A Thought on blade tension adjustment

[GrayBeard Phil]

Hi all:

A newbie just asked a question about blade tension and before I made my suggestion, I wanted to run it past others on this board to see if others agree, or disagree, with the idea.

Did you mother ever say to you (in voice of discipline) "SEE! What did I tell you about being careful" when you were a child? Usually this is said after the glass has been spit on the floor, table, clothes, or all three.

So, when adjusting the blade tension to find the 'C' note, if you are not a musican, try adjusting the tone of the blade to the verbal pitch of your mother's 'SEE' in the above. Come on now, I know the phrase is still stuck in the back of your brain. Plus you can get a re-fresh by going to the food court of your nearest Mall where mothers with small children hang out.

Just a thought.

Phil

PS: The other phrase I heard today at the Mall, "Look at what you just DID" was usually delivered with a more throaty lower pitched tone. Only the "SEE.." phrase appeared to be about the right tone and pitch for adjusting the blade.

[3_M]

Phil,
The blade should not move sideways more then 1/8" of an inch and that is almost too much. Forget about the high C and high pitch some people might have a hearing problem.
Mike

[lucky788scroller]

As far as musical talents in regards to the C note,I have none, I cant even play the triangle!As far as the SEE note, I bet ive heard that a thousand times, and many times that was followed up with a good crack upside the head, so me, that SEE note reminds of the bells ringing in my head afterwards.
The tone of the blade when you pluck it changes dramaticaly if you are trying to pluck it once its fed through a fret hole, so I never used that analogy. It is a experience thing, its something quickly learned after a little bit of practice.Mikes thought on if the blade flexes 1/8th of an inch, although that seems like a lot to me,would have been easier for me to understand when I was just starting.Dale

[thecopperfish]

I also agree with Mike. My mother never yelled "see" like that, she seldom yelled at all, so it has no meaning for me. When I was starting, the 1/8th inch flex worked fine for me.
Chris

[PeteB]

Mmm, Mama sang tenor in our house...

I have come to love the visual method RBI has (adjusting the tension lever to correspond to the hour hand of a clock), as it is very reliable though I verify by plucking and flexing as well. Highly recommended for those who have trouble with blade life.

[Marsha]

I agree with all the above, I have no idea what a "C" note sounds like. I tension the blade as tight as it will go, I personally have never had a blade break from the tension being to tight. I use a Dewalt and push the tension lever as far to the left as it will go.
That's my 2¢ worth
Marsha

PS: When I first started scrolling I was using a Delta, I never felt the tension was tight enough. The blade wandered all over the place, the control was unbelivably bad, to the point where I almost gave up scrolling all together.
Marsha

[Pajaro]

My wife hits that "See" note every time i forget to take the trash out. I know it all to well. That is why my EX-21 all ways has the perfect pitch.

[Barefoot1]

So would that be a high C on the piano or a B flat tenor sax . . . .? E flat alto? hmmm even for musicians that might be a problem depending on what you play. I use the chart on my hawk and the <1/8 flex rule.

[Mick Walker]

Originally Posted by PeteB

Mmm, Mama sang tenor in our house...

I have come to love the visual method RBI has (adjusting the tension lever to correspond to the hour hand of a clock), as it is very reliable though I verify by plucking and flexing as well. Highly recommended for those who have trouble with blade life.

PeteB, you lost me on this one. What does the tension have to do with the hour hand on a clock? Is this a RBI thing or can you only use your saw at a certain time of day? HA!