band saw blade again

M

Mungo Park

Joined
Jan 23, 2005
Messages
337
I saw the post below and I have a wood upright 14" band saw which uses 93" blades. Can I use it to cut 3/16" 01 steel if I buy a bimetal blade? The guy that I buy wood blades from said he can make me bimetal blades. I would not be able to use any coolant as it is a wood saw. How much steel could I cut this way? I mean if the steel eats the blade, with out coolant, it would not be worth the cost. :barf: Cheers Ron.
 
The blade is only part of the equation I have a 14 inch delta the speeds on wood saws are way to high to cut metal even with w Bi Metal blade unless you have a variable speed saw that can get down to around 250 fpm.
other wise you will just burn the blade up.
I would like to ad I am not an expert or a machinist so hopefully someone else will jump in and confirm or correct what I have said. I could be wrong thats the beauty of being human.

Abe
 
you have to slow down the speed. there are quite a few threads upon this topic. hit the search-button and give *bandsaw* a try :)
 
With high speed, you can friction cut thin steel. It works well on steel up to 1/8" thick. 3/16" might be too much for a home bandsaw, although I've been told that it's possible to friction cut up to 1/4" (probably need a industrial grade saw with lots of HP).

Here's a link explaining the process:

http://yarchive.net/metal/friction_cutting.html
 
It is a old off shore 14" wood band saw with rubber tires. I just bought some new ones. So I know they are the same size as a Delta. It has a 3/4 horse motor. I hope this info helps.
Cheers Ron.
 
Well the rubber tires probably won't take any kind of extreme heat. friction wise that is. just something to concider I would really like to see actuall friction cutting though.

Abe
 
We friction cut all the time. This may sound unusual but the blade does not get that hot.

A 14" wood bandsaw works great for friction cutting. Make sure you have leather apron, leather arm protectors, hearing and eye protection. It is very loud and there are lots of burning chips.
 
Wow it really did work!!!
I put on a old wood blade 6 tooth per inch 1/2 inch wide and pushed in a piece of 3/16 inch 01 steel about 4" long. It screamed and then began to cut quite fast. It did not damage the tires they did not even get hot. The stop berrings (I do not know the real name) did get warm. The o1 also got hot enough I had to push it through with a push stick, and I had to push quite hard but the motor did not bog down. I had bought this band saw in the early 80's and did use it as a full time wood worker for 5 years. So I was quite surprised it went so well. I would think it is not the greatest for the saw but hey I had to try it. Cheers Ron :D
 
Wow I will have to give it a go then I actually have a metal cutting saw blade big enough for my saw I wonder if that will take the heat.

Abe
 
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