Band saw cutting metal

curtshepherd · Post by **curtshepherd** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 2:25 pm

I am trying to cut 14 guage steel. I see where I can buy a blade that is supposed to cut steel, but there are no directions regarding speed.

The blade description says it can operate at twice the speed, but the shopsmith doesn''t have recommended speeds for cutting steel.

Has anyone else tried using the band saw for cutting steel? Do you have any suggestions about proper speeds for such an operation? Is there some "Never Exceed Speed" for the shopsmith bandsaw?

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 4:07 pm

I. bandsaw max speed is 1000 rpm when cutting wood.
2. Metal cutting requires much slower speeds.
3. Ideally you use a blade that puts 3 teeth in the thickness of the metal, so thin steel requires fine tooth blades.

Some earlier advice on this topic here:
http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... ng+bandsaw

If you use the Search function in the first red line above, you will find some more. I hope this helps you.

PS: welcome to the forum, lots of help available here from a great group of Shopsmith people!

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 7:25 pm

Don't forget to clean you bandsaw of all wood dust. Cutting metal makes sparks and heat. You don't need to learn fire fighting also.

In a pinch I have cut metal on my bandsaw. My wife needed some metal cut before it could be delivered to her customer. Didn't really have a metal cutting blade but I got the metal cut and the job was success. What she made more than paid for the ruined blade.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 7:36 pm

curtshepherd wrote:I am trying to cut 14 guage steel. I see where I can buy a blade that is supposed to cut steel, but there are no directions regarding speed.

The blade description says it can operate at twice the speed, but the shopsmith doesn''t have recommended speeds for cutting steel.

Has anyone else tried using the band saw for cutting steel? Do you have any suggestions about proper speeds for such an operation? Is there some "Never Exceed Speed" for the shopsmith bandsaw?

Finally looked at the speed chart on my PowerPro. It gives a speed of 550 for bandsawing lighter metals like brass. There is no recommended speed for sawing steel.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 7:37 pm

curtshepherd wrote:I am trying to cut 14 guage steel. I see where I can buy a blade that is supposed to cut steel, but there are no directions regarding speed.

The blade description says it can operate at twice the speed, but the shopsmith doesn''t have recommended speeds for cutting steel.

Has anyone else tried using the band saw for cutting steel? Do you have any suggestions about proper speeds for such an operation? Is there some "Never Exceed Speed" for the shopsmith bandsaw?

Finally looked at the speed chart on my PowerPro. It gives a speed of 550 for bandsawing lighter metals like brass. There is no recommended speed for sawing steel.

I think your shopsmith only slows down to 750 or so.

Jack Wilson · Post by **Jack Wilson** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:22 pm

Curt,

The PowerPro will go down to 250 RPM. I have a second bandsaw equipped with a bi-metal blade that I us exclusively for cutting metal. I does a good job at 250 RPM.

It was recommended to me to also vacuum and/or blow out the inside of the headstock after cutting metal, as the metal dusk gets into everything.

Jack

holsgo · Post by **holsgo** » Thu Oct 17, 2013 6:38 am

Check the link Peter posted. There is an FPM chart which gives the specifics for various metals.

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Thu Oct 17, 2013 8:28 am

Do NOT use any dust collection system when cutting metal with the bandsaw!!:eek:
Bill V

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Oct 17, 2013 8:29 am

wa2crk wrote:Do NOT use any dust collection system when cutting metal with the bandsaw!!:eek:
Bill V

At least NOT the one you use for woodworking!;)

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Oct 17, 2013 12:01 pm

Also understand you can damage the bandsaw tires. The blade will get hot and it can and will cause damage. I don't know how bandsaws designed to cut metal handle the problem but I do know you have to keep an eye on the blade temp.