Guide Blocks Vs Guide Rollers...

[Dean]

Seen a lot of people going one way or the other on this matter. Some swear by guide blocks/Cool blocks, others swear by rollers...

My guide blocks are already getting chewed a little and the blade is wandering a bit. I do have the guide blocks position back away from the blade teeth. And yep, the blade that came with this sucker is garbage! Im off to get a new one that is at least sharp http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif ...took 30 seconds to rip-cut 2" in pine and was burning the wood quite nicely http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/frown.gif

What's your experience?

[DarrylF]

I have a 12" Delta that uses guide blocks. It's done a fair bit of work now, including roughing out dozens of bowl blanks from some pretty rough slabs and the blocks are still fine. I'm not sure what type they are, but they seem to be some type of high carbon steel. I bought a set of rollers for it not long after I started using it for the bowl blanks, but I failed to check first and they don't fit http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

I've never experienced any issues with overheating, so I guess these blocks are fine.

The standard blade was fine, and I'm still using it for cutting some materials, but I bought a range of other blades for various jobs. They're cheap enough, and easy enough on mine to change, so it pays to have the right blade for the material at the time.

[AlexS]

Bandsaw blades can be sharpened using a dremel or similar with a small cylindrical grinder. Just take out a little of the gullet to the tip of the tooth. It's a matter of balancing time vs money.

Often, poor cutting is caused by a build up of resin on the blade. You can get rid of it using an environmentally friendly oven cleaner.

[Zsteve]

Dean,

I have used both rollers and blocks. Found the blocks tended to wear after a while and required re grinding (mild steel block) but did a good job.

I also find the rollers do a good job but seem to require a bit less maintenance than the blocks.

Have also found the resin build on the blade to affect tracking rather badly and require cleaning.

Either way, they need to be well adjusted regardless of the type other wise it will affect performance.

Regards
Stephen.

[Dean]

Well I set off for Carbatec today and picked up the 4xRoller Guide Blocks for $35 and a new blade $19. Wow, what a difference! I can actually cut pine now! http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif
Accuracy has improved 100%.. Spent a fair bit of time ensuring everything was set up correctly as well. Also picked up some plug cutters, but not enough in the kitty for a flush cutting saw (maybe next week) :0

[alf t]

I also got some rollers from Carba-tec.
I have a 14 inch BORMAC. After fitting the top rollers I discovered that the lower fitting has got round holes...you cant fit a square roller into a round hole. I enquired about a square hole fitting for the bottom but got no joy from Carba-tec or Timbercon. Has anyone any good ideas?

[Dean]

Bummer!

Perhaps the $88 deluxe guides from Carbatec are what you need. As far as I know, these replace the top and bottom guide assemblies entirely. They may well fit your 14" band saw if you have the screw holes for them in the right places on your machine http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

I did consider these but the $35 roller blocks appear to do the same job to me.

[Jim Carroll]

From my understanding these guide assemblies are made to suit the dearer carbatec bandsaw but can be fitted to any other type of bandsaw as long as you are prepared to do some modification. The post that supports the top assembly may be a different size and the lower assembly mounting points need to be drilled and tapped to suit.

------------------
Jim
One Good Turn Deserves Another

[yulungah]

Replaced my worn guide blocks with red gum. It's cheap and they work a treat. When they wear, just face them on the sander.

[trevorZ]

I second the wooden guide blocks. Bought a 14 in jet about 9 months ago, couldnt see the original blocks lasting too long so cut some out of well seasoned brush box, drilled about 3/16 hole down the center , soaked them in oil for afew days, the hole helps get the oil in.
End result is ventilated, lubricated blocks that work very well. I dont think the hole through the middle would ventilate much as it is usually blocked with sawdust but it seemed a good idea.

[JackoH]

Better still get hold of a scrap of lignum vitae and cut blocks from that. (Can be obtained from those who specialise in exotic turning woods.)I have had my Carbatec bandsaw with the same 'cool blocks' for over five years and it and they still work fine. I occasionally reface them.

[trevorZ]

My original idea for the hole through the middle was not for ventilation but lubrication. I was going to put some sort of wick soaked in a suitable oil or maybe wax or something.The idea was to keep a bit of lube on the blade for better running and also to keep any build up off the blade. Never got around to trying it, but it still sounds like a reasonable idea that I may try one day. If anyone else gives it a go ,post the results ,if any.

education can be expensive
but try ignorance.

cheers trevor

[Cliff Rogers]

G'day.

What's a guide????
I have a meat saw (big band saw with no guides). (Free give away)
I've bought a set of the $88 Carbatec delux roller guides &
one day, in about 9 years time when I retire, I'll have a go at fitting them.
By that time I'll be able to afford a brand new band saw & I'll sell this one for $88 & chuck in the gudes for some poor bugger to fit themselves.

It works fine as it is as a roughing saw, so long as you don't want to go around corners.

One trick I did pick up & use is to hotmelt glue a couple of toothbrushes under the table to sweep the crud off both sides of the blade.
This works well & if it's really sticky crud, a shot of WD40 while it's running soon loosens it up for the brushes.

[Sprog]

Originally posted by alf t
I also got some rollers from Carba-tec.
I have a 14 inch BORMAC. After fitting the top rollers I discovered that the lower fitting has got round holes...you cant fit a square roller into a round hole. I enquired about a square hole fitting for the bottom but got no joy from Carba-tec or Timbercon. Has anyone any good ideas?

Cool Blocks are available in either packs of two square and two round blocks or four square blocks.

Timbecon have them and Carba-TEC WA will order them if they are not in stock.
Timbecon Cool Blocks (http://www.timbecon.com.au/productsdetail.asp?sectid=12641&parentid=12471&prodid=28667)

Carba-TEC WA (http://www.carbatecwa.com.au/)

[Suresh]

I have had a Carbatec bandsaw for some months, had a huge problem with trying to cut to any degree of accuracy. Fitted the more expensive roller guides last night, spent a fair bit of time fitting them properly. Wish I had done this from the begining, now I am finally happy to use the bandsaw. I can now confidently cut in a straight line and curves. Well worth fitting. I hope that they last the distance, worries me having bearings so close to fine dust.
Suresh

[barnsey]

If you are having problems sourcing bandsaw bits talk to Gary Pye. The guy carries a heap of parts and knows his apples.

See http://store.yahoo.com/gpwoodturning/14bansparpar.html
and or phone/email

Helped me out!!!

Jamie