Bandsaw Speeds for the Shopsmith
February 29, 2016
A little while back I was trying to figure out how to get the shopsmith bandsaw to function properly. I was having issues because the bandsaw for the shopsmith is set up differently than most bandsaw models. The blade tracks differentlyand the set is just a bit off from most bandsaws made today. And shopsmith instructions are not very clear for the everyday user. Also, help to understand it is sparse and a little more technical than what is needed or can be understood for the average person that may be using the bandsaw.
I as well as many other have gotten frustrated trying to decipher the technical degrees and mathematics that so many people what to try and answer questions with. A lot of question that require a simple answer get more confusing because of a lot of people trying to speak engineering to people such as me who are doing good to be able to divide the fractions we need to cut. And in the end a lot of us who have a used shopsmith tool have cast the bandsaw attachment to the side simply because a lot of wanna be engineers seem to refuse are incapable of answering simple questions in simple everyday language.
I’m a stubborn man. I’ve been called bullheaded more times than I care to even try to add even if I did have a love for math along with engineering and physics degrees. Which I don’t. I’m just a redneck with a tool that I need to use and don’t feel the need to learn rocket science to use that tool which was supposed to have been designed for the weekend woodworker. I finally got the shopsmith bandsaw about figured out and working. I go into more detail about it in the video series. I’ll place the playlist down at the bottom.
One of the questions I have gotten asked most about the shopsmith bandsaw is what speed to run the bandsaw at. Which is actually a little more complicated than one would think. Even for those of us that choose not to over think and come up with complicated algebra formulas to cut a board. If the bandsaw blade is moving a little too fast for the size blade you are using in hardwood, you risk burning the wood. Too slow in softwood and you may get wobble in your cut, and other various results that are less than desirable.
So, with this in mind, I have compiled a basic speed chart and put it below. This is just an average idea of what speed to use on your shopsmith bandsaw for cutting. A starting point, so to speak to get you in the ballpark. It is always best to cut a test piece of wood and dial in and fine tune your speed to get the desired cut you want.
This chart does not go into the speeds for cutting metal and plastics because I don’t work with a lot of metal and when I do, I don’t use the shopsmith to cut it. From what little I’ve investigated, the lower speeds required for cutting metal can only be achieved on the shopsmith with a speed reducing attachment. I just don’t do enough metal work or work with plastic to justify purchasing one. I hope this information is helpful.
| |
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| |
Softwood |
950 |
C |
| |
Softwood |
1000 |
Between C and D |
| |
Softwood |
1050 |
D |
| |
Softwood |
1050 |
D |
| |
Softwood |
1050 |
D |
| |
Softwood |
1100 |
between D and E |
How the Shopsmith Bandsaw Works
Redneck Know How Blog
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