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I held off only so long as I could, and finally had my thrust bearing die on the original equipment. If your belts don't look 'nice', and don't feel pliable.replace them with urethane belts. Don't wait to have this happen to you.could be nasty accident waiting to happen, as the blade could come off with you nearby. The roller guides are high on the list for anyone with a bandsaw using the graphite or other 'cool blocks'. Why they have this bearing loaded from the side is beyond me. Be sure to shop around, there are some places that sell 2 for price others sell for one. This is a terrible way to load a bearing, and I'd be surprised if all didn't prematurely wear out.The thrust bearing with the roller guides, on the other hand, is correctly loaded the way these little roller bearings should be, and I couldn't be happier with the better tracking of my blade.All that being said, not long after getting that set up.my belts bit the dust, one of them flew off.
It works fine for re-sawing but I always remove the block when I'm done becuase I don't use it as a permanent set up. The saw is on wheels and with a riser block is too tall to move around my low-ceiling basement shop. 7/8 inch diameter on the closed stand bandsaw. The riser block kit came with a 7/8 inch dia 12-inch long guide post that was to replace the stock shorter post. I'm not sure why Jet had to enlarge the guide post on the closed stand model because it's not that much bigger and the 3/4 inch dia post appears to more than adequate for the job it's intended to do. This is a nice addition to my Jet 14-inch open stand bandsaw.
The guide post on the open stand bandsaw is 3/4 inch diameter vs. (I know this because I ran into the same problem with the Jet 6-inch riser block kit. Jet should include an adapter kit so that these accessories will fit both models of bandsaw.As far as the riser kit goes, I have used it on my open stand bandsaw with a re-saw blade. The closed stand bandsaw is obviously a slightly more "beefy" saw with a bigger motor (1 hp vs 3/4 hp)than the open stand model. However, be aware that if you own this bandsaw there is a slight problem with mounting the upper guide to the guidepost on the saw. However, it doesn't fit onto the open stand saw).
I can install and remove the block in about 45 minutes. I was able to mount the upper roller guide into the smaller diameter guide post by fabricating a "bushing" out of 3/4 inch pvc pipe.
Holding the cool blocks in place with a set screw did not hold them firmly enough. The rear thrust bearing that holds the back of the blade hold the blade on their outside edge instead of on the side like the old bearings did. After installing the guides, my blade stays square and the bandsaw cuts like it should. I wish I had installed these years ago. In the past, I had used the stock guides that came with my Jet.
They would pop out or move as I cut out my circles. Many times I would find my set screw or one of my lower guide blocks on the floor as I cleaned up my saw dust. I just have enough room to use a 3/4 inch blade with the new bearings. This takes up more room in the assembly so my 3/4 inch blade just fits. I had trouble cutting bowl blanks out of logs with the old guides.
My cut lines would not be square and the motor strained more to cut the blanks out. I may have to step down to a 5/8's or 1/2 blade to give myself more clearence. It is much easier to cut out my blanks.
It was also very easy to install. It is so easy now to resaw a piece of wood. Would I recommend this guide to anyone. I have a Jet 14 inch band saw and I constantly had trouble with severe blade drift, no matter what I did to try and correct it. I finally took the plunge and bought the Roller Bearing Blade Guide and I couldn't be happier. My saw cuts straight and true every time with very little, if any, blade drift. The directions were clear and concise. You better believe it.
I put cool blocks on to help steady the blade but these wore so quickly that they were essentially worthless. I wish I would have gotten this earlier. This is well worth the money spent. It would have saved me a lot of frustration and wasted wood.
Much better than friction block guides, but the blade will still wander if you are not careful. Easy to install.
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