Bandsaw riser block

[millboyold]

Hello all
Just bought a generic cast iron 14" bandsaw with the idea of getting a riser block kit. (its a poolewood delta copy). Don't seem to be able to get one without paying P+P from the US though. Has anyone in the UK got one for sale, or any clues other than the usual (ebay or jet salesmen).
Ta
Jim Hallett

 

[katellwood]

I had one of these years ago and used a block of hardwood and a longer bolt, I used a piece of dry oak 4" by 3" approx. 4" long and drill it through the grain to minimise movement. There are locating pin holes that will need to be drilled in the block which will need careful setting out to ensure both wheels are coplanar plus two pieces of metal bar the same dia as the pins to go in the block

In addition you will need a new blade guard for the left hand side which can easily be made from a piece of timber grooved on the table saw and two new mounting holes which go under the top and bottom cover. I currently have a the same saw from Warco (I think) which is on wheels and I use on site, I will photo the guard I made for this purpose in the morning and add to the thread.

I would seriously suggest getting a set of these http://www.axminster.co.uk/bandsaw-blad ... em-upgrade as the ones that came with the saw are made of the metal equivalent of Plasticine and break easily they are a simple exchange fit. In addition the original rubber tyres have a tendency to perish, I bought some bright orange poly ones via ebay from the US and again where a simple exchange fit ( will photo these as well

If you do raise it yourself the metal bar that supports the blade guards will not be long enough you can either swallow this or replace it with a piece the same dia

finally you may well have to get your blades specially made

 

[millboyold]

Thanks for that,
I was thinking of having someone machine up a bit of solid bright steel and drilling some holes in it; but this was proving just as expensive as the powermatic/jet rout so I think I might try a bit of seasoned oak before spending any money.
Thanks for the tip
Jim

 

[tinytim1458]

Getting the blade made special is no problem as you can do via Axminster, tuffsaw or others
Just have to get the measurement right.
The size of the old belt plus 2x the thickness block and the difference between new tyres and old if a different sizes then you just hope for the best when you order your blade that you made the right calculations, but whoever you buy the blade off should be ok making any alterations.
All the best with your Conversion.
Tim

 

[blackrodd]

Having just watched one of the kits fitted on u tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvcNUS7kVo4
Personally, I'd have gone for the correct metal kits.
It looks as if the wheel alignment could be a problem, from day one in setting up successfully,
And bearing in mind timber moves, even dry oak, would the wheel alignment be affected in damp weather,
As say, 5, or 10 thou spacer fitted as suggested in the video, would alter the wheel quite a bit.
Another point is the operators in the vid didn't check the existing alignment,
In which the saw is presumably working and cutting well,
Just a thought.

Regards Rodders

 

[woodpig]

You could try gluing up a stack of plywood, less likely to move I would have thought?

 

[millboyold]

Thanks for all your replies.
Yes a lump of oak would introduce some movement, but I might try it as it seemed to work for katellwood, and tracking down a riser block in the UK seems impossible . At the moment I’m dreaming of finding an appropriately sized lump of steel that I could drill some holes in.
Will report back when I get rid of this chest infection

 

[millboyold]

Those nice people at axminster imported the kit from US for nothing, bit of a wait but quite cost effective.
Thanks
Jim Hallett