel alloys, titanium, inconnel, and other exotic metals.
How long should a metal bandsaw blade last?
On average your bandsaw blade should last 6 months to as long as a few years depending on what your cutting with it. Make sure to match your blade strength and quality to the project and material your cutting.
How many TPI does a bandsaw blade need?
For general wood cutting duties in typical 3/4″ material, use a 4 TPI blade for coarse, fast cutting and a 14 TPI blade for slower, smoother cutting. A blade in the 6 to 8 TPI range provides good general-purpose performance.
What is 18 TPI for cutting?
Blades 12-18 TPI are typically used for metal and denser materials as well as finish cuts in wood. The 18-24 TPI range is almost always used for metal cutting. Pro Tip: Always keep 3 teeth in contact with the material being cut.
What is 14 TPI for cutting?
8-14 TPI blades are capable of cutting wood and the occasional nail. Demo blades fall into this category. 14-24 TPI is the range of metal cutting, PVC cutting and finish cut blades. The blades cut slowly, but leave being a very smooth edge.
Why do bandsaw blades break?
Machine Defects Even the best blades can fail if there is something else wrong with your bandsaw, and even a small misalignment of bearings or guides can put a twist in the blade as it goes around. Resulting in tension being applied in all the wrong ways which will lead to early breakage.