Delta Rockwell 24"

[G.F.B]

Hi All

I am new to this forum.

I have a Delta Rockwell 24" scroll saw. I spent some time cleaning, and getting missing parts. I set the saw up and cut about ten puzzles out of 3/4" Poplar. Just as I got through the last puzzle the saw started making cuts with the bottom of the pieces wider than the top. I took the saw apart and lined everything up. I made sure that the spring plunger was square with the table and also squared the blade with the table. I changed blades, slowed the speed, increased the speed and changed types of blades. Nothing seemed to help. At one point I got a cut that was wider on the top, but I got that when I moved the blade extremely to one side. At this point I don't know what else I can do except see if I can find new parts or have new ones made to make sure all the tight and true...

Any suggestions would be well appreciated...

George

[Sandy Oaks]

Hi George,

Welcome to the site. I have no info on the saw, but I wanted to welcome you.

[Rick-H]

Could be many different things causing the problem. The blade travel is true up and down with that type of saw. Check the cut the blade is making in the wood that the cut is square. Don't worrry too much about anything else be square to this or to that, the cut is what needs to be square.
Another thing is you may be pushing the wood a little right or left as you are cutting, That too can cause the cut to be made at am angle.
And last it just may be the type of blade you are using. Different blade react different in different woods. Try a different size or type of blade.

[GrayBeard Phil]

1st Welcome to the forum.

With older Delta scroll saws, your description sounds like the table tilt is slipping. The lever / bolt that tightens down the saw's table, is not holding the table in the same locked position thus you saw's table it is drifting ever so slightly out of true as you cut.

This may not be your problem, I am only going on your description of the problem.

Two things:
There could be a problem with the threads on the bolt itself. Usually, when you tighten down a bolt like that, it will always be about the same threads that get all the torque stress. If you can remove the bolt, run it through a good quality thread die to verify the threads. BTW: a good quality die, not an inexpensive die from a discount tool shop.

Difficult to explain, but distorted bolt threads can give a false sense of the tightness of a bolt due to the extra friction of the misaligned threads in the nut.

How you measure the blade being at right angles to the table top could be a confusion factor. (see Rick's post above!) Remember, the table insert counts. Re-check the table insert is flat with the whole table.

There are other causes of your problem.

In addition, I am going on the presumption that you have already tried several times to install a blade, check for table / blade alignment, removed the blade, re-install the blade, and re-check for possible operator error in installing blade.

Like I said at the start, for older Delta saws, so many times it is the table top drifting out of alignment during cutting that is the problem you described.

Phil

[G.F.B]

Originally Posted by Rick H

Could be many different things causing the problem. The blade travel is true up and down with that type of saw. Check the cut the blade is making in the wood that the cut is square. Don't worrry too much about anything else be square to this or to that, the cut is what needs to be square.
Another thing is you may be pushing the wood a little right or left as you are cutting, That too can cause the cut to be made at am angle.
And last it just may be the type of blade you are using. Different blade react different in different woods. Try a different size or type of blade.

I was working on a puzzle and was about half way through, when this problem started. At the time I was using a #3 blade with every third tooth reversed. I switched to a #5 blade of the same type. I have done several puzzles with this type of blade with no problems. As far as I can tell, I am cutting the same way I have always done. When the problem popped up I paid attention to be sure that I was not pushing the blade....

Thanks for all the replys
George

[G.F.B]

Originally Posted by GrayBeard Phil

1st Welcome to the forum.

With older Delta scroll saws, your description sounds like the table tilt is slipping. The lever / bolt that tightens down the saw's table, is not holding the table in the same locked position thus you saw's table it is drifting ever so slightly out of true as you cut.

This may not be your problem, I am only going on your description of the problem.

Two things:
There could be a problem with the threads on the bolt itself. Usually, when you tighten down a bolt like that, it will always be about the same threads that get all the torque stress. If you can remove the bolt, run it through a good quality thread die to verify the threads. BTW: a good quality die, not an inexpensive die from a discount tool shop.

Difficult to explain, but distorted bolt threads can give a false sense of the tightness of a bolt due to the extra friction of the misaligned threads in the nut.

How you measure the blade being at right angles to the table top could be a confusion factor. (see Rick's post above!) Remember, the table insert counts. Re-check the table insert is flat with the whole table.

There are other causes of your problem.

In addition, I am going on the presumption that you have already tried several times to install a blade, check for table / blade alignment, removed the blade, re-install the blade, and re-check for possible operator error in installing blade.

Like I said at the start, for older Delta saws, so many times it is the table top drifting out of alignment during cutting that is the problem you described.

Phil

I checked the table after each test cut and after several test cuts. As far as checking the table to the blade I used a machinist square. The table insert could be part of the problem due to the fact it home made -- I will check this but like I said I have done several puzzles before this problem came up.

Thanks for all your help. I will be looking forward to your reply.

George