Set wheel diameter, motor speed, and drive ratio to estimate blade speed. Use material presets to target cuts, then download a job sheet quickly.
| Wheel Diameter | Wheel RPM | Blade Speed (SFPM) | Blade Speed (m/min) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 in | 300 | 1,099.6 | 335.1 | General shop setup reference |
| 200 mm | 120 | 247.4 | 75.4 | Metal cutting starting point |
| 18 in | 450 | 2,120.6 | 646.4 | Fast woodworking range check |
Examples are illustrative; your machine and blade may differ.
Blade speed equals the wheel’s circumference multiplied by wheel revolutions per minute. Using diameter D and wheel speed RPM:
When drive ratio is enabled, wheel RPM is estimated as: Wheel RPM = Motor RPM × (Driver Pulley ÷ Driven Pulley) × Gear Ratio.
Blade speed affects cut quality, heat, and blade life. Higher speeds are typical for wood and sheet goods, while metals often require slower speeds to control temperature and tooth loading.
Start inside the preset range, then adjust feed pressure and coolant. If the cut chatters, reduce speed or increase tooth engagement. If the blade burns wood, increase speed or change teeth.
Always confirm your machine’s rated speed limits, wheel condition, and guarding before changing ratios.
Band saw performance is driven by blade surface speed: how many feet of blade pass the cut each minute. Higher surface speed can improve finish on wood, while slower speeds protect teeth and reduce heat in metals. This calculator converts your wheel rotation into a practical shop speed you can tune.
Many machines and charts use SFPM (surface feet per minute). Metalworking shops may prefer meters per minute. The calculator outputs both, helping you compare manufacturer recommendations, blade packaging data, and cutting guides without manual conversions.
Blade speed rises with both wheel diameter and wheel RPM. The core relationship is circumference times RPM. A 14-inch wheel has a circumference of about 3.67 feet, so at 300 RPM the blade travels roughly 1,099 SFPM. Increasing RPM or moving to a larger wheel increases surface speed proportionally.
Construction workshops often change speeds using pulleys or gear reductions. When enabled, the calculator estimates wheel RPM from motor RPM and the pulley ratio (driver ÷ driven). A smaller driver pulley or a larger driven pulley reduces wheel speed, which is common for cutting steel or stainless.
Material presets provide practical starting points. Softwoods commonly run around 3,000–5,000 SFPM, while plastics often stay near 800–2,000 SFPM to reduce melting. Mild steel typically starts around 60–120 SFPM, and stainless around 40–90 SFPM, depending on blade type and coolant.
Surface speed is only half the setup. Tooth pitch must match thickness so multiple teeth share the load. Thin stock benefits from finer pitch to keep teeth engaged; thick stock needs coarser pitch to clear chips. Recording pitch alongside speed helps you repeat successful cuts.
If chips are blue, the blade is too hot; reduce speed, add coolant, or lighten feed. If the blade stalls, you may be too slow or feeding too aggressively. Use the warning checks as guardrails, then refine by observing chip shape, noise, and blade tracking.
Save results as CSV or PDF to build a “setup library” for recurring tasks—framing brackets, conduit hangers, aluminum trims, or hardwood jigs. Consistent documentation reduces guesswork, improves safety, and extends blade life across multiple crews and job sites.
SFPM is surface feet per minute—the blade distance passing the cut each minute. It helps compare saw settings across different wheel sizes and matches many cutting-speed charts.
Use wheel diameter. Blade speed depends on wheel circumference and wheel RPM. Blade length affects tensioning and tracking, not the surface speed calculation.
It is usually close for belts in good condition. Real speed can vary due to belt slip, motor load, and pulley wear. Treat it as a starting value and verify by cut behavior.
Metals generate more heat at the tooth edge. Lower speeds limit temperature, reduce tooth softening, and help chips form properly. Wood tolerates much higher surface speed without rapid tooth damage.
Sometimes, but only within your machine’s rating and the blade’s limits. If you increase speed, adjust feed and cooling. Faster is not always better—excess heat can shorten blade life.
Bi-metal blades are a common choice for steel because they combine a tough backing with hardened teeth. Use coolant when possible and keep the speed within typical metal-cutting ranges.
Aim to keep at least 2–3 teeth in the cut. Thin materials need finer pitch; thick materials need coarser pitch to clear chips. Match pitch to thickness to reduce snagging and stripping.
Use accurate inputs, verify settings, and cut safely always.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.