Mini-Max S45 and Carter Guides

Hi Chip,
I installed the Carter guides on my 15 year old S45 saw. The lower
guides are a definite improvement on the stock guides, but the top
guides aren't as easily adjusted (or as robust IMO) as the original
and so I kept the original top guides.
The bottom backup bearing is much larger than the original on my saw,
and I believe this helps disipate heat (and the bearing lasts longer).
It's still a bear to adjust, but usually you don't have to adjust the
bottom guides too often.
One thing to mention...when installing the bottom Carter guides on my
saw I had to elongate a slot to enable it to fit. Carter doesn't
mention this in the instructions. I used a small round file and it
worked fine.

Hope this helps. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to
send me an email. I usually read the finewoodorking.com forums - I
don't read this forum too often. I was just surfing and saw your post.

Dave


[email protected] (Chip) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I just got an older model S45 at an auction and the top bearings and
> the entire bottom guide assembly need replacing. The parts guy at
> Mini-Max told me that they don't make the part I need for the lower
> guides (it fit under the table, but above the lower case of the saw)
> and I'd need a new assembly similar to the upper one (this one mounts
> inside the bottom case). The bottom assembly costs $175. To replace
> the upper bearings would be another $72.50. So, I'd be at $247.50.
>
> On the other hand, Carter sells a conversion kit for $150 that
> includes (apparently) everything that I'd need for a complete
> conversion.
>
> My question: Has anyone with an older S45 done this? How are the
> results? Any recommendations on where to spend my $$?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Chip

Thanks very much for the response.

Chip