Cutting at higher speeds

[rrjwright]

Recently I found I had better control cutting at higher speeds on my Delta 40-695.  Now when I try slowing my speed down a little it's like    pfff  "Slow motion".   Is  there  any long term harm at running your saw at high speed all  the time.   Would it be prone to a shorter life span or experience greater fatigue and wear.

Jim. . .

[Al W]

My personal experience indicates no harm in "ahead full" at the throttle.  Been running my saw like that for close to a year, but shall suggest you listen to the other folks here as well.

Al

[dgman]

Go for as fast as you want Jim! I always say that if you feel your cutting is lagging, speed it up! No harm will come to your saw.

[Keefie]

I find that I get much smoother cuts at high speeds on the saw, just because you have your speed control cranked up doesn't mean you have to cut faster, you are still in control of the feed rate, on long straight cuts I increase the feed rate then slow the feed rate down for curves and more delecate work. 
The saws motor and linkages shouldn't come to any harm as it is designed to be used at the full range of speeds available from the speed controller.

[Jim Finn]

I have two Hegners. One is a Multimax-3 (1986) that has only one speed and the other is a 2008 Polymax-3 which has different belt positions on the pulley to attain different speeds.  I leave it set at near the fastest speed and vary my feed rate as mentioned above.