Proper blade speed for 18" bandsaw

[Bob Langleyca]

Can anyone tell me the best blade speed for cutting hardwoods with a 1/2" blade on an 18" bandsaw?

Mine is running at about 4500 feet per minute but the manual for an older Delta 14" saw that I also have says the 220 fpm is best for wood.

Thanks.

[John Bailey]

Hi Bob,

And welcome to the Creek. My 18" Oliver 192 runs at just about 4500 fpm. I've not heard of 220 for wood. I had an older Delta 14" and I seem to remember that ran about 3000.

Not sure where you're reading the 220, but it doesn't sound right to me.

John

[Tom Veatch]

220 FPM sounds more like a metal cutting speed. Everything I've ever seen talks in terms of 3000 FPM or greater for wood. My 16" Jet specifications indicates that it operates at 3000 FPM.

I don't think wheel diameter or blade width would have much effect on the recommended blade speed since that should be affected only by conditions at the point where the blade meets the wood and for a given tooth form and workpiece that would be the same for any saw or blade width.

[Chip Lindley]

Yep! 3000 FPM is what my Delta 14" runs. Any wood-cutting BS should turn in that neighborhood! Of course, the larger the wheels, the slower the *RPM* to achieve 3000 feet per minute.

[Curt Harms]

"Real" saws can run quite a bit more. Northfield 20" saws list 2 direct drive motors yielding 4712 feet/min 900 rpm or 6283 feet/min 1200 rpm.

[Rick Fisher]

I have a 24" SCMI which is running at 4200 sfpm. My Delta 18" runs about 3200 sfpm.

[Bob Langleyca]

Sorry to cause confusion. 220 fpm was a typo. The manual for my Delta 28-300 says 2200 fpm for wood.

Thanks to everyone for helping me clear this up.

[Pete Bradley]

Early Delta 14" machines ran in the range of 2200 FPM. Later ones run around 3000. 4500 is on the high side for an 18" machine but should be ok. something in the 3500-4000 range would be optimal.

PEte