Lignum vitae bandsaw guide blocks

[memzey]

Hi all. I need to replace the guide blocks on my Startrite 352. Having had an eye watering quote for new metal ones I thought I'd have a go at fashioning my own from lignum. But before doing so I thought I'd seek guidance and advice from those that had done it before. Are there any tips to doing this or do you just trace around the shape of the existing block and cut away? I'm also stumped as to where to source the stock from as none of my local suppliers stock it so some help on that would also be appreciated (alternatively if anyone has some spare I would gladly exchange beer tokens for them). Thanks in advance!

 

[RogerP]

I have some small pieces of LV you'd be welcome to have to make your own but I have to know the minimum size needed.

 

[custard]

When the original lignum vitae went on the CITES list I bought quite a bit for bandsaw blocks before supplies dried up...and then soon after changed my bandsaw guides to ceramic! So you're welcome to some.

Incidentally, there's a substitute timber that has most of the attributes of the original that is available in this country, and is often called lignum vitae even though it isn't (it's a lot paler but just as oily, similar to freshly sawn teak). Alternatively old crown green bowling balls are avaiable on Ebay quite cheaply, and they're generally original lignum vitae.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

You could also e mail the secretary of your local turning club. Turners always have a few knocking about.

 

[RogerP]

...........Alternatively old crown green bowling balls are avaiable on Ebay quite cheaply, and they're generally original lignum vitae.

...except the 2 sets I've bought which were resin :evil:

 

[paulm]

...........Alternatively old crown green bowling balls are avaiable on Ebay quite cheaply, and they're generally original lignum vitae.

...except the 2 sets I've bought which were resin :evil:

Whoops, hard to tell sometimes !

The original guides are quite substantial, are they not refurbish-able on a belt grinder or diamond plate if they just need flattening a bit ?

Cheers, Paul

 

[memzey]

They need flattening a lot! The previous owner appears to have sawn part way through them a couple times in the past! There could still be a little useful block left if I were to grind the damaged parts true but I don't have a speedy means of doing that (no belt grinder or lapping plate) and would still be left with guides that won't last long at all. Many thanks to all that have offered up their scraps of lignum. I'm not in front of the saw at the moment but the blocks are about 3/4" thick, 1" or so along the short edge and 2" or so along the long. I can take exact measurements tonight if that would be useful. I live in St Albans but work in London and would be more than happy to cover any costs etc. for posting or whatever.

 

[Fergal]

Have you considered using something like UHMW polyethylene for the guides? It is a very tough type of plastic with good wear resistance and low friction. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-high ... lyethylene

I've been meaning to replace the guides on my bandsaw, which are currently some unknown hardwood, with this material for a while now but not got round to it yet. I have a large chunk of it for this purpose. You're welcome to a piece of it if you'd like to try it.

Fergal

 

[Racers]

Replace them with bearings I did mine for under a fiver.
If you do a search for strigh

 

[Racers]

Replace them with bearings I did mine for under a fiver.
If you do a search for search for startrite 352 you should ring the thread or I will have a look later on my computer.

Pete

 

[memzey]

Hi Fergal. Thanks for the offer but I was only really considering lignum or possibly bearings. Has anyone else used this plastic for this purpose before? I'm not sure I'd know what to do with to be honest - I'm still getting my head around cutting wood!

 

[memzey]

Replace them with bearings I did mine for under a fiver.
If you do a search for strigh

Hi Pete. Yes I did read your thread with interest. Did you manage to sort out a bearing solution for the thrust rods? They also need replacing on mine I think.

 

[Racers]

My thrust rods still have the tungsten tips so its not a problem for me, if it was a tip from a big masonry drill would be useful source of a replacement tip.

I have some off cuts of Corian which should work.

Pete

 

[sneggysteve]

Replace them with bearings I did mine for under a fiver.
If you do a search for search for startrite 352 you should ring the thread or I will have a look later on my computer.

Pete

Hi Pete

I searched for link but could not find. I want to replace mi Startrite 352 with bearings - if you find the link could you let me have details please

Steve

 

[memzey]

Just measured the blocks. They are 1 5/8" long by 1" wide by 5/8" thick.

 

[Paddy Roxburgh]

I have always use oak for my guide blocks, soaked overnight in veg oil, seems to work fine. they do need flattening or replacing every now and then but easy to do and there's always oak to hand at work
Paddy

 

[MIGNAL]

My bandsaw had bearing guides but I replaced them with hardwood soaked in Oil. I happened to use Bubinga, with the end grain touching the side of the blade. You don't have to use Lignum, virtually any fairly dense hardwood will do. I found that I could adjust the guides much easier with the hardwood guides rather than the bearings. That may have been due to my particular machine but the hardwood guides work perfectly fine. You can butt them virtually right up against the blade. Just because they are a cheap ready option doesn't mean that they are inferior.

 

[Lons]

Just measured the blocks. They are 1 5/8" long by 1" wide by 5/8" thick.

If you want to buy lig vi just buy a single pen blank which will be plenty big enough for 2 guide blocks. Vince at turners workshop carries some nice ones. http://www.theturnersworkshop.co.uk/sho ... blank.html

I have a 352 and just re-surfaced my blocks, works fine.

cheers
Bob

 

[Racers]

Replace them with bearings I did mine for under a fiver.
If you do a search for search for startrite 352 you should ring the thread or I will have a look later on my computer.

Pete

Hi Pete

I searched for link but could not find. I want to replace mi Startrite 352 with bearings - if you find the link could you let me have details please

Steve

startrite-352-t54696-15.html?hilit=startrite

Took some finding!

Pete

 

[paulm]

They need flattening a lot! The previous owner appears to have sawn part way through them a couple times in the past! There could still be a little useful block left if I were to grind the damaged parts true but I don't have a speedy means of doing that (no belt grinder or lapping plate) and would still be left with guides that won't last long at all.

Hi, any chance of some pics of the existing blocks ? Just curious as to whether they would clean up okay on my sorby pro-edge or similar in which case if you post them to me happy to give it a go and send them back, or someone else may be able to use them ?

They don't really wear appreciably in use if properly set up so I wouldn't worry too much about how long they might last unless they end up wafer thin, can't see any significant wear in mine after fifteen years or so of quite heavy hobby use !

Cheers, Paul