Start rite 352

[dchallender]

Hi all - it’s been a while since I posted but finally getting back into it after a few years of renovating a house!

I’ve just picked up a startrite 352 and I’ve noticed that there is a push rod at the back of the blade guide which I believe is carbide, however I’ve noticed the blade is sparking and burning a groove into the rod which tells me it must just be a steel replacement, I’ve just read a thread which suggests getting some carbide rod, which I will do.

So my question is has anyone upgraded the guide to more conventional roller bearing with a running bearing guide at the back, which I imagine would resolve the issue. If so is there an OEM kit you can buy? alternatively I have a decent engineering workshop so could make something?

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[Mike.R]

Hi, I fitted roller bearings to my 352, supplied by this company. They're nicely made and offer plenty of scope for adjustment and are reasonably priced.

You can just fit the upper set or splash out and fit the lower set too.

http://www.altsawsandspares.co.uk/rollerguides.html
No affiliation by the way.

 

[Fitzroy]

Somewhere on here there is a post about someone doing it with simple bearings. You’ll need to search around but I’m sure it’s still in here.

 

[Lons]

I have a 352 and what you have is a common issue, the original rods had a carbide tip which eventually drops off and then it becomes just a standard steel rod. I solved that by using JB Weld to fix a carbide insert to the rods and these last for ages but eventually come off so a solid carbide rod is the answer.

You can convert to bearing guides off the shelf with a little modification or if you search the forum there was a thread by Steve Maskery showing how he made up his own.

Good bandsaw btw, simple and built like the proverbial brick s**thouse.

 

[Fitzroy]

Found it original post on cheap 352 bearing guides. Does not place a bearing behind the blade, still uses the rod. I replaced the rod on mine with 10mm rod, see post here.

Fitz

 

[dchallender]

Brill thanks for all the advice, I’ll get hold of some carbide rod initially to get me going and fettle the guides so that I can start to use it quickly. I’ll have a look at the bearing site though and design something and try to make it over the winter, if I do get a chance to make something I’ll drop the drawings on this thread for posterity

thanks again

 

[deema]

@dchallender if your consistently generating sparks, you’ve got a dull blade, the wrong blade or are feeding it too quickly. One of the best blade guide materials is lignum vitae, cities registered, so the best source now is old bowling balls. it’s typically used on old resaws, and if it’s good enough for that, it’s good enough for anything.
Have a read of the following before spending any if your money

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/bandsaw-blade-guide-theory.135481/

 

[dchallender]

Awesome post

I’ve read through and will see what I can do

 

[deema]

Sideways post is also a good read

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/bandsaw-blade-handy-reference.137958/#post-1590603
The following is another one we did, this covers just about everything theoretical You might want to know about a bandsaw. It’s the rebuild of a SCM S45, but the theory is the same for any bandsaw.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/scm-minimax-s45-bandsaw-teardown-overhaul.135069/