Replies

1. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Feb 25, 2007 06:11am | #1

   Imrich, I set mine up last July and the ridgid cool blocks(from home dopey or their parts line)work fine, just set them up with a new dollar bill as a spacer. What's broken? Is it the quadrant bolted under the table or the stand pedestal that it(they) sit on? I would take the table off and remove all attachments and then give it a VERY MILD tap[EDIT-with a small wood mallet] on the sides and around the top (with and with out the pin driven in the slot) to make sure that you don't get a buzz from a cracked casting. The alunimium quad should break before affecting the table. 

    The only things I changed were the tires to urethane,  the tension spring with a Carter spring and a Highland blade. She cuts nice, I trimmed the sapwood and bark from cherry slabs 3'x16"x2¼" just chasing my line -no fence- for tail vice faces just fine. I would not put the 10' slab on that table with out help and serious roller stands front and back as the table is just a little light and will sag. I talked to ridgid about that and they went nuts on the phone at just the mention of it. Cast iron trunnions and a more "ridgid" table would have been better.

   The 3/4 hp. is fine with good blades -Highland or Suffolk Machinery- and a good setup, just don't try to be in a hurry. All the best, Paddy                           

   
   

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   Edited 2/24/2007 11:23 pm ET by PADDYDAHAT

1. 
   imrich | Feb 25, 2007 04:44pm | #2

   Thanks for answer. I'll probably go with the cool blocks, they seem much better than the stock metal guides. The piece that broke is the u shaped cast metal piece that bolts to the base and supports the table. It's only 25 bucks and I already ordered it from ridgid. I was definitely going to replace the blade. I was looking at the Highland and Suffolk. I just happen to live in Suffolk County on Long Island, so I can drive there and get one myself. I didn't think to replace the tension spring or wheel tires, so I'll see how she runs and then make that decision. I'm also going to replace the stock drive belt with a link belt. I do that on all my belt driven tools. Thanks for your response.

1. 
   xmike | Feb 26, 2007 03:11am | #3

   You are right to throw the stock blade away - it's "no Scottish". 

   You may also have to change the large pulley on the machine.  It was a die-cast unit on my machine, and seriously out of round - BIG time vibration - very dramatic.  While the link-belt that I installed helped a bunch, when I replaced the out of round pulley with a cast-iron and machined pulley from McMaster Carr, it improved "vibration" significantly.

   There's a learning curve with cool blocks (at least there was for me) when you use them for the smaller blades (like 1/8").  In my case, the narrow blade quickly wore a grove into the blocks.  Probably I'm doing something wrong (this is my first band saw), but I don't know what just yet.  Surely someone on this site will know what that was.

   I've been "puttering" with my saw, making small improvements as I go.  One was to statically balance the wheels - yielding a small improvement in vibration.  I've recently read that changing the stock tires for aftermarket urethane tires yields better results, but I have no idea if that is true or not.  Since my unit is working fine now, I'm not highly motivated to spend more money on it to see if it's so.

   I've also added a 4" dust port for my dust collector on the lower cover.  I wouldn't recommend that, as it didn't significantly improve the dust collection over the stock connection.

   Enjoy your saw - there's lots that can be done with one as I'm finding out.

   Mike D

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Feb 26, 2007 03:39am | #4

   Imrich, don't waste you time as Suffolk no longer has a store front. I drove out there TWICE -duh- but not to worry, look at their stuff on line then either buy there or call as they are VERY helpful folks with good deals. I always buy two blades of each type that I need as insurance. The tires are not critical now, just wait for a sale at Woodcraft , LV or others. Mine were $15.95 ea. on sale and they run sweet. All the best, Paddy

   BTW. I misplaced my base between storage and moving it to Tn. for assembly and bought another. It should be black and alunimium. If it's cast iron let me know. Their mobile bases are great but pricey and fit most BS, TS and jointers or lathes that have legs. These Hercu-lifts are a PITA to assemble and you will have a small collection of alternate use bars and brackets leftover, but they work great under the foot print of the tool -not sticking out so much. pfh