Rear Support
Bearings 
Guide
Blocks
Figure 37. Blade guide assemblies.
Figure 38. Dollar folded twice for bearings.
Blade Guides
In order to stabilize the blade during use, it is important that the guide blocks and rear support bearings are monitored and adjusted regularly for optimum blade life and high quality cuts.
The rear support bearings keep the blade straight during a cut. They also protect the blade from being pushed too far back. When the blade puts pressure on the bearings, they spin. This reduces friction and blade wear. The rear support bearings should only touch the blade during a cut. After the cut, the blade should return back to its original position and no longer be touching the bearings.
To adjust the rear support bearings:
1.Familiarize yourself with the thumbscrews on the blade guide assemblies. See Figure 37.
2.Find the thumbscrew that allows the bear- ing to move forward and backward.
3.The ideal distance to set the rear support bearing away from the blade is .016 in. A dollar bill is approximately .004 in. thick. Folded twice, a dollar bill is easy and fairly accurate for use in adjusting the distance between the bearing and the blade. However, a feeler gauge will be the most accurate if you have one available.
4.Begin with the upper rear support bearing. Set the dollar bill (or feeler gauge) against the back of the blade and slide the bearing forward so it pinches the dollar between the blade as shown in Figure 38.
5.Take care not to put too much pressure on the bearing so that you accidentally push the blade forward. Tighten the thumbscrew to lock the bearing in position.
6.Repeat with the lower rear support bearing.
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