Puzzle help - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Northstar · 07-15-2009, 03:25 PM

Hi everyone,

I am trying my hand at making a puzzle and I have a few questions.

I made five cuts and already I broke two blades. I am using Flying Dutchman Superior Puzzle blades and am cutting 1/4" Baltic Birch. My saw is an RBI Hawk 226VS.

I am being extremely careful, but apparently not careful enough. I am feeding the wood slowly allowing the blade to do the work. Both blades broke 1-1/2" from the bottom. Does that indicate too much tension? Not enough tension? Both blades broke while I was making a turn. Not a sharp turn, just a curve. I am trying not to put side pressure on the blade while turning, but perhaps that is my problem.

I've watched Carter Johnson's video and I am just amazed at how fast he can cut.

Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

El

ubgoofy2003 · 07-15-2009, 04:13 PM

Hi Northstar. I don't have that saw, but, I have a problem with my 788, when I use a fine 2/0 spiral blade, at the bottom fastner. It bends the blade & if I don't notice when I clamp it, it will break when I tighten the thumbscrew, or shortly after that. It may not be related to your problem, but, I know how frustrating it can be. Sometimes if the blade is not stretched tight(tension) it will flex & break that way too. Hope you can get the info that you need from someone who has that saw. Good Luck Perk

Scrolling Days · 07-15-2009, 04:36 PM

Hi, El!

Glad to see someone else trying puzzles. Keep at it and you'll be hooked!

My first advice would be to try and increase your tension. I scroll with a DeWalt 788 and set it at a a tension of 4. I tend to scroll at slower speeds on my puzzles, but will increase the speed somewhat depending on the species of wood.

Don't give up; we've all been there!

Carter-Johnson · 07-15-2009, 05:12 PM

Believe me, that blade breaking problem will go away with practice, allowing you to cut 50 pieces or so in Baltic Birch before a blade gets too dull (I get 150 pieces from poplar). If your tension is high, as it should be. with practice you'll learn what extra pressures you are putting on the blade when turning. Unless there's something wrong with your saw or the way the blade is clamped, practice is what will alleviate the problem and pretty soon you'll be flying!

Have phun..... Carter

Big_red_S · 07-15-2009, 06:12 PM

I like my blade to be tense to the point of almost breaking. I also found it's easier to cut at a higher speed. Anyway, I changed my "mind set" from feeding the wood to putting pressure on the blade - that helped me a lot.

Northstar · 07-15-2009, 07:47 PM

Thanks for the advise, guys. You've been a big help. I will follow your advise and crank up the tension and then practice, practice, practice! And of course, I'll keep reading these posts to learn from the pro's.

El

GrayBeard Phil · 07-15-2009, 10:45 PM

Northstar:

This may not help you, but I thought I would pass it along anyway....

Keep the back of your hands in-line with you lower forearm; both wrists straight. Just like in ten-pin bowling. Important to keep wrist off saw's table.

Don't push & twist with fingertips only. Use whole arms to move, twist wood. Try to use fingertips to only apply downward pressure to keep wood from 'POPPING' or catching a tooth and slamming the wood up and down.

Watch the videos again and look at the wrists / fingers closely.

Northstar · 07-15-2009, 11:40 PM

Great tip, Phil! Thanks!

Puzzled · 07-16-2009, 12:09 AM

I have an RBI and when I first started making puzzles I was going through blades like crazy. With practice it got better. For some reason, it doesn't take much sideways pressure to brake (puzzle) blades on the Hawk. I don't lnow how old your Hawk is, but the new/revised blade holders also helped redure breakage. Good luck.

Northstar · 07-16-2009, 01:02 PM

Thanks, Steve,

My saw is five years old and I have to tell ya, those were the first blades I ever broke on it. I guess I just have to learn how to use those ultra thin blades.

I bought only 1/2 gross of them, so perhaps I should order another full gross. LOL

Thanks for the advise, tho.

El

07-15-2009, 03:25 PM	#1
Northstar Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Park Falls, WI Posts: 69	Puzzle help Hi everyone, I am trying my hand at making a puzzle and I have a few questions. I made five cuts and already I broke two blades. I am using Flying Dutchman Superior Puzzle blades and am cutting 1/4" Baltic Birch. My saw is an RBI Hawk 226VS. I am being extremely careful, but apparently not careful enough. I am feeding the wood slowly allowing the blade to do the work. Both blades broke 1-1/2" from the bottom. Does that indicate too much tension? Not enough tension? Both blades broke while I was making a turn. Not a sharp turn, just a curve. I am trying not to put side pressure on the blade while turning, but perhaps that is my problem. I've watched Carter Johnson's video and I am just amazed at how fast he can cut. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated. Thank you. El __________________ That's not rain, it's liquid sunshine.

