Band Saw Guides - Which One Do You Need?
In order to get your vertical band saw working effectively for you, you should familiarise yourself with the various different band saw guides that are available.
You should also spend a little time understanding how to maintain them and keep them in tiptop shape.
This will have a big impact on your blade performance and as such on your productivity.
Since a bandsaw guide can cost about $100 or so, you will be well rewarded if you look after yours, as you will not have to replace it as often as an uncared for guide in bad condition.
There are many types of guides on the market today but it the main they are just variations of the ones I have listed below.
Sandwich Bandsaw Guide These guides also go under the name of block guides and they hold the blade in place during the cutting.
They are often used in sawmills and in situations where the need to produce volumes supersedes the requirement to save the blade.
Retrofit Roller Band Saw Guide.
This is basically a cross between two other types of guide, the Roller and the Bottom Control band saw guide.
Under normal conditions the lower part of this guide has no contact with spinning blade.
However if you hit a knot in the wood or some other type of bad spot, it will really come in to its own.
It then prevents the saw from lurching into the timber and spoiling the cut, but after that it just sits there until the next time it is needed.
Grease Roller Guide.
This band saw guide has bearings that keep the blade straight as it passes between them.
To prevent friction these bearings need to be free moving, hence the need for grease.
So you must make sure that your guide can be greased.
It is just like your automobile requires oil, otherwise over time the engine will seize and you will grind to a very expensive halt.
So as I said at the top, a little time spent maintaining your band saw will pay dividends down the line.
It is always a good idea to refer to the manufacturers handbook for best advice on what steps to take and when.
And that by the way can go for any machinery you own.
You should also spend a little time understanding how to maintain them and keep them in tiptop shape.
This will have a big impact on your blade performance and as such on your productivity.
Since a bandsaw guide can cost about $100 or so, you will be well rewarded if you look after yours, as you will not have to replace it as often as an uncared for guide in bad condition.
There are many types of guides on the market today but it the main they are just variations of the ones I have listed below.
Sandwich Bandsaw Guide These guides also go under the name of block guides and they hold the blade in place during the cutting.
They are often used in sawmills and in situations where the need to produce volumes supersedes the requirement to save the blade.
Retrofit Roller Band Saw Guide.
This is basically a cross between two other types of guide, the Roller and the Bottom Control band saw guide.
Under normal conditions the lower part of this guide has no contact with spinning blade.
However if you hit a knot in the wood or some other type of bad spot, it will really come in to its own.
It then prevents the saw from lurching into the timber and spoiling the cut, but after that it just sits there until the next time it is needed.
Grease Roller Guide.
This band saw guide has bearings that keep the blade straight as it passes between them.
To prevent friction these bearings need to be free moving, hence the need for grease.
So you must make sure that your guide can be greased.
It is just like your automobile requires oil, otherwise over time the engine will seize and you will grind to a very expensive halt.
So as I said at the top, a little time spent maintaining your band saw will pay dividends down the line.
It is always a good idea to refer to the manufacturers handbook for best advice on what steps to take and when.
And that by the way can go for any machinery you own.
