Cutting Metal with Shopsmith MK V and Speed reducer

[johnwilliamson062]

Anyone do it?
What sort of thickness have you tried for steel? Does anyone know the SSFPM of the bandsaw with the motor turned down to 100?
I'm not looking to cut metal daily or set any production records, but I do run into issues at times and I am wondering what a speed reduced shopsmith bandsaw can handle. The cheaper bandsaws rated for metal are about 4 times the cost of the speed reducer, so this may save the MK V in my current re-evaluation of tool usefulness.

[johnwilliamson062]

I couldn't find anything ere when I first searched, then decided to try sfpm. I found a thread that indicates the speed would be about 350 SFPM. Way too fast.

[billmayo]

Anyone do it?
What sort of thickness have you tried for steel? Does anyone know the SSFPM of the bandsaw with the motor turned down to 100?
I'm not looking to cut metal daily or set any production records, but I do run into issues at times and I am wondering what a speed reduced shopsmith bandsaw can handle. The cheaper bandsaws rated for metal are about 4 times the cost of the speed reducer, so this may save the MK V in my current re-evaluation of tool usefulness.

I had the Shopsmith bandsaw at around 200 RPM when I was cutting metal with it. The cutting of metal imbeds the shavings into the bandsaw tire fairly quickly. You cannot use the bandsaw for wood after that. Also I had to replace the tires after a couple of years. I brought from Harbor Freight the following metal cutting bandsaw about 8 years ago. I have cut more than 100 way and bench tubes with this bandsaw without any cutting problems. You will want to get a few bimetal cutting blades with different pitches and teeth for steel and for aluminum. I had to change the gear box cover gasket and replace the gear oil after about 6 years due to leaking.

1 HP 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw $259.95 on sale.

[johnwilliamson062]

Specifically require vertical band saw. I could rig a decent portable to a horizontal fairly cheap. I think there are a few that come as kits.
The more I look into and think about this, the less likely it seems the SS will work for metal. I had not thought about the metal chips embedding. That would certainly be one heck of a mess.

I'll just have to wait until I can afford a Do-All like I am used to using for work:)