CHEAP BANDSAW TUNE UP! | HOW TO UPGRADE BLADE GUIDES | RIKON Bandsaw | Best Bandsaw Upgrade Ever!

[@AndreBandarra1]

The videos are just getting better and better! I mean the engineering and machining is great, but the way it's put across, the shots the editing etc, top notch! Well done Bernie! :D

[@WorksbySolo]

Thank you, Andre! I appreciate your comments and that you take the time to watch. It’s good to know that my extra effort is showing. :-)

[@Sommertest]

What a wonderful head of hair

[@ManCrafting]

That’s a pretty spiffing upgrade for essentially just your time. Great Job Bernie. 🔥🔥🔥

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks! Having a small metal lathe is super handy for so many things!

[@roger6557]

You channel feels like im watching a discovery channel show. Wonderful 🖤

[@WildmanTech]

Cool upgrade. For those who don't have a lathe, I checked and replacement bushings for this saw are only $1.50. If you found the model that has the double bearings, those bushings are probably not much more.

[@WorksbySolo]

Good idea! Thanks!

[@gnaveenk]

Do you know where I can find the bushings?

[@WorksbySolo]

I suggest checking directly with Rikon customer support.

[@Thomas-Almanza]

12$ if you happen to have a lathe. Still liked the info on the guides tho :)

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Alex is a bandsaw master. Great upgrade! I’ve gotta take a close look at my guides now. Unfortunately I don’t think it’ll be as plug and play going from guide blocks to bearings.

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks, Caleb! Yes, you’re probably going to need a whole new mounting setup. I got very lucky that mine was so simple. The Carter upgrades are very nice.

[@pamil1923]

I have a 14” Powermatic bandsaw with Carter bearing guides. I really don’t love the bearing guides because the bearings freeze up now and then. Any comments guys?

[@WorksbySolo]

Have you replaced the bearings when that happens? The Rikon takes inexpensive 608 skate bearings. I just keep a few spare on hand.

[@mavenfeliciano1710]

I was wondering how you were going to make the bushing then you showed the lath. I need to figure a way to make a similar bushing without a lath.

[@WorksbySolo]

I’ve only recently had a lathe in my shop. It’s an amazingly versatile machine.

[@davidcantu-u8m]

Number one I don’t have a lathe

[@christofix]

It is awsome when you can build stuff like this yourself. It is fun and it will save you a lot of money! Great video again!

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks! Yes, and I’m finding new uses for that old metal lathe more often.

[@cattleNhay]

You don’t even need guides for straight cuts if bandsaw is tuned..so okay bye

[@WorksbySolo]

Are sure about that?

[@TimRoseOfficial]

Nifty vid my friend! Congrats on almost 6K for you! Keep rocking it my friend! 🤓👊

[@WorksbySolo]

Thank you! I’ve got more videos coming soon.

[@kiemho5601]

Thật là tuyệt vời

[@williamfrederickworthingto7414]

Please show electro bechum blade upgrade

[@WorksbySolo]

I’m not familiar with the electro bechum blade. What is that? Thanks.

[@rubiracing6637]

dude awesome

[@000AllLitUp000]

New Subscriber, gotta lot going for you in these videos, and while getting to the damn point.

[@hi_is_this_clorox_bleach]

Would it be possible to do this on a horizontal bandsaw

[@WorksbySolo]

Hmmm... Not sure.

[@dadygee]

This looks like my bandsaw but.. the screws going through the bearings are the one´s holding it to place.. So to be able to adjust where they guide the blade they have to come loose.. but.. this gave me an interesting idea.. There must be a way to make mine look like yours because the bearings are located exactly the same.. But the difference is: no bushing, and no thumb screw.. time to fire up the lathe :D Have a great weekend m8!

[@WorksbySolo]

Do it! I look forward to seeing your solution. Mine uses the very common 608 skate bearings.

[@felipejugo3745]

whats the diameter of your bearings? thankyou.

[@WorksbySolo]

They are size: 608ZZ, 8mm x 22mm x 7mm.

[@felipejugo3745]

@@WorksbySolo Thankyou!

[@Peter-976]

Great modification! Now I just have to go out and buy a $5000.00 lathe!

[@WorksbySolo]

Go for it! (FYI, my lathe was only $500)

[@normfpv1104]

Great! I'll send you $12.00. Just tell me how much for shipping. ;)

[@WorksbySolo]

Shipping is FREE if you have Amazon Prime. Links to all of the parts are in the description.

