Vertical Bandsaw

admin

This may be a bad idea, but I thought I would run it by you all.I already have a 4x6 vertical/horizontal bandsaw that I use for cutting off materials.  However it is real limited for use in the vertical position.  I want to cut some pattern pieces from +/- 1/8" plate for some wood frame connectors.I have an old wood cutting bandsaw which is no good for wood and has been replaced.  I am thinking about adapting it to cut steel and aluminum plate.Questions:Is it practical / possible?What kind of blade speeds do I need to get?How critical are the blade guides when cutting relatively thin materials?I don't have a plasma cutter, and haven't yet justified it in my mind (wallet).  I can cut it with a torch, but I thought a band saw would be more accurate (less grinding)  I will be making multiples of the parts, and reasonable accurate repeatability is important.  My torch cutting is not as predicatable as I would like.On a related note, has anyone had success with cutting (with gas) to a pattern?Thanks for any input.Bob
Reply:You need a blade speed of around 180FPM for cutting metals.  The wood saw is way too fast.  You'd have to engineer a jack-shaft with step pulleys to reduce the motor speeds to useable wheel drive speeds.  Lot of guys have done it, but it is not an easy project .  It might make more sense to get your H/V saw vertical table a little better designed.I cut pretty well with an O/A torch, but I'm no where near steady enough to free-hand a pattern with any accuracy!Hank