A source for Ceramic disks for bandsaw guides

Re: A source for Ceramic disks for bandsaw guides

Barry Irby

I don't know how hot they would get, but some epoxy is not rated for much heat. So, if you go this route, look for epoxy or glue that has a high temperature rating. One of the disks coming loose in the middle of a heavy cut might get exciting.

Re: A source for Ceramic disks for bandsaw guides *LINK*

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Thanks Jim. I have looked into those (link below). They look inexpensive individually, but in the quantity I need, they are still a lot more than I am hoping to pay.

Regards from Perth

Derek


https://spaceageceramics.com/laguna-italian-resaw-master-lt37-thrust-bearing-disc/

Re: A source for Ceramic disks for bandsaw guides

Dick Coers

McMaster-Carr sells raw ceramic materials if you must use it. For me, I see as many thick welds as not on commercial blades and running tighter clearance on the side guides might require you to dress the weld. I guess I'll say it again, but a gentle cutting style really doesn't rely on the guides. If you muscle the material through a radius cut so it side loads the bearings, you need a smaller blade. When I taught a bandsaw class at the local Woodcraft, I used my fingertips to feel the width of the blade through a radius cut. It would result in a pretty nice circle when I came all the way around. Wasn't a spark to be seen.

Are Ceramic guides beneficial

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

I have a 20" Delta with steel guides. As far as I know they don't generate heat that is significant. What would I gain by having ceramic guides? I was unaware ceramic was an option to be considered.

Re: Are Ceramic guides beneficial

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Bill, this is what Felder write of their guide design, which is faced with ceramic (keep in mind that it is almost the same as the Minimax version):

Ceramic guides guarantee excellent cutting results and maximum blade stability with four guiding blocks positioned directly on the saw blade. With reduced friction and less heat generation, ceramic guides are practically wear resistant and enable an extremely long usable life and consistent cutting quality when compared to conventional roller guides.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: A source for Ceramic disks for bandsaw guides

William Duffield

What's the problem with good old fashioned organic lignum vitae blocks? Or, for that matter, a Carter stabilizer, which doesn't use any guide blocks, and only one bearing, total?

Re: A source for Ceramic disks for bandsaw guides

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

Well, William, block inserts do not fit on my guides.

I could purchase new ceramic guides, but that would be costly. The point of this exercise is to save bucks and get the results. The original Euro guides do decent work, but they could be improved. I cannot justify the cost of Felder replacements for a possibly small improvement. The faces of my guides are quite worn now, and it seems to be a timely experiment to face them in ceramic.

Regards from Perth

Derek

some thoughts

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

"Ceramic" doesn't tell us much. And some/most ceramic is cheap. It could be to get the benefit from "ceramic" one needs the correct ceramic composition, or even an impregnated ceramic composition. Maybe the details of the ceramic composition make it expensive to make and expensive to sell. I would not recommend risking a replacement "ceramic" without ensuring it was equivalent. I can't point to what ceramic properties could be critical.

I have not seen any evidence of heat being an issue, but maybe I have not looked or known what to look for. What is the evidence this attribute of ceramic is beneficial?

I run my hardened steel guides squoze on the blade. I could not get ceramic any closer. I'll keep an open mind awaiting data.

Re: Are Ceramic guides beneficial

Paul Leuba

You May find the information provided in this review helpful.

https://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/saceramicguideblocks

Paul in Hunt Valley. MD

Re: A source for Ceramic disks for bandsaw guides

Pat Riley

Derek,

If you can find a source for some flat ceramic at the proper thickness, I could probably waterjet them round and then mail them to you.

Pat

there is a source for.....

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

round, square and rectangular bar stock. Could cut to length with diamond cut-off wheel or tile saw.

These items are stocked by "industrial supply" places such as MSC, where I checked, and probably Grainger, etc.

What shape and size would fit?