Thread: bandsaw blade guides

John,

I just bought a new saw with twin ceramic guides and they are a delight. I also hear good things about the Cool Blocks.

Cheerio!

John

Hi John
Bandsaw blade guides come in two basic types. Roller and fixed. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Roller guides generally have less friction especially when cutting curves where the Blade is forced against one side of the guides. Both types CAN Be adjusted to give good support for the blade. However roller blades tend to jam swarf between the blade and the guide because of the roller action. From my observations this is not so much of a problem cutting soft materials like wood but is not so good on metal cutting saw. Fixed blades have more friction on curve cutting but tend to "wipe" the blade hence less problems with swarf between the blade and guide.

My suggestions are Roller blades for woodcutting & general purpose bandsaws and Fixed guides on Metal saws and Bandsaws used for resawing and veneer sawing.
What types of fixed guides is up to you and your budget. "Cool Blocks" are relatively cheap, can be refaced when worn and can be adjusted very close to the blade for good support. I have found them very good on my previous saw.
Laguna have introduced "Ceramic Guides" which by all reports are also excellent but I have no experience with them.

My latest saw is a general purpose Bandsaw ( not used for resawing) and has been modified to also cut steel. It has roller guides fitted and while these are not ideal for hard materials I have had no real problems yet but I only occasionally use it for metals.
Cheers
Ron

What is the problem with the Jet guides?

Thanks ron for your information very good advise, chris i think the jet guides are up for replacement and i was looking for advise on the best way to go, we are looking to do some resawing and veneering about 250mm depth. and i like making bandsaw boxes and maybe using a carter blade guide, john.

If it is the bearings on the Jet guides that are knackered then they are easily replaced, I have done it a few times. They are just single row bearings with a spacer between the bearings and I bought them at the local bearing place, they are nothing special and quite cheap.