EUREKA!!!!!

[art3427]

Guys, I finally did it. I've exchanged the 3/4 hp, 1725 rpm motor on my Ridgid 14" bandsaw with a 1 1/2 hp, 3450rpm. Took some head scratching on the pulley's but I think I worked it out. Someone here said I needed a 5-to-1 ratio. I ended up with a 4-to-1 (2.5" to 10.00" dia pulleys) because that's the best I could find from local sources. I remember reading the spec.'s on several saws and the blades all seemed to run between 2700 and 3000 sfm (whatever that is). I'm not sure what I'm turning but the trial cuts were fantastic.

I also took someone's advice about balancing the wheels with drill dimples. The bottom wheel only required 5 - 6 shallow holes. But the top had 22 all in cluster about 4"x2" when It stopped shaking. But it runs solid as a dollar now.

Now, its back to that pile of half completed projects I have scattered all over the carport.

Thanks a million for all the advice. You guys were a life saver.

art

[elizabeth]

Congrats, Art. Tools always need fiddling but you got to have the right tool for the right job.

[TDHofstetter]

Excellent!

Lessee. 14" saw, 3450 RPM motor, 4:1 pulleys? So... the wheels on the saw are turning 1/4 of 3450 RPM, or 862.5 RPM. The circumference of a wheel is 44" (14 x pi), so your saw moves 44" (3.67') of blade 862.5 times per minute. 3.67 x 862.5 = 3162.5 SFM (roughly). Pretty durn close.