EX21 Tensioning question - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

KiltedGunn · 05-25-2008, 04:24 PM

I've had my EX21 for a couple of months now and really love it...

Okay, now that I've said that, I'm about to shoot it!

I'm cutting 7/8" poplar and, just lately, I've noticed that the blade is bending more and more.

When not cutting, the blade is at square.

I've got the tensioning bar pulled to max.

The blade "sounds" right.

But my pieces (puzzles) are coming out skewed. They look great from the front, but from the top or the sides they are obviously crooked.

Has anyone else experienced this? What'd you do to fix it?

Is there a way to adjust the tensioning bar tighter?

Please help! It's a really nice saw and I'm 99% sure it is operator error as opposed to saw error, but I'm not sure what to do to fix it!

Any assistance would be appreciated. And my puzzle orders are on hold until i get this fixed.

greatdane2 · 05-25-2008, 04:50 PM

I found that some blades seem to cut like you are talking about. try a different type or size of blade.
different woods seem to like different blades. I try to keep a small note book beside my saw, and note what works and what does not. I also note the speed.
Alan.

KiltedGunn · 05-25-2008, 08:58 PM

Thanks, Alan! It seems to have worked.

I hadn't used the scrollsaw for a month or so (Life always seems to interfere with the simple pleasures first!

) and forgot that the blade in it was a bit old.

I wonder, do the blades stretch? Hmph! I might go pull that one outta the trash can and compare it's length to a new one and see!

Anyway, I switched to a new and different type of blade and it's cutting square again. I'm also trying to feed a litle slower and not push so hard on the blade in the turns to see if that has any effect.

Thanks for the advice! Enjoy the holiday, and remember those it was meant for! Lee (KiltedGunn)

ragiarn · 05-25-2008, 09:47 PM

Slow down and put less pressure especially on the curves. The thicker the wood the larger the blade has to be. Also the harder the wood the bigger the blade should be. For 7/8" poplar I would use either a #7 or #9. You might get away with a #5 if you are very careful.

When I tried puzzles several years I go I learned a valuable less of slowing down around the corners. Speed kills.

Avoid any side pressure and don't try to force the wood through the saw.

Doc

05-25-2008, 04:24 PM	#1
KiltedGunn Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 16	EX21 Tensioning question I've had my EX21 for a couple of months now and really love it... Okay, now that I've said that, I'm about to shoot it! I'm cutting 7/8" poplar and, just lately, I've noticed that the blade is bending more and more. When not cutting, the blade is at square. I've got the tensioning bar pulled to max. The blade "sounds" right. But my pieces (puzzles) are coming out skewed. They look great from the front, but from the top or the sides they are obviously crooked. Has anyone else experienced this? What'd you do to fix it? Is there a way to adjust the tensioning bar tighter? Please help! It's a really nice saw and I'm 99% sure it is operator error as opposed to saw error, but I'm not sure what to do to fix it! Any assistance would be appreciated. And my puzzle orders are on hold until i get this fixed.

05-25-2008, 04:50 PM	#2
greatdane2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,298	I found that some blades seem to cut like you are talking about. try a different type or size of blade. different woods seem to like different blades. I try to keep a small note book beside my saw, and note what works and what does not. I also note the speed. Alan. __________________ Alan and Rafi. In our house, if you have to bend over to pet a dog it ain't a real dog!

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05-25-2008, 08:58 PM	#3
KiltedGunn Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 16	Thanks, Alan! It seems to have worked. I hadn't used the scrollsaw for a month or so (Life always seems to interfere with the simple pleasures first! ) and forgot that the blade in it was a bit old. I wonder, do the blades stretch? Hmph! I might go pull that one outta the trash can and compare it's length to a new one and see! Anyway, I switched to a new and different type of blade and it's cutting square again. I'm also trying to feed a litle slower and not push so hard on the blade in the turns to see if that has any effect. Thanks for the advice! Enjoy the holiday, and remember those it was meant for! Lee (KiltedGunn)

05-25-2008, 09:47 PM	#4
ragiarn Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 58	Slow down and put less pressure especially on the curves. The thicker the wood the larger the blade has to be. Also the harder the wood the bigger the blade should be. For 7/8" poplar I would use either a #7 or #9. You might get away with a #5 if you are very careful. When I tried puzzles several years I go I learned a valuable less of slowing down around the corners. Speed kills. Avoid any side pressure and don't try to force the wood through the saw. Doc