Vertical Bandsaw

About

KING 17" vertical bandsaw, located in Brunsfied.

The KC-1700WM-VS is a 17” vertical bandsaw capable of cutting wood, plastics, and various metals. It features a variable speed drive with a digital readout and supports both wood and metal cutting through easy belt configuration changes and blade swaps. In Brunsfield, there are separate machines set up with blades for cutting metal and wood/plastic.

Usage

Wood/Plastic Bandsaw Unit

• Resawing and ripping of large wooden panels or blocks

• Cutting curves or intricate shapes in plywood, MDF, and plastics

• General-purpose woodworking

Metal Bandsaw Unit

• Cutting mild steel, aluminum, brass, and other non-ferrous metals

• Making straight or slightly curved cuts in metal stock

• Slow-speed cutting suitable for dense materials

Propper operation of the bandsaw.

Safe Operating Procedure

• Verify correct blade type is installed (Wood: coarse tooth, Metal: fine tooth)

• Confirm proper blade speed setting using the digital control

• Ensure guards are in place and the area is clean and dry

• Adjust upper blade guide to 1/8”–1/4” above the workpiece

• Changing Speed (Wood/Metal)
  • Wood (540–3600 SFPM)
  • Metal (100–650 SFPM)
  • Changing the speed is done by ear. Slowly increase the speed using the hand wheel until the workpiece starts to whine loudly, then back it down until it quiets down.

Cutting Best Practices and Tips for Vertical Bandsaw Use

Blade tooth measurement.

1. Tooth Engagement and Material Thickness

When cutting metal, it's critical that at least 3 teeth of the blade are in contact with the material at all times. This ensures:

• A smooth, controlled cut

• Prevention of tooth stripping or chipping

• Reduced blade wear
• Minimum Material Thickness Guide

If you're using a 24 TPI blade (typical for thin metals), the minimum material thickness should be:

3 contact teeth / 24 TPI = 0.125" or 1/8"

For a 14 TPI blade, that would be roughly 0.21", or about 3/16" thick.

Always match blade pitch (TPI) to the thinnest section of the material you're cutting.

2. Blade Selection Tips

• Wood/Plastic: Use coarse blades (e.g., 6–10 TPI) with wide gullets to clear sawdust

• Aluminum: Use 10–14 TPI bi-metal blades

• Steel/Brass: Use 14–24 TPI; lower speeds and cutting fluid help prolong blade life

Depiction of relief cuts in order to cut sharper angles.

3. Feed Rate and Pressure

• Let the saw do the cutting — apply steady, light pressure

• Forcing the cut can cause overheating or blade deflection

• Observe chip formation: fine dust means too slow, heavy blue chips mean too fast

4. Avoiding Blade Drift

• Use a sharp, properly tensioned blade

• Make sure the blade is tracking on the center of the wheels

• Use the rip fence for straight cuts and always align the workpiece squarely

Safety Notes

• Only trained individuals may change blades or speed settings (Class 3)

• Always wear safety glasses and avoid loose clothing

• Turn machine off and remove key when not in use
• The band saw cannot cut tight corners, use relief cuts as pictured.

Maintenance (staff only)

Task	Frequency	Notes
Clean blade guides and table	After every use	Prevents buildup and wear
Lubricate bearings and moving parts	Monthly	Follow manual specs
Inspect belt condition and tension	Monthly	Check both A28 & A44 belts
Blade tracking and tension check	Before each use	Use tracking knob and tension handwheel
Replace blades	As needed	Replace if dull, missing teeth, or cracked
Clean and inspect motor/pulleys	Quarterly	Look for signs of wear or misalignment