OK an update is in order. After following along with a number of videos, PDFs and the like I decided to go back and try again. I looked at the bandsaw and figured the only chance I had of removing the table with a blade installed would be by tilting the table up all the way, locking one of the handles, removing the insert plate, remove the loose locking knob, and then holding the table at that angle with one hand use the free hand to remove the remaining locking knob to free the table from the trunnions. Then I could lift and very carefully turn and thread the blade through the table slot (for which I did remove the bolt/nut) and set the table aside. It is awkward and heavy especially with this bone on bone shoulder but doable. A second person would be helpful regardless. At this point I have full easy access to the lower guide. Then I did the following:
1) Loosen the guides fully away from the blade including the thrust guide (bearing in some cases)
2) Made sure the tires were clean and free of any debris.
3) Made sure the blade gullet was centered on the tire when fully tensioned by manually rotating the wheel so it makes several full rotations.
4) Double checked the tension by going to the left side of the upper wheel cabinet and resting my finger on the cabinet while using my index finger to check for no more than 1/4" movement when pressed moderately which is subjective. This keeps the guides from interfering with the movement.
5) I adjusted the top guide first by adjusting the thrust bearing (guide) to touch the rear of the blade and then using light finger pressure to press in making contact and just very slightly moving it back. Then it's locked down.
6) The next adjustment was the side guides. On the Laguna 14-12 with the ceramic guides the side guides are "C" shaped so you have two ceramic guides on each side. I positioned the side guide so that the blade gullet was just outside of the guide. Here I took a piece of notepad and tore off about a 2" wide strip and folded it in two. Then I placed the paper around the blade and positioned the side guide so both the left side ceramic were touching the paper but not pushing or bending the blade. A very light touch. I tightened the guide in place and repeated for the right side.
7) I repeated the process for the lower guide set now that it was easily accessible.
I fully expected to hear and see evidence of rubbing but to my surprise it wasn't touching anywhere. I attribute this success to the fact I had much better access to the lower guide and could see and make those adjustments much easier. Taking the table on and off if not the easiest due to the weight and angle but doable. I took a 2x6 scrap I had laying around, flattened it on the jointer, and made several slicing passes using my stock fence. The first cut was about 1/8" and the second about 1/16". You could see light coming through and the cut looked flat and straight. As it was my second dinner call I didn't spend any more time on this but just loosened the blade tension and went for up for my waiting meal. I don't miss many meals.....
Now I did test this with my Timber Wolf 1/2" 3TPI blade and the results were as good if not better than I had hoped. I followed along using the advice Alex Snodgrass gives in this video on his
. Keep in mind he works for Carter Products.
Any suggestions or corrections I should be following? If you haven't seen this video I'd strongly suggest it if you own a bandsaw.