bandsaw blade guide post moves left to right

[majordill]

My bandsaw blade guide post, once locked, can still move slightly left to right meaning the blade can start dragging on either the left or right guide block. Is this normal. I'm tempted to place a long thin shim between the column post and the blade guide column bracket (right side) (the thing with the two screws in the front that drives everyone insane when they try to adjust it). Good idea or am I about to screw something up?

Other than that annoyance the saw cuts great. If this is unclear I could possibly post a vid on youtube in a few days.

Thanks in advance

[chapmanruss]

The problem you are having is likely caused by the Guide Bracket. Newer Bandsaws have a nylon bolt in the Bracket to eliminate the side-to-side movement of the Blade Guide Column Post. Older Bandsaws did not have the nylon bolt for that. The picture below shows the two versions of the Guide Bracket.

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Guide Bracket 2.JPG (51.56 KiB) Viewed 9715 times

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The one on the right has the threaded hole for the nylon bolt. That threaded hole can be added to older Guide Brackets. Below shows the nylon bolt in place.

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Guide Bracket.JPG (75.17 KiB) Viewed 9715 times

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Properly adjusting the nylon bolt will push the Blade Guide Column Post against the opposite side of the Guide Bracket to keep it in line. If yours has the nylon bolt already make sure it is properly adjusted. The Guide Bracket has all the adjustment points to keep the Blade Guide Column Post in line side to side, front to back and the locking pressure. And yes, it is the hardest thing to adjust properly on the Bandsaw.