So it is essential that you get to know the types of band saw guides and maintenance that generally go with band saws and their blades. Without the right adjustments the saw will not be doing the job properly.

There are many types of guides available, and I will go over a few of the most common later. But in my opinion, no matter which type you have or choose, always go for bandsaw guides that can be greased. There are cheaper guides that are not greaseable but they are nowhere near as long lasting as a greaseable guide.  Overtime you will find that you have to keep replacing them, so then any savings made at first are very soon lost.

If you were going to be using your vertical band saw all day, then I would recommend that you grease the bandsaw guide twice. Apply grease once in the middle of the day and then again towards the end of the day. After a full days work the rollers in the guide will have reached their peak temperature and this is usually when damage occurs. So if you do get lazy, please at least remember to grease near the end of the day.

The 3 most common types of bandsaw guides you will come across are:

• Greaseable Roller Guide – The blade moves through guide between the two bearings, which also move to reduce friction. This where the lubrication from the grease elongates the working life of the bearing and there the bandsaw guide.

• Sandwich Guide – This type of guide “holds” the blade to guide it whilst cutting. It is normally found where throughput is more important that prolonging the useable life of the blade. This is why they are commonly found in saw mills.  Sandwich guides are also known as Block Guides.

• Retrofit Roller Guide – This is a hybrid of bandsaw guides  that combines the roller guide with a bottom control guide too. The lower guide is not normally in contact with the blade unless you hit a bad spot, such as a knot. It then comes in to play and prevents the saw from taking a dive in to the lumber. Once past the nasty bit the blade does not touch the bottom control again, unless of course you find another knot.

It really is worth taking the time to look after your bandsaw guides, as they are quite pricey to replace. You can be looking at $100 upwards depending on type and stockist.

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Well, a band saw tire is basically a large rubber band that attaches to the wheels that drives the saw blade. It provides friction to keep the blade turning, as metal on metal will just slip. They also protect both the wheels and blade from wear that metal rubbing together would cause.

In time the tires themselves will need to be replaced, as they will become worn. If you start to feel excessive vibration, then this may be the first hint that they need replacing. Old rubber tires tend to harden, become brittle and crack with age, so it is good to get into the habit of making regular checks for wear and tear.

Fear not as they are not overly expensive. If you search around you can find a replacement for about a dollar an inch, perhaps for even less if you were to buy in bulk.

I have heard of people using rubber inner tube as an emergency replacement, but I wouldn’t recommend that, not even as a stopgap. It is far better to spend a few bucks up front and have a spare lying around.

Band saw tires do not have to be made of rubber, even though they are the most common. There are longer lasting tires that are made from urethane, which is a type of plastic. These are available in bright colors, blue, orange etc which makes spotting defects like cracks or chips easier.

Solid rubber band tires are the most common but are also the more tricky to replace. The tire needs to be stretched to make it fit the wheel, which isn’t too difficult on smaller wheels up to 12”. With larger wheeled vertical band saws, 14” and over, you may need a jig to assist with the fitting of the tire. Also a rubber tire needs to be glued to wheel, an added complication.

Urethane band saw tires can be soaked in hot water, not boiling, to make them more pliable. Then simply fitted to the wheel. They will then shrink to fit as they cool down. They are slightly more expensive being about $25 depending on size, but then they are longer lasting and easier to fit than the rubber version.

As with all machinery, regular cleaning and maintenance will keep your band saw in tiptop condition. A good way to keep the tires in good condition is to fit a small brush that will make contact with the lower wheel. This will keep your band saw tires clean when in use by removing debris such as dust and pitch that can damage the band

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This is Bill from Vertical Band Saw.

I am a keen hobbyist woodworker and decided to put up a site about the most useful tool I have in my yard, the vertical band saw. As I add to this site I will be putting up interesting articles and tips that I hope you will find useful.

Bill

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RS-PT014 vertical band saw

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A vertical band saw can be one of the most useful and versatile tools you will ever buy. They can used to cut, wood, metal plastic and even meat. You can not only use them to make straight cuts but also, because of the vertical blade, those awkward curved cuts too.

Before you rush out and impulsively buy your vertical band saw, here are a few key features you should take into account.

Table Size
Having a bigger table for a vertical band saw is a real plus point, because it makes it easier to support long and wide materials.
The more rigid the table is, the more it will help improve the bandsaw’s performance. Try pressing down hard on the edge of some tables and you’ll notice that they may wobble or even tilt. Not that this has too much affect when working with small pieces but it certainly does when sawing large, heavy timbers or green wood.

Power
If you going to be mainly sawing large heavy planks or logs, then a lot of power will be your main consideration. Vertical band saw motors normally range between ¾ to 2 horsepower. For cutting wood between 6 and 12 inches go for at least 1.5 hp. More power gives you a better cut and speed but, as you would expect, more power means a higher price.

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Frame and Base
You really do not want your band saw to wobble, wiggle or move when you put a heavy load on it, such as when cutting big heavy stuff. The most stable vertical band saws have a welded-steel column that runs down to the floor.

Accessories
There are two very useful accessories that you should add to your vertical band saw, if it doesn’t come with them already equipped. They are a miter gauge and a rip fence, these two additions will prove very useful when resawing, cross cutting and ripping.

Wilton 8201K 14-Inch
115-Volt 1-Phase, 1-Horsepower
Metal and Wood Cutting Bandsaw

This vertical band saw has been especially designed for cutting wood, ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as plastic and composites. It has a one-piece, solid steel base and a cast iron frame for durability and extra stability.

When resawing a 3/4 inch blade does an excellent job with little or no vibration, whilst an 1/8 inch blade on your vertical band saw allows you to cut tight radius curves very easily.

JET 708115K JWBS-14CS
115/230-Volt 1 Phase, 1 horsepower
Woodworking Bandsaw with Graphite Guide Blocks

This vertical band saw has a very simple, straightforward design with powerful features. The JET 708115K is designed to be used by serious hobbyists, craftspeople and also for occasional home use. It is a very handy machine to have and includes a fully enclosed stand with a dust chute. It will take a very short time to set up and will give you years of reliable, heavy duty use.

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