In article 1104804558.032829.287870
@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com, says...
I need some opinions on a project. I have an older Mont. Ward 16" wood
vertical bandsaw that Im converting to metal. I have a Leeson DC gear
motor, will it work? I have the speed controller also. It is 40 or 45
to 1 reduction, but only 1/4 hp, about 62 rpm. Will this have enough
power and torque to cut metal? I have never been around these motors
before, so its all new to me.

While I agree with Grant and Ron that a larger motor would
be desirable, I think 1/4HP would work as long as you you
don't plan on pushing the saw too hard. My 16" DoAll has
the original 3/4HP motor which I usually power with a
static converter, so it's probably producing around 1/2 HP.
I've cut steel plate up to 3" thick and 4" aluminum plate
with no problem. Since the aluminum is ideally cut at
higher speed(lower reduction ratio), it actually puts more
load on the motor.

A 1-1/2:1 or 2:1 reduction between the reducer and saw
would be good if you want to maximize capacity at the
expense of speed on non-ferrous materials, but I think for
small work a direct drive would be OK.

Make sure the motor controller is well protected from
overloads -- if you do really lean on the saw that DC motor
will pull as much current as the drive will deliver.

Ned Simmons