Record Power BS350S Bandsaw Modifications - Part 1: Blade Guide Upgrade Using Rikon Tool-Less Kit

[Delwood]

I hope you are not directing this offer at me. If you want to sell the upper guide, why not list it in the For Sale forum instead of this thread?

No, not directed at you MikeK. I will list it in the For Sale forum but I thought the people reading this thread would probably be those looking for an upgrade to a RP300/350.

 

[Delwood]

No, not directed at you MikeK. I will list it in the For Sale forum but I thought the people reading this thread would probably be those looking for an upgrade to a RP300/350.

Now sold.

 

[JimTaylor]

I just had a set of the Rikon guides shipped to me from Highland wood working in the US. The delivery via FedEx was quicker than most UK deliveries from a UK supplier.
The top guides installation was straightforward, initially did not pickup on shortening the blade guard, wondering why I had lost 4 inches of cutting capacity.
When I tightened the lower guides to the L bracket, the guides are no longer sitting square. The frame looks ok. And I would have said the bracket was square. Might just shim one edge to kick it upright.

 

[Niall Church]

Hi there

I do like someone who is willing to go that bit extra to make a machine perform as they want and not just accept that the OEM got it right. Looking at your images I would say that these guides are the same as a Sabre 350 and you have no worries about enlarging the slot to get the lower guides fitted as thats what Record have done on the 350. It is worth noting that Record now sell the Sabre fence and rail as an upgrade for the BS350 & 400 so will they get round to selling the guides as an upgrade as well? I suspect that they may have concerns because of modifications around safety guards and implications involving PUWER and the machinery directive although I bet there are many out there in domestic workshops who have taken the hacksaw to something!

I have also seen or read somewhere that the lower guides are far less important than the upper guides, anyone any thoughts or expand on this? I think that both sets of guides act together to support the blade either side of where it is cutting but there is so much differing info out there.

Yes,according to Mr Snoddygrass,he's much mentioned on these bandsaw threads, did allude to that point! The thrust bearing,was a critical part though!

 

[MikeJhn]

Easier and less expensive way to get roller bearings onto a BS350 bandsaw from post 92: https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/thread...cord-power-bs350-bandsaw-advice.105064/page-5