Southbend METAL-CUTTING BANDSAW SB1019 - Manual (Page 28)

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For Machines Mfg. Since 8/09 Model SB1019 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 and pay attention
to the chip characteristics (Refer to the Chip
Inspection Chart on Page 27). 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, quickly dulling the blade. Properly
breaking-in a blade allows these sharp edges
to wear without fracturing, thus keeping the
blade sharp longer. Below is a typical break-in
procedure. When using aftermarket blades, refer
to the manufacturer's break-in procedure to keep
from voiding the warranty.
Use the Chip Inspection Chart on Page 27 as
a guide to evaluate the chips and 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,
adjust the feed pressure when the total
width of the blade is in the cut.
Blade Speed
The three-speed gearbox on the model SB1019
produces three blade speeds: 135,197, and 256
FPM. During operation, pay attention to the
chips being produced from the cut and compare
them to the Chip Inspection Chart on Page 27
to properly set the downfeed rate.
To change blade speeds:
1. Turn the bandsaw OFF and allow it to come
to a complete stop.
2. Determine the best speed for your cut. The
table in Figure 24 on Page 27 is provided as
a rough guideline. Material thickness, type
of blade used and if cutting fluid is used, will
factor into the correct speed selection. As a
general rule, add 15% when using cutting
fluid.
NOTICE
DO NOT change speeds when the motor is
running. Wait for the bandsaw to come to a
complete stop or you will damage the gears
and you will void your warranty.
Figure 23. Speed control knob.
3. With the saw turned OFF, rotate the speed
control knob (Figure 23) to the desired posi-
tion.