Shopsmith Forums

I am embarking on a project using southern live oak that has a janka hardness of 2650 (compared to pecan and hickory that are about 1800). I will need to resaw 5" thick material. My question is whether to increase or decrease band saw speed to account for the increased hardness? I am using a new SS 1/2 inch blade that is 6 TPI. I have a speed reducer so can go slower than the minimum 700 rpm of the conventional head stock if that is the right change. Any recommendations?

Sounds like a plan! Sharpness will be crucial. Hope it lasts long enough.

GEC,

700 RPM is the recommended speed in the manual for this operation. The manual does say "700 rpm for hardwood and softwood, 700 rpm (or slower) for other materials". I would start at 700 RPM and adjust the feed rate as needed first.

You said,

I have a speed reducer so can go slower than the minimum 700 rpm of the conventional head stock if that is the right change.

Which is an interesting idea, but I don't know if it can work. The Speed Reducer would have to be mounted on the left side of the Headstock between the Headstock and the Bandsaw unless your Motor can run in reverse. The Speed Reducer would be running in reverse which is what I am not sure it should do but may be okay. I do not have a Speed Reducer so am not as familiar with it.

Russ
The speed reducer manual has instructions for use with the bandsaw so it apparently works in reverse. My question is really about speed as it relates to difference in hardness. Metal cutting is recommended to be done a lower speeds but I wonder if cutting extremely hard wood also benefits from lower speed or if the difference in hardness is not enough to matter?

Given that most standalone bandsaws for wood are single speed, I'd venture that it's not a big factor. That's not to say faster or slower might not be beneficial.....

Also, if you have trouble I would look to the blade before the speed. 6 TPI is at the upper range of the tooth count for what you are doing. 3-4 TPI is better for stock that thick.