Bandsaw Blade Speeds Talked to Grizzly...

admin

Ok im still on the learning curve about bandsaws. Im going to be getting a 7 by 12 size.  Im looking at the Jet and Grizz.   The Grizz im looking at is a swivel head fro about 1500, an the Jet is 1150 and a standard head. Only problem I see is the Grizz only has 1 blade speed at 314fpm.So I called grizzly's customer service and asked a rep what the explanation was for this. Basically he told me this, "Multiple blade speeds are not needed, you will merely adjust the downfeed speed to match the blade speed."  I told him i'll be cutting mild steel andwhere from 14ga. to 1/4in and then one large job dealing with cutting 2" hot roll. I will be cutting something like 75 pieces that are 2ft long.He said, the 314fpm is fine and thats all i'd ever need.SO, after listening to the tech. What is the real explanation for blade speeds.  I want to believe him except for the fact that that one particular saw is the only one I have found out of any brand that just has one speed. The rest have multiple.
Reply:I never change blade speed.   I adjust blade tooth count and downfeed rate.  Check with a large steel fabricator, I wouldn't think they change speed a for mild steel.
Reply:I agree.  I've never changed the speed on any saw I have.  Only the down feed.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:im using my new grizzly g6013 saw and you will love iti allso got the roller table g8982 to go with itthe legs on the table and the fan cover on the sawwas damage they sent out new part do not have to send old ones back there customer service is greatand the g6013 is made in taiwan not china
Reply:Ok, that sounds acceptable i mean coldsaws are usally always run on one speed. But then why do all the saws have different speeds if you adjust your downfeed and tooth count.
Reply:It depends on what materials you cut. Blade pitch and feed is primarily determined by the size/thickness/geometry of what you're cutting. If you only cut one type of material, you most likely won't need to change the speed, just the blade pitch for different sizes. You can get away with cutting some aluminum with more feed, and MAYBE stainless/harder steel with less. However, I would not plan to cut much stainless at 314sfpm, and I would cut alumnum faster than that (~150sfpm and 500sfpm respectively).
Reply:I think at 314 fpm on stainless, you will end up work hardening the material unless you keep it cool with flood coolant.I think the guiding principle behind the one-speed BS is that you can keep the speed the same IF you use flood coolant to keep the workpiece/blade cold.  Fortunately this BS is built with an internal flood coolant system.Tim
Reply:$1500 to my door on the Grizz and for $800 more im gonna order an Ellis 1600 shipped to me and quit worrying about it.thanks everyone for the help.