Wise Buys: Bandsaw Blade Guides
Why buy? For the best results on your bandsaw, the blade must cut perpendicular to the table; but blades can twist or wander from the mark. Worn or ineffective blade guides and thrust bearings take the blame here, especially in older saws. These replacement guides, ranging in price from $16 to $150, deliver increased accuracy. Better still, they fit any 14" bandsaw, as well as many other models.
- • Spaceage Ceramic Guideblocks:
- • Iturra Band Rollers
- • Carter Conversion Kit
Spaceage Ceramic Guideblocks:
Editor test-drive:
Because the Spaceage Ceramic Guideblocks (SCG) and thrust bearings matched my 14" Delta's original steel blocks and bearings in size and use the same mounting hardware, I didn't need to replace a bunch of parts to swap them out. I installed the top bearing and guides in 5 minutes, but replacing the lower thrust bearing took 45 minutes because I had to first remove the lower guide assembly. In doing so, I discovered the original bearing had seized; not a problem with the SCG bearing because it does not turn.
The manufacturer recommends .005" clearance between the blade and guides; I used the thickness of a piece of paper. I cut turning blanks from a variety of woods up to 6" thick and radii from 2" to 10" using 1/4" and 3/4" blades, and the slippery-smooth SCGs held the blade true without any sign of wear. Their low cost and durability make them an inexpensive but significant upgrade.
-- Tested by Jan Svec, Projects Editor
To learn more:
916/652-6302; spaceageceramicguideblocks.com
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