Wise Buys: Bandsaw Blade Guides

 

Iturra Band Rollers

Editor test-drive:
Iturra's newest Band Rollers (model #10001) feature ceramic bearings in steel housings. I installed them in my 14" Delta saw in about 15 minutes, as they slid into the existing guide holders and adjusted with the same setscrews. There are no replacement thrust bearings.

Using a feeler gauge, I positioned the bearings .003" from the blade, according to Iturra's instructions. Although Iturra does not recommend using its Band Rollers with blades less than 1/8", I tested mine with 1/8", 1/4", and 1/2" blades, cutting thick stock and making tight-radius cuts to force the blade against the bearings. I found no problems in performance. By reducing the amount of blade twisting, the Band Rollers resulted in more accurate scrollcutting and resawing. These bearing guides showed no signs of wear, a big upgrade from my square-block graphite guides.
-- Tested by Owen Duvall, Projects Editor

To learn more:
904-642-2802; email: kalll@comcast.net