Shopsmith Forums

I just acquired an used ss bandsaw.
Is the attached picture default steel guide block?
i've read cool block could be a potential improvement in longer blade life and less noise.
Is it worthy upgrading?
feedback on cool block vs ceramic block would be appreciated as well.

jjj240 wrote:I just acquired an used ss bandsaw.
Is the attached picture default steel guide block?
i've read cool block could be a potential improvement in longer blade life and less noise.
Is it worthy upgrading?
feedback on cool block vs ceramic block would be appreciated as well.

Yes! especially for smaller saw blades. I use them always for 1/4" blades. Even when used for 1/2" blades, I close them onto the blade and let them rub for an even cut.

Absolutely cool blocks are the best upgrade and relatively cheapest upgrade you can make on a SS bandsaw. Haven't once regreted changing over mine. Also dependent on how old your SS bandsaw is, upgrading the Guide Column Bracket (page 2 item 70 on parts guide) for the rod guard (the rod that goes up/down holding the cool blocks) greatly improves the side to side slack. Old retainer lacked an adjustment for side to side tension, over time wear causes a lot of movement, the newer retainer has a nylon screw (item 65) that takes out the slack and can be adjusted as wear occurs, for $12.63 this a no brainer upgrade. Best way to check is open up your saw and look to see if the guide rod retainer has a nylon screw


http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/manuals/845541.pdf

.

Agree with all comments. The cool blocks are a vast improvement.
Paul

They cost a bit more, well a lot more but I'm a fan of ceramic. I've owned a bandsaw since the early 1970's (not a shopsmith) and I've used several different guide blocks but I've been most happy with the ceramic. I also have a set of the cool blocks for very narrow blades.

If you are interested there are several modifications that can be made to make the band saw better. Here is a link to a post on that subject:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/maint ... t8361.html

It is a rather long read but there are a number of changes noted that I have done to my shopsmith saw.

Ed

I like 'blocks' made from lignum vitae.

JPG wrote:I like 'blocks' made from lignum vitae.

Yeh, but where can one get Lignum Vitae these days.

jsburger wrote:

JPG wrote:I like 'blocks' made from lignum vitae.

Yeh, but where can one get Lignum Vitae these days.

On one of the forums I subscribe to, can't find it right now, some one recently posted a mallet head that they had turned from Lignum Vitae, they had reclaimed it from an old lawn bowling ball.

rpd wrote:

jsburger wrote:

JPG wrote:I like 'blocks' made from lignum vitae.

Yeh, but where can one get Lignum Vitae these days.

On one of the forums I subscribe to, can't find it right now, some one recently posted a mallet head that they had turned from Lignum Vitae, they had reclaimed it from an old lawn bowling ball.

That is my point. You can't buy it new only reclaimed. I bet there is a bunch of Lignum Vitae on the USS Oklahoma at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. It was used back then for propeller shaft bearings.

jsburger wrote:

JPG wrote:I like 'blocks' made from lignum vitae.

Yeh, but where can one get Lignum Vitae these days.

You can get it on eBay. I got curious and looked it up. Tons of it on eBay.

Michael