Would this bandsaw cut steel?

Not sure if a vfd, or a different pulley system would be better, or both even. Will be the first bandsaw for me to mess with. Anyone know of any good threads, showing a good way to convert this to metal cutting?
 
I have a step pulley system on mine, but a VFD and 3 phase motor would be better. I had a 1/2 HP, 2 speed motor and a 30:1 gear box on the shelf when I did mine so I used that. My lowest speed is about 60FPM, can't remember what the max speed is.

If I were going to build from scratch, I would use a VFD and a dual pulley system to keep the wood cutting speed capability.

I'll get some pictures of mine later.
 
this what i use treadmill motor and make my own metal cutting blade out of bulk stock silver soldered together

101_0579 (1).JPG
 
SubtleHustle said:
Not sure if a vfd, or a different pulley system would be better, or both even. Will be the first bandsaw for me to mess with. Anyone know of any good threads, showing a good way to convert this to metal cutting?
Click to expand...


A good place to start is try and calculate how much you need to reduce the speed of the bandsaw pulley to get the SFM number you want
for cutting metal. In general, there is a limit on how slow you want to run a motor from a VFD: as they slow down the fan becomes less
effective at cooling the motor, and torque may drop as well. Like Kernbigo, you could use a DC motor from a treadmill since they have motor
controllers that can slow the motors to any speed. Another possible solution is to use an AC motor that is slower to begin with. I
re-powered my drill press with a 6 pole motor that turns 1140 rather than the usual 1720 RPM. With a pulley change, that might get you
there. Or, as JimDawson pointed out, you can add a speed reducer (gearbox), or you could fabricate a counter shaft with pulleys. Which
approach you choose depends on budget, saw configuration and how much fabrication you feel like doing. Any of them could work.

If I could get an old Boice Crane for $25.00, I wouldn't be able to get there fast enough. Once I had it in my shop, then I'd figure out what
to do with it.
 
Nogoingback said:
A good place to start is try and calculate how much you need to reduce the speed of the bandsaw pulley to get the SFM number you want
for cutting metal. In general, there is a limit on how slow you want to run a motor from a VFD: as they slow down the fan becomes less
effective at cooling the motor, and torque may drop as well. Like Kernbigo, you could use a DC motor from a treadmill since they have motor
controllers that can slow the motors to any speed. Another possible solution is to use an AC motor that is slower to begin with. I
re-powered my drill press with a 6 pole motor that turns 1140 rather than the usual 1720 RPM. With a pulley change, that might get you
there. Or, as JimDawson pointed out, you can add a speed reducer (gearbox), or you could fabricate a counter shaft with pulleys. Which
approach you choose depends on budget, saw configuration and how much fabrication you feel like doing. Any of them could work.

If I could get an old Boice Crane for $25.00, I wouldn't be able to get there fast enough. Once I had it in my shop, then I'd figure out what
to do with it.
Click to expand...
Well, I'm going to pick it up first thing tomorrow morning. Will keep yall posted...
 
it is hard to imagine being able to buy any bandsaw for just $25----good find
 
My vertical is a 14" Beaver from the '40s. I slowed it down with a 15:1 gearbox and a trio of 3-step pulleys. That gives me 9 speeds from 28 sfpm to around 500. Some bimetal blades to fit and it's a dream to use.

The one before that was exactly like Kernbigo's 3-wheel, shown above. When I first tried it out on a piece of rebar, it ate a new blade in two seconds flat. A little thought reminded me that I needed to slow it down.
 
Dave Smith said:
it is hard to imagine being able to buy any bandsaw for just $25----good find
Click to expand...
I agree Dave, I just happened to see it for $50, and told them that I might be interested, but said that i have absolutely nobody that would be able to help me load it. They responded, that it comes apart in 2 sections, and they can either help me, or get someone to help....best part coming up...before I could even respond, they said heck I just want this gone, before family comes for the holidays, if you can come get it, you can have it for $25!!!
I quickly responded that I will be there first thing in the morning!!!o_O
 
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