Thread: Scrol Saw Trouble

One of the main problems causing blades to break is they are too loose. The tighter you can get them the better.
Pete

Thanks Pete, tried different tensions with no better outcome.Still having the same problem. The tighter the blade the easier it seemed on the turns though.

Another cause can be pushing too hard on the work piece?? Certainly not the blades fault - I use Olsons probably 95% of the time and apart from the very occasional break have no problems at all. Blade tension is important though. From my experience, "pilot error" is the main cause of blade breakage. Practice with the blade tension and ease up on the pressure. See if it helps.

Noel

It way be a stupid question but it needs checking at the start which way have you got the teeth facing, up or down.
Regards.

Thanks Duke. I did have that problem on the first job. Teeth were facing up and the workpiece kept grabbing and lifting. I saw the supplier of the tool, got advice and better blades and have still had problems. Teeth are now facing down and when working well, it does run smooth.
The current problem is, it sounds (as you cut) like a tooth is missing. This sound is not constant but is often. Then the blade breaks. On the good runs I've had, the sound is clean, the job runs smooth and the blades broken on good runs is either from stupidity or turning too quick.

Noel, I've tried the blade at different tensions, I thought I had it right then started this job and have run into the same problem again. One question, is there a pitch (high C etc.) that is a general practice. I can't remember the note (I am now so used to the sound) I use to tension the Bandsaw.

Actually, there is. Go to this site. Steve Good has a piece of software where he shows by sound the correct tension. Scrollsaw Workshop

Noel

Thanks heaps Noel. That is exactly what I was looking for. I will give it a go tomorrow and let you know how it goes.