Replies

1. 
   RickL | Nov 16, 2005 05:49pm | #1

   Metal bandsaws are typically heavier duty but not always. The big difference is the speed. Metal bandsaws can range from 40 to 250 sfpm and wood bandsaw are around 3000 sfpm for a Delta 14" saw. Typically gear boxes slow the metal ones down...the speed difference is too great to be achieved with a simple step pulley set up. If you look at catalogs such as http://www.mscdirect.com you can compare the two types of saws and see for yourself. Actually we use a blade coolant system on our bandmill to cut antique beams into flooring and coolant systems are used in industrial wood saws of other types but this is a whole different world of high speed production.

1. 
   dukeone | Nov 16, 2005 06:19pm | #2

   Rick: So its the speed, mostly. Thanks, DukeKenneth Duke Masters
   The Bill of Rights
   December 15 1791
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   LEAA Life Member
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1. 
   philip | Nov 17, 2005 11:09am | #5

   Ken , there is another salient difference that has gone unmentioned: the fact that engineers band saws are more rugged so as to tolerate the higher blade tensions required for efficient metal cutting-that includes the blade guides and pressure bearings.
   I don,t agree with a previous post that said suitable speeds could not be practically achieved by the use of pulleys-it can be done, but one needs a counter shaft.
   The older Delta band saw is a reasonable candidate for adaptation, as the frame is fairly rugged.
   If you are thinking of doing a Mcgyver I suggest you look at an engineers band saw-they often specify the blade speeds required for different metals on the inside of the doors.I did that when I converted my Startrite to cut non ferrous and high carbon steel-not ideal, but it has cut much metal for knife making and latterly a few woodworking planes.Philip Marcou

1. 
   dukeone | Nov 17, 2005 12:19pm | #6

   Philip: I think that with modern electronic speed controls and an appropiate motor (electronic speed controls create voltage spikes which normal motors won't tolerate for long) which maintain torque over the full range of speeds it can be done electronically.  My question was just out of curiosity, I was not looking to replace my Laguna 18" saw.

   DukeKenneth Duke Masters
   The Bill of Rights
   December 15 1791
   NRA Endowment Member
   LEAA Life Member
   CRPA Member

2. 
   RickL | Nov 17, 2005 07:53pm | #7

   Philip, I did mention metal bandsaws typically have heavier frames but not always. The Delta 14" bandsaw is the same basic unit except for the gear box to slow it down.

   I did also mention a simple step pulley would not be enough to slow it down. In retrospect I should have said a more elaborate jack shaft system would be required but a gear box is the preferred method. Step pulleys will slow it down for some non-ferrous work but as you know steel requires much slower speeds. I'd have to crunch the numbers but I still think you would need the jack shaft if you had a VFD, to achieve the lower speed for steel. VFD's will only go solow before you  loose a signifigant amount of torque. We put one on a friends Bridgeport mill and still use the step pulleys  to go between speed ranges.

   I have both types of bandsaws for metal and woodwork. With the prices of imports it's certainly cheaper to have both than to try swtiching back and forth.

3. 
   PlaneWood | Nov 21, 2005 08:11am | #8

   Phillip -

   I used to have a double pulley arrangement on my old Sears 12" bandsaw for cutting metal.  I slowed it down to somewhere around 40 rpm.  I would clamp the metal into the miter and use a weight and pulley to keep a constant tension.  When the blade got through the metal, the weight would hit the floor and all would stop.  When I heard it hit, that was my cue to turn the band saw off.  It only took a few seconds to go back to the regular pulley arrangement for wood cutting.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

2. 
   Pondfish | Nov 16, 2005 07:27pm | #3

   Wood band saw:  work moves, saw blade is stationary

   Metal band saw: work is stationary, saw blade moves

    

   That's the biggest difference that I've seen, but not all metal saws may follow this design

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005
1. 
   RickL | Nov 16, 2005 07:52pm | #4

   Blade speed is the real difference. The Delta 14" is available in a metal/wood cutting version but it's the added gear box to slow the blade down where the cost of the saw is nearly doubled. Your observation is partially correct but not a guarantee of a woodcutting bandsaw.