Replies

1. 
   tommyp | Mar 08, 2005 01:58am | #1

   i have to belive your right that the cast would be smoother only because of the mass of the wheel and the weight compared to the alum. or steel. i'm probably wrong and i'm sure we'll get some responses

   Thomas B. Palumbo

   CUSTOM WOODWORKING

1. 
   cherryjohn | Mar 08, 2005 02:13am | #2

   cast iron would also impart more inertia and smoother cutting...........

   That said i have 5 sopke aluminum wheels on my 14" and it doesnt bok down a bit.  So................. whos to sayWicked Decent Woodworks

   Rochester NH

   " If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"

1. 
   tommyp | Mar 08, 2005 02:21am | #3

   i think i have alum. wheels on my jet 14" just feed a little slower haven't bogged down yetThomas B. Palumbo

   CUSTOM WOODWORKING

1. 
   cherryjohn | Mar 08, 2005 02:40am | #5

   me either especially since I got that Wood Slicer blade....what a gemWicked Decent Woodworks

   Rochester NH

   " If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"

2. 
   Jellyrug | Mar 08, 2005 02:28am | #4

   Ronin,

   I use a 2hp 17" band saw (Grizzly) and apart from the blade guides, which are OK but not perfect, I don't know what more one would expect from a bandsaw. It has aluminum wheels.

   From a pure technical viewpoint, if the wheels are heavier, (as in cast iron) you will have more inertia, which would help in handling peak loads. It follows that any operation where the blade is bogged down for a short while, the heavier wheels will get you through more likely.

   When you get into the 2hp, or 18" range, this is not really an issue.

   Disadvantages of cast iron wheels will be more motor torque at start-up, the saw will take longer to stop after switched off and then the extra weight.

   I don't believe there will be a difference in vibration, as once the wheels are balanced, the vibration is in the blade.