Startrite band saw help

Hi,I have just got a Startrite 352 SB band saw which I have converted from three phase to single phase.Three of the ceramic guides on the lower part of the saw are missing.These ceramic guides are 5x5x25mm and are slipped into an aluminium housing.I contacted a few suppliers about replacements and they said I had to purchase the two housings along with the four ceramic guides which would cost £100.Does anyone know if and where the ceramic could be bought on its own.Has anyone encountered this and found a cheaper solution?Any help would be greatly appreciated

Andy.

I believe they used to use lignum vitae wood as guides on bandsaws.

Very hard & self lubricating.

Here is a source :-http://www.turners-retreat.co.uk/timber/pen-blanks/5-8-blanks/lignum-vitae-5-8-x-5-8-x-5

Or crown green bowls are a good source as well, but you will need a bandsaw to cut it 

Ian

Edited By ian j on 22/02/2016 15:26:24

Best ask the Bowler first though

at our works we used old turning tips also for the back blade stop

I once had a small startrite bandsaw. I used to use square section brass for the blade guides. Not quite the same arrangement as yours and probably wears quicker than ceramic, but should be OK unless you are using it all day every day.

Pete

On my Startrite that takes a round back stop (and cast iron side guides) I just use HSS. It came with mild steel rod as the carbide button had been knocked off.

Speak to plastics direct & buy a small piece of R1000 plastic or say tufnol whale.You could cut loads from a small piece - say 250*250 * 6mm th. These are excellent for bearing material & should do the job just as well

One of my old bandsaws had 1/4" section bronze bearings. You could also convert your bandsaw to use bearing races, there are a few suppliers.

ball bearing guides may be an option see review No2 in this

Thanks great ideas there will try them out.