Abstract: A self aligning guide system for one or more circular saw blades allows the guides to be aligned while the saws are rotating at operating speed under no load. The system includes at least one saw blade mounted on a shaft and has a first guide block having a face engageable with one side face of the saw blade and a second guide block with a face engageable with the other side face of the saw blade, a guide housing containing the first and second guide blocks, the guide housing slidingly mounted on an elongate member substantially parallel to the saw blade shaft, clamp means to clamp and unclamp the guide housing on the elongate member, and remote operational means to effect the clamping and unclamping of the guide block on the elongate member.

Abstract: A feed speed control for band saws avoids overfeeding and underfeeding of logs or cants to allow higher initial input feeds and takes into account varying cutting depth throughout a log or cant length. The method comprises the steps of positioning a log or cant in preparation for sawing in a saw line, projecting a first light line onto the surface of the log or cant at the projected saw entry line, and a second light line onto the surface of the log or cant at the projected saw exit line and the second light line to determine depth of cut, and controlling the feed speed of the log or cant during the sawing step past the saw blade, to a predetermined feed speed for the measured depth of cut to avoid overfeeding and underfeeding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power driven circular saw blade and a guide assembly for such blade where the guide assembly includes a pair of guide units mounted respectively one of each of opposite side of the blade. Each guide unit includes a guide housing with a guide block reciprocally mounted therein and having a saw blade engaging portion. A stop limits movement of the guide block at least in a direction of movement toward the blade so that the guide block is normally in non-engagement with the saw blade while the latter is in a smooth substantially vibration free running condition. The guide block is resiliently biasing against such stop preferably by pneumatic pressure. A guide assembly as described is preferably located at the outfeed side of the blade but there may be an assembly at both the infeed and outfeed sides of the blade. The position of the stop if preferably adjustable.