07-15-2009, 04:36 PM	#3
Scrolling Days Jigsaw Puzzle Maker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Along the Lower Niagara River Posts: 1,577 Blog Entries: 5	Hi, El! Glad to see someone else trying puzzles. Keep at it and you'll be hooked! My first advice would be to try and increase your tension. I scroll with a DeWalt 788 and set it at a a tension of 4. I tend to scroll at slower speeds on my puzzles, but will increase the speed somewhat depending on the species of wood. Don't give up; we've all been there! __________________ Shawn Ferguson Come visit at The Ferguson Puzzle Company !

07-15-2009, 06:12 PM	#5
Big_red_S Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: The People's Republic of New Jesey Posts: 881	I like my blade to be tense to the point of almost breaking. I also found it's easier to cut at a higher speed. Anyway, I changed my "mind set" from feeding the wood to putting pressure on the blade - that helped me a lot. __________________ Zohar - probably the only one. Living well is the best revenge Visit my gallery

07-15-2009, 07:47 PM	#6
Northstar Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Park Falls, WI Posts: 69	Thanks for the advise, guys. You've been a big help. I will follow your advise and crank up the tension and then practice, practice, practice! And of course, I'll keep reading these posts to learn from the pro's. El __________________ That's not rain, it's liquid sunshine.

07-15-2009, 11:40 PM	#8
Northstar Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Park Falls, WI Posts: 69	Great tip, Phil! Thanks! __________________ That's not rain, it's liquid sunshine.

07-15-2009, 04:13 PM	#2
ubgoofy2003 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 769	Hi Northstar. I don't have that saw, but, I have a problem with my 788, when I use a fine 2/0 spiral blade, at the bottom fastner. It bends the blade & if I don't notice when I clamp it, it will break when I tighten the thumbscrew, or shortly after that. It may not be related to your problem, but, I know how frustrating it can be. Sometimes if the blade is not stretched tight(tension) it will flex & break that way too. Hope you can get the info that you need from someone who has that saw. Good Luck Perk

07-15-2009, 05:12 PM	#4
Carter-Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 901	Believe me, that blade breaking problem will go away with practice, allowing you to cut 50 pieces or so in Baltic Birch before a blade gets too dull (I get 150 pieces from poplar). If your tension is high, as it should be. with practice you'll learn what extra pressures you are putting on the blade when turning. Unless there's something wrong with your saw or the way the blade is clamped, practice is what will alleviate the problem and pretty soon you'll be flying! Have phun..... Carter

07-15-2009, 10:45 PM	#7
GrayBeard Phil Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Near Detroit, Michigan Posts: 1,143	Northstar: This may not help you, but I thought I would pass it along anyway.... Keep the back of your hands in-line with you lower forearm; both wrists straight. Just like in ten-pin bowling. Important to keep wrist off saw's table. Don't push & twist with fingertips only. Use whole arms to move, twist wood. Try to use fingertips to only apply downward pressure to keep wood from 'POPPING' or catching a tooth and slamming the wood up and down. Watch the videos again and look at the wrists / fingers closely.

07-16-2009, 12:09 AM	#9
Puzzled Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Westboro, Massachusetts Posts: 21	RBI - blade breakage I have an RBI and when I first started making puzzles I was going through blades like crazy. With practice it got better. For some reason, it doesn't take much sideways pressure to brake (puzzle) blades on the Hawk. I don't lnow how old your Hawk is, but the new/revised blade holders also helped redure breakage. Good luck. __________________ Steve Hawk G4 and DW788 So many pieces to cut ... so little time.

07-16-2009, 01:02 PM	#10
Northstar Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Park Falls, WI Posts: 69	Thanks, Steve, My saw is five years old and I have to tell ya, those were the first blades I ever broke on it. I guess I just have to learn how to use those ultra thin blades. I bought only 1/2 gross of them, so perhaps I should order another full gross. LOL Thanks for the advise, tho. El __________________ That's not rain, it's liquid sunshine.

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