This is another interesting stage where we can start planning to setup a temporary table and begin construction of the upper blade guides.

Even with a temporary table I still need to know where the blade position will be so I can make the blade access cut on the table saw. So the first thing is to mount the blade, and make sure tension and alignment are correctly set.

This Melamine board will do nicely as a template to mark off where the blade go’s through, I can then transfer that to the temporary table and make the cut (about halfway through) on the table saw. It’s around 8.00pm now so will leave that for the morning.

We can collect some stuff now for the upper blade guides – that won’t make any noise
Skateboards are a wonderful source for bearings. They are type 608 (2 per wheel) so you get a set of eight from one board. I usually get the kids ones from Kmart, prices start from $10 but the one above was like $25 for better quality bearings. Looks like I need to get another one, already pinched one end for the 8” bandsaw.

The saw has upper and lower bearing guides, that set of four will get me started for the upper one.

Bearings are bolted to a bit of timber, the holes need to be slotted to allow for adjustment.

Mocking up with clamps to get some idea how to make the bearing assembly.|

Finished the session with putting on the arm lock.