Beefing up the SS bandsaw

[masonsailor2]

I have an issue with the SS bandsaw I need to resolve. I will be bandsawing a few pieces of 16 quarter walnut and on the MK V I don't have enough power. I am thinking of mounting the BS on a separate stand and adding a larger motor. Has anyone tried this and will the SS bandsaw handle the increased power. I have a 220 V 3hp motor I am not using. Next question is the SS power station. It has a separate motor so is it possible to just add a bigger motor to a power station ? There's one available on CL locally here.
Paul

[charlese]

Geeze, Paul - I was surprised to read your thought/observation that the Mark V doesn't have enough power to saw through 16 quarter (4") wood.

There are several easy to fix things to find out why it's difficult to saw through wood.

Dull blade. The less sharp a blade - the harder you must push.

Another blade issue is not enough tooth set so blade binds.

Blade mounted inside out. (Teeth pointed up) This sounds dumb, but it happens!

If using a standard headstock, try using at a lower speed, (A toward B)

[reible]

I too am surprised. I've re-sawed wood that just made it through the saw so about 5-1/2" to 6". I've also done that on my old bandsaw with a 1/2HP motor and no way to adjust speed.

It goes really slow, has to to clear the saw dust but never hinted that the motor/headstock did not have enough power. You do need a the correct blade with 3tpi and it has to be sharp and well I'm sure you know all this already.

If I had to guess I'd say a new woodslicer blade would be the answer rather then more power.

Ed

[charlese]

Ed reible has it right again! Try a blade with 3 tpi! (teeth per inch).

When there are too many teeth, kerf plugs the gullets and allow the teeth to cut into the wood. Kinda like having a blade with teeth that are only 1/64" long, or shorter.

[BuckeyeDennis]

I have my bandsaw on a Power Station. It has a 3/4 hp motor, IIRC (that "develops" up to 1hp per the SS marketing propaganda), plus a Reeves drive. So it should have less power available than a SS headstock.

I've sawn up well-dried Osage Orange half-logs on it that were at least 4" thick, as well Ash log halves up to 6" thick. Never had a shortage of power.

Yes, you could certainly change out the motor on a Power Station for a bigger one. What I don't know is if the Reeve's drive on the Power Station, and the mechanicals of the bandsaw, are beefy enough to handle the extra torque.

[masonsailor2]

I have all the blade situations in hand. New blade etc. The issue is the rate of feed which is very slow compared to a larger more powerful bandsaw. Since I have the motor lying around I thought it might be worth trying to bring it up to the level of a bigger saw. It would not be a big deal to put it on a stand and power it up with a bigger motor. The issue became very apparent when I was resawing the Bubinga a while back. In my old shop I had the room for a large Grizzly which was a great saw. But now room is limited and I have always liked the SS bandsaw. It just needs a little more power for the hard stuff. I'm just not sure the bandsaw wheel bearings etc will handle it. On the other hand I don't think I have ever found any other SS operation where the SS wasn't beefy enough. On our first house my wife and I built we set aside every clear piece of doug fir framing 2X4 and let them air dry while we built the house. We eventually used the SS bandsaw to resaw all of them in half to make 1X4 trim. It handles the task well. That trim is still there today. So may try it just to see how it does. I will keep everyone posted.
Paul

[reible]

I hear what you are saying but.... I use to have access to a large commercial bandsaw with transmission and resawed walnut that was about 12" max diameter off a log and that saw cut faster but it was not a power issue. The blade was wider, thicker and bigger badder teeth. I'd say the kerf was at least 1.5 times wider or more and it would take a lot of sawdust out as it cut.

On the shopsmith the issue I saw was the amount of sawdust that could be removed by the blade as the controlling factor. More power is not going to change that. If the saw bogs down because of a lack of power that is different then just not being able to clear the saw dust.

You can and no doubt will do what you want but my money is on the most help coming in the form of a resaw blade with 3 tpi and the woodslicer brand blade. You will never know unless you try it.

Ed

[masonsailor2]

I will take your advice Ed. I have 4or 5 tpi blade that is sharp but not a Woodslicer. I will order one up and give it a try first. Thanks
Paul

[Ed in Tampa]

I will take your advice Ed. I have 4or 5 tpi blade that is sharp but not a Woodslicer. I will order one up and give it a try first. Thanks
Paul

Good move!

[masonsailor2]

Wow OK Ed you are totally correct on the blade. I used the W Slicer blade for the first time today and it is a pretty amazing difference. Very pleased with the results.
Paul