Joe W. Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 This thread is here at a good time for me. A few months ago I bought a used 40+ year old Craftsman bandsaw on a moveable stand at a yard sale. Took it home, cleaned it up and used it a few times. It was OK for cutting small things - limited to 6 inch throat - but seemed to be underpowered and bogged down on attempting to resaw thicker stock. Thought about replacing the bands and discovered nobody has any stock replacement parts for it. So I sold it at our latest yard sale and chalked the small loss to research. One thing I did see in my research was ceramic blocks instead of ball bearings guides. Can anyone speak to that - is one significantly better than the other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 3 minutes ago, Joe W. said: This thread is here at a good time for me. A few months ago I bought a used 40+ year old Craftsman bandsaw on a moveable stand at a yard sale. Took it home, cleaned it up and used it a few times. It was OK for cutting small things - limited to 6 inch throat - but seemed to be underpowered and bogged down on attempting to resaw thicker stock. Thought about replacing the bands and discovered nobody has any stock replacement parts for it. So I sold it at our latest yard sale and chalked the small loss to research. One thing I did see in my research was ceramic blocks instead of ball bearings guides. Can anyone speak to that - is one significantly better than the other? I've used ceramic, oil soaked oak, and whatever material commercial guides are made of (Shopsmith). But, the best are the Carter guides. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBob Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 13 minutes ago, Joe W. said: This thread is here at a good time for me. A few months ago I bought a used 40+ year old Craftsman bandsaw on a moveable stand at a yard sale. Took it home, cleaned it up and used it a few times. It was OK for cutting small things - limited to 6 inch throat - but seemed to be underpowered and bogged down on attempting to resaw thicker stock. Thought about replacing the bands and discovered nobody has any stock replacement parts for it. So I sold it at our latest yard sale and chalked the small loss to research. One thing I did see in my research was ceramic blocks instead of ball bearings guides. Can anyone speak to that - is one significantly better than the other? Sharp quality blades can make a huge difference as can choosing the correct blade for the job at hand. Assuming the bandsaw is aligned properly. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe W. Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 I just came across this video - what he says seems logical . . . Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted November 20, 2022 Report Share Posted November 20, 2022 Very interesting. I bet I could buy a lot of precut, thin wood for the price of the gadget he has on that bandsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBob Posted November 21, 2022 Report Share Posted November 21, 2022 One of the things I have learned about bandsaws: I Never use my resaw to cut curves or it will never track straight again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted November 22, 2022 Report Share Posted November 22, 2022 On 11/20/2022 at 8:40 AM, Scrappile said: Very interesting. I bet I could buy a lot of precut, thin wood for the price of the gadget he has on that bandsaw. I thought the same. I've got a used Delta 14" that does what I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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