Aftermarket graphite and ceramic guide blocks work well, but before you buy, consider making your own blocks from any dense hardwood, such as maple. When worn, hardwood blocks can be sanded or trimmed true. After cutting the blocks to fit, I stand them in a small container with some WD-40 to allow the end grain to absorb extra lubricant.
Cool Blocks aren’t particularly expensive, and work exceptionally well I wouldn’t bother making my own. Have your say… Forum Topics Woodworking Skill ShareYour woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c… 1908 Wood & LumberDifferent wood requires different woodworking strategies – from cutting to finishing.
The problem with using a narrower blade is that the plastic blade guide blocks don’t work well, since there is not enough flat area behind the teeth. The UHMW plastic guides are perfect for the 3/4″ blade that was on the saw, but would wear out very quickly with the 3/8″ blade. The idea was to do a temporary mounting of the new guide blocks to try out, then redo the upper and lower blade guides to accommodate the most suitable candidate.
diy bandsaw guide block Related Question:
What are bandsaw guide blocks made of?
They lubricate the band saw blade but do not make it oily. Cool Blocks are made of a non-metallic composite material– Graphite Impregnated Phenolic Laminate with three synthetic dry lubricants. Metal guide blocks create metal to metal contact, causing heat, friction, premature blade wear and breakage.
How high should bandsaw guards be?
Make sure the blade is positioned properly on the track. Adjust blade guard height to about 3 mm or 1/8 inch to 6mm or 1/4 inch above the top of the material being cut. Wider gaps will place tension on the blade and increase the risk of breaking.
Where are Olson scroll saw blades made?
Olson Saw Company continues to manufacture in Bethel CT, making a wide range of band and scroll saw blades, band saw and power scroll saw accessories, handheld saw frames and other wood working accessories.
How much space should there be between a band saw blade and the upper guide blocks?
Do both the upper and lower guides making sure that they set as close to the same place on the blade as possible. Set the front of the blade guide about one-sixteenth of an inch from the deepest part of the blade gullets (the spaces between the teeth on the blade).
How far should the safety guard be above the stock band saw?
Keep guards in place at all times. The blade guard should be from 1/8 to ¼ inch above stock. Keep hands away from blade and do not open upper or lower bandsaw doors while blade is in motion. Maintain a balanced stance and keep your body under control at all times; do not overreach.
What are some things you should never do on the bandsaw?
Never push on back of piece with fingers or thumb. Don’t reach across the blade. Make all cuts under power, not while blade is coasting. Never remove guard unless authorized by Technician or WRL Manager.
What side of a bandsaw should you stand on?
Stand to one side, never directly in line with, of work being fed through the saw. Use the proper blade for the material and type of cut. Do not use a rip blade for cross cutting, or, a crosscut blade for rip sawing.
How tight should my bandsaw blade be?
The blade should deflect no more than 1/4 in. A good place to begin is to tension the blade until the meter reads proper tension for the next wider blade. For example, if you’re tensioning a 3/8-in.
Why can’t I cut a straight line with my bandsaw?
Band Saw: Why won’t my band saw cut straight? When the band saw cuts crooked, a dull blade, improper feeding, loose blade tension or not using a work piece guide could be the cause. Use the rip fence or miter gauge to guide the work piece uniformly through the cutting blade to make straight cuts.
Why do bandsaws wander?
If the wheels are worn and do not have a distinct top to the crown then the blade will not know where to go, and may wander around. This of course can cause poor cut quality and difficulty in setting the guides.
What is a blade guide?
6Oct by Lori Balkus. Bandsaw blade guides keep the bandsaw blade on track while cutting through materials. Blade guides should be set above and below the saw table to help reduce vibration by holding the bandsaw blade in place while cutting. This assures a precise and quality cut.
How many teeth does a bandsaw blade have?
The general rule of thumb is: For wood and soft materials aim for 3 – 6 teeth in the workpiece. For metals and harder materials aim for 6 – 24 teeth in the workpiece.
What is a hard back bandsaw blade?
The Hard-Back Carbon Steel bandsaw blade is designed with higher performance standards in mind and based on the materials this particular blade is able to cut. Hard-Back Carbon Steel Blade’s back and teeth are heat-treated, creating a higher tensile strength that allows for straighter cuts at faster speed rates.
Are all scroll saw blades the same?
Not only do blades come in different sizes, but the cutting teeth come in different configurations. Some manufacturers indicate this as the teeth per inch (TPI), while other manufacturers use more specific terms.
Why do bandsaws shake?
A common source of vibrations on commercial bandsaws is that the wheels are not quite round, or at least slightly off center. This is often caused by tires that weren’t evenly stretched when they were put on.