Craftsman Band Saw Making Boxes

Should be fine with 3/16 or even 1/8” blades IF you can adjust your guides to support the blade without contacting the teeth. (or buy a Carter Stabilizer, I love mine).

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

Charlie75 do you have any problom with drift at frist when you cut in to the wood.

Not really. These is very little drift.

-- Charlie75, Alto

“Should be fine with 3/16 or even 1/8” blades IF you can adjust your guides to support the blade without contacting the teeth. (or buy a Carter Stabilizer, I love mine).”

What kind of saw do you have, gfadvm?
I sent an email to Carter yesterday to see if they have a stabilizer for my Chraftsman saw. From my searches I see that they are a bit pricey. But I may bit the bullet anyway.
Charlie

-- Charlie75, Alto

I typically do a lot of my box work on a Porter-Cable you buy at Lowes. I often use a 3/16 or 1/8” blade, and just carefully adjust the guide wheels. I don’t have the Carter add-on, but do have guide bearings on top. I see no reason why you cannot do it.

-- Tsunami Guitars and Custom Woodworking, Cleveland, TN

I take it then that the PC band saw has roller bearings and not cool blocks. Next time i’m in Lowes I will take a look at that saw to see if there is much difference between it and mine. Next time I’m in Wood Craft I will see if they have a 3/16 for my saw. Thanks for your reply.
Charlie

-- Charlie75, Alto

I have a 17” Grizzly Extreme Series and a 14” old Ridgid that was given to me (I posted the restoration). I made my own adapter so I can use the Stabilizer on either one. They are a little pricy and it looks to me like they would be simple to make with a grooved bearing, some metal, and a mig welder.

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

Do you have any pictures of your adapter? I had wondered if there were a way to groove a bearing. How did you make your adapter?

-- Charlie75, Alto

http://lumberjocks.com/gfadvm/blog/35910 machinist would be the one to ask about grooving a bearing (or maybe buy one with a groove already milled into it)

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

Before going to that trouble I would contact Carter and inquire about their stabilizer.

-- Charlie75, Alto

I did a few band saw boxes a few years back. They turned out nice, but I gave it up when my second blade dulled after 4 or 5 boxes (or was it like 2 or 3?). First one did not last any longer. I used Timberwolfs.

The short blade life (3/16 with a lot of teeth) added to the fact that you can use almost a whole board to make one box, caused me to give it up.

-- Dan V. in Indy

I’m not following you around the boards Charlie. Really I’m not LOL. I’ve used a 3/16” blade on my Craftsman saw without any problem. Never made a band saw box but maybe I will one day.

Rob, You can follow me all you wish. I value your input. As soon as I can get my hands on a 3/16” I am going to give it a try. what tpi do you have in the 3/16?

-- Charlie75, Alto

Charlie, I have both the 4 and 10 tpi in the 3/16” blade. I use both equally depending on the project.

Thanks Rob. I am going to order a 3/16” this afternoon. I am still thinking about the 10 tpi.

These comments have been flying through so fast that I have forgotten. What saw are you using? If it’s like mine are you using cool blocks or stock bearings?

Charlie

-- Charlie75, Alto