How about a home built or cheap tool modification thread?

[RestoRod]

No worries on pics RestoRod. Most of the mods I see on this topic is an added jack shaft with 3 to 5 stepped pulley set. To do thicker steels, you'll have to get the feet per minute down of blade speed. Basically the bigger the piece of steel - the slower the blade needs to go. Of course the choice of blade pitch will dictate all this as well.

How does one determine the proper blade speed? Is it just trial and error or is there a formula?

[48steel]

Yes double magnets.

[48steel]

Yes, sure helped when you need three hands.

[34_40]

How does one determine the proper blade speed? Is it just trial and error or is there a formula?

There are formulas of course but I usually just follow the blade manufacturers recommended operation. I did get a reply from Pepi and will post his reply tomorrow.. it's late for me, my eyes just want to close.

[34_40]

I did get a reply from Pepi and will post his reply tomorrow.. it's late for me, my eyes just want to close.

Here is what Pepi ( Greg sent to me. ) I'll have to do it in "installments" so the pics stay in alignment to some degree. I also don't know the sizes of the pics so I apologize in advance for not editing them. I'll also do the write-up in the next post.

IMG_1350.jpeg

IMG_1351.jpeg

[34_40]

And here the write-up is.

Hi.

Part and instruction, it is real simple, he will want a purchase a 10" pulley AKA DRIVEN PULLEY

The saw as a wood saw has a belt that goes from the top pulley or DRIVEN PULLEY to the motor pulley.

Starting remove the DRIVEN PULLEY, this pulley will be replace with a 10' pulley

The MIDDLE PULLY is the JET part, seen below. ( see manual cover)

You can see the Jet part mounted and alined. 3 holes were drilled. Long bolts and nut used to hold it in place & aline the 10in Driven pulley and middle pulley (Jet part) as seen.

Part number on the cover of the manual.

Finished install

Hope this helps, ask questions if you like, it is really a simple deal. The pulley set up seen has never change, lowest speed.

Cuts header tubing, angle, round bar, square bar, flat steel & sheet metal: 1/16 too 1/2, even a 4" think aluminum block took a while to get thru that chunk
Saw in use close to 20 years, buy good blades they last

[34_40]

And here are the remaining pictures that Pepi provided.

Hope the info helps, it was a good question and I want to do something similar so me helping you was self serving.

[RestoRod]

Thanks 34-40. That is exactly the information I need. I will bookmark this and compare it with my saw to see if it is compatible. Thank Pepi for me.
Hopefully this may be helpful to some other members as well.

[34_40]

Glad to have helped RestoRod. If and when you get more involved in this project please share some updates. And I will pass along your thanks to Greg, (Pep).