Wood to steel cutting bandsaw

[1savoy]

ericher69,

I will be interested on how you make out on this project. I have thought of doing the same thing. Here is a link to an article in Car Craft magazine a while back where a wood bandsaw was converted. Hope it may help.

Wood Bandsaw Conversion - Car Craft Magazine

 

[ericher69]

Thanks for all that replied

I do have a custom Lenox blade 3/4 by 0.035 and 6/10 variable tooth pitch. Blade is 124" long. I ordered from the following site;

http://www.spectrumsupply.com/

About $33 US dollars plus UPS shipping rate. Under $40 total.

I would like to do variable speed as it would allow infinite adjustability. Also I could still use the saw for wood.

Here are some pics of the saw as is. Don't know the make or model.

 

[jmc]

You may want to double check that stock surface feet calculation before buying a speed reducer.

1745RPM thru a 1.5/7 reduction turns the wheel at 374 RPM.

The wheel circumference, aka blade travel/revolution is 19 inches/12 inch per foot x 3.14= about 5 feet/rev.

374 RPM x 5 feet/rev= 1860 feet/min.

Can someone check the math?

 

[ericher69]

You may want to double check that stock surface feet calculation before buying a speed reducer.

1745RPM thru a 1.5/7 reduction turns the wheel at 374 RPM.

The wheel circumference, aka blade travel/revolution is 19 inches/12 inch per foot x 3.14= about 5 feet/rev.

374 RPM x 5 feet/rev= 1860 feet/min.

Can someone check the math?

JMC;

Your bang on!

I used the following sites

http://www.woodproductsonlineexpo.com/content.php/677/2164/wood_products_saw_speed.html

http://vintagemachinery.org/math/arborrpm.aspx

Problem is my FPM rate is about 1660fpm too fast for steel cutting

 

[Sfrankland]

I would look at replacing the motor with a 3 phase AC motor and controlling the speed with a VFD. With the right pulley setup you should be able to dial down your speed slow enough to cut metal heavy plate and fast enough to cut wood without losing and torque from the motor. The motor and VFD can be had for $175-$250 and can be ran on a regular 120 or 240AC household outlet.

Here is a good video explaining it.

TEMCo How To: AC 120v Single Phase to 230v Three Phase VFD - YouTube

 

[ericher69]

I would look at replacing the motor with a 3 phase AC motor and controlling the speed with a VFD. With the right pulley setup you should be able to dial down your speed slow enough to cut metal heavy plate and fast enough to cut wood without losing and torque from the motor. The motor and VFD can be had for $175-$250 and can be ran on a regular 120 or 240AC household outlet.

Here is a good video explaining it.

TEMCo How To: AC 120v Single Phase to 230v Three Phase VFD - YouTube

Yeah was looking on eBay at those VFD devices. Thing is my father picked up a 1hp single phase motor for me to use. If I can find a used controller/motor for under $100 I may do it

 

[sparc]

Nice project idea converting to cut metal. However won't you have problems manipulating larger pieces since the blade is fixed and you have to move the metal through the blade? Maybe think about going all the way and building a large table to clamp the workpiece to and rigging the saw on a carriage that moves the blade through the clamped workpiece like a Marvel metal cutting vertical bandsaw.

 

[ericher69]

Nice project idea converting to cut metal. However won't you have problems manipulating larger pieces since the blade is fixed and you have to move the metal through the blade? Maybe think about going all the way and building a large table to clamp the workpiece to and rigging the saw on a carriage that moves the blade through the clamped workpiece like a Marvel metal cutting vertical bandsaw.

Sparc;

That is a nice saw/idea but I am limited on space. My shop is only 26x28'

The main use for the saw will be making straight cuts in plate. Radius and intricate cuts will be handled by the yet to be purchased plasma.

I do have a smaller horizontal 4x6" saw used for tubing, angle etc.

 

[Sfrankland]

I know you have the bandsaw already but I built a table for my portaband. It's very handy to use free hand or in a table and it comes out of the box ready to cut metal.

 

[ericher69]

I know you have the bandsaw already but I built a table for my portaband. It's very handy to use free hand or in a table and it comes out of the box ready to cut metal.

Sfrankland;

Thanks for the pics of your Milwaukee looks good!

I have the ability on my 4x6 horizontal to use a "table" and use vertical but it is too low for me (6'5") and since I've built a stand with casters to my working height I think it will be more useful for my needs.

The 3 phase variable speed looks to be the ticket!