Hi all,
I bought a bandsaw with four speeds, and being new to bandsaws I’m unsure about what speeds to use. I would assume that the lowest speed would be for cutting metal but what would the others be for? Do you rip at the highest speed? Are the ones in the middle for thin or thick wood? Any general guidlines would help, thanks.
Replies
Weazoe,
The recommendations that I have for bandsaw speed relate to wheel diameter. For a 14" wheel, the recommendation is about 3300 Surface Feet Per Minute (SFPM) of saw blade speed.
SFPM = Motor RPM x Motor pulley diameter/Driven pulley diameter x Band Saw Wheel Diameter x 3.14/12.
Other sizes, 12 inch saw = 2800 SFPM, 16" = 3800 SFPM, 18" and above = 4000 SFPM
From the Timberwolf pamphlet of general instructions (not specific to Timberwolf blades): "If you exceed the SFPM on a specific wheel diameter, you greatly increase the centrifugal force applied to the body of the band. This forces you to overtension your bands in order to make them run stable. This will cause premature and excessive blade breakage. There is also a minimum speed a woodcutting blade should run. If your machine is below or exceeds those given values by more than 400 SFPM, the gullet function is compromised."
Another useful rule of thumb is to use a blade of a tooth pitch which combined with blade speed keeps 6-8 teeth in the wood when scrolling or straight cutting. This does not apply to resawing.
Rich
Rich,
If the machine specs show "FPM", how does that differ from "SFPM"? Is there a difference?
Big Bob
Bob,
They're the same.
Rich
Rich,
So if the speed indicated on my new 18" bandsaw is 3,000 FPM, and your calculations show that it should be around 4,000, it would appear that it is more than 400 FPM slower than it would need to be. That sounds like a large discrepency, I think; don't you?
Big Bob
Bob,
3000 fpm is low for a 14" saw, let alone an 18". What brand saw do you have? Have you spoken to their tech support about the issue?
Rich
No, I just read your email. I had no reason to be concerned prior to this. That is why I was asking the question! I wondered if the definition was the same, given the gross discrepency. I will speak to the tech advisor, in fact. thanks.
Big Bob
Rich,
Just spoke to tech support. They said they do not get calls about problems on the 18" and they did not know where I would have run into that concept. I tool the advisor I would email the formula and was interested in their response.
To answer your other question, I got a JET, and so far it works very well. Came well adjusted and easy to use. Very happy with it so far. We'll see what goes on with this issue.
thanks.
Big Bob
Bob,
These saws, if well adjusted are probably performing well beyond our needs when straight sawing or even scrolling and 3000 fpm on your saw is everything that you need.
I assume that when resawing difficult wood, getting the most out of the saw, including running an 18" saw at optimum blade speed makes a difference.
I offered the information from the Timberwolf guide, but I do not mean to represent myself as an expert in the adjustment of your bandsaw.
It'll be interesting to learn what you find out about your optimum conditions.
Rich
Point well made. Thanks. As I learn to use this new machine, I'm sure that will help, as well. I've done an exhaustive search on the internet and have found a strong response to Timberwolf blades on a machine like mine. Other than installing themselves, many users describe these blades in high terms. I will probably install one before long, once I determine the best use for the new Bandsaw.
I'll get back with a report in any case. Thanks.
Several weeks back there was a thread entitled "Bandsaw Motor Change" (# 7338.1) in which Rich and I (and others) got into an intense discussion about blade speed. Rather than reiterate all of what I had written previously, I suggest you read that thread.
If you have questions after that, I will try to clarify any confusion I created.
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