tension questions

[KzooRichie]

I have two questions about scroll saw blade tension. I have a dewalt 788.

Is it bad for the machine to be tensioned when not in use. I know this is bad for a band saw.

I’ve never broken a blade even though I always turn up the tension all the way. I’ve even tried to break one by pushing ¾ maple pretty hard. I think it’s cutting pretty well, but I have no experience with any other saw. Should I follow the fix suggested on Rick's site to allow for more tension?

[PuzzledMoose]

I wondered the same thing about the blade tension when first got my Dewalt. I usually have the blade tensioned as far as it will go or fractionally below for puzzle blades which I have managed to snap.

I wondered about Rick's solution, but the tension seems to be right for me so I decided ïf it ain't broke don't fix it - or it might be ...

I always take the tension off when I'm not using the saw, ISTR reading somewhere that it is a good idea, but can't remember where ..

[FRETDUST]

I also have the Dewalt and I would always take the tension off if I were you. Think of it, would you want to be under tension all the time *LOL* Maybe you R.

[kyscroller]

I have a delta but when I get done cutting for the day I always remove the tension and usually remove the blade and put it in my holder.

[Greenfield_Bob]

I don't know if it will hurt them, but I always take the tension off.

Bob

[Marsha]

I always tension my blades as tight as they'll go, and I agree with Ian, if it aint broke why fix it.

When I'm done sawing, I always release the tension, and I always release the upper blade clamp, that way the blade dosen't get a bow in it from sitting in that curved position.

Just my 2¢ worth
Marsha

[miamw]

No one ever told me specifically about leaving the tension on a blade intact when not using it. However, if I remember back to the days (long ago) when I took violin lessons, I was told to always relieve the tension on the strings as well as the bow when putting it away in the case. I remember they told me that the strings would eventually stretch out, and they were made of metal. The bow was made of horse hair and I was told that they would eventually snap. I suppose this thought or theory would also apply to the scrollsaw blade. I would imagine that if blades didn't dull (yeah, we wish) and the tension was left turned up, the blade would eventually stretch to a certain degree, if not bow. But, since blades need to be changed so soon due to dulling, a test leaving the tension in place would never show any results. So, I would say, the best thing to do is if you have a question about leaving the tension set, go with your gut feeling that it may not be good for the blade and let the tension go. Just my 2¢.

[Minnesota scroller]

I didn't realize it was bad for a bandsaw. I've never released the tension on my bandsaw, but maybe I should.

[Gill]

Like Mike, I keep my bandsaw under tension permanently. Perhaps this is bad practice but I've never really thought about it.

The scroll saws are another matter. My Hegner came with a big warning in the instructions (we all read instructions carefully, don't we ? ) that the saw should not be kept under tension when not in use. So I work on the principle that what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander and loosen the tension on my other saws when they're not in use too.

Gill

[GrayBeard Phil]

Mike and Gill:

The bandsaw tension:

Per the Bandsaw handbook by Mark Duginske, published by Sterling press, the problem is the bandsaw wheel tires will develop a flat spot, and over time the tension spring will lose its stiffness.

A Flat spot on the bandsaw wheels is a place where saw dust can accumulate. That may result in "flutter" .

The spring losing its stiffness makes the blade tension scale very inaccurate. You could run out of tension and spring range when installing a re-saw blade.

Replacing the tension spring is no big deal. In fact now there are third party after market replacement springs that are sold as "New and Improved."

However, replacing a band saw wheel rubber tire is a real big deal. This is a full Saturday event the first time you try it. Not hard, just time consuming. All kinds of jigs to make. A real PITA.

Phil