Shopsmith Forums

Hi,

The guides have been on sale for a while now... went back and found when I had posted this before at:

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showpos ... ostcount=7

Ed

bill mayo wrote:I have been replacing the bronze roller or ball bearing in the upper and blade guides with 2 627Z ball bearings (same as the Auto-Track bearings) at each location for several years now. I had to grind very little for clearance. The back of the bandsaw blade tracks between the two bearings which appears to be the same as the Carter bearing guide listed above. The allows the front of the blade to be flexible for cutting but keeps the back of the blade very stable. This seems to reduce wear on the guide blocks too. I use higher quality 627Z bearings which lasts longer than most ball bearings of this size.

Bill, Would you please expand on this just a bit. Where do you find it necessary to do any grinding. I seem to be missing something because I just finished installing a pair of 627Zs in the band saw in lieu of an 827Z.

I used a different combination of washers than were in the original (Shopsmith provided) setup but no grinding.

Am I missing something.

As always, a new set of bearings really makes a difference in the noise level.

[quote="I used a different combination of washers than were in the original (Shopsmith provided) setup but no grinding.

Am I missing something.

As always, a new set of bearings really makes a difference in the noise level.[/QUOTE"]

Dusty,
Some months back I posted a PDF drawing of my dual upper and lower back-up bearing modification using 8x22x7 mm (608-2RS) bearings for the SS bandsaw and I noticed you used a bit different bearing. I would like to see the bolt and spacers that you used. Your pics are a great help. The 608-2RS that I use is a common skate bearing for about $2.00 so they can be replaced on the cheap.
ldh

ldh wrote:Dusty,
Some months back I posted a PDF drawing of my dual upper and lower back-up bearing modification using 8x22x7 mm (608-2RS) bearings for the SS bandsaw and I noticed you used a bit different bearing. I would like to see the bolt and spacers that you used. Your pics are a great help. The 608-2RS that I use is a common skate bearing for about $2.00 so they can be replaced on the cheap.
ldh

If I am not mistaken, you used 608-2RS bearings throughout and you used a partially threaded bolt.

I did the same, except that I used 627Z C3 bearings at all three locations. These are the same bearings that I have been using for backup bearings all along. The upper and lower guide bearings have been different.

Versions of this discussion have been posted before. I did this now because I had 627Zs and the 827s were not immediaterly available at the supply house where I get bearings. Rather than order and wait, I went with what I had. I remembered this thread and decided to give it a try.

Seems to work. Only time will tell for sure.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=2842&page=2&highlight=band+bearings

I had a very slight outter race clearance problem for the upper and lower guide brackets with the 627Z bearings that I quickly solved with a small hand grinder. I did not try any shims at the time. The 2 627Z bearings may have been OK but I like a little clearance for when the bearings become worn. I used the upgrade kit bolts that I ordered from Shopsmith.

Since skateboard bearings can be brought in tighter clearances and much higher RPM tolerances, I plan to try some of them in various locations later this year.

dusty wrote:Bill, Would you please expand on this just a bit. Where do you find it necessary to do any grinding. I seem to be missing something because I just finished installing a pair of 627Zs in the band saw in lieu of an 827Z.

I used a different combination of washers than were in the original (Shopsmith provided) setup but no grinding.

Am I missing something.

As always, a new set of bearings really makes a difference in the noise level.