Having trouble controlling blade

[hobbygirl]

Help! I so new at this and I'm trying hard to get the hang of it but sometimes the blade has a mind of it's own. I go along nicely then all of a sudden the blade keeps moving my wood off line and sometimes the blade breaks. I've tried different blades different wood, but it still gets to a certain spot and has a tug of war with me.

[Rolf]

What kind of wood are you using.? If you use wood that has a big difference between hard and soft grain the blade will follow the soft stuff. Blade tension will also give you trouble.
If the blade is too lose you will also have tracking problems

[3_M]

Blades have a little burr on the right side what makes them cut to the right. You have to move your wood some degree to the right to stay on the line. Like Rolf was saying tension is very importend. When the blade is in the saw, it should give a nice high ping sound or it should not move sideways more then 1/8". Don't push too hard into the wood let the blade do the cutting.
On this site you will find more tips:
http://www.mikesworkshop.com/Q&A-FP.htm
Mike

[hobbygirl]

Thank you guys. I was using baltic birch and also 1/4 plywood and 3/4 plywood

[GrayBeard Phil]

Hobby Girl:

Another culprit is sideways pressure as you cut. This is a common problem with newbies to scroll saw. Goes away with practice.

Be sure:
- you are not feeding the wood too fast for blade. Let the blade cut. Try to slow down your feed rate to see if any effect.

- To a lot of people they are very Right or Left handed. That means the dominate hand will over feed the wood compared to other hand. Be aware, and compensate for error.

- Avoid temptation to rest your wrist on table top. Keep back of hands flat with lower arms. Move entire arm. Takes practice.

Phil

[hobbygirl]

Thanks Phil I'll try it.

[hobbygirl]

Thanks Phil. I guess I just needs lots of practice.

[BRScroller]

I have been cutting a few years (not near as long as some of the guys/gals in here) and if I am away from the saw for too long I have to reteach myself some of the basics. It is not the easiest cutting to do learn but the learning curve is pretty quick and you will gain tons of insight if you post your questions on this site. Great bunch of people here!

Now go make some saw dust and enjoy the time doing it.

Brad

[groverd]

i have found that it is easier to control if the wood is rotated in a clockwise direction when cutting. i have no idea why this is but for beginners, like my 10 yr old twin grandsons, it make it a lot easier.

[Tor]

I also find that it is a skill that is best kept honed for optimum results. The best way to get better is to go out and cut wood. I believe there are some videos on Rick H's website (would one of you who know it please post the link?), which can help you with ideas, but in the end, you must get to know the saw and the blade (yes, each blade is a little different. It won't take long for you to note the way the blade acts in the first little bit of cutting, and compensate.

Grover, the direction ease you have noticed would be caused by the burr on the right edge of the blade, which causes the cutting direction to be slightly different from the way the blade is pointing. Knowing how to cut both directions is good, but everyone will develop a preference and use that primarily.

Tor