[@rhuynh]

Great video. I have the blue one but essentially the same system. Parts are all easy to get... except the piece you milled out of metal! Also - rather than cutting into your system why didn't you just save the old bushing and cap screw for when you use narrower blades. You would have had to adjust everything anyways plus you would need second bearing for stability. Also when I go narrow, I find the bearings precarious and usually replace the bearings with a coolblocks I found shaped as the same as the bearings. Final question, when you replaced with longer cap screws, could you have found a screw that had thumb nuts so you don't even have to use a tool? I think the newest ones are tooless that way!

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks for the comments. I purposely leave the double bearings in place because the gullet of any size blade will always be in the same position, relative to the center of the tire. The thumbscrew is a good idea.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Great modifications, Bernie! That’s awesome you were able to just extent that slot on the top and bottom.

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks! It doesn’t work with really thin blades, but I can always revert back to single bearings if need be.

[@JohnMadeit]

Nice work Bernie. I havent got a band saw but I will keep this in mind for when I do.

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks, John. Be sure to check out the Wood Whisperer video links in the description. It might help as you shop for a saw.

[@michaelcollins6095]

Great upgrade, I would totally do that if I only had a bandsaw to do upgrades... That hacksaw surgery part sounded really scary though!!

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks! I’ll let you know if I see any saws for sale.

[@yellowmuginc]

What a great upgrade!! I also live by Alex's methods, now it's time to upgrade my bandsaw too! Thanks Bernie!

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks! Yes, his method worked for me even before I added the extra bearings.

[@MaltandMake]

Looks like a great upgrade! I'm a big fan of the Snodgrass method too!

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks! Yes, his tuneup tips are very good!

[@AudiophileTommy]

So when do you start making them to sell ?

[@WorksbySolo]

This is definitely a DIY project.

[@jayyatulis7691]

Nice upgrade Bernie! Now I am motivated to get my Delta bandsaw tuned up :)

[@WorksbySolo]

Do it, and follow Alex’s methods. They work!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome job with the upgrade Bernie! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks for watching, Fred!

[@kjellski]

Awesome idea man! :) Any idea on how to upgrade the wheels plastic covers? Ours got damaged somehow and I have no clue what kind of material it is...

[@WorksbySolo]

Hmmm, interesting. I have no plastic covers. Just the metal bearings (wheels) that guide the blade. Is it a Rikon brand machine?

[@kjellski]

@@WorksbySolo nooo, sorry I'm probably not using the right words! Not the bearings, but the big wheels the blade runs on... It seems to have some sort of hard plastic around it... And I can't figure out how to get replacement... Maybe I'll just try an inner tube from a bike or something... I just fear it might be too soft...

[@WorksbySolo]

Kjellski Oh yes! Those are referred to as “Bandsaw Tires”. They are replaceable. Commonly made of hard rubber. Sometimes made of Urethane.

[@kjellski]

@@WorksbySolo aaahhhhh! That's what they're called, will look up how they're called in Germany! Thanks a lot man! :)

[@GiSoldier559]

$12. Lathe not included

[@WorksbySolo]

The bandsaw is not included either. ;)

[@C3DPropShop]

Nice!

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

That worked out great Bernie.

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks,Jim!

[@AndyCPugh]

Nice work! Well explained.

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks, Andy!

[@MakeTinkerShare]

Great upgrade! Good video as well!

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks, Marc!

[@niallchurch2679]

Yes ,but the lathe costs a few grand!

[@WorksbySolo]

Fact: my bandsaw cost $800, my lathe cost $500. Not kidding.

[@niallchurch2679]

@@WorksbySolo but then you have to.learn how to use the lathe!

[@WorksbySolo]

My opinion: I enjoy making things on my lathe, and find those skills to be quite versatile. I’m a life-long learner.

[@GibClark]

Nice!!!

[@WorksbySolo]

Thanks, Gib!

[@DoItProjects]

Your work is so impressive lately! This is a great video.

[@WorksbySolo]

Thank you very much for the compliment!

[@fuck_chinanobrain5011]

Just subbed, you're a cool dude that puts effort. Gonna time jump to 2020 and see how you're doing.

[@madeddiesman-stylemonsterm6662]

Great mod. Thank you for sharing this!

[@madeddiesman-stylemonsterm6662]

Well done. Good job. Thank you for sharing this.

[@googlesbitch]

You should of left the housing alone and just use 1 bearing with original bushing for 3/8" or less blades and by cutting housing it weakens it and causes more movement.

[@WorksbySolo]

That is a really good idea, but you should have told me BEFORE I cut it. ;-)

[@googlesbitch]

@@WorksbySolo Unfortunately it's a year ago.