Replies

1. 
   MBL | May 29, 2004 05:46pm | #1

   Dear Mike,

   Would like to ask if with those new guides you still use the original blade guard that covers the exposed blade above the bearings when one lowers the guide, as when sawing flat, thinner material. Or do the Carter guides come with a special guard for that purpose?

   Thanks.

   -mbl-

1. 
   mudman | May 29, 2004 11:44pm | #2

   mbl,

     The kit does not include a new guard. It uses one of the origional holes and then you have to drill a second hole in the guard. I installed the guard with one screw then marked the second hole with a punch. It only took 5 minutes to modify the guard.

     Again, I'm not bashing the upgrade, it works much better than the origionals. I just think that for 150 bucks (half of what I paid for the machine) they could have tried harder. I am suprised that there isn't other kits on the market. Maybe there is, because I didn't look.

   Mike

1. 
   MBL | May 30, 2004 07:53am | #3

   Thanks, Mike.

   Am working on a self-made all-bearing replacement for the 14" clone and came to that guard issue. Have gotten the top and bottom working great, but not such guard.

   However, will probably make a plexiglass slider that moves on the right-hand knob that holds the cover.

   Thanks, appreciate the info.

   -mbl-

1. 
   mudman | May 31, 2004 06:46am | #6

   mbl

   I would love to see your finnished product. I guess I feel cheeted that that they put so little effort in a product that works so well. If that makes any sense. I am worried that Carter will introduce the improved version next week and I will be pissed that I missed it.

   Mike

1. 
   MBL | May 31, 2004 07:30pm | #8

   Hi Mike,

   Well, am almost done with re-vamping the 14" band-saw and feel very well on the overdue effort.

   Have followed advise given here and been doing research and fixings on the band-saw for about 6 weeks now.

   The guides are a 3-bearing arrangement, designed them and built them specifically for 1/2" wide blades. That's due to the verifying that what will use the most is that width, and to the fact that the old guides can still be used.

   In fact, for the top support, BOTH the newly made guide AND the old guide can be put in-series, if wanted. The new guides are VERY easy to adjust and are VERY strong and firm. They do work just as wished. Much gratefulness goes to our machine-shop associates.

   Will happily take pictures and post them in a few days, for general interest, as well as to a summary of all the significant changes made to the old-clone. It is working very well now.

   Thanks to all for advise and criticism given.

   -mbl-

2. 
   DavidxDoud | May 31, 2004 08:21pm | #9

   here's a review of three aftermarket blade guides,  including the carter and ittura - http://www.woodworking.org/WC/GArchive99/2_24matband.html"there's enough for everyone"

3. 
   MBL | Jun 03, 2004 04:23am | #10

   Dear Mike,

   Here's the concoction.

   Note the one picture shows the old top guide in series with the one designed and made here.

   With the 'series' use, the old-guard covers the blade, as for ripping.

   For most re-saw capacity, the old-guide is removed as all the blade is to be exposed. So it works out just fine.

   It ought to work fine also with 3/4" wide blades, of which will get one later and test it.

   But it did great resawing on some samples.

   Best wishes.

   -mbl-

   
2. 
   DennisS | May 30, 2004 08:08am | #4

   I quite agree, Mike. One has to wonder why they used different sized allen screws when it looks to me like they all could have been the same size. I also agree with your critique of the absence of threaded, eg. micrometer-like adjustment. For this kind of money it wouldn't take that much more, I would think to provide that feature. I find that when tightening the allen screw I sometimes move the bearing as the screw seats thus throwing off the position of the bearing.

   None the less, as you say, they *do* work quite well.

   Just as an aside, I saw an ad some time ago, forget where for roller guides that actually fit in the factory guide slots. That was, of course after I'd purchased the Carter guides.

   ...........

   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.

   Dennis

1. 
   EdHarrow | May 30, 2004 11:45pm | #5

   That would be Iturra Design.  Clever folks and, just like Ron Hock, you actually talk to Louie if you call them.  They also produce a fabulous catalog, that has just about as much general info as one of those bandsaw books that are sold for ~$15!

   After my resaw project of this weekend, I think I'm going to have to break down and get me a set of Louie's roller guides.

2. 
   mudman | May 31, 2004 06:48am | #7

   Yes, the actual adjustments were easier on the delta setup. None the less, since my origional post I have used for a lot of resawing and there is a great diference.

   Mike