won't cut straight

[Dustman]

I am new to scroll sawing and i am having trouble getting my saw to cut a straight. I have adjusted both blade holders changed tension leveled the table and the blade still wants to cut to the left "Help"

[Sandy Oaks]

Hi Dustman,

First, welcome to the site. There are lots of friendly people here with good advise. As I remember, the blades are stamped rather than ground, so the blades tend to go left. When feeding the wood compenstate for this by feeding more right. For the best advise, contact Mike at mikesworkshop.com. He sells FD blades and is very helpful.

[greatdane2]

Welcome to the crew,
Nearly all scroll saw blades cut at an angle, the trick is to feed the wood line at that angle instead of trying to change the blade angle. The same holds true for Band saw blades.
Just practice and after a short time you wont even notice that you are feeding the wood crooked. And all sizes and teeth paterns on blades are different in what angle they cut.
I read you can file the back of a blade to make it a bit better, but why bother.

[Ocelot]

Welcome Dustman!

As Denny said, lots of blades are stamped and tend to have a burr on one side. The best advice I can give for cutting a straight line is to slow down. I tend to rush at times, but Ideally, the amount of pressure against the blade should be just enough to cut with little to no pushing the blade backwards.

Precision ground blades also tent to cut straighter since the don't have the burr of stamped blades. I also highly recomend Mikes Flying Dutchman blades.

[wjbclocks1]

Here is a trick that I lesrned fro a tool show .if you are right handed feed with the with the left hand and visa versa..I don't know why bit it works.

[lucky788scroller]

Scoot your stool a little right of center as you face the saw. The way the blades are made makes them cut at that angle, its not a flaw or anything wrong , nothing that a little practice wont cure!Welcome to scrollsawing!

[keystonecop]

Dustman,

what saw are you using?, what wood are you cutting, and what blades are you using?

Sorry just to reply with questions, but I think it will help.

I have had several saws that I could not cut SQUARE with. but found if you adjust the saw and the pressure you apply most will do a good job.

I can best help with the Dewalt and excalibur.....so please reply.

[Fremmed]

Ok here's my two bits.
First, make sure you have a good new blade.
Make sure the blade is appropriate for the wood. Too small a blade will be very hard to keep straight, too big will be hard to turn.
Make sure the blade is in correctly. I would guess that all of us have put a blade in upside down accidentally.
Check your tension. Too loose and the blade will wander.
Just about all blades pull right, keep that in mind if you want a straight line.
Don't force the wood. Let the blade do the work.

Did I miss anything?

[SNAPPER]

Welcome,
Nothing more to add, sounds like all of the points have been covered.
Dean

[Hawaiilad]

Believe it or not Dustman, everything everyone said is correct...slow down and you will find in time you will have no problem at all. If your blade is not old, burnt or rusted you will find when you first start to cut it will want to wonder around...just hold onto your wood and slow down until you learn how your saw and the blades work together. Blade tension is very important. Tighten it until you can twang the blade and hear the "C" note or something close to it. The type of wood will make a difference also. Again, in time you will learn how your saw and blades work together. Make sure you are using the right blade for the work you are doing. Drop a email to Mike at Mikesworkshop.com telling him what wood you are using and what blade you should be using.