More blade info needed

[sawwood]

 I have some blades comming from rl and will have to have
 them shorten. I found a place that will shorted and reweld
 them for $7.50 a blade. JR and me will be a couple of days
 sharping blades for sure. What i wanted to ask is in the
 TimberWolf blade book they say to run a 7/8 1 1/4" blade
 at 5.800sfpm. Useing there math i came out at 4.029 sfpm
 on the NorWood. We have a 20 HP Honda with a 4" pully
 that drives a 18" ban wheel. Do you think that this sfpm
 is ok or shoud we try to up the sfpm by replaceing the motor
 pulley to a 5.5"? I just like to tinker with mechanic and this
 site is full of good info and sawer that have been at it for
 a while. I think JR some time wounders about me and all
 the things i think up, But i git to thinking while i am turning.


  Sawwood

[beerguy]

That gets me thinking, I have 2 blades (WM doublehard 1 1/2 inch) that are too short for my mill. They are 211 inches long. Any bidders? I don't need 'em.

[Fla._Deadheader]

 Sawwood, I don't think I would change a thing. Going to a larger pulley on the motor, will seriously lug the engine. After building and experimenting with our band mill set-up, I just don't believe that the sfpm is THAT critical. Just try to keep the engine speed and the "Singing" of the blade, at it's highest level, throughout the cut. You will surely know when the speed is being reduced.

  Some mills are at 4800, some at 5300, and some close to 6000. Get a good rhythm going and enjoy the sawing. ;D ;D

  We have not dragged out the free blades we have, yet. They are still way back in the shed.

[woodhick]

  I also run timberwolfs, and others.  I changed my setup to get to the fpm that you are talking about.   Running a 20 hp Kohler.  Killed the torque,  actually was sawing less at this speed especially on wide cuts over 12".  I changed mine back to where I had it before.  I beleive it is around 4800fpm,  works good with all blades that I have run.  In short I would leave it alone and run'em.

[sawwood]

 Thanks guys, that what i like about this place. I will just
 leave the set up as is. I do think we need a new clutch
 as it overheated one time when the blade got stuck in
 a knot and be for we shutdown the motor  it was smoking
 bad. Herold don't go to any trouble girting the blade till
 you have the time. Have fun and be safe on your trip to
 CR. I can smell the coffee now and the Teak in the wind.

 Sawwood

[D._Frederick]

Sawwood,

I would leave the saw speed at the 4000 ft/min that you have now. I don't think that your 20 hp Honda has enough power to take advantage of running your blade at 5800 ft/min. Trying to saw with this blade speed will reduce your blade life, since it will be going around the band wheels a lot more for each cut.

[sawwood]

 OK i have a handle on this blade stuff. I found my
 Timber Wolf book and JR found his manual on the
 NorWood. There was a good section in his manual
 on blades, hook angle, set and Timber Wolf had some
 good info too. Just wat to say thank to all for your input.

  I think as i see it is to git some blade from a good co
 and work with them till you git the set up that works for
 you and your mill. Mill set up is one thing i see will make
 it better also.

 Sawwood