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I am setting up an older bandsaw and am trying to optimize the speed.
I will be doing some resawing for sides and backs as well as neck tapers and spanish heels. Would I use the same speed for both operations or does each have its own requirements?

Bob

Hey Bob,

My 24" re-saw has a wheel speed of 710 RPM. My 15" bandsaw has an RPM of 750 and I have a 14" Jet that I have had for over 25 years that I have modified and it spins at excess of 3000 RPM. For re-sawing the big stuff I like the slower speed but I have to say that anything up the 6" capacity of the Jet is a dream to cut with nice sharp bands. I had to change the tires and have them glued on because at that speed the slip on rubber tires just get thrown off. I have had this saw configured like this for over 20 years and it is still among my favourite, even over the 15" x 6" General that is a $2500 or so saw. Anyway, unless you are doing a lot of resawing, you can use what you have and it will be just fine. The important things are band selection, keeping the band sharp and adjusting your feed rate so that the gullets always have an opportunity to clear during the cut.

Shane

_________________
Canada

Shane:
Thanks for the numbers. They put me into the righr range. If I run around 3000 feet per minute I should be normal. My present capacity is six inches but if I can get a riser block made to give me nine inches I will be in piggy-heaven.
Thanks

Bob

Todd:
A sheave ratio of one to one will give me a band speed of 3075 feet per minute which should be adequate.

Bob

Hey Bob,

I have an older Delta with a riser block. I hung a 3HP motor on it and replaced the motor pulley with one that gives me 3600 SFPM... a little faster than the stock saw. For resawing, I use a 3/8" Lennox Trimaster CT 3/4tpi blade. This setup has worked really well for me. IMHO, The faster blade speed allows a more aggressive feed rate without clogging the gullets. My 2 cents worth.

_________________
Jim Womack

"Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for. "
Will Rogers

Bob-
I think I may need some help here.
Perhaps my calculations are wrong- not uncommon- but it seems that unless you have a v. small saw wheel diameter or a slow-turning motor, a 1:1 sheave ratio will give a higher band speed than 3075.
With 1:1 sheaves and 14" wheel, I calculate 6300 ft/min with a 1725 rpm motor.
This may not be a problem (see Shane's hi-speed saw note).
Cheers
John

John:
I must be getting dislexic in my old age. I have been using 1175 rpm in stead of 1725rpm. One to one sheaves would give me 4516 feet per minute.
I need 1.3 to 1 for 3500 feet per minute.

My bad

Bob

Bob-
Well, this isn't a precise thing,anyway. I run my thickness sander a lot faster than recommended, and my old (ex) bandsaw as well.
Let 'er rip!

Cheers
John

John:
This is sort of off topic but what speed do you run your drum sander. My six inch is running around 850 rpm (1350 feet per minute). I have found a build up of gunk on the paper. Is that normal? I have been thicknessing spruce,maple and mahogany.

Bob

Bob-
Sent you a pm - I have a bad habit of pulling threads off-topic sometimes

Cheers
John

John:
I got your message but my answer evaporated as I tried to send it.

Bob