Ceramic Blade Guides for the Bandsaw

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:03 pm

For what its worth.......I have set up one of my SS bandsaws with double bearing backups and the Carter Bearing Blade Guides along with the new Kreg fence and my resaw has greatly improved at a price. I recently set up a second SS bandsaw using the double bearing backup, the regular SS fence #555645 and CERAMIC BLADE GUIDES. The CERAMIC BLADE GUIDES seemed to work just as well as the Carter Bearing guides. I would be interested in the experiences that others have had with the Carter Bearing Guides and the Ceramic Guides.

SpaceageCeramicGuideblocks.com

ldh

chiroindixon · Post by **chiroindixon** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:52 pm

The Cool Blocks on my band saw are ten years old and about shot. I take it you believe that the ceramic blocks would be an excellent replacement?

If so, got the size and source that you used?

Thanks,

Doc

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 2:57 pm

Doc,
I think the ceramic guides may be the way to go. I listed their site in the first post. I came across their site a few months ago and just sent them an e-mail asking if they had guides to fit a SS Bandsaw and a few days later they sent me a set. I think I paid 14 or 15 bucks plus shipping. I was in the shop yesterday resawing some 1x4 oak into 1/16" strips and they worked great. I think the package said they have a life time warranty. I am always trying to get a little more out of my SS tools and I think the ceramic guides may be that ......little bit more.

ldh

chiroindixon · Post by **chiroindixon** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 3:56 pm

ldh wrote:Doc, I am always trying to get a little more out of my SS tools and I think the ceramic guides may be that ......little bit more.
ldh

Thanks much. I'll call them. I reviewed the site and was a bit confused on which was the correct size for my SS. I think I know, but I'll double check first. Beats having to exchange if I am wrong.

I'll make it a point to mention that they could easily post "For Shopsmith" on the website.

Doc

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:41 pm

chiroindixon wrote:Thanks much. I'll call them. I reviewed the site and was a bit confused on which was the correct size for my SS. I think I know, but I'll double check first. Beats having to exchange if I am wrong.

I'll make it a point to mention that they could easily post "For Shopsmith" on the website.

Doc

Doc,

I visited their site and also became confused. I emailed them to get the proper size. If one of us is successful perhaps we can post the answer. Jim

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:01 pm

Another....for what its worth....I found the bubble pack that the ceramic guides came in and here are pics of the front and the back. Pack rat and saver of everything.

ldlh

chiroindixon · Post by **chiroindixon** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 8:53 pm

I just got a reply from the makers. Seems that the retailers don't think there is a market for us in the SS cult.

We made up a few sets for your saw and made every effort to get our distributors ( Rockler, Woodworkers Supply, McFeeley's, etc.) to carry them however, they informed us the demand was not there not there.

Maybe we are our own worst enemy....or not. I will say that after 10 plus years dealing with SS, I can see both sides.

I hope to get a set and I'll keep us posted.

Doc

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:14 pm

chiroindixon wrote:I just got a reply from the makers. Seems that the retailers don't think there is a market for us in the SS cult.

We made up a few sets for your saw and made every effort to get our distributors ( Rockler, Woodworkers Supply, McFeeley's, etc.) to carry them however, they informed us the demand was not there not there.

Maybe we are our own worst enemy....or not. I will say that after 10 plus years dealing with SS, I can see both sides.

I hope to get a set and I'll keep us posted.

Doc

Hey Doc,
Why don't you suggest that they contact SS about putting them in the SS catalog?

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:33 am

chiroindixon wrote:The Cool Blocks on my band saw are ten years old and about shot. I take it you believe that the ceramic blocks would be an excellent replacement?

If so, got the size and source that you used?

Thanks,

Doc

Wow, Doc! I wear out a set about once per year. Guess I'm fanatic at keeping them flat. I seem to sand them down too small after 5 or 6 times. But they are inexpensive and I love them. I let the smaller blades saw their own profile into the blocks. That way there is no twisting at all. The belt sander works great for re-surfacing the blocks.

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 3:15 pm

Another for what its worth.....with a couple of pics. I found that a 1" setscrew with a reg 5/16 jamb nut helps keep my bandsaw fence from getting out of alignment. The Ceramic Blade Guides set at .0025 clearance work quite well. The crud is blade wax. One should always clean the crud off prior to taking a picture. The adjustable feather board and a fence face allow me to get some nice resawn boards from this saw.
ldh