Band saw speed calculator
A band saw has no rpm to set — what counts is the linear blade speed and how fast the saw frame comes down. Pick the material and get both.
Why band saws talk in metres per second
The blade is one long loop moving in a straight line past the workpiece, so its cutting speed is its linear speed — no diameter, no rpm formula. Metal-cutting band saws typically run somewhere between 0.5 and 2 m/s depending on the material; the down feed (how fast the frame sinks) determines the chip thickness.
How do I know the feed is right?
Look at the chips: thin dust means too little feed (the blade rubs and dulls), thick blue chips mean too much. You want small, curled, silver chips. The values here are starting points for a bimetal blade — fine-tune by chip shape.
Why is stainless steel so much slower?
Stainless work-hardens: a rubbing blade hardens the surface it should be cutting. Low blade speed with a firm, steady feed keeps the teeth biting under the hardened layer — and coolant is not optional.
Are these values safe to use directly?
They are common starting values for bimetal blades. Carbide-tipped blades run faster, thin-walled tube and profiles need gentler feed to avoid tooth stripping. Follow your blade manufacturer's chart where available.
Is my data sent anywhere?
No — this runs entirely in your browser with plain JavaScript. Nothing is uploaded.
