Preferences for roller stands versus ball bearing

that is an easy call

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

I bought a roller stand. Saw its problem at once. If roller not perfect aligned with saw the roller guides the lumber away from the fence. On the rare occasions I use something for out feed I use the round bearing stand. A slick table would be better still. An experienced wife beats either option.

Re: Preferences for roller stands versus ball bear

Hank Knight

I don't like roller stands because, if they are not precisely aligned, they will guide the workpiece in one direction or another and pull it away from the machine fence. Unfortunately, I haven't found a satisfactory option for work that requires machining thin pieces or pieces that need to be fed through the machine on edge, like resawing. I have a ball bearing stand that I use to support wide pieces, especially those that need to be worked in multiple directions. In this example, my ball bearing stand allows me move the workpiece easily in any direction necessary to refine the shape of the scroll, something that would be impossible with a roller stand:

[url=https://flic.kr/p/26JR9E5][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/26JR9E5]IMG_3914[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/158680038@N03/]Hank Knight[/url], on Flickr

[url=https://flic.kr/p/255Tzdm][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/255Tzdm]IMG_3916[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/158680038@N03/]Hank Knight[/url], on Flickr

comment

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

If dealing with narrow stuff is anticipated halve the roller bearing spacing.

Re: comment

Hank Knight

For narrow flat stuff, I've found smaller roller bearings that can be crowded closer together to accomplish your suggestion. This still doesn't solve the problem of supporting workpieces on edge - unless they are really thick.

resaw

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

For resawing I rigged a sheet of plywood on some tall saw horses I built for another application. It does not have to be perfect alignment with band saw table. It is probably hard to beat a flat surface as support for something on edge.

Re: Preferences for roller stands versus ball bear

Jack Guzman from Maine

Like others said,rollers make it harder to rip long pieces because the roller needs to be parallel to your tablesaw or it will pull the piece out of alignment with the fence. There is another option. The Ridgid Flip-top type is decent to use.

Re: Preferences for roller stands versus ball bear

Re: Preferences for roller stands versus ball bear

John Hollaway

Do yourself a favor and try the Home Depot flip top units lke the previous replier suggested. They're very reasonably priced, and I got rid of my roller stands I'd had for many years. The recommendation to try them came from this forum quite a few years ago.

Re: Preferences for roller stands versus ball bear

Barry Irby

Many years ago I savaged a bunch of wooden rollers out of and ancient treadmill. I made three frames and put six or seven rollers in each. One is to the right of my RAS, One is an out feed for my TS and one is the out feed for my drum sander. The one at the TS can easily be moved to the infeed position on the drum sander if I am feeding really long stock.

As far as it leading the stock in the wrong direction, I use that feature to my advantage. I give the one on the TS about a five degree twist toward the fence. Works nicely to keep the outfeed end against the fence.

I also have several of the flip top ones and can choose balls or rollers. The balls work well on the planer that has a stationary bed height. The balls are useless for the jointer, but the rollers work fairly well. So I would say, get the flip top type and choose what works best for each machine.

Two other thoughts....saw a fellow developing a sort of long drooping lip or tongue for his that would catch the sagging board and lift it to the roller.

And, If I decide to marry again I am going to bring my beloved to Bill's shop and get his wife to train her. If she doesn't catch on pretty quick, no deal, she's out and I will start the search all over.

Re: Preferences for roller stands versus ball bear

Don Stephan

What have you been smoking?

Re: Preferences for roller stands versus ball bear

Paul Leuba

I’ve found that a rising knife behind the table saw blade is an effective and safe way to ensure the ripped piece stays firmly against the fence.

Paul in Hunt Valley, MD

Re: Preferences for roller stands versus ball bear

Paul Leuba

That should be “riving knife”.

+1 on Ridgid flip-top

Ellis Walentine

Been using one of these for a long time, usually at the bandsaw for resawing and ripping thick stock, but also with router tables, drill press, tablesaw, etc. Very versatile.

Ellis