On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 15:02:59 -0700, David wrote:

If the blade is riding where it's supposed to be, remove the table and
adjust the lower guide mounting unit. It is attached to the frame with
bolts--loosen the bolts and move the assy back. be sure to keep it
aligned with the blade so that the side bearings are still perfectly
parallel with the blade. I had to make this adjustment when my BS was
new...

Dave


Dave,

I had to leave right after I wrote my post yesterday, but when I got home
last night I was able to get a closer look at the problem. Taking your
advice, I pulled the table and examined the lower guide. Sure enough it
had quite a bit of adjustability. However, it was already adjusted back as
far from the blade as possible. I loosened the two bolts that hold the
assembly in place and pushed back on it just to make sure. It wouldn't go
back any farther. I was able to see why the bearing wasn't spinning
freely. When it is adjusted back as far as it will go, it rubbed against
the body of the unit. It was touching just enough to cause a little
friction. The bearing still turned, but not enough to let it spin at the
same speed as the blade was traveling. So a small mark (I'll call it a
scratch) was formed all the way around the circumference of the bearing.
In order to buy a little space (not much was needed) I filed a couple of
thousandths of metal from the area where the bearing was rubbing.
Additionally I filed a couple of thousandths from the area where the
mounting bolts go to allow the whole assembly to move back just a hair
more. This did the trick. I bought just enough room to allow the bearing
to spin freely. However, I would like the blade to be a tracking a little
closer to the center of the wheel. It is close, but not where I would put
it if I had the ability to move it farther back. Also, when I move the
blade by spinning the upper wheel, the blade touches the bearing more often
than not. It's just too close to be how it's supposed to be. I've
actually considered tapping new holes to mount the assembly. I could
easily mount it closer to the center of the adjustment range. Don't know
why they didn't do that in the first place.

Thanks for the advice. I'll post the ultimate solution when I arrive at
something,
Brian