Shopsmith bandsaw for metal cutting

[miken]

I have reviewed the information the following threads:

viewtopic.php?t=7758
viewtopic.php?t=10251&hilit=metal+cutting+blade

I need to cut some low-carbon steel, and I am too lazy to use a hacksaw, and I cannot find a shop that will do the work.

According to the experts, to cut ferrous metal on my (non-PowerPro) Shopsmith bandsaw, I will need to do a 1/7 to 1/12 speed reduction to get the bandsaw from 2000FPM (at the "slow" headstock speed) to 270FPM. Here are my questions:

1. Is anyone on this forum successfully cutting ferrous metal on a Shopsmith bandsaw without using any speed reduction? With what blade? Lubricant used?

2. Will a 555428 Shopsmith Speed Reducer operate between rear headstock and bandsaw? (I see it being used on the headstock front end but not from the rear)

I really don't want to invest in either the 555428 or fab the "homemade" reducer described in the thread. I would much rather pay a shop to do these (simple, straight) cuts but it is becoming impossible to find a competent shop that will bid.

Just thought I would chime in that I have been using the Versamatic speed reducer on my SS bandsaw now for several weeks and find it to be working extremely well for aluminum and mild steel. It actually cuts the mild steel better than aluminum, but that is likely blade choice not SFPM. Depending on your input RPM you may be able to get even slower than mine. My input was 878 and I can get to 115 RPM which is about 330 SFPM and 1/7.6 ratio. If your SS is closer to the advertised 700 RPM even better for you. My post was here: viewtopic.php?t=28165. I have since sourced another $10 Versamatic model type 4600 off eBay which is direct drive. In theory, you could even stack two these and get down to 1/14 or 15th which is an output RPM of 58 (167 SPFM), then increase the speed of the SS to the desired RPM/SFPM.

So, I am using a $19 iMachinist 1/2"X14 TPI blade at 330 SFPM (115RPM) without any lube at all.

Mike -

[JPG]

Hmmmm 1/7.6 twice equals 1/57.76 x 878 = 15.2 rpm

[JPG]

Start by clicking on the "x".

[miken]

Hmmmm 1/7.6 twice equals 1/57.76 x 878 = 15.2 rpm

Yes, my mistake. Thanks

[miken]

Start by clicking on the "x".

The x doesn't appear on all of my posts?

[reible]

I was going to take a picture of my bandsaw but I guess it must be in the storage unit..... or did I loan it to one of my kids?? Anyway I know some people don't like to click links so I thought it might be best to post a picture. I think I got mine back in 2016 about Easter time?? It is not the one pictured but an earlier model and it works great for a lot of projects. Those tubes you want to cut would be right up its alley.

bbandsaw.jpg (115.8 KiB) Viewed 633 times

Ed