Southbend SB1017 - Manual (Page 28)

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For Machines Mfg. Since 8/09 Model SB1017 O P E R A T I O N
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 in 2 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.
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
Blade Speed
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.
Figure 30. Pulley & V-belt configuration.
Gearbox Pulley Motor Pulley
80 FPM
120 FPM
200 FPM
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.
Figure 31. Motor tension bolt.
Belt Tension Bolt