Bandsaw conversion need help/oppinions

I am converting an old sears roebuck wood bandsaw into a metal cutting saw and I am starting from scratch no motor only the top half.. I have a 3/4 horse motor but need to step it down from 1720 to less than 80 to get the blade feet per min that I want.. so far It either going to be a pulley/jackshaft system using like 12inch pulleys and the smallest on the other end.

Or I have been thinking of using a gear reducer from a rototiller or maybe a washing machine? so far the rototiller is looking alright its got a 20to1 worm drive... anyone have any idea what a washing machine trans has as far as a trans ratio?

Is 3/4 horse gonna be enought for an 80inch blade?
lotsa questions great site

[Kerry Pinkerton]

If you can get a trans from a riding mower, it will give you the speed reduction and also several speeds to choose from.....

[norm]

get a zero-max speed reducer
it will give you 0-400 rpm output from a 1750 rpm input
should be able to find one on ebay for under $ 100
they have a web site that expalins all the different models

If I use the o-400 rpm reducer would I still have enough power at the saw blade?

[tdoty]

Using the Zero-Max, you should retain full power from the motor. I don't think it would derate it, but I could be wrong.

Tim D.

[FriarTuck]

Even the small 64 1/2" Vertical/Horizontal bandsaws are usually 1HP. Mine is 1HP, and it stops sometimes. I'd go for 2HP if you can. Of course, the whole HP thing will be affected by the type of speed reduction you choose.

[norm]

by reducing the speed
you multiply the torque


speed goes down
torque goes up

just like in your car


some of the offshore hp ratings are optimistic at best

Originally Posted by DTRSsouth

If I use the o-400 rpm reducer would I still have enough power at the saw blade?

[Ernie Ferrucci]

FWIW, your 3/4 HP motor should be fine. I have two 14" Rockwell band saws: One is a wood cutter and came with a 3/4 HP motor. The other is a metal cutting unit with a gear reduction. It came with a 1/2 HP 3 phase motor, I replaced it with a 1/2 HP single phase. Both saws use 93.5" blades. I have no stalling problems with either saw. The motors are not off shore SFD, (some flung dung).
Don't have answers on the speed reduction transmissions, all I know is ratios, pulleys, and jack shafts. That Zero-Max gizmo sounds like a great idea and has me wondering if I can apply it to an old lathe I'm trying to set up.

Ernie F.

[Renee n Jerry Conrad]

If you aren't already done with the conversion, there's a discussion here that might help: http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2362

Renée