Bandsaw Advice

N

Nsaglibene

Joined
Nov 6, 2006
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I was at my grandfather's today looking at some of his guns and whatnot and came across a large bandsaw that wasn't too old looking or anything. It was a Craftsman 1 1/4 hp, two speed, it also could tilt on a 45 degree angle. He said he only used it to cut wood. Do you think if I got the right blade(s) I could use this to cut metal stock for blades?
 
I bought a Jet band saw used and I have ordered blades for steel. I don't have the blades yet. Yours should work fine with that 1 1/4 HP motor. I'll post back with results, but I imagine that someone will have some advice before I get my blades. I'd sure try it if I were you!
 
Open one of the doors and look at the wheels if there is a rubber tire runnin g around the wheel do not use it to cut metal. It's a wood cutting band saw.
Stan
 
You have to have a pretty nice wood saw to cut steel with. Most people that do this are using high dollar saws and friction cutting on thin stock.
 
Wood cutting saws run many times faster than metal cutting. You will most likely just burn up blades unless you can slow it down.
 
Edro20 said:
I bought a Jet band saw used and I have ordered blades for steel. I don't have the blades yet. Yours should work fine with that 1 1/4 HP motor. I'll post back with results, but I imagine that someone will have some advice before I get my blades. I'd sure try it if I were you!
Click to expand...

Wood bandsaws and metal bandsaws are two different animals. You can not use a wood saw to cut metal reguardless of blade. It is WAY to fast.
 
UH OH:o What if I can find a different pulley for the drive? Can I get it slowed down enough for steel?
 
In order to cut steel pretty much, you probably want to slow it down to between 80 and 200 FPM. A wood cutting bandsaw is probably going upwards of 3000 FPM. So yes, if you can somehow add a pulley to show it down ALOT it will work.
 
There is more than just blade speed in a band saw. The tires are rubber clad on a wood saw and metal or phenolic on a metal saw. If you slow a wood saw down, it may work, but you will slowly destroy a good tool. The saw you describe is a great saw. use it on wood and be glad. Get a HF metal saw for steel.
Stacy
 
There are people who friction cut on wood bandsaws at full tilt. It's not impossible or totally unconventional, but it does require a nice nice saw and relatively thin (usually .125" or less) stock.
 
Hmm I never checked the wheels or anything but I guess this is a wood cutting since that is what my grandfather bought it for. Im just getting started It would be nice If I could use this to cut out some blanks until I could afford a better saw but judging by what you guys are saying I guess it would be a waste of time.
 
You can slow it down for metal like this, but...


bandsaw.jpg



It's really not worth it. Get a Harbor Freight bandsaw instead.
 
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