Powermatic 1791217 Riser Block for 1791216K Bandsaw

by Powermatic

Product Description

6" riser block kit for Powematic 14" bandsaw

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 22 x 12 x 6 inches ; 15.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00020BNP4
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 1791217
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,330 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #62 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tool Accessories > Saw Accessories > Band Saw Accessories

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good idea but alignement issues, April 5, 2007

By 

javaboost (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Powermatic 1791217 Riser Block for 1791216K Bandsaw (Tools & Home Improvement)

April 2007: As another reviewer stated I got this block with the purchase of the 14 inch bandsaw as a freebie. I too noticed others having issues with the alignment of the riser block and I went through my own dealings with Powermatic/WMH tool reps to resolve it.

The primary concern for most, and for myself at first, was the issue of coplanar wheels. I went through two blocks and both did not keep the wheels aligned coplanar wise. The offset is about 3/8 inch.

I called Powermatic/WMH three times. Call number one suggested cutting 1 of the pins off. Which didn't solve it so I cut both as did other users. This left me with a riser block that was offset from the upper assembly by 3/8 inch. Not terribly attractive. It also removes pins, though the bolt should have kept the assemblys from moving, I did not feel comfortable with that.

Exchanged for block number 2. (Confession, I did not get this from amazon or I'd be spending a lot of time waiting. I got it from WoodCraft). With block number 2 and call number 2 to powermatic, I get the reccommendation to drill new holes in the bottom arm of the upper assembly of the saw. I got off the phone, looked at the assembly and with my limited brain cells couldn't see myself being very accurate in drilling into a piece of iron that would be hard to secure.

Call number 3 to powermatic suggested that I drill in the bottom of the riser block instead and also offerred some insights into the construction of the bandsaw. It is not designed to be coplanar. Also, the bottom wheel is not parrallel. It is tilted for better tracking. Secondly, he said that coplanar is not really that important.

I'm not sure I totally agree with "coplanar not being that important" because as my friends at Woodcraft told me it all depends upon your intended usage. if you're cutting logs, who cares. If you're doing scroll-like work or resawing, then you may care a lot. (Did I mention I'm a new woodworker and this is my first bandsaw?)

So, take it for what it's worth. I wouldn't cut the pins off, like some have done. The last powermatic rep also said that no bandsaw is 100% coplanar. True. But 3/8 of an inch seems a bit wide to me. I could be wrong. I did redrill holes in the bottom of the riser block. You need a 1/4 inch bit for metal. It's not "100% coplanar" but it's closer to it than it was prior.

Why only three stars? Because this stuff should be documented somewhere in either the bandsaw manual or the riser block instructions. From what I can see people have run into this since 2005.

As I said I'm new to woodworking. I've read books and articles about proper bandsaw tune-up's and they all mention the coplanar issue. So I assumed that it was really important. Though I think 3/8 inch difference is pretty big in my mind, I recognize that I have a lot to learn and have eased up some on the coplanar requirement.

One final thing to note is that this same block is used in the Jet 14 inch bandsaw only it is painted black. Maybe trying to use one block for two different saws is part of the problem.

JUNE 2007 UPDATE: I think I found a reason why it may be that the riser block should not be set to make the wheels coplanar: When using larger blades (like a 3/4 inch wide blade), having the wheels coplanar actually makes the rear bottom guide bearing press on the back of the blade pushing it forward. Not a good thing. I couldn't figure out how to get around this. So the riser has been moved to use the factory guide pin holes instead of the ones I drilled to make the wheels more coplanar.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to the saw, but I had a flaw in mine..., November 10, 2005

By 

Aaron Dechazal (Rochester, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Powermatic 1791217 Riser Block for 1791216K Bandsaw (Tools & Home Improvement)

I recently purchased the Powermatic 14" bandsaw and ordered the riser block from Amazon. It came a few days later and nicely matches the mustard yellow saw, you either love the color or hate it. One thing I wish someone had told me was what the riser block kit includes, well for anyone wondering, it comes with the block of course that you put between the saw frame halves. Also included is a metal guard for the left side of the saw where the blade is travelling up to the upper wheel. This is a nice replacement to the plastic one included with the saw. There is also a new guard for the right hand side/front of the saw where the blade is coming down to the upper guide bearings. Lastly there is the main upper guide bar which is the same as the unit which comes with the saw, it's just longer.

I was able to install the system myself, but be careful, the top of the saw is bulky enough to damage you and itself if dropped.

The main guide rod has a V notch ground into it to accept the locking knob feature. The problem I had was that the V notch was not ground in line with the axis of the rod, it was out by about 0.050", enough out that the upper guide bearing would rotate left and right as the assembly was adjusted up and down. Basically every guide height change required a bearing to blade clearance adjustment. I took mine to a local machine shop and had them grind it true to the axis of the rod. Now it works perfectly. I could have sent it back but didn't want to chance ending up with another one that was problematic, besides I figured the machine shop would grind it in much better than the factory. Anyhow, this is the only reason I gave it four stars, the riser block kit is well worth the $$ if you need to resaw anything over the 6" capacity of the saw itself. Just remember to purchase a couple of 105" blades when you get the riser.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powermatic 1791217K rises to the occasion, October 23, 2007

By 

Handy Dandy "gb" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Powermatic 1791217 Riser Block for 1791216K Bandsaw (Tools & Home Improvement)

After reading other reviews, I was leery about getting this riser block, but I wanted the added capacity. Well, it arrived today, and the entire conversion took less then 1 hour. (Can be done by one person, if planned out correctly - like having the bolt in close reach while putting the top back on - and being careful not to drop the top assembly during removal and replacement.)

These are the answers to the questions I had before ordering:
First and foremost, the riser block fit was perfect. It went on with a couple of mallet hits - no grinding of pins or removal needed. Wheels remained in total alignment and coplanar.

Second, the picture shown here is wrong, the item is Powermatic "gold" not Jet white.

And even though it does not state so, this kit also include a new 105" blade.

Over all, a smooth upgrade to a very nice saw.