slowing down a wilton 14" bandsaw?

Will52100

Will52100

Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Messages
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Just got my bandsaw in today, it's the varible speed one with some sort of varible pully, not a DC motor.

Even at the slowest speed it's still faster than I want for cutting metal. It's about rite at slow speed for cutting hard woods.

Anybody know of a way to slow it down? Worst case I get time I'll turn new pullies and make it a single speed, but I wanted it for metal and wood.

???
 
Well, you have the answer already. It does mean a pulley size and belt length change. On the other side of that I'm sure it will work fine when that is done except if you are looking to slow it beyond an operating speed that will effectively work. If it's the type of cut you are getting, perhaps a finer toothed blade is what you want. I hope you find your answer. Frank
 
Will, if it's like mine (8 years old), there is a gearbox that ya push or pull a knob on, along
with a belt change. Mine runs plenty slow for steel. Maybe you're missin something.
 
We have Wilton variable speed in one of the studios I manage, as Don said there is a belt you remove, as I recall that is for higher speeds like wood cutting and there is a knob that you pull out (if I remember), then the knob on the back will work to change the speed. Did you get a manual? I remember having some trouble figuring out that one belt needed to come off the manual wasn’t really clear. I think I ended up downloading a PDF and/or calling their customer service.

Todd
 
Thanks, I'll play with it some more, the varible pully is weird, and the instructions arn't real clear. I don't remember anything about removing one of the belts in the manual though. For the variable pully and all that why didn't they just put a blasted step pully on eigther end and leave it well enough alone? Better mouse trap builders. All in all it is a nice saw, just need to slow it down.
 
Got it figured out, the gear box is two speed, I had it on high. It's got a varible speed setting and then a two speed gear box. After the "duh" moment it works great. The instructions leave something to be desired for sure though. Plenty slow for steel. In fact for mild steel I may have to speed it up.
 
It’s been 4 years or so since I set it up, but the more I think about it, it seems like I had to call customer service. I’m not sure the manual mentions it at all, but the rep knew exactly what the problem was. Since we also have a wood bandsaw in the studio I just stashed the unneeded belt. Once it is off it is easy to adjust the speed, but it seemed like it would be a pain if you wanted to switch from wood to metal regularly. Enjoy the saw.

Todd
 
actualy I didn't need to take a belt off, it's not real clear from the instructions, and not marked on the saw, but the clutch has three posistions, high, neutral, and low. It was a little stiff and took some reading and playing with it but eventualy figured it out.
 
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