Converting block guides to roller guides on the Bandsaw

[Øyvind Riise]

Hi.

In my cheap bandsaw I have blade guide blocks.
Woodcraft sell rollers to fit into where the blocks are:
http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=1885&gift=False&mscssid=09660E04ED8214EBA8C26C51EC71E2A8
Do you think this is a good idea?

Thanks,
Ųyvind Riise, Lillehammer, Norway
http://www.oyvind-riise.com

[George]

No. Especially if you're cutting green wood. You'll have to pay constant
attention to stay ahead of sap clogging and rust. Try the ceramic guides.
They wear forever, and run cool, while providing support for the blade.

"Ųyvind Riise" <oe-...@online.no> wrote in message
news:40345434.03081...@posting.google.com...

[Bill Machin]

I have no feedback on the bandrollers that Woodcraft sells. If you
have access to Fine Woodworking, you might read the article that
appeared there a couple of years ago on bandsaw guides. The article
tested and reviewed just about everything that was on the market at
that time with suggestions as to what was appropriate for any given
use.

If memory serves, (a really big IF)the conclusion of the article was
that for general use with just about any blade except a very narrow
one a block type guide (whether phenolic, Cool Blocks, steel or wood)
will do a fine job if adjusted properly. Proper adjustment is just as
big a factor with ball bearing guides as well.

Hope this helps.

Bill

oe-...@online.no (Ųyvind Riise) wrote in message news:<40345434.03081...@posting.google.com>...

[Fred Holder]

It appears that most people responding to your post are negative on the band
rollers that Woodcraft sells. I purchased a set of these for my Grizzley 14"
bandsaw in mid 1999. I used them until I purchased a new saw earlier this year.
When I installed the band rollers, my saw blade was ready for replacement and I
almost changed it at the time. I was glad that I did not change it, because the
band rollers improved the performance of the saw significantly and the blade
that would hardly cut suddenly cut almost like a new blade. It increased the
performance of my cheap bandsaw and I highly recommend them.

Actually, before the band rollers, I tried all sorts of material including
pieces of 1/2" round brass rod. Nothing, and I mean nothing, worked as well as
the band rollers.

Fred Holder
<http://www.fholder.com/>

In article <40345434.03081...@posting.google.com>,
=?ISO-8859-1?Q?=D8yvind_Riise?= says...

>
>Hi.
>
>In my cheap bandsaw I have blade guide blocks.
>Woodcraft sell rollers to fit into where the blocks are:
>http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=1885&gift=False&mscssid=09660E04ED8214EBA8C26C51EC71E2A8
>Do you think this is a good idea?
>
>Thanks,

>Øyvind Riise, Lillehammer, Norway
>http://www.oyvind-riise.com

[Kevin Neelley]

I think bandsaw roller guides are much better than blade guide blocks, except
for really small blades, like 1/8" wide blades. I changed to rollers several
years ago and have been very happy with them and I use my bandsaw every day.

Kevin

In article <40345434.03081...@posting.google.com>,
=?ISO-8859-1?Q?=D8yvind_Riise?= says...
>

Kevin Neelley
http://www.turnedwood.com

[Ramsey]

No contest- they are MUCH better. But I can't afford them. I also want
the $150 gizmo that instantly raises and lowers the wheel that
controls the tension on a bandsaw. I have read that the ceramic ones
are good but I haven't putt em on yet - haven't worn out my cool
blocks yet.

On 15 Aug 2003 13:45:03 -0700, Kevin Neelley <ke...@turnedwood.com>
wrote:

[guy]

I use Cool Blocks on my Grizzly 14 incher and they do just fine. I use
my band saw for everything from green wood with bark still on it to
finished boards when I attempt to make "furniture" and they have
provided good service. A friend of mine loves his rollers though but
switches out to Cool Blocks when he is doing wet wood. I haven't felt
the need for the rollers but if you really do then get a set of Cool
Blocks for when you cut wet wood, takes just a few seconds to change
out and your rollers don't get messed up. Have fun and be safe, Guy

[Andrew Barss]

?yvind Riise <oe-...@online.no> wrote:
: Hi.

: In my cheap bandsaw I have blade guide blocks.
: Woodcraft sell rollers to fit into where the blocks are:
: http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=1885&gift=False&mscssid=09660E04ED8214EBA8C26C51EC71E2A8
: Do you think this is a good idea?

Yes. I have them on a Jet 14" bandsaw, and they improved cutting significantly.
The bearings are sealed, so dust and gunk buildup isn't a problem.

-- Andy Barss