3D Analyzer Software Woodworking Tip: Bandsaw Blade guides – crucial to safe and accurate operation

Blade guides are important for the safe and accurate operation of a bandsaw. The simplest system that woodworkers are familiar with consists of two blocks of timber on either side of the blade above the table. Although they are a lot more sophisticated nowadays, this is still how most of the blade guides work. You will find that most bandsaws operate with blade guides above and below the table. At least one, but generally both of these will have a ‘thrust” bearing that sits behind the blade, which takes off the load as the material is pushed into the blade, stopping the blade from tracking off the wheel. This keeps the cutting face of the blade rigid in all directions and able to cut at the appropriate place.

The most common guides available to woodworkers consist of two plastic blocks, round or square above and below the blades. These are adequate, however plastic wears out quickly and as the blade twists in a cut, the square faces begin to wear away. The blocks need to be removed and squared again for continued accuracy. Eventually they will need to be replaced.

Woodworkers can also use aftermarket blade guide blocks. Metal blocks are occasionally fitted, but although this does not wear out quickly, chances are that your blade will be damaged if the teeth come in contact with the blocks as they will become flattened and dulled. Continuous rubbing can cause heat build-up and fatigue for the blade. The other choice is to consider graphite & wood composites. These outlast plastic guide blocks and run cooler, but are expensive.

 Ball bearing blade guides of European design consist of metal or ceramic discs that sit flat edge up to the blade in place of blocks are also popular among woodworkers. These have the advantage of a larger contact area as they turn freely in their housing. This results in less blade friction and heat build-up. They are usually coupled with ball bearing thrust support. Even more popular among woodworkers are the full ball bearing guides that replace the blocks or discs above and below the table with full ball bearings including the thrust bearings. These provide high wear resistance as they are made of metal and run reasonably cool because of the “bearings”. The cams they are mounted on are fully adjustable, and can be set closer to the blades than any other type of guide system. These provide the best option to woodworkers and from a safety and accuracy point of view is a worthy investment.
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For more information on how 3D Analyzer Software can help improve your company please have a look at our website www.3danalyzersoftware.com

3D Analyzer Software was created by woodworkers with a lifetime of experience in the woodworking industry.

Close to the top of every woodworkers wish list is the seamless transition from solid model to CNC program.  3D Analyzer has made this goal a reality. With the ability to import solid models from CAD programs such as AutoCAD, 3D Pytha and Solidworks, 3D Analyzer is ideally suited to help any woodworker.

3D Analyzer Software is a customized woodworking software program that has been evolving since 2000, to enable woodworkers to produce and deliver individual pieces with dramatic time savings and near perfect accuracy. The Idea for the software program began as the owners sought practical solutions for their own woodworking manufacturing problems, needing software that would translate 3D images into specific manufacturing data.

We are proud to say that our software is now being used across the woodworking industry by:

- Architectural joinery companies
- Custom furniture manufactures
- Office fit-out suppliers
- Store fixture companies
- Exhibition companies
- Suppliers of display cabinets and
- High-end kitchen cabinet manufactures

Our Company is based in Sydney, Australia and has customers in Australia, and around the world in New Zealand, Europe / UK and the USA.