I cannot recomend them enough. I had ceramic guides and thought nothing would be better... Then I got a Carter Guide for thin blades... (Thanks Ralph! It was his fault/ He found a deal for me...)

I was so impressed, that now I wnat one of their regular guide set to replace my ceramics. I've been saving and shopping.

 

I'd be quite interested in an apples to apples response to your question Jerry. This is the same saw I just picked up 2 days ago. As best I can tell, there isn't much difference in design. Carter may very well have superior bearings as opposed to the OE on our Grizzly's. Adjustment appears to be a bit different, how so specifically I can't attest to. I think in your case, the "Stabilizer" would be more geared towards what you'd like to do. Band saw boxes....allowing for much tighter and cleaner turns. I just checked and they do not list a stabilizer for our saw however, they appear to be more than willing to work with you on a specific saw if you send them your specs. Might be worth giving them a call on both fronts, the guides and the stabilizer...

 

Yesterday I looked on line for Carter guides for my GO513X2 and I think that at one point I read that Carter does not make guides for this particular saw, but I can't find that statement again today. The information on Carter Guides on line leaves something to be desired for me at least. I suppose that a phone call would be in line if I were seriously thinking of spending the money, but for now anyway, the guides that came on the saw seem to work just fine for what work I've done and plan to do in the future.'

Jerry

 

Jerry, here is Carters link to the guides for our saw:

Grizzly 17/19 | Band Saw Guide Upgrade Kits | Band Saw Products | Carter Products

Note that they do distinguish between the Euro style guides (ceramic) and the roller type (our saw)

There is no listing for the "stabilizer" which is what I would be interested in (I think) *L*..

gonna run my 220 tomorrow, hopefully I"ll be powering up the saw for the first time this weekend

 

The stabilizer is what I got for my saw. The back earing faces the back of the blade... Works great with 1/8" to 1/4" blades.

I have a Rigid 14" BS. It came with guides that has blocks for side guides, but the back is a bearing at right angle to the back of the blade. So the back of the blade scuffs the edge of that bearing (as a normal position0. I don't like how that works. It takes a bit to get those blocks dialed in after changing blades. (PITA)

Carters guides are two bearings on each side facing the blade sides... then the back bearing edge faces the blade (not perpendicular as mine is). I think that is a lot better design than mine is. The adjustments for those bearing in their guides are sturdy and look like they would be easy to adjust and keep their adjustment.

So on a normal BS, the guides would be 3 bearings on top. 3 on bottom. Using Carter's. it would be 5 on top, 5 on bottom. I think that would be great for me for 3/8" to 3/4" blades.

EDIT-- Then again, I really don't use that bandsaw as much as I thought I would. It's handy to have around... but I really thought I'd have more use for it. It's there when I do need it.

 

I have the same saw and have the cool blocks. I had problems with the bearing in the back, so went to ceramic all way around. Has worked out fine for me.
Herb