problem with saw - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

space · 12-03-2008, 12:36 AM

Hello all. I'm having a problem with my Craftsman scroll saw. As i am cutting, the blade loses all of it's tension. No matter how much I tighten the blade, after a few seconds of cutting the blade comes loose. The blade does not come out of the clamps. Any ideas what's wrong?

Woodworking Plus · 12-03-2008, 12:45 AM

Hi space
I also have a craftsman saw and have run into this problem .
I have found that if you set the blade too far back into the clamps that it does not tighten properly depending on the size of blade used. #2's seem to do this the most. I move them a little closer to the front of the clamp to solve the problem.

Mike

greatdane2 · 12-03-2008, 01:26 AM

Some blades come with oil on them so they don't rust. Try cleaning them before use. It might also be the point that grips the blade has worn smooth and you can take them out and rough them up a bit to see if that helps.
And welcome to the crew.

mdvt · 12-03-2008, 08:03 AM

I don't have a Craftsman, but I agree with Alan. The clamping system can get smooth. I take mine apart and little run over it with one of my small files to rough it up. Also, everytime I put a blade in, I rough up the ends of the blade with the file.
Good Luck,
Mike

NMScroller · 12-03-2008, 11:31 AM

Is the blade actually moving or is the tension system vibrating loose? My first saw was a $25 ACE pawn shop special and It had the toggle style tension that would gradually vibrate itself loose.

sawdustus · 12-03-2008, 12:42 PM

I also had a slipping problem with my Hawk. My solution was to dip the ends of the blades into mineral spirits and wipe them off with a paper towel. It's amazing how much black grease and goo comes off the blades. I do this each time I unwrap a dozen blades. Haven't had any slipping since.

george

space · 12-03-2008, 08:27 PM

Thanks for the reply's. I moved the blade further up in the clamps and did all the blade and clamping tips. The blades are still coming loose. When I'm cutting I can feel the blade coming loose. The tension knob doesn't change position and the blade doesn't move in the clamps. NMScroller- How did you adjust the vibrating system? I think something is mechanically wrong. I hear a bit of noise that wasn't there before. The problem started when I started cutting hardwood. I did a few projects out of pine with no problems. greatdane2- thanks for the welcome.

Sandy Oaks · 12-03-2008, 08:41 PM

Hi Space,

Welcome to the forum. Looks like you all ready got some good answers, but still have the problem. I can't help, but maybe someone else will come up with a solution.

ncsealeveler · 01-09-2009, 02:57 AM

I had a K-Mart saw and it did the same thing.There was a part broke on the back of the saw,a small rod had the end broke off.I took 2 saws and made 1 that works and now no problem.Tony

12-03-2008, 12:36 AM	#1
space Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3	problem with saw Hello all. I'm having a problem with my Craftsman scroll saw. As i am cutting, the blade loses all of it's tension. No matter how much I tighten the blade, after a few seconds of cutting the blade comes loose. The blade does not come out of the clamps. Any ideas what's wrong?

12-03-2008, 01:26 AM	#3
greatdane2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,298	Some blades come with oil on them so they don't rust. Try cleaning them before use. It might also be the point that grips the blade has worn smooth and you can take them out and rough them up a bit to see if that helps. And welcome to the crew. __________________ Alan and Rafi. In our house, if you have to bend over to pet a dog it ain't a real dog!

12-03-2008, 11:31 AM	#5
NMScroller Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 321	Is the blade actually moving or is the tension system vibrating loose? My first saw was a $25 ACE pawn shop special and It had the toggle style tension that would gradually vibrate itself loose. __________________ ---Support bacteria - they're the only culture some people have.

12-03-2008, 12:42 PM	#6
sawdustus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,253	I also had a slipping problem with my Hawk. My solution was to dip the ends of the blades into mineral spirits and wipe them off with a paper towel. It's amazing how much black grease and goo comes off the blades. I do this each time I unwrap a dozen blades. Haven't had any slipping since. george __________________ A day without sawdust is a day without sunshine. George delta 650, hawk G426

12-03-2008, 08:41 PM	#8
Sandy Oaks Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,244	Hi Space, Welcome to the forum. Looks like you all ready got some good answers, but still have the problem. I can't help, but maybe someone else will come up with a solution. __________________ Denny www.sandyoaksonline.com

12-03-2008, 12:45 AM	#2
Woodworking Plus Having fun gettin it done Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 257 Blog Entries: 5	Hi space I also have a craftsman saw and have run into this problem . I have found that if you set the blade too far back into the clamps that it does not tighten properly depending on the size of blade used. #2's seem to do this the most. I move them a little closer to the front of the clamp to solve the problem. Mike

12-03-2008, 08:03 AM	#4
mdvt The Dark Side Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Minot, Maine Posts: 209	I don't have a Craftsman, but I agree with Alan. The clamping system can get smooth. I take mine apart and little run over it with one of my small files to rough it up. Also, everytime I put a blade in, I rough up the ends of the blade with the file. Good Luck, Mike

12-03-2008, 08:27 PM	#7
space Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3	Thanks for the reply's. I moved the blade further up in the clamps and did all the blade and clamping tips. The blades are still coming loose. When I'm cutting I can feel the blade coming loose. The tension knob doesn't change position and the blade doesn't move in the clamps. NMScroller- How did you adjust the vibrating system? I think something is mechanically wrong. I hear a bit of noise that wasn't there before. The problem started when I started cutting hardwood. I did a few projects out of pine with no problems. greatdane2- thanks for the welcome.

01-09-2009, 02:57 AM	#9
ncsealeveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sea Level NC Posts: 409	I had a K-Mart saw and it did the same thing.There was a part broke on the back of the saw,a small rod had the end broke off.I took 2 saws and made 1 that works and now no problem.Tony

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