Bandsaw Thrust Bearings

Replace it. After market will probably be cheaper.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

you’ll waste your money on OEM Jet bearings…. you can get the same thing at any industrial supply house.

Go here:

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/2932

Contact Iturra Design and get their catalog for bandsaw parts.

-- Ethan, http://www.merganserwoodworks.com, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

I am very pleased with the Carter bearings I bought. They aren’t cheap, though.

-- Maplewood, MN

I just noticed a couple days ago that the lower thrust bearing on my Jet 14” is done too. Mine isn’t totally frozen, but definitely not good. I’m a little disappointed since I don’t have a whole lot of time on this saw, and bought it new.

I will see how much a replacement is from Iturra and get the new catalog too.

-- johnjoiner

Go Carter.. If not Carter, find a set similar to what Laguna uses with ceramic guides. This is a huge upgrade. You wont believe your new saw.

-- making sawdust....

I just found this. Jet makes their own roller guides which look a lot like the Carter guides, but for $101.

Jet 708127 JRBG-14 Band Saw Roller Bearing Blade Guide Set at Amazon

-- johnjoiner

Thanks for the posts guy’s!

The other day I found that Iturra is about 20 minutes from my house. I think I’ll give them a call and find out what they offer.

The Carter set seems to be the gold standard for roller guides but the price is a little high.

However, while the Jet roller guides are a lot cheaper, do they use the same kind of bearings as the one that froze up? I am a little wary due to the track record of the existing bearings. Not to mention one of the reviews I just read stated they had an issue with using a 3/4” blade with this bearing set. I happen to use a 3/4 Timberwolf blade for re-sawing.

I will post an update when I make a commitment to one or the other….

-- Chris

Thrust bearings aren’t cheap anywhere.

McMaster-Carr has a full range.

-- Made lots of sawdust and pounded some nails. Haven't finished anything, though.

I have the Carter STYLE Bearings on my Jet 14 in Bandsaw . I just put them on about one month ago and my jet sings ….I was really amazed. and I just got some nice 6in exotic Blackwood pieces i have been resawing and using only 1/2 in blade …It cut right thru that Blackwood….BUT I have not tried any really large resawing until i get or make a nice large resaw guide ….I have the smaller Kreg resaw guide and i dont like it ….I had no control at all with it …Anyway i love the carter STYLE thrust Bearings on my jet …good sawing …
Mike in Bonney lake

-- Mike in Bonney Lake " If you are real real real good your whole life, You 'll be buried in a curly maple coffin when you die."

I have been doing all of my re-sawing free hand.

-- Chris

What ever you chose to replace that frozen bearing with, weather it’s the Jet or an aftermarket brand save yourself a lot of problems by replacing all the bearings at the same time.

Point taken Mike…..

-- Chris

So… I finally scraped together the cash to by the Carter Bearing Guides. I do have some likes and dislikes though:

Likes:
Very simple to install even with the limited instructions provided
all the parts were exactly the correct size for my Jet. No having to put up with under / over sized parts.
Very well machined and assembled
They seemed to perform very well with the little work I have done with them since installing yesterday.
On sale @ Woodcraft

Dislikes:
Difficult to adjust when installing a different size blade.
Requires 3 different Allen wrench sizes.
The new blade guard interferes with the upper door latch
No lateral adjustment for the thrust bearing only front to back

Then… This morning I find out they just released a new version with micro adjust features that eliminate the need for the Allen Wrenches. :(

-- Chris

Jet uses metric bearings so when you order be sure to measure them “metrically” first. Also you’ll find the best bearings are ceramic, but are also expensive. Definately go with sealed bearings though, and replace both sets.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

I have not been the best performance out of my bandsaw as I had hoped after replacing the bearings; I spent most of yesterday afternoon realigning the upper and lower guides, ensuring the table is centered and aligned properly and cleaning everything top to bottom. I should have done this when I installed the Carter Guides but I was in to big of a hurry to do it right the first time. I know better than that; but I was impatient.

However, it cuts like a dream now no issues to speak of and I am seeing a lot more blade stability when making curved cuts.

-- Chris