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You can always replace the post with a full circular one.I would not recommend this guide system unless it is modified. On the Jet 14 inch bandsaw the guides will not mount properly if your saw has the post with a 'V' notch running its length, the guide will fit but but it will not center properly. The upper guide can be mounted upside down after turning the mounting post 90 degrees but then the post locking knob will not secure the post properly. Nor is it a worthwhile device if you change blades often. Adjustments require the use of three different size metric allen wrenches and the adjustments for the lower guides are a pain to get to.I have gone back to my 'cool blocks.
I've owned mine for 10 months and use it nearly every day. Now I find out there was only a 30-day warranty. When they work, its great. But then it began to fail, stripping screws and internal posts. $160 (when I bought it) for a couple of roller bearings and they only believe that it will work for a month. So keep that in mind when purchasing, and keep your original parts so you can actually use your saw while waiting for parts.
And, an hour of labor later, the guide now fits and works well.The other reason I downgraded the rating, is that on my saw, the thrust bearings (behind the blade) do not line up, centered on the blade. And guess what. The value of the Carter guard was that of a template for modifiing the Riser guard. When I tried to substitute the riser kit guard, it did not fit due to hole placements, and a cut-away needed to clear the upper thrust bearing on the Carter assembly.So, patient fellow that I am, I e-mailed the Carter company, and over two weeks later, I have never gotten a technical response.I then proceeded to redrill holes and cut away steel on my existing riser guard. So, here is the deal. Excellent engineering, and that went on as advertised, and works very smoothly. It's kind of close to opposite bearing edges, for the top and bottom guide assemblies, so I hope I do not end up with any problems there.Now, here's the kicker - In researching Carter guides for other riser block owners on this issue, I discovered that Jet now has their own Euro style, all-bearing replacement assemblies (and, available here on Amazon). (The adjustments are all designed for forward/backward).
- but only to Jet guide buyers.Bottom line - You owe it to yourself to at least look at the Jet product before you buy this one. I do not have much adjustment there. I would have given this product 5 stars, except for their consideration (or lack thereof) for those of us who bought riser block kits for our bandsaws.The blade guard that came as part of our riser kits has a long slot in the lower half so that we can telescope the two-part guard for very high or or very low cuts.The blade guard that comes with the Carter set does not have this slot. When I inquired about the riser issue on the Jet company site, they not only got back to me in 24 hours, but they offer the replacement guard for free. The adjustable Jet height shaft that it mounts to, is notched, with a flat surface where the allen screws seat. And, I can't seem to find any other way to move the bearing left or right, so that its center is behind the blade. I know nothing about the quality of the Jet bearing assemblies, but I can attest to their responsive service, and their attention to the variations of modified Jet bandsaws.And just to be fair to Carter - I also bought their quck-Tension release lever assembly. Five stars for that upgrade.
I ordered the Jet JWBS-140S / 708113 14" band saw and Carter Jet 14 Band Saw guide (for 14" Jet band saw) at the same time, from the same page on Amazon, as the accessories were listed below the 14" band saw. I am waiting to see what Amazon decides on this. The Jet JWBS-140S 14" band saw has a 3/4" (+ or -) diameter vertical guide post, but the inside diameter of the upper guide bracket and guide assembly included in the Carter Jet 14 band saw guide, both measure 7/8" (+ or -). So the Carter guide would not attach properly to the Jet 14" band saw. I don't know if Jet has changed their design but not bother to inform others, or has a bad design. I also ordered the HTC HSJ-1414 mobile base for the Jet WBS-140S and it doesn't fit the saw.I was impressed with the look and feel of the Carter guides, but it doesn't help much if they don't fit.
How do you change a really good bandsaw into a "great" bandsaw.These guides will definitely do it. Worth their weight in gold.
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