Broken blades

[Quailpaso]

Hi Everybody, This is my first time here. I have had a scroll saw for about 8 year, but haven't used it much. I have started a new project where I have the need for it. I'm cutting a circle out of a piece of 3/4" pine stock. I was trying different types of blades. Everything was going fine then the blades started breaking. I have a Delta 16" Variable speed scrool saw. Are there any suggestion on what I can do. gene

[warren59]

Blades break from not enought tension on the blade, blade clamps kinking the blade, and not using the right blade. 3/4" pine takes a large blade, like a #7 , the wood is soft and getting the sawdust out of the kerf takes a large blade. Let the blade do the cutting.
Warren

[Fremmed]

Agree with Warren. Let the blade do the cutting. Be especially careful with curves to not put too much lateral (left-right) pressure on the blade. Very easy to do if you're not watching yourself.

[Ramjet]

Agree with above . The trick is to know when the blade is too dull to cut and needs to be changed .I find real small tight circles stress the blade. When it breaks , check and see if the blade shows signs of heat damage . The blade will show discolouration . With mine it means the blade I was using should have been changed as it was geting dull .I just ran into a batch of bad blades . Once I opened up a new package the problem was solved . I also find one manufacturer's blade will cut better than another's. Best to purchase some from each and decide which one is best for you . Cheers.
Roger

[Rolf]

I agree with Roger try different blades and decide for yourself what is best for "Your Style Of Cutting"
I tend to stay on the smaller end of the blade sizes so for Pine (you dont say what kind)
I use a #3 Mach series or a #5 PGT depending on how detailed my project is. As stated above blade tension is critical.

[Wood Dog]

Welcome Quailpaso you have come to a great learning forum, fun too.
Just in case you wanted to use the table saw to cut a circle, check out this video.
YouTube - Cut a Circle on a Table Saw

[minowevie]

I would like to welcome you to the forum. and as far as cutting pine. sometimes the wood can be really gummy. filling up the blades fast. seams like they cant carry out the dust as fast and get dull or full of sap. there is always, the tention thing. and size of blade, but you said it was going fine and then they started bracking. so this is what I would asume happened. then you start pushing to get the same cut done. and flex the clamp aria. where are they breaking? in the middale? or at the clamping aria? just a thought. you could try the same size blade, but with less teeth per inch. your friend Evie