Bandsaw Blade Guides?

[lbender]

There seem to be as many blade guide styles as there are bandsaw manufacturers.


What style do you like for a vertical metal cutting saw?

[Ron43]

https://carterproducts.com/band-saw-...4c5526a5d90cfb
I have two band saws and years ago changed them to Carter guides, works well without problems

[Tillie's in a bottle]

the big block of steel type! Truly un-breakable

[lbender]

I have two band saws and years ago changed them to Carter guides, works well without problems

Carter sells several different styles of guides. Which do think is best -- one ball bearing -- three ball bearing?

[RB140]

Have 3 band saws 2 vertical 1 horizontal each one has a different kind of guide and have a difficult time getting them to cut straight the horizontal is the best for adjusting the bearings it has 3 bearings per guide and cuts the straightest but is hard to keep in adjustment something to work on when I get time

[Ron43]

Carter sells several different styles of guides. Which do think is best -- one ball bearing -- three ball bearing?

I am using the three ball bearing ones

[Bented]

All industrial saws that I have used employ solid carbide guides, they last for years of many hours per day use.

[Tundra Twin Track]

This is similar style of Pic with Red Arrow in post #1,these are the BEST for Metal Vertical Bandsaw.Most Brands of Metal Bandsaws come equipped with these and are adjustable for wear.(Grob uses a different style)

[J Tiers]

Carter sells several different styles of guides. Which do think is best -- one ball bearing -- three ball bearing?

No particular opinion on which is best. The old Atlas saw uses two per, one of them has a flange on it to hold the blade.

Those are "OK". Problem is that swarf that carries around can jam the rollers. And they are a pain to adjust with the off-center bolts.

Solid ones might be good, but I'd still need the backup roller.

[polaraligned]

Carter guides, uggg. What crap they sent me. This is the saga I posted on the other forum:
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...t=carter+guide

[Paul Alciatore]

I have the simple, 4x6, import band saw (Grizzly brand). As far as I know, all the imported 4X6s use the same, three ball bearing style with the rear support on the circumference of the BB, not the side. I have had this saw for about 12 years and have never had a problem with these supports. Nor have I needed to adjust them. I do clean them off with WD-40 and a tooth brush from time to time.

At one time I did have problems with getting the blade to cut straight. Apparently that was due to uneven wear on the corners of the teeth and I cured that by getting some new, bi-metal blades. The present bi-metal blade has been cutting straight for over five years now.

The bi-metal blades are the first thing you should treat your band saw to. I can't say enough good things about them. And considering their long life, they are considerably less expensive to use. Win, WIN, WIN!

[J Tiers]

I use the bimetal, they wear down same as any blade, but they take longer to do it. I've even had the blade wear on one side with bimetal.

Any saw blade, sanding belt, or the like can only be evaluated on the basis of how many hours of blade-in-the-kerf time it has remained good when cutting a given material. You would be correct that probably few of us can give that number, as we cut different materials, and probably do not keep track of running hours, let alone hours of blade-in-kerf time.

[The Metal Butcher]

This is similar style of Pic with Red Arrow in post #1,these are the BEST for Metal Vertical Bandsaw.Most Brands of Metal Bandsaws come equipped with these and are adjustable for wear.(Grob uses a different style)

Grob guides suck ass IMO.

[Tundra Twin Track]

Grob guides suck ass IMO.

Agreed!

[boslab]

Mines solid, looks cast or chill cast iron, hard as air crash doll plastic
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