Replies

1. 
   woodchuck49 | Oct 11, 2006 05:44pm | #1

   Carter makes a special guide for this situation. WhenI use a 1/4' or smaller blade on my 20" Agazzani I slip on this guide system. I am sure Carter makes one for the Rikon.

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Oct 11, 2006 05:52pm | #2

   Morning Lyptus...

   First, I don't have the Rikon 18" and have not tried a  1/8" blade. But I have been over it pretty thoroughly. My impression of most bandsaw specs that state 1/4" to 1 1/4" minimum and maximum are this: Stay one blade size under the maximum stated and the bottom number is usually OK. The Rikon clearly calls for minimum 1/4".

   On the larger bandsaws, the guides are usually larger and a problem is encountered getting them far enough back to allow gullet clearance without having to track and run the blade on the very front edge of the wheel. By doing so, you are inviting saw-dust to get between the blade and wheel, feed pressure, etc. causing it to move slightly forward off track and consequently off the wheel IMO.

   If nobody responds here with a positive answer, go to the Rikon web-site and get their technical support phone number. Call them and see what their take on specifying minimum 1/4" blade on that particular saw. They may even tell you it can be done, but... I wouldn't personally!Your question is exactly why I decided to keep my Jet 12" when upgrading to a larger saw for ripping and re-saw. I can run the 3/8" and down more efficiently on the smaller saw with proper cool blocks and smaller guides for those diameter blades which are usually carbon steel with a lower heat tolerance before dis-tempering.

   Regards...

   SARGE..

   
   

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   Edited 10/11/2006 11:03 am ET by SARGEgrinder47

1. 
   Lyptus | Oct 11, 2006 07:36pm | #3

   Thanks for the advice. I did call Rikon and they said Carter is currently making a stabilizer to fit the 18" saw. Without the stabilizer, the blade width is limited to 1/4" by the radius of the double bearing guide. So maybe it is possible to have the best of both worlds. I don't currently own a bandsaw so I'm trying the all-in-one approach.- Lyptus

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Oct 12, 2006 05:15am | #4

   As Woodchuck pointed out, Carter makes em for about any saw. When you get up in the BS range of deep re-saw, the tension springs and guide bearing have to get bigger to support the larger 3/4" up re-saw blades. Mini Max makes a set of inter-changeable cool block guides for their saw also as the stock guides are too large for smaller blades as are most of the 18"+ wheelers up. Again as Woodchuck mentioned, Carter has them for his big Aggazani. On most saws it doesn't take long to make the switch from larger stock guides to the smaller guide replacements.

   And I have to agree with your approach of going to the larger BS with the capability of going small with the quick change to appropriate guides.

   Regards...

   SARGE..