Replies

1. 
   GHR | Sep 11, 2004 03:40am | #1

   My Delta lists its speed at 3000'/min. I changed the pully so I am down to 2700'/min.

   Works well on hardwoods.

2. 
   BillLindau | Sep 11, 2004 04:02am | #2

   the slower speed is for resawing so the blade doesn't heat up

   bill Lindau

3. 
   nicobie | Sep 11, 2004 08:25pm | #3

   I think I'd use the faster speed for everything except non ferrous metals.

   My Minimax runs at 4600ft/min, and even works fine on aluminum at that speed.

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

   Ronald Reagan, August 15, 1986

4. 
   bones | Sep 11, 2004 10:47pm | #4

   It's funny I asked the same question when I got my BS a few months back. I use Timberwolfe blades and according to them the slow speed is for metal only. I don't know what blades you are using, but check their spec's. 

5. 
   forestgirl | Sep 12, 2004 01:39am | #5

   I agree with Nicobie and Bones abut using the faster speed for woodworking. 

   Don't expect the blade that came with your saw to produce great results.  Stock blades are generally just a throw-in that falls far short in performance for things like resawing.  When you're ready to get some task-specific blades (2 or 3), give Suffolk Machinery (Timber Wolf blades) a call, and they'll help you pick the right ones for the tasks you have in mind.

   http://www.suffolkmachinery.com

   Cheers!  Have fun with the new saw.  (I find the band saw to be very meditative to operate, LOL)

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   grant | Sep 14, 2004 02:59pm | #6

   Thanks to all of you for your comments. It looks like I'll be using the faster speed for woodworking.

   --Grant

1. 
   TKanzler | Sep 14, 2004 05:40pm | #7

   I recall a discussion a while back (year or more) wherein Niemiec1 (sp?) suggested lower blade speed and higher feed force into the blade would be more efficient than higher blade speed and lower feed force for a given hp.  The reasoning, if I recall this correctly, is that it's more efficient to fill the gullet than not, considering friction forces will be about the same, and this is accomplished by the tooth taking a deeper cut, which requires more force (feed and blade down force), which can be achieved by changing the drive ratio (higher arbor torque, lower arbor speed).  Less energy is wasted in friction, which manifests itself as heat, as a previous poster suggested.

   I'm not saying that's the case, because I don't know, but it was interesting nontheless.  Perhaps try resawing at both speeds and see what allows the fastest feed rate.Be seeing you...