In article ,
Roy wrote:
I got a lot of mixed results in regards to gear reducer drives, VFD's
and jack shafts in regards to my powering up my home brew bandsaw.

[ ... ]

Anyone have any offerings as to how or what would be the best yet most
economical way to power this bandsaw?

Specs....3 wheels (12" approx diam 37.75" circumferance) Preferable
speeds for metal cutting and hopefully speeds for wood cutting as
well.

Hmm ... since it is a three-wheel bandsaw, you might consider
something like the Emco three-wheeler that I have. It has three speeds,
two for wood and non-ferrous metals, and one for ferrous metals.

The first two are driven by relatively small pully grooves in
the hub of the third wheel.

The lowest speed is driven by a pulley groove at nearly the full
diameter of the bottom wheel. The groove is deep enough so the top
of the belt is just below the top of the tire which drives the belt.

All three wheels are made of a fiber-filled plastic, and all
have rubber crowned tires which lock into grooves on the wheels.

The motor pivots from side to side on the backplate, and is
clamped in position once the belt is tight. (The swing direction which
tightens it for the first wheel loosens it for the other.)

It happens to use a very skinny and long V-belt -- perhaps a 4mm
or so. Emco seems to like that belt width. I would use a wider belt,
personally.

You might be able to adapt this idea. I don't know for sure.

Note that even with the extreme belt speed reduction, the
slowest speed is a bit on the high side for steel, and on the higher
speeds, the motor is fairly easily loaded down just cutting wood
(admittedly with a blade better suited for metal cutting.)

Good Luck,
DoN.
--
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---