blades breaking

[Scrolling Days]

I also have a Dewalt. I scroll with 2-0 blades and do lots of tight cuts, both of which are high risks for breakage. I haven't broken a blade in about five months, however. I agree with tension being the answer.

I scroll with my Dewalt tension set at "4." I do, however, tend to use the slower range of variable speeds on the saw.

[Plaquerd]

Originally Posted by Ugsduck

Maybe the blade isnt going into the bottom clamp properly and is creating a bend near the clamp?

This is the first thing I'd check. Sometimes the blade bends when the blade holder is tightened. If the blade is bent from the back to the front it will fatigue faster. I attached a VERY crude drawing of the problem.

[Ralph Sayward]

Thanks for all the input folks it is really appreciated - Ralph

[Ugsduck]

Originally Posted by Plaquerd

This is the first thing I'd check. Sometimes the blade bends when the blade holder is tightened. If the blade is bent from the back to the front it will fatigue faster. I attached a VERY crude drawing of the problem.

Thanks for the confidence boost
I am a pure beginner but I had the same problem the first day I had the saw (1 week ago) and that was the cause.

[STEVESSAWSHOP]

Callmetut - Your Rbi Needs an adjustment on the front cam lever - 3/32 Brass set screw on the bottom side of upper arm. Under the front cam lever. This is the #1 cause of blades breaking or pulling out of holders on a Hawk. The blade will change tension when the saw is running. A scroll saw must keep constant tension on the blade while it's cutting, if not blades will pull out of holders and blades will break.
Hope this helps.
Steve