Replies

1. 
   Andrew | May 21, 2003 09:10pm | #1

   I believe that the pulleys on my General are a 1:1 ratio, giving it a speed of 3450 rpm. However, wood has a fairly wide range of cutting speeds, so anything around 3450 should do. If I'm not mistaken, the euro sliding table saws run around 4000 rpm or more, giving you a smoother cut provided the wood doesn't burn. You can also lower the rpm's to increase torque if you feel the saw is underpowered. Some of the engineers out there won't be happy when I say this, but as long as the saw cuts well who cares what the rpms are.

   Hope this helps

   Andrew

1. 
   user-17340 | May 21, 2003 09:20pm | #2

   I noticed that my motor is 1725 or so rpm, so I should have a ration of 2:1 to get about 3450 rpm...I'll wait what the others have to say, thanks a lot for your quick answer.

1. 
   SCFrankland | May 21, 2003 09:22pm | #3

   3000 to 4000 RPM is about right.Scott C. Frankland

1. 
   user-17340 | May 21, 2003 09:44pm | #4

   thanks

2. 
   billyg83440 | May 21, 2003 09:48pm | #5

   How many Horse Power is your motor.

   As you increase the gear ratio you gain speed, but you lose torque. You may find your blade bogging down easily if you bump up the speed too much.

   May old craftsman saw had a 1700rpm motor, but only 1/2 horse power, so it was both too slow, and underpowered. Hopefully you don't have this problem.

1. 
   user-17340 | May 21, 2003 09:59pm | #6

   The motor is 1 hp...

1. 
   billyg83440 | May 21, 2003 11:01pm | #8

   Well, 1 HP is better then mine was, but still not great. I'd be hesitant bumping up the speed too much.

   You may be alright bumping the blade speed up some with some pulley changes. 1.75:1 would put you over 3000 rpms. I'd personally be hesitant to put more then a 1.5:1 ratio on it (about 2600 rpms).

2. 
   TKanzler | May 21, 2003 10:29pm | #7

   Current Unisaws run at 4000 rpm (I believe Jet and PM66's are about the same), and the older ones (with the 1 hp 1800 rpm "bullet" motors) ran at about 3150 rpm.  According to the current Delta catalog, the TS300 10" direct-drive saw (with universal motor) runs at 5500 rpm (that's probably a no-load speed, but that's just a guess), and the belt-driven contractor saws run at 3000 rpm.  To make things more confusing, their RT-40 14"/16" cabinet saw with 7.5 hp motor runs at either 3000 or 4500 rpm. 

   Be seeing you...

3. 
   GHR | May 22, 2003 02:03am | #9

   Are you cutting hard wood or softwood? are you using a high speed steel blade ot carbide?

   I have a variable speed motor on my saw.

1. 
   Ole | May 22, 2003 11:30am | #10

   My 3 HP's Festool - Precisio 9" tablesaw runs at 4000 RPM for cutting wood. But comes with variable electronic constant speed for cutting different materials in the range from 2000 - 4000 RPM's

   Ole

   .... I Love the smell of sawdust in the morning....

   Edited 5/22/2003 8:57:55 AM ET by ORH

4. 
   dondownunder | May 22, 2003 02:40pm | #11

   I had a look in my saw manual & this a direct quotation:

   "For the quick & clean cutting of most types of wood & plastic the speeds in Col. 1 should be employed.

   For thicker wood & wood which tends to jam or warp the speeds in Col 2 should be used.

   Because of the high shaft speeds, sawblades with fine, numerous teeth cannot be used. The sawblades must have sufficient gaps between the teeth to allow space for greater quantities of sawdust & chips created by the higher cutting speeds.

   NB cutting veneers requires approximately twice the number of teeth.

   Blade Diameter        Col 1              Col2          No of Teeth*  

   250mm/10"             6000              5000          32-60

   300mm/12"             5000              4000          40-72

   350mm/14"             4000               3000          20-60

   *Depending on material & tooth shape. TCT blades only

   IMPORTANT

   Never exceed maximum saw/blade speed prescribed by the manufacturer or legislation.

   If the above instructions & recommendations are followed the high speeds result in the cleanest cuts & make the least possible physical demands on the operator.

   The high cutting speeds demand quick feeding of workpieces.  Otherwise the sawblade becomes too hot causing fire spurts & cracks which can weaken it dangerously,

   HSS saw blades are not to be used as they are prohibited by law for the speed range of the machine."

   Well, to summarise I use a 12" blade on this saw at 5000 for general timber & sheet products, a 14" blade at 3000 for ripping & as it doesn't have the facility to change speeds, 3500 on my other 12" saw  for everything - which appears to be a reasonable compromise.

   hope it helps

   Don

1. 
   user-17340 | May 22, 2003 03:18pm | #13

   Thanks a lot to all of you. I checked last night, and the current speed is about 2700 or something. I'll go get a bigger pulley tonight and it will put the blade speed at about 3450 rpm. I'll go from there and I'll keep you posted.

   Thanks again

   Bob in Sherbrooke, Province of Québec

1. 
   user-17340 | May 23, 2003 01:49pm | #14

   Hi all

   I installed a 4 1/2 pulley on the motor last night, and there nothing more sweet than the hissing sound of a table saw blade. At 3450 rpm, the blade cut smoother and better than it did.

   Thanks to all for your good advice !

   Bob in Sherbrooke, Province of Québec

5. 
   BenM | May 22, 2003 02:48pm | #12

   I've read that the teeth of the blade should be moving at around 10,000 feet per minute.  For a 10 inch diameter blade that translates to a rotational speed of about 3800 rpm.  So 3450 to 4000 is a good range.