Bandsaw cutting time

[Access]

Hi folks new to metal working so be gentle!
Recently bought a used Clarke bandsaw cbs45md just put a new 24tpi Clarke blade on it. Running it on medium speed to cut a 3mm x100x 50 mm box. It’s taken over an hour!! About 1mm off square, is that the norm? Any thoughts on this? Thanks

 

[carbon]

If the blade was coiled when you unpacked it, it could be on backwards.

 

[dan treg]

also what lubricant if any used show us a picture of saw and blade also is the bladfe blunt

 

[frank horton]

for future ref and to give u an idea....
I run a vari tooth cobalt blade 10/14 tooth from Tuff Saw......I use it quite a lot but not proff.....usually 200x 8mm plate.....
it will cut ur box in about 30-40 seconds on it's slow speed....with coolant I get roughly 4 YEARS out of a blade....
my saw is a 12" SIP thats getting on for 20 years old....

 

[Richiew]

I don't think you can put the blade on backwards.

 

[fizzy]

Is there any way to adjust cutting pressure on these or do you push down manually? You need quite a bit of pressure to cut - usually the weight of the arm is enough.

 

[dan treg]

if its taken that amount of time surely the blade would be blunt by know anyway

 

[dan treg]

Is there any way to adjust cutting pressure on these or do you push down manually? You need quite a bit of pressure to cut - usually the weight of the arm is enough.

not sure the one we had . had some hydraulic thing you adjusted dependent on what you were cutting not familiar with the clarke one though

 

[Richiew]

There's a handle and spring along one side. Take the tension off the spring and the arm should drop faster.

 

[Richiew]

I'm in front of mine now as it happens.

 

[Richiew]

Always keep a spare blade. This one is waiting its turn. Ebay seller. I don't use Clarke ones.

I usually buy varipitched ones but I'm not sure this is. Look for M42 steel grade ones.

 

[Morrisman]

If you’re cutting straight onto the flat side you’re effectively cutting 50mm thick steel, for the first and last 3mm. Try rotating the box section so it is at 45° or whatever you can get it to clamp at, so you’re never cutting more than the basic thickness of the wall, once you get past the first corner.

 

[Misterg]

I don't think you can put the blade on backwards.

Believe me, you can!

 

[Richiew]

I think I understand now. Flip it inside out first and then put it on the wheels. I've never managed it.

 

[carbon]

I don't think you can put the blade on backwards.

You definitely can, search YouTube for bandsaw blade backwards.

 

[minimutly]

Pah, I can't even get mine back into the box it came in...
Talking of cutting speeds, my 12/16 varitooth blade is painfully slow cutting through inch and an eighth cast iron plate, new blade, slow speed. I guess I should time it and work out the speed.

 

[Erie Fred]

Pah, I can't even get mine back into the box it came in...

Simple.
hold the loop in front of you (L-R), step on the bottom of the loop at the floor.
Twist the top 3 times, lowering your hand as you go.

 

[minimutly]

Simple.
hold the loop in front of you (L-R), step on the bottom of the loop at the floor.
Twist the top 3 times, lowering your hand as you go.

Thanks, I will try it, better than leaving them out to rust.

 

[Screwdriver]

Thanks, I will try it, better than leaving them out to rust.

Wear gloves and eye protection, especially for wood blades and low tpi. It is a coiled spring and it moves fast...

 

[Access]

Thanks folks, turns out all it needed was tha weight adjusted. Twist the pressure off the spring!
Still a mill off square, is that acceptable or could it be adjusted too? Cheers