Homemade Band Guide Idea - Whatcha think?

[rwthom279]

 

 

Ah Ha, this might be a solution, plus it may address the concerns of myself and others.  Waiting on dimensional info to see if the wall is thick enough - 1750# cap.  7600 rpm @ 5000 fpm bandspeed.  But oil for lube and no "trailer" weight on it that would surely increase allowable speed because of a drastic reduction in friction/heat...right?  Fill 'er w/ 90w synthetic and let'er rip??? 

[5quarter]

Thats the spirit!   

[GF]

I tried using three bearing idea for awhile, seems like the bearing locked up very often and then had to replace.   I ended up by the roller guides from Cooks and machined everything else, that was the best move I did.  Replaced the inner bearing on them a couple of times.   A couple of months ago took them off and trued them up in the lathe, the wear on them caused a small taper to the front, now they are back on and hopefully good for another 4 years.

[bandmiller2]

RW, how often do you have to change the three bearing setup your using now.?  Those sealed ball bearings are the same as used in the "store bought"band guides.Excessive wear on the band rear bearing could indicate its too close to the band, should be a gap when band is running free.Try your trailer hub idea,you could always go back to what you have now or to the cook system if it doesn't work out as expected. Frank C.

[ladylake]

 I'd give Franks setup a try but would run 2-1/2 to 3"  OD  bearings which would turn slower and not bend the band as much.    Steve

[buildthisfixthat]

isure that hub idea will work however !!! machine it down to the size needed may be a challange ?also the weight ,balance is critical turning resistance may be a problem ,

[ladylake]

 
 I'd think the metal is way to soft, would need a hardened collor to work for long.   Steve

[rwthom279]

Well, after alot of "reasearch", if it can be called so, I think there is an answer - Yes and No.  If I had smaller mill what ran a slower blade speed and manually fed, Yes.  A fella actually tried this with a greasable hub and had limited success on a homemade mill.  Limiting factors where temp. and feed rate.  Warm enough and watched what the blade was doing, ensured a good result. If someone used the oil lubed hub and no hardened surfaces it might be feasable for them...especially DIY mills.

As mentioned above about RPM/FPM, hardened flange, maybe hardened collar, etc.  I believe it would work, but considering parts, labor, machine work, etc. not to mention excessive RPM's, hydro feed,  I'm gonna take the advice of a few and just go with the "Cooks" type.  Maybe more money now, but less down the road. 

So I reckon I'll have to save my pennies for awhile, and not throw good money after possible bad.  Thanks for your input!!

[bandmiller2]

RW,I think you made a good decision sometimes we just have to suck it up and spend the coins, it hurts though.Some day I may convert,but for now I hate to mess with something thats working well. Frank C.

[Magicman]

Not to worry.  I am sending RW a couple of blade guides that I have.  They still have plenty of groove and I think that they will serve him well.   

[rwthom279]

Well, I look at it this way...may not have worked for me, but someone else may be able to utilize the idea or perhaps build upon it.  Thank You again MM.  At least by having the guides themselves, I can built the rest to match.  Then replacement will be simple, not a complicated issue of ordering, machine work, etc.

Bandmiller, you're right...boils down to: money now, or more money later.  And that goes for more than people think.  Save a penny now, spend a dollar doing it over right.  But thats also how we learn!!!

Thanks again everyone!!