Model SB1017

O P E R A T I O N

For Machines Mfg. Since 8/09

Blade Care & Break-In

Blade Care

To prolong blade life, always use a blade with the proper width, set, type, and pitch for each application. Maintain the appropriate feed rate, feed pressure, and blade speed. Keep your blades clean, since dirty or gummed up blades pass through the cutting material with much more resistance than clean blades, causing unnecessary heat.

Blade Break-In

The tips and edges of a new blade are extremely sharp. Cutting at too fast of a feed rate or too slow of a blade speed can fracture these tips and edges, causing the blade to quickly become dull. Properly breaking-in a blade allows these sharp edges to wear without fracturing, thus keeping the blade sharp longer.

Use the Chip Inspection Chart on Page 27 to ensure that the optimal blade speed and feed rate are being used.

To properly break-in a new blade:

1.Choose the correct speed for the blade and material of the operation.

2.Reduce the feed pressure by half for the first 50–100 in2 of material cut.

3.To avoid twisting the blade when cutting, wait until the total width of the blade is in the cut before adjusting the feed pressure.

Blade Speed

The bandsaw is capable of operating at 80, 120, or 200 FPM (Feet Per Minute). The speed can easily be adjusted by changing the V-belt placement. Figure 30 shows the pulley positions required for each speed. The charts on the following page provide guidelines for determining which speed to use for a cutting operation

Gearbox Pulley

Motor Pulley

 

80 FPM

 

120 FPM

 

200 FPM

Figure 30. Pulley & V-belt configuration.

To change the blade speeds:

1.DISCONNECT BANDSAW FROM POWER!

2.Open the belt cover, then loosen the belt tension bolt shown in Figure 31 to allow the motor to pivot.

Belt Tension Bolt

Figure 31. Motor tension bolt.

3. Lift the motor to relieve the belt tension and position the belt in the desired pulley alignment.

4. Release the motor and let its weight tension the belt.

5. Re-tighten the belt tension bolt and close the belt cover.

-26-

Page 28
Image 28
Southbend SB1017 owner manual Blade Care & Break-In, Blade Speed, Blade Break-In