Startrite 301 thrust rod failure

[Rhossydd]

Whilst sorting out my 301 I've just discovered the carbide thrust pad has fallen off the support rod (This is the rod that supports the back of the blade). Remarkably it must have fallen off some time ago and was inside the cabinet.
I guess that it was originally brazed onto the rod ?

What are the practicalities of repairing it ? Could I get away with CA or careful epoxying ?

A replacement is almost £30 once delivered, so maybe a roller guide replacement set would be a better investment ? Anyone got experience of the set Yandles offer ? http://www.yandles.co.uk/startrite-prec ... aws/p14584

 

[kostello]

I think someone here made one and used jb weld to fix it...

I might be wrong but someone who knows will be along shortly

 

[Mr T]

Funnily enough I had exactly the same happen on my 531SE last week. I did a temporary fix sticking the pad back on with super glue! I got a replacement rod from http://www.altsawsandspares.co.uk in Gillingham £29. I have found ALT to be good for Startrite stuff.

Chris

 

[Phil Pascoe]

It was Lons (Bob). He did his successfully with JB Weld. (afaik )

 

[Wildman]

the roller guides are so easy to make only awkward bit you need a lathe for are the eccentric pins to adjust blade width.

 

[Rhossydd]

Thanks to everyone for their comments.
JB Weld ? Looking at the reviews on Amazon, I'm probably not getting anything more with that than any other decent epoxy. So I'll try that first.

the roller guides are so easy to make only awkward bit you need a lathe for are the eccentric pins to adjust blade width.

Maybe they're easy to make if you've a decent metal working shop, I haven't.

 

[dickm]

Out of interest, how much depth of cut do you lose with those Yandles guides?

 

[Rhossydd]

how much depth of cut do you lose with those Yandles guides?

Maybe none at all. It's possible the depth of cut might even be increased a little from what you can see.

 

[woodpig]

On this one it says you lose 50mm.

http://www.yandles.co.uk/precision-roll ... 350/p14583

 

[Rhossydd]

On this one it says you lose 50mm.

That's for a different bandsaw. That there isn't a similar warning on the Startrite kit suggest there's no significant depth of cut lost.
The OEM guides on the Startrite 301 project over 50mm below the vertical mounting rod.

 

[paulm]

I find the original startrite guides to be very elegant and effective in their simplicity, easy to adjust and very effective.

Can't get my head around the idea of changing them for something less robust and reliable :duno:

In this case though, I expect some JB Weld or silver solder or brazing etc will fix it okay and even if it needs a replacement thrust rod it will likely last another thirty or so years

Cheers, Paul

 

[woodpig]

Another option?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/bandsaw-blad ... em-upgrade

 

[Rhossydd]

I find the original startrite guides to be very elegant and effective in their simplicity, easy to adjust and very effective.

I can't say I'm such a fan. Adjustments seem too hit and miss with the blocks tending to rotate out of adjustment as they're tightened.
Simple ? yes, elegant ? not for me.

 

[Rhossydd]

Another option?
http://www.axminster.co.uk/bandsaw-blad ... em-upgrade

Yes, I've looked at those before. From what I can find out they'd require more serious modifications than I've the facilities for at the moment.

 

[paulm]

I place a feeler gauge between the block and blade and press to hold in place while tightening up, then do the opposite side, quite quick and easy after doing it a few times. Not over tightening helps too, there's no need to do more than nip them up.

Cheers, Paul

 

[woodpig]

The side blocks look ok but I don't like the sound of the rear thrust block, I'd rather see a bearing there.