Bandsaw BS400 Addition Pt 2

[Alexam]

FETTLING
A small instruction card comes with the Stabilizer and is adequate. It suggests you remove the blade before removing the top guides and backing off the lower guides and thrust bearing. I found that it was best not to have the Stabilizer in place at all to start with when positioning your blade, because on this machine, there is very little space between the stabilizer and the blade.

You need to ensure that the blade will run with the lower part of the gullet in the centre of the upper wheel. Set this by hand with the machine unpluged, as well as running the machine on power before finishing the blade setting.
I have a 3" engineering square, suitably marked or the centre of the wheel, to place against the upper wheel edge. It's easier that guessing the centre when setting the blade position and much quicker.

Once the blade is correctly positioned, fit the Stabilizer and ensure that the bearing wheel is in line with the blade, by loosening the hex screw allowing the bearing wheel to move sideways and then tighten up when in line. From the blade being just touching in the groove, move the Stabilizer unit forward by 1/8" to 'load' the blade sufficiently so that it will sit there when running.

This will produce a forward movement of the blade on the top wheel and it will be necessary to adjust this back to centre, by turning the blade tracking knob clockwise. I have a mark on the top (12 noon position) of my tracking knob wheel knob indicating the 1/4" blade position centerd correctly when free of any contact. With the stabilizer pressing against the blade, this will need to be moved clockwise from 12 noon to 5pm with the 1/4" blade is being used. When using the 1/8" blade, the free position is 4pm and the under pressure move clockwise to the 9pm position. These positions may vary slightly between BS400 models, as will fitting a 3/16" blade.
That's all, apart from just checking with a square that the blade is vertical in both planes on the table and when cutting with the Stabilizer, the work should always be 1/4" above the work for best results The fact that the blade is 'loaded' against the bearing, backing out of the cut when needed, is far easier.

RESULTS

From the little I have tried so far, I am very pleased with the improved cutting on turns and trust that this will enable me to produce more detailed results. I hope that this review may help you. Please ask if you need more information.

Sorry it's been so long.

 

[woodpig]

Very good write up, thanks for posting. I'm sure this will be of interest to others bandsaw users. It looks like if you cut a little more off the blade cover it could also increase the capacity of the machine a little?

 

[Jmac80]

This looks great Malcolm, will be looking to do the same when i get my bs400.

 

[Alexam]

Thanks guys,

I don't think I would cut more off the blade guard as it would really be not needed. It still leaves an 11" capacity and I doubt that anyone would want more than that with small blades.

If anyone would like this review e-mailed in word, I can send it

 

[Claymore]

Great review Malcolm and great to see a Carter in the UK...... they seem very expensive for what you get? surely some enterprising Brit could come up with their own version designed to suit European machines?
Only problem i'd have with on on my bandsaw would be changing the blades and guides for cutting thick stuff/veneers etc so might be better having a separate bandsaw permanently set up for the boxes and the other for wide blades?
Been looking on your website and very impressed! some lovely boxes and very unusual designs.
Cheers
Brian
ps Bet ya didn't think you'd be so busy when ya retired? lol

 

[woodpig]

That particular guide would be very easy to make but as I discussed with Malcolm it looks like the bearing has a tungsten sleeve on it to reduce wear. I do plan to make one of these for my BS300E either with a bearing that has a snap ring groove or possibly I'll turn a sleeve from stainless steel to fit a standard bearing. Hard to say how long either will last in use though.

 

[Claymore]

I have found in the past that many "specialist parts" for machines are ones used for other purposes and usually a lot cheaper...... a few years ago i had to replace a few ceramic heating elements my plastic moulding machine and the manufacturer quoted £73 each but my local electrician said he had seen them before and found the very same ones for £13 each! I don't mind them making a bit of a profit but that was ridiculous.
Will interesting to see if you find anything suitable.
Cheers
Brian

 

[Alexam]

Hi Brian,
Carter Products have the patent on the stabilizer in the USA and Canada I believe. I did speak with an engineer about the possility of making something smilar here, but the cost of tooling and potential sales would not be profitable.

Obviously the changing of blades from the small ones with stablizer and putting the upper guides back in place is a bit labourious, but with another small bandsaw, it could be a lot easier if the work warranted it. Problem may be the space for all the machinery.

Going back to cutting the blade guard. I have now cut another 1/2" to give a 11.5" clearance now, but stopped there because I didn't want to go beyond a spot weld. It now gives an easier view of the work when cutting.

Most of the Carter stabilizers are a similar price, but it's the shipping and VAT that boosts the price too much. However, I am pleased that I went ahead and bought myself an early Christmas present.

 

[woodpig]

I don't think the price that Carter charge for the Stabilizer is that high really. It's as Malcolm says it's the postage and VAT etc that makes it expensive. I need to remove and study the blade guard on my bandsaw as I also plan to make a new upper guide "upgrade" bearing unit. Unlike the standard RP unit I'll need to access the front of it for adjustment and the guard will get in the way. I'm hoping I can make some sort of sliding cover for the bottom of the guard. Bit too cold in the workshop at the moment though!

 

[Alexam]

'Bloody Freezing' is the actual term.

 

[woodpig]

It was about 10°C outside the other day which wasn't bad once I'd left the radiator on for a while in the cabin. When it drops down much below this though it struggles to keep me warm. Probably be ok when I can find the fan heater!

 

[Claymore]

We are getting battered by gales and snow at the moment....... plenty of trees down and our farm track is now at the bottom of the hill ooooooooooopppps plenty of wood for projects though