Bandsaw Speed

[Shovel Man]

My 16" bandsaw runs at a blade speed of about 1800 fpm. Always seems fine but just wondering if there are times to run it slower.

[mike4244]

Does your bandsaw have two speeds or variable speed?If you cut metal then a slower speed is a good thing to have. If you only use the saw for wood , then I would leave well enough alone.
mike

[jteneyck]

Typical speeds for wood are 3000 fpm or more. Are you sure you don't have a two step pulley on the motor or lower wheel? For metal, typical speeds are really low, maybe 50 - 100 fpm.

John

[Shovel Man]

Ok, it's on low speed now. Looks like it can go about 2500 and 3200. I'm never in a hurry so it seems fine. The motor is 1.5 hp. I never load up the motor so that's ok now but if I want to resaw faster that could enter the equation. Maybe I'll try the higher speeds to see how I like it.

[jteneyck]

As long as there are no harmonics, I think you'll find it cuts smoother and faster at higher speed.

John