A source for Ceramic disks for bandsaw guides

I have a Hammer N4400 bandsaw. This uses steel European guides. Felder do sell a replacement set of ceramic guides, but they are very big $$$ in Oz. Ceramic guides would reduce heat and be capable of being set closer to the blade for reduced movement/better stability.


It occurred to me that it would be possible to simply epoxy ceramic disks over the face of the steel bearings to achieve the same result. I am struggling to find parts that can be used.


Ideally, the disks need to have a diameter of 35mm and be around 1-2mm thick. The reason for this thickness is that there is not a lot of depth available at the sides. If this is not thick enough to minimise heat, please comment.


Here are pictures of the guides to illustrate. Note that there are two sets of guides, one above and one below the table ...


https://i.postimg.cc/rsnms7F0/Guides-1.jpg


https://i.postimg.cc/WpXt5q6N/Guides-2.jpg


Any idea whether such disks can be purchased in small quantities? (I only need 6).


Regards from Perth


Derek

Two out of the box ideas are:
bits from household ceramic disc taps, or
ceramic disc wind chimes.

I can understand the use of ceramic guides on BS in terms of wear but I do wonder about the claims that ceramic guides runs cooler comes from as the Thermal conductivity (TC) of most ceramics is only about the same same as metals and only a few expensive ceramics have the TCs significantly better than suitable metals. Maybe it has something to do with the nature of the ceramic surface used. Either way this explains maybe why effective ceramic guides cost so much and indicates that using just any ceramic may not make much of a difference.

Small ceramic discs are used as flow restrictors in devices like high end coffee machines.
The Synesso machines use "Ruby" restrictors. Ruby is Aluminium Oxide with a hint of chromium in it.
They are not as expensive as you might think but unfortunately they are small.
This one us about 6mm in diameter and has a 0.6mm orifice in the middle.
Synesso Ruby Restrictor 0.6mm - Espresso Workshop

Hi,
I investigated cheaper options for ceramic bandsaw guides and found there are all kinds of ceramic bandsaw guides at: SpaceAge Ceramics | Band Saw Accessories, Thrust Bearings, Band Saw Guides, Band Saw Blade Guide
The European generic replacements are expensive, though.

On gluing ceramic disks to existing guides, I believe there is a problem with expoxy glue as it softens at high temperatures and bandsaw guide can beome hot from friction

Derek, being the curious person I am I have to ask why the guides need replacing, are they simply worn out?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by paul.cleary

On gluing ceramic disks to existing guides, I believe there is a problem with expoxy glue as it softens at high temperatures and bandsaw guide can beome hot from friction

---

The problem with epoxies is that they are insulators so don't conduct heat all that well. The way around this would be to use as thin a layer of epoxy as possible and to use a high temperature metal filled epoxy.
Something like metal filled JB Weld. I used some of this for a repair on a chainsaw case near the exhaust that gets very hot and it has lasted for many years.