Ceramic Thrust Bearings

gr8mesquite · Post by **gr8mesquite** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 9:51 am

I came across an aftermarket company (http://www.spaceageceramicguideblocks.c ... ation.html ) that makes ceramic thrust bearings for the SS. Here's a quote from them: "Spaceage Ceramic thrust bearings don't rotate like metal bearings. Should you wear a groove in the bearing, simply rotate it to a fresh portion of the bearing and lock in place."

Anyone have experience with these? Any thoughts?

Thanks

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:40 am

I believe that Bill Mayo has a great deal of experience with these. I am sure that he'll check in to answer your questions..

reible · Post by **reible** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 10:52 am

Hi,

I've purchased the guide blocks from them a couple of years back. They are great.

I also talked to them about the thrust bearings, while they had shopsmith listed back then just like they do now they had no idea what a shopsmith looked like nor could they describe how they would work on a shopsmith. It was clear they thought a shopsmith bandsaw looked all the rest but as we know they are not.

They could not tell me how to order then and had no price for them. Pretty much clueless. I offered to take pictures etc but declined my offer.

As I said this was a few years ago but before you get your hopes up too much you better give them a call and see where they are now. Hope springs eternal.

Ed

gr8mesquite wrote:I came across an aftermarket company (http://www.spaceageceramicguideblocks.com/Installation.html ) that makes ceramic thrust bearings for the SS. Here's a quote from them: "Spaceage Ceramic thrust bearings don't rotate like metal bearings. Should you wear a groove in the bearing, simply rotate it to a fresh portion of the bearing and lock in place."

Anyone have experience with these? Any thoughts?

Thanks

gr8mesquite · Post by **gr8mesquite** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 11:54 am

Ed--I don't see SS guide blocks listed on their product menu, so I take it you purchased for another band saw. Right?

Jerome

eartigas · Post by **eartigas** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 12:15 pm

They used to have the SS guide blocks listed but probably no more now. I got them through Bill Mayo (Billtoolz) who stocked them and still is listed as their dealer.

I haven't installed them yet but recently Bill commented on them and indicated that they are best for the bigger size blade (over 1/4" I believe but I am not sure)

I still have the cool blocks and haven't tried the ceramic ones.

reible · Post by **reible** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 12:34 pm

Pulled up my notes and I ordered the guide blocks for the shopsmith back on 7/16/11 from them over the phone, $17 total. Talked to Nick Osa who I took to be the big guy there.

I believe Bill sells them, check with him if you wish.

Ed

gr8mesquite wrote:Ed--I don't see SS guide blocks listed on their product menu, so I take it you purchased for another band saw. Right?

Jerome

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 4:56 pm

eartigas wrote:They used to have the SS guide blocks listed but probably no more now. I got them through Bill Mayo (Billtoolz) who stocked them and still is listed as their dealer.

I haven't installed them yet but recently Bill commented on them and indicated that they are best for the bigger size blade (over 1/4" I believe but I am not sure)

I still have the cool blocks and haven't tried the ceramic ones.

Yes, I only recomend the ceramic guide blocks for Shopsmith bandsaw blades wider than 1/4". These ceramic guide blocks will remove any teeth settings if they touch the teeth. Nick Osa sold me all his Shopsmith ceramic guide blocks a few years ago and listed me as the distributer for the Shopsmith ones. I am to order from him again when I need more. I have been selling about 1 set of the Shopsmith ceramic guide blocks per year and still have 2 sets left. Nick also sold a set of 2 ceramic thrust bearings as a replacement for the ball bearing or roller bushing for the Shopsmith bandsaw upper and lower blade guides. You rotated the round solid ceramic bearing as the back of the blade wore on it, it is a solid fixed mount. Since the blade guides are closer to your work, I could not see the need for this thrust bearing if you were using the ceramic guilde blocks. Maybe this could work with the cool blocks? I personally like my double ABEC7 bearings as a much better solution for the upper and lower blade guides. I still have one set of these ceramic thrust bearings but cannot recommend them due to the increased noise level. I recommend using cool blocks for the 1/4" and smaller saw blades.