Bandsaw speed question

[Bill Bolen]

I'm getting ready to order the Grizzly G0555. I notice it was a 2 speed maching and am wondering the better speed for cutting quite a few 7"-10" thick blanks. Speeds are 15XX to 3200. Slow or fast?
Thanks ...Bill

[glenn bradley]

Most single speed units run around 3000. I run my 17" at the high speed for resawing but, that doesn't mean its right. I'll be interested to hear what others are doing.

[Bernie Weishapl]

William I run my Griz G0555 on low speed and also use a 3 TPI 1/2" wide blade from Timberwolf. I am going to try as soon as this one dulls a 3/8" 3 TPI blade next. It should make turning a little easier than the 1/2". The Timberwolf blades just last for a long time. I have probably cut 100 blanks either round or cut logs in half to make bowl blanks. It is still going on the blade I bought a year ago.

[Jerry Allen]

I unfortunately still have an old Summit I got at HF in the 80's. I've done a lot to get it to work right but it still has a small motor. It was 4 speed but when I installed the link belt, I canned one of the pulley cones and set it to run at around 1700 or 1900 rpm. That was to get a better "low gear" to compensate for the 3/4hp motor. Slow, but I have sawed 10" oak with it.
I use a 1/2" Wood Slicer which is a real nice blade, but like Bernie, I think I'd like to have a 3/8" too, because turning a corner when making a blank is not easy and not good for the blade either. For straight cuts I'd still use the 1/2".