Virginia Mark Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I am a new woodworker and I need help deciding which speed to use for cutting hardwoods. My choices are 1800rpm or 3100rpm. Or does it depend on what type of hardwood I am cutting. I am using a 3/8" 4tpi Timberwolf blade. I have Hard Maple, Purple Heart, and Poplar that I will be cutting. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabinfever Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I've cut purple heart on my 14" Grizzly without even considering the speed. Hmm, I guess I used a slow feed rate but that was it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I have always had mine on 3100 RPM, have not seen a need to slow it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 Here's an idea.... Take a piece of wood that you plan to use.. Take the off cut, to the band saw, try it on the low speed, then turn the saw up to the high speed and make another cut... You can then determine what speed works for you with that particular wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Mark Posted December 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 Thanks for the reply guys. The saw was set on the slow speed from the factory. I will take your advice Richard and test with the different woods I have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I have the Grizz 14" and didn't know I have an option. I guess there are some with and some without? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Mark Posted December 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I have the G0555LX, just finished assembling it tonight. Open up the lower wheel guard and look for 2 sizes of wheel and motor pulleys. If you have 2, then you can change speeds from 1800 to 3100 feet per minute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 There lies the problem. My X doesn't have an L in front of it. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 My saw has 5 speeds, but it's also a metal cutting bandsaw. I rarely use the slower speeds but plastics cut much better with a slower cooler blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted December 19, 2014 Report Share Posted December 19, 2014 I would just run it at the right speed. Go to timber wolf and get the FPM needed, do the math for your blade and run it at the closest you have to meet the spec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Mark Posted December 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 Thanks PB that's an excellent idea. I didn't think of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Mark Posted December 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 OK I have Timberwolf blades, their specs for 1/8"-3/4" wide blades on a 14" bandsaw is between 2400sfpm and 3300sfpm (surface feet per minute). I went back and looked at the manual for my saw and the lowest setting is 1800sfpm and the highest setting is 3100sfpm. I changed to speed to 3100sfpm and it cut fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieboy Posted December 23, 2014 Report Share Posted December 23, 2014 I use around 2500 fpm and run on slower speed whenever I resaw. I don't go on full speed, it might burn the wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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