Anyone out there have any input into this high maintenance option?
The pads when worn out are pretty expensive unless you have access to a machine shop who will machine them flat for you.
My neighbor who has an LT50 has removed his and sees no difference when sawing. He saws all species that we have here in central NY.
I just took mine off and will report back on this after sawing a while without the guides.
Pete; I took them off of the mill I got from you and installed the OEM blade guide rollers.
I sold them for about the same price as the replacements cost me, so both sides made a good deal.
I don't know for sure, but I think the new replacement bottom pads are made of the same kind of stuff as brake pads, so they should be cheaper than the ceramic inserts!
One advantage I now have on the mill is, I can now run the outer blade guide right over the clamp when the height is set at 1". :)
I see absolutely no loss in cut quality or accuracy with the OEM blade guides.
It was explained to me by the guys at Hannibal, that the HP blade guides are more suited to mills with lots of horse-power.
Good information Chuck. smiley_thumbsup
This is just what we have found. I do not see much advantage of having bottom blade help. I will say with a resaw that you are sawing narrow stuff, its different. But on a sawmill? Either the blade cuts straight, or it does not. If it does not cut straight, identify the problems that are causing it. If a blade wants to dive, its gonna dive. Period. That has been our experience.
Thats a point that I figured out too Kansas!
Even with the HP blade guide rollers, you can still get wavy cuts!
Oh Yeah can get wavy cuts with the guides.
Pete
I was at the Wooden Boat Show in Mystic last month and saw the venerable WM rep sawing with a new diesel Super with no bottom guides and blade tension maxed out. He said there was no need for the guides. I would like to take mine off if it makes no difference but don't have the guts to do it. It would eliminate the problem of stringy bark clogging the guide and yanking on the blade arm.
The way I look at it, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I have the HP guides on my mill. I run 28 hp. I've never had any problems.
I have bumped the clamp, but I don't anymore. I now pay attention. ;D
So I guess my guides will stay where they are.