Wilton 3410 Changing blade speeds, Blade selection, Evaluating cutting efficiency, Starting a cut

Changing blade speeds

The Models 3410 and 3400 are 4-speed cut-off saws. The different speeds are obtained by changing the position of the drive V-belt which connects the motor pulley to the drivewheel gearbox pulley.

To change blade speeds:

1.Disconnect the saw from its electrical power source to prevent any possibility of accidental motor start-up.

2.Allow the saw arm to rest at its full horizontal position.

3.Open the pulley cover to expose the V-belt and pulleys.

4.Loosen the motor plate lock bolt jam nut and lock bolt.

5.Loosen the jam nuts on the motor plate adjustment

bolts, then loosen the motor plate adjustment bolts so the motor can slide on its mounting plate to where the V-belt can be removed from the pulleys.

6.Put the V-belt in the pulley position for the speed you require --- refer to Figure 7 for belt locations and speeds available.

7.Tension the belt by adjusting the motor adjustment bolts until the V-belt has one belt's width of slack when pressed firmly in the center of its travel.

8.Reverse steps 1 through 5, above, to complete the speed change.

265 SFM

180 SFM

130 SFM 80 SFM

GearboxMotor

Figure 7: Belt position/speed relationships

Blade selection

The saw is delivered with a blade adequate for a variety of cut-off jobs on a variety of common materials. Wilton also can provide you with other blades. See the parts listings for available blade types. See Table 1, for some recommended speeds for various materials. However, these selections, while appropriate to the many of shop cutting needs, don't begin to exhaust the wide variety of blades of special configuration (tooth pitch and set) and special alloys for cutting unusual or exotic materials.

For very high production on cutting of special materials, or to cut hard-to-cut materials such as stainless steel, tool steel, titanium, etc., you can ask your industrial distributor for more specific blade recommendations. Also, the supplier who provides the workpiece material should be prepared to provide you with very specific instructions regarding the best blade (and coolant or cutting fluid, if needed) for the material or shape supplied.

Evaluating cutting efficiency

Is the blade cutting efficiently? The best way to determine this is to observe the chips formed by the cutting blade.

If the chip formation is powdery, then the feed is much too light, or the blade is too dull.

If the chips formed are curled, but colored -- that is, either blue or straw colored from heat generated during the cut -- then the feed rate is too high.

If the chips are slightly curled and are not colored by heat -- the blade is sufficiently sharp and is cutting at its most efficient rate.

Blade break-in procedures

New blades are very sharp and, therefore, have a tooth geometry which is easily damaged if a careful break- in procedure is not followed. You may want to consult manufacturers' literature for break-in of specific blades on specific materials. However, the following procedure will be adequate for break-in of Wilton supplied blades on lower alloy ferrous materials.

1.Clamp a round section work piece in the vise. The work piece should be 2 inches or larger in diameter.

2.With the saw on low speed, begin the cut with a very light feed rate.

3.After the saw has completed 1/3rd of the cut, increase the feed rate slightly and allow the saw to complete the cut.

4.Without disturbing the position of the needle valve, begin a second cut on the same or similar work piece.

5.After the blade has completed about 1/3rd of the cut, increase the rate of feed and observe chip formation until cutting is at its most efficient rate (see Evaluating blade efficiency, above) ...then allow the saw to complete the cut. The blade can now be considered ready for regular service.

Starting a cut

To avoid blade damage, follow these procedures:

1.Never start a cut with the blade resting on the workpiece.

2.Never start a cut on a sharp edge. If the workpiece has a sharp edge, use a file to knock off the sharp edge before lowering the blade onto the workpiece.

3.Have the motor on and running at full speed before cutting.

4.Use the hydraulic control cylinder needle valve to begin the cut of any single piece (although succeeding pieces of the same type can be started using the quick shut off valve.)

5.If you use coolant or cutting fluid, turn on the flow of coolant before starting a cut.

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