Sparking saw guide
Sparking saw guide
(OP)
A customer has a band saw blade cutting balsa wood that runs 1200 fpm. In the past they tried using rolling type blade guides which they did not like.
Now they are using a ceramic guide which guides the blade very well but generates sparks from the back portion of the guide. They do not want sparking in the dusty enviroment. The back guide is a 3/4" ceramic disc.
There is not much room to add a rolling guide just for the back guide portion.
Any ideas?
Barry1961
Now they are using a ceramic guide which guides the blade very well but generates sparks from the back portion of the guide. They do not want sparking in the dusty enviroment. The back guide is a 3/4" ceramic disc.
There is not much room to add a rolling guide just for the back guide portion.
Any ideas?
Barry1961





RE: Sparking saw guide
Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.
www.carbideprocessor.com
RE: Sparking saw guide
If they are only cutting balsa wood do they need a back guide? How much force does the balsa put through the blade? Just a thought.
RE: Sparking saw guide
I saw something about a graphite composite being used for guides, but have not found out exactly what type.
Could be graphite impregnated micarta.
Barry1961
RE: Sparking saw guide
http://www.graphalloy.com/index.htm
http://www.graphitestore.com/index.asp
We used small sealed angular contact bearings on our band saws. Part of the PM on the saws was to check this bearing and if it felt rough replace it.