Optimal speed for 8” combination blade?

[ShoestringMariner [OP]]

My cheap ass hardware store aluminum pulley bit the biscuit tonight. I’m going to pick up steal one tomorrow, wondering what the optimal size pulley should be on my old Beaver 3200. I’m running thin kerf blades for most things, however I’ve just picked up a Dimar combination blade that I don’t want to wreck. It says nothing on the blade in terms of recommended speed. The old manual says a 5 5/8 diameter pulley well bring this saw up to 4500 RPM. I plan on using the good blade for cutting hardwood and try finer work. I have a bunch of walnut I’d like to start messing with.

thanks in advance

[iamtooler]

A good blade should give max rpm IMO! Be sure your motor s 1800 rpm rather than 3600 if you use a 5.5'' pulley. Dimar is a good brand and I expect it will tolerate 10000 rpm but your old saw arbour will not.
Rob

[ShoestringMariner [OP]]

Thanks Rob, I’ll take another look but I didn’t see anything when I peeled it open out of its package and took the paper off. Lee valley tools charge me a premium for that damn blade LOL go figure.
hard to find 8 inch blades. Lots of 8 1/4’s out there but they don’t retract fully under the table
Yes the motor is a one horse 1725. I’ll stick to a 5 1/2 inch pulley.

[Stefanovich]

Busybee have 8 inch combination blades (thin kerf) on sale for 10.99 right now. They work fine!