Why did I wait so long to buy Cool Blocks

[smorris]

I've looked at them and read about them but never seemed to actually buy some. I finally needed to get some new blocks for the bandsaw and saw them on the shelf so picked up a set. All I can say is WOW. After using those cheap plastic blocks these are night and day and I was tripping over a dollar to pick up a dime by passing these by.

[MilDoc]

I agree. Short of making your own, cool blocks fit the bill!

[Lonnie in Orlando]

I agree. Short of making your own, cool blocks fit the bill!

Paul:

I make blocks out of oak, but they are nothing special in the performance department. How do you make yours?

- Lonnie

[leehljp]

I have them on an old Sears bandsaw and like them much better than the metal guides there were there before. Cool Blocks are great!

[MilDoc]

Paul:

I make blocks out of oak, but they are nothing special in the performance department. How do you make yours?

- Lonnie

Sorry if you misunderstood. I use cool blocks too.

I have read that using hardwoods with natural oils work well but have never tried it.

[cgallery]

Seeing as we're on Cool Blocks and making your own blocks, I've been thinking about replacing my Cool Blocks w/ steel blocks. The Cool Blocks wear unevenly and need to be dressed. And I don't use my bandsaw that much, really. So I'm a little surprised how quickly they round-over.

I've also thought of brass as perhaps a happy medium. I did a little research and found some other people using brass, but I have no idea if it would wear faster/slower than Cool Blocks (suspect slower). And if I'm concerned about wear, then maybe having the steel and just keeping a constant (albeit somewhat wider) gap makes sense.

I wish I could try rollers but I have a small Inca bandsaw and the guide holder won't accomodate them.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

Thanks, Paul -

I was hoping that you had the secrete key to perfect shop-make blocks.

- Lonnie

[Sid]

I've been quite satisfied with the ceramic guide blocks I've been using. They don't wear away like cool blocks do, and seem to be very low friction.

Sid

[ironhat]

I would think that the brass blocks would wear pretty quickly as well. I haven't done this but you could check www.use-enco.com and see if they have any bar stock of the correct dimension in bronze which would be a bit harder without being damaging to the blade set. JAT.