Question about lower bandsaw guides for professional use.

[heimlaga]

I have recently learned that my knowledge of lower bandsaw guides wasn't quite up to date. The only type of lower guide I knew about was a pair of beech blocks and that was it.

Now I have learned that a good pair of lower guides fit for the 21th century should have a thrust wheel in the back. What would make good side guides?
-I suspect ball bearings would mangle sawdust and chips between themselves and the blade.
-Wood blocks seems to be a bit outdated theese days.
What should I go for?

I am well on my way making new upper guides so now I am planning for improved lower guides as well....... but the budget is very small..... I am on hard times due to bad health and cannot spend much money but I have some time I could make good use of by making something.

 

[RobinBHM]

Acetol rod or ptfe rod from ebay.

A very hard section of wood?

 

[Alexam]

Inorder for best advise, can you tell us what make and model bandsaw you have.

Alex

 

[heimlaga]

I know some metalworking so I am pretty confident I can come up with a good guide design Once I have decided on the type of guides and gotten hold of some not too costly parts.

I will research Acetool and PTFE.

The bandsaw is an all cast iron C-frame saw with 24" wheels. Manufactured by E.V.Beronius Mekaniska Verkstad ("mekanisk verkstad" means "mechanical workshop" or "machine works"). They were situated in Eskilstuna in Sweden. Tt is manufactured sometimes before the company merger of 1917 or possibly very soon after while there were still pre-merger parts in stock.
I am putting it through at total rebuild and upgrade to become an essentially modern industrial quality saw on a very low budget.

 

[DennisCA]

PTFE, like the teflon in frying pans?

 

[RobinBHM]

Im nit sure that the plastics suggested are right, but one of those group of materials will be suitable, Im sure there are engineers on here that would know.

I do believe there is a plastic that is impregnated with graphite chaco use something like that.

 

[Racers]

Startrite use a rod tipped with tungsten carbide.

Pete

 

[pcb1962]

PTFE, like the teflon in frying pans?

PTFE is not good for this, it gives off toxic fumes when heated above about 350 degrees, which sounds high but could easily happen through friction with the blade if the guides were badly adjusted.

 

[MIGNAL]

What's wrong with wooden blocks? Cheap, you can virtually touch the blade and you can renew them often.

 

[woodpig]

Have a look at the Carter site. Most of their lower guides are of the bearing type.

I doubt you'd get PTFE hot enough to burn on a bandsaw, it would deform before that. Not a good choice anyway it's too soft. You could try one of the lubricated Nylons like Nylatron or Nyloil though they may prove to be too soft as well. Ertalyte TX is good stuff for bearings that contains PTFE fibres within it to reduce friction.

 

[RogerP]

I used these from Axminster, they work well.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/bandsaw-blade-guide-system-upgrade?gclid=CJy88YDB9sgCFQrhGwod4psLlg

 

[Beau]

Have a look at the Carter site. Most of their lower guides are of the bearing type.

I doubt you'd get PTFE hot enough to burn on a bandsaw, it would deform before that. Not a good choice anyway it's too soft. You could try one of the lubricated Nylons like Nylatron or Nyloil though they may prove to be too soft as well. Ertalyte TX is good stuff for bearings that contains PTFE fibres within it to reduce friction.

Can second the Carter guides. Run these on my old Wadkin http://www.carterproducts.com/band-saw- ... n-model-10 You could probably get the pads as spares and make your own adjuster. To be fair though my old kity just had wooden pads and they did worked well especially with a bit of lignum vitae.

 

[heimlaga]

My upper guides (inspired bu Woodpig) become similar in principle to those Axminster guides. Though a lot more solid and able to take wider blades.

I just cannot wrap my brain around the thought that there would be no pinch probmem with lower guides of this type.

I will research those carter guides and those recommended material

 

[dickm]

+1 for lignum. Did try some Koolblox from USA, some sort graphite impregnated polymer, but possibly not as good as lignum.
Side guides on the 352 are simple ?meehanite? and work fine (its only the rear guide that is TC tipped.)

 

[heimlaga]

Lignum vitae.... I had to read up a bit on the net to find out that it is the same as pockenholz. The last time I heard the word was when an old man talked about bearings in heavy machinery.

Can it still be bought for money?
Lignum vitae would surely make some good pads for a bandsaw guide.....

 

[RogerP]

...........
Lignum vitae would surely make some good pads for a bandsaw guide.....

Yes it does and I've used it many times in the past. As you'd imagine it wears well and it's self-lubricating. Still got a few odd scraps somewhere if anyone wants a bit.

 

[RobinBHM]

Or buy an old bowling ball.....

 

[heimlaga]

A neighbour suggested a possible solution for the saw dust problem in a roller guide. He suggested that I shape the upper end of the guide like a gable wall on a house. With a roof overhang to protect the rollers and a slot at the ridge for the blade to pass through.

Now everything has boiled down to two alternatives. Rollers or lignum vitae.....still thinking.

I finished the last parts for the upper guide today. Final assembly tomorrow.

 

[DennisCA]

Lignum Vitae is something I've been considering myself, though I have not found it in suitable dowel format I would need for my bandsaw. Perhaps I'll buy one of those old bowling balls if I come across one with reasonable shipping.

 

[heimlaga]

Here are pictures of my new upper guides. Thanks Woodpig for the inspiration though I changed a lot on the design.