Sears 2 speed 12" bandsaw

[floridafred]

Does anyone use this bandsaw for metal cutting. I have one in my shop dedicated to a wood operation but I was thinking about converting it to metal. It has two speeds although I don't know how slow it might go. I did a search on the Sears web and they don't even have an 80" Bi-metal blade for it. I could probably have the blades made up and maybe figure a way to slow it down some more.

If anyone has experience with it I'd certainly like to hear about it.

[Jonesy]

I put a Varible speed drive and motor on mine then ordered blades from???? can't remember off the top of my head and the card is at home.

I have cut a lot of metal on it.

ps you may need to beef up the blade guides top and bottom.

[floridafred]

Hey Scott:
Did you first try cutting metal at the lower speed and find it unsatisfactory? I was thinking I might get away with a different pulley system. I imagine putting a variable speed motor on it would be pretty expensive.

[Jonesy]

I didn't mess with the pulleys. I think they would work ok for sure.
I had the motor and drive off an old machine so the cost wasn't a big deal.

I think i figured a 10:1 ratio was needed to slow it down for metal.
I was going to use a 10:1 gearbox I had but the motor was an easier change out.

I think it could be done with an additional shaft and pulleys instead of a gearbox.

Hope I haven't muddied the water too much??