Bandsaw cutting speeds

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Hello all,I am a novice welder and am thirsting for knowledge.  I have found WeldingWeb to be an excellent source of wisdom.  I am amazed at the level of creativity.  It gives me something to strive for.I recently purchased the 4X6 HF Bandsaw.  I am using a 120 fpm setup for mild steel and am curious as to the proper tention on the arm.  If I am cutting a piece of 1/8"X 1 1/4" angle, roughly how long should it take?Thanks in advance
Reply:Welcome aboard!!, Yahoo has some groups set up just for the 4x6 bandsaws, Check www.frugalmachinist.com on one of the pages he has a lot of info on the hf saw.StangnetShop Full Of Stuff. Joey
Reply:long enough to make you bored waiting but not so long that you can take a break.
Reply:Thank you both for the reply.  It takes about 2 to 2.5 minutes at my current setting.  I believe that fits into the bored category.
Reply:If you have too much weight on the workpiece, the blade will usually pop off the guides.  Make sure you start with a new blade and get it to cut squarely.  If it does not cut squarely from the beginning, it will only get worse quickly and your blade life will be short.Get it hot and hit it hard...
Reply:guyam,A lot depend on how many teeth per inch your saw band has.  At that speed, and with a 14TPI band, the chips should be about the size of coarse sand, blue in color, and there should not be any heat in the saw band.  The rule of thumb is at least three teeth in contact with the work at all times.  If your chips are very fine, and look the same color as the metal you're cutting, you can increase the cut pressure; if the chips are blue-black and you see smoke, ease up a bit.Be well.hank
Reply:After cutting say a piece of 1 1/4 X 1/8 inch angle, the cutoff is only slightly warm to the touch.  Speed is OK, right?
Reply:Don't forget to break in your blade by cutting through some thick material(round stock or something solid of around 1 1/2 or better inches) on a very slow drop.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:Brainfarth,Why is that?
Reply:It tempers your blade.  You'll find that your blade will last longer if you break it in.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.