Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Feb 18, 2003 05:56am | #1

   FWW did an article last year and the conclusion was that Cool Blocks were the best guides for 14" saws. If the saw was dedicated to resawing only, then the bandrollers could be used but there was no real advantage over the Cool Blocks. The Carter guides are so big that they don't support the blade close to the actually sawing point. In addition, if the blade mistracks or the guides are not set up properly you have a big expense to replace the expensive guides.

   This is one case where cheaper is the best solution.

2. 
   Swingop3 | Feb 18, 2003 06:34am | #2

   I purchased a Delta bandsaw with Carter guides and have found them to be troublesome and awkward to set and adjust. Having to use allen wrenches  every time you do something with them is a hassle as well. Howie is right about not being able to provide support up to and including the teeth - but this hurts only when doing small radius cut with a 1/16" blade. Delta , to there credit, did back up there product when the lower thrust bearing was shipped without a shim washer which did some good damage in the first 10 minutes of use. They sent me a new complete lower guide assembly - no questions asked. When the guides are set up properly on a 1/4" blade and up they work beautifully but with the allen wrench thing and the price  if I had to do it again I would purchase the same bandsaw and put cool blocks on it.

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Feb 18, 2003 08:54pm | #4

   Herb, the support I was referring to was the distance from the workpiece to the support point in the middle of the radius of the wheel. With Cool Blocks this support point can be as close as an 1/4" which gives better control for resawing.

   When it's all said and done, control of the blade is the issue in good cuts--given the blade is correct and in good shape.

3. 
   DennisS | Feb 18, 2003 08:01am | #3

   I think I'd agree with Howie that they're not really that advantageous. And I bought into them some time ago. Haven't had any real problems to speak of but for the cost I think the stock guides with the (Delta 14") machine worked pretty well. My main complaints are 1) that they encroach slightly on the max. depth of cut under the top guides and 2) they're really a pain to adjust compared to the micrometer style adjustments on the stock guides.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]