Tried a test on some of Aldo’s 1084 and it cut fine for about 3/4″ and then just stopped cutting.
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.
The speed range for cutting wood is wide but a comfortable speed is about 3000 fpm. The goal here is to build a speed reducing mechanism that will change a wood cutting bandsaw into a metal cutting bandsaw, while maintaining the original function of wood cutting. In the video above you can see the bandsaw being used at the reduced speed to cut 16 gauge mild steel, 3/16″ aluminum bar, and 3/8″ cold rolled steel bar.
Some models of bandsaws do provide the ability to alter the speed of the blade. 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. Typically the speed to use for all of your wood cutting tasks with your bandsaw, regardless of the blade width or tooth configuration on the blade, would be the listed speed that is closest to 3000 FPM. The secondary speed offered on bandsaws with multiple speed capabilities is usually a speed that is one-half to one-third the speed of the 3000 FPM speed.
Bandsaw blade speed is describe as the travel of the bandsaw blade across the material face being worked. Not enough blade speed causes stripped teeth – increasing the blade speed will reduce the chip load. Too high blade speeds cause chips to weld to the gullets – blade speed reduction is best. Excessive blade speed on hard materials results in band friction and premature dulling of blade teeth since the blade teeth no longer bite into the material.
best bandsaw speed for metal Related Question:
What speed should a metal bandsaw run at?
Bandsaw: Speeds. A common speed for the bandsaw is about one thousand feet per minute. Wood can effectively be cut at much higher speeds, up to and over five thousand feet per minute, but you should keep it slower because it’s safer.
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.
What is the best TPI 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.
Why do bandsaws have 2 speeds?
The primary reason for speed adjustment on bandsaws is to accommodate different materials (mainly metal). That said, dropping the speed down for some operations can stretch the capabilities of an underpowered machine further.
How high can a bandsaw cut?
The resaw capacity is the maximum height (thickness) that can be cut. For the small shop furniture maker, go with 14″ as the minimum for a bandsaw, though 16″ is better. Those doing larger work might even want 18″ or 20″ machines. Just make sure you have a minimum resaw height of 12″ for versatility.
Can you use a metal bandsaw blade to cut wood?
What are the ideal conditions for cutting wood on a metal saw? While cutting wood on a metal bandsaw is perfectly fine, you should switch over to a 6TPI blade if you have the time or anticipate cutting a lot of wood.
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.
What blade is best for cutting metal?
Ferrous blades are ideal for cutting metals that contain iron, such as stainless steel or cast iron. Choose a non-ferrous blade when cutting softer metals, like aluminum or copper. For the best results, use a diamond blade that’s rated to cut the type of metal you are working with.
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.
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.
How thick of wood can a 9 bandsaw cut?
There are several $99, 9 inch band saws on the market in my area (Ryobi, Skill). The are able to cut a thickness of 2 ½ inches.
What is throat depth on a bandsaw?
The throat is the distance from the blade to the vertical frame section of the body of the saw. This distance determines the width of cut that can be completed on the band saw. The throat on a free-standing cabinet band saw typically exceeds the 12 to 14-inch throat of smaller, bench-top models.
What does a 14-inch bandsaw mean?
Rob Johnstone: Band saw sizes are derived from the diameter of the wheels in the saw. So a 14-inch band saw will have wheels that are 14-inches in diameter. There is another measure that indicates how wide a board you can resaw.