found a band saw in my attic...

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so, i found a old craftsman 10" band saw in my attic and it looks like it hasn't been used in years. i fired it up and cut some wood and it worked great butttt i'd like to put a metal cutting blade on there to cut flat stock. the guard on there keeps me from cutting anything bigger than 1 inch but i'll see if i can do anything about that.in the meantime i'd like to get a different blade for it so i was wondering what the TPI should be for cutting metals.also, i know this has been asked before but, i have a 10" delta miter saw and i was wondering if i could put a abrasive blade on there and cut metal. of course most of the tool is plastic so thats the only thing that worries me.thank you and merry christmas
Reply:Well the TPI for metal will be somewhere between 10 and 18 depending on just what it is you plan on cutting but I doubt you're going to have the right speeds on that bandsaw for steels. Way to fast likely."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Do you know the speed of the saw?  Some wood band saws are much too fast for cutting metal (except maybe aluminum).Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:sorry forgot to mention its var. speed. model number 113.244200stupid long craftsman model numbers. :/
Reply:I wonder if one of those router speed controls would work on a wood cutting  bandsaw ?  You guys are correct the speed on a wood saw is way faster than a metal saw...I was given a small wood cutting bandsaw and hadn't thought of cutting metal (i've got metal saws already anyway) but it's an interesting thought...for small hobby work.
Reply:also, speed is infinitely var. (i guess you'd call it that). it doesn't have clicked settings.
Reply:Originally Posted by superwelderalso, speed is infinitely var. (i guess you'd call it that). it doesn't have clicked settings.
Reply:http://www.purplewave.com/cgi-bin/mn...gi?081016/6045thats the saw i have.
Reply:Any specs on the motor? Looks pretty light-duty. Might work for light stuff if you can get the speed down.
Reply:Link to the manual for that saw.http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/owne...-Band-L0910139Looks like they list it as being able to cut metals when run on low or medium speed. All you need to do is find a blade with  fine teeth designed to cut metal the right length.Looks like a nice find. Most small band saws will not run slow enough to do steel with out redesigning the saw and changing speed pulleys or motor rpms..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:thanks. i found the manual and it lists part numbers for different blades but it looks like sears doesn't carry them anymore. i'll look around and get one though.any idea on the miter saw?thanks
Reply:Sorry I missed that part in the 1st post. Don't do it on the miter saw. It will not hold up. The saw was not designed to take all the sparks and grinding dust. You'll either melt the saw, or kill the motor in short order. Several guys here have had this issue in the past here.If you get the overall length of the blade, chances are you can find something that size by looking at MSC, Graingers or MacMaster Carr. Most of those saws use a standard size blade, you just have to know which one..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:What's the story on the saw?  How'd it end up in your attic without you noticing?  Lincoln AC225 and CartLincoln WeldPak HD and CartOne hand
Reply:well i found the size, its 62" x 1/4", now i just have to find one.Monica, i think my dad got it from a yard sale many many years ago. we moved about 4 years ago and i found it in the shed and he wanted to throw it away because we NEVER used it. but me being the horder i am, kept it and put it in the attic of our new house and forgot about it. now i have a welder and a spring project so i'm glad we didn't throw it away.
Reply:Time out.  your attic is way cooler than mine.  The only thing i ever found in my attic was spiders and a horrible lack of insulation.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:lol, my attic has a bunch of OE car parts, weels, tires and tools. hahatold you, i'm a horder.
Reply:Originally Posted by superwelderwell i found the size, its 62" x 1/4", now i just have to find one.Monica, i think my dad got it from a yard sale many many years ago. we moved about 4 years ago and i found it in the shed and he wanted to throw it away because we NEVER used it. but me being the horder i am, kept it and put it in the attic of our new house and forgot about it. now i have a welder and a spring project so i'm glad we didn't throw it away.
Reply:Originally Posted by superwelderwell i found the size, its 62" x 1/4", now i just have to find one.
Reply:well, the owners manual lists different blades ranging from 1/8-3/8 and even a 1" sanding belt so i don't see why i wouldn't be able to run a 1/2" blade. i'll take a look at the saw tomorrow to make sure though.thanks.
Reply:I own one of these, bought it at Sears in Honolulu, I frequently cut aluminum with the standard motor and pulley sizes.  The blades are 80" long, bought an assortment of new ones from Sears a year or two ago.  If I were to set the bandsaw up for steel cutting, I would have to get a speed reducer.  They were an accessory when the saw was sold to me in the 70's.  They were described as being an 8 to 1 reducer.  I am sure Steel cutting will be a slow processIf I were to build a speed reducer, I would use a jackshaft and belts.I am sure metal cutting blades can be custom fabricated.  45 years ago, I bought blades by mail order from an advertiser in Popular Science.Last edited by nadogail; 12-27-2011 at 02:18 AM.Reason: spelling?I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:My company uses this guy in San Carlos he makes the blades to whatever size you needAlley Industrial Supply620 Taylor WaySan Carlos, CA 94070   mapPhone: 650-592-0356Fax: 650-592-4460 Also you might give these people a  call heres a linkhttp://www.grandsaw.com/bandsaw.html
Reply:sorry to bring this back up but i just need help finding the right blade(s).http://www1.mscdirect.com/eCommerce/...rchandizedOk=Ythis is really the only place i can seem to find blades that i can use for metal. they measure by feet so my 62" blade is about 5.16' so i was looking at the bi-metal blades. can you guys recommend a good one that's 1/4" wide? i'm mostly cutting sheet metal and rod thinner than 1/2" (but not often for rod). thank you.