blade speed

[fpkingsnorth]

Hi,
I purchased some blades for doing jigsaws from Mike re-Flying Dutchman blades, am very happy with the delivery and the product, my queery is how to keep to the drawn lines or even straight lines, at high speed I seem to wander a lot and have been trying lesser speed but I still wander, not in the mind just on the wood, I am cutting almost 18-20 mm. is there a happy medium for this sort of thing or is it just more practice.
Fred N.Z.

[newbeescroller]

Usually when I wander on the pattern, it is usually due to either my blade getting dull, or the tension not being tight enough. Usually mine start to dull after 30-45 minutes of cutting. At one hour they get really sloppy. One tension tip that I learned is that after cutting for about 5 minutes with a fresh blade, I will stop and re-tension it. Some blades will stretch in the beginning. Hope this helps.

David S.

[Fremmed]

Hi Fred,
Agree with David, and will add make sure you have a blade size appropriate to the wood, I find the smaller blades to like to wander more easily. Remember there is a bur on the right side of the blade. Your blade will cut at a slight angle if you are trying to feed straight, the cut will tend to wander. Lastly, let the saw pull the wood, if you force it, the blade will go kinda crazy.

[Rolf]

Fred,
What blade is giving you the most trouble?
If it is the 2/0, I have never been able to follow a line with that blade.
On the other hand the new Ultra reverse blades from Mike cut very nicely.
for the small stuff I use the Olson 2/0 I find it much easier to control.

That is why I feel you need to try different blades until you find one that YOU like.

[jim_mex]

I'm with Rolf ref using the finer blades. I find I need to dramatically reduce my speed to stay on line.

For wood of the thickness you mention I also agree that Mike's Ultra Reverse blades do a really good job - I tend to use the #3 or #5 blade and my speed setting is usually around the midrange of my saw speed control. Also watch out for the pressure you place on the blade when feeding the wood. Too much and the blade will tend to drift and also not cut vertical.

I think Fred the secret is a combination of checking you have the right blade tension, not cutting too fast until you have the confidence and have developed the skill/technique to do so, using tape as lubricant on your wood, and most of all being patient and keep trying

[scrollsaw4u]

One trick I learned from Sue Mey..keep your elbows to your side..really helped me

[fpkingsnorth]

A big thank you to all who replied, I need all the help I can get so thanks again.
Great group.
Fred N.Z.

[Mick Walker]

Fred, one other thing is to not look right at where the blade is in the wood. Like driving your car, look a little ahead of the blade and yes lots of practice helps. When you start to wander don't try to come back to the line abruptly, you then will likely go off on the other side. Come back to the line gradually.