Griz roller bearing guides

[Eric Krewson]

On my Grizzly bandsaw the blade roller bearings don't last very long. I think my dust collection system pulls very fine dust through them and locks them up in a couple of months. I washed my last batch out enough to get them turning and was amazed at the dust that came out of them.

The local bearing shop wants and arm and leg for just 4 bearings, $7 or $8 each if I remember correctly.

I remember one bowmaker mentioning he was buying them for $2 each somewhere but don't remember which message board or person.

Anybody have a good, cheap source for buying these bearings?  I need bunch of them as I plan to start bow making at full tilt as soon as deer season is over.

[Eric Krewson]

I answered my own question by doing a little searching. You can get them on the auction site for 39 cents each shipped if you buy a hundred.

Turns out this size bearing is the standard skateboard/roller skate bearing.

The size is 608ZZ

[Pat B]

Eric, I was going to suggest skateboard bearings. I bought some for my spine tester a few years back from a local skateboard shop. I was surprised how cheap..just not as cheap as you found.

[Tom Leemans]

Eric, you can get 10 qty for 4.95 at the big A web store. I'll PM you the link. Normally I have a bunch of those in my shop. I was going to send you some but it looks like I need to place an order myself!
-Tom

[kennym]

I buy them at a local machiune shop for about 3.00 ea with no shipping.

 These are sealed,the originals were open,that is why they don't last with hardwoods!

[2treks]

I am with Kenny, Get some sealed bearings and they will last a long time. I am still on the ones I replaced 4 yrs ago(lots of bows) when I bought a set of used carter guides that froze up. .39 is pretty cheap tho. Can't wait to see the "full tilt" bow making from you, Have fun.
Chuck

[dino]

www.vxb.com  is where I've been getting my replacement bearings from.  Very resonable price per 10 at a time.  They last a long time and I cut 100s of board ft of hard woods. dino

[Holm-Made]

I need some bearings for my Ultimate 14" Grizzly.  Eric, what did you go with and are you happy with them?  If you bought 100 I'd be willing to buy some from you.  

Also, what size are the bigger bearings that are behind the blade?  I should get some of those too.
Chad

[Eric Krewson]

I bought 16 off the auction site to try. They were around $12 shipped. I am in shop remodeling mode and haven't installed them on my saw yet. I suspect they will be fine.

Chad, if you look at your Giz manual, the part number for the larger bearing will probably be the size. I found this out when I miked the dimensions of the smaller bearing and looked it up on the web for the bearing size.

[fixer]

The best price I found was to order from Grizzly. I wash mine out in solvent then relube and start again.
 

[Roy from Pa]

I have a Sears Bandsaw. I do not like the hard block blade guides. Been thinking about rigging up bearings instead. Anyone ever done this?

[Hojo]

ttt for Roy's good question.

[Roy from Pa]

Well lookie what I found. Little pricey, but gave me a good idea:)

 http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/bandrollersfordelta14saws.aspx

[Art B]

What's your idea Roy? Got a 12" Craftsman 1 1/8 hp with the metal blocks also, but from what I've gathered, they can't be replaced with the bearings. ART

[Tom Leemans]

Hey guys with Craftsman saws, try this place out. Kinda pricey, but will solve many headaches.
  http://www.carterproducts.com/

[Art B]

Thanks Tom!   ART

[Roy from Pa]

Art, I want to get roller bearings on my bandsaw in place of the blocks. Just makes sense to me. My Sears is only about 8 years old, 1 1/2 hp, 14 inch, the link Tom put up is for older Sears bandsaws. But I have all the tools I need to conjure something up:) The link I posted above, those bearings could work, but I question how good those smaller bearings may be. Not that I do a lot of cutting on the Bandsaw. But the roller bearings seem like a great idea. With the blocks, if I make them too tight, it slows the saw down. Too lose and the blade wonders off a bit.

Eric, you have any pictures of your setup?

[Art B]

Looks like Carter's has a conversion kit for my model Roy. Says for "hex" post only though. Don't have the slightest idea want a hex post is though. Any idea guys? ART

[Hojo]

Art-
Is it referring to the shape of the solid blocks that you would be replacing?  Looks like some of Carter's stabilizers are designed to go into either round, square, or hex-shaped block slots.

[Teagus]

Picked up "The Complete Guide to the Band Saw" Sunday at Rockler. Kickin myself for not getting it sooner. Four types of setups

A. block guides & diagonal thrust
B. parallel guides & diagonal thrust
C. diagonal guides & parallel thrust
D. diagonal guides & diagonal thrust

I have "B" on my 20" Accura. Thinking about C or D. Also, I have no tension adjust scale. Looking at a used Starrett tension gauge I found for sale today.

Btw, the author holds the patents on Cool Blocks.

Roy, ever make it to Hamilton Tool in Beaver Falls? It's an evil place.

Mike W.