Dremel 1680 Saw - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

lolwood · 07-31-2009, 06:02 AM

I have been using a Dremel 1680 saw for about 2 years and I'm starting to have a problem with the tensioning lever un-tensioning itself. I'll be cutting and all of a sudden the lever starts turning and I loose tension. This can happen so quickly that I sometimes don't have time to turn the saw off before the blade brakes. I don't do a lot of scroll saw work so I'm not wearing the thing out. I called Dremel and they said the lever washer will often wear and cause my problem. They sent me the complete lever assembly, I replace the old one and it still looked like new, but I still have the problem. Has anyone else out there had this problem with this saw? I think I'd like to do some puzzles but I'm getting a little gun shy using the saw.

georgewoodie · 07-31-2009, 04:13 PM

lolwood:

I have the same saw but only have 10 hours on it.

At this low usage, I have not had any problems yet.

Perhaps if you use a "spider" washer it might hold better? If that term is unknown to you, the washer has thin protrusions all around the circumference . These could be internal, external or both. They are a lock washer but generally thinner than the lock washer with a single split and bend to it. I often use them and find them to be very good at locking.

I hope this is of help.

Woodie

GWhit · 07-31-2009, 04:47 PM

I've not had that problem with my 1680 but I did have a blade slippage problem that was helped(from all the good advice on this forum) by cleaning the oil off the new blades by sanding the end 1" and sanding the blade holder screw ends flat. I still notice the blade slipping a little but have learned to catch it before it comes out and breaks. I then curse the Dremel engineers and go back to cutting.

Gordon

KtownScroller · 07-31-2009, 07:40 PM

lolwood - I've been using that saw for one year and have not had a problem with the lever. I have noticed that it does not lock down as it did when it was brand new. I suppose my lever is starting to show the wear that you are experiencing? Let me take a look at my saw and I'll get back to you if I get any ideas. I suppose you could duct tape the lever down, but that would only be a temporary fix.

GWhit - Remove the screw that came with the lower blade holder and replace it with an Allen socket cap screw. Use a "T" Handle Allen wrench to tighten the screw. Forget about wiping oil and sanding the blades. Once you convert the bottom blade holder screw your problem will be a thing of the past!

Pajaro · 07-31-2009, 08:49 PM

I had/still have the 1680 saw. I beat the H out of mine. It's a good saw. The only problem I had with it I could not get hardly any tension on the blade. I wound up cutting about 1/4 inch off each blade and that seems to work. I have up graded to an Excalibur saw. I kept the 1680 in case The EX21 ever stops as a spare. Been two years now and have not had to go back to the 1680. But I still have plans for it. When my grandkids get a little older I am going to let them learn on it.

KtownScroller · 07-31-2009, 09:40 PM

The owners manual can be downloaded from here: 1680 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw / Model: 1680

There is a nice drawing at the end of the file. Maybe you will see something there that will help you.

lolwood · 08-02-2009, 04:59 PM

Rick, I have the manual but it hasn't helped. I talked to Dremel again and they
aren't sure what the problem might be.

07-31-2009, 06:02 AM	#1
lolwood Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Plantersville, TX Posts: 17	Dremel 1680 Saw I have been using a Dremel 1680 saw for about 2 years and I'm starting to have a problem with the tensioning lever un-tensioning itself. I'll be cutting and all of a sudden the lever starts turning and I loose tension. This can happen so quickly that I sometimes don't have time to turn the saw off before the blade brakes. I don't do a lot of scroll saw work so I'm not wearing the thing out. I called Dremel and they said the lever washer will often wear and cause my problem. They sent me the complete lever assembly, I replace the old one and it still looked like new, but I still have the problem. Has anyone else out there had this problem with this saw? I think I'd like to do some puzzles but I'm getting a little gun shy using the saw.

07-31-2009, 07:40 PM	#4
KtownScroller So much better :) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: PA Posts: 2,662	lolwood - I've been using that saw for one year and have not had a problem with the lever. I have noticed that it does not lock down as it did when it was brand new. I suppose my lever is starting to show the wear that you are experiencing? Let me take a look at my saw and I'll get back to you if I get any ideas. I suppose you could duct tape the lever down, but that would only be a temporary fix. GWhit - Remove the screw that came with the lower blade holder and replace it with an Allen socket cap screw. Use a "T" Handle Allen wrench to tighten the screw. Forget about wiping oil and sanding the blades. Once you convert the bottom blade holder screw your problem will be a thing of the past! __________________ - Rick

07-31-2009, 08:49 PM	#5
Pajaro Forever is a long time Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: If it ain't Texas, it Just ain't livin. Posts: 2,047 Blog Entries: 1	I had/still have the 1680 saw. I beat the H out of mine. It's a good saw. The only problem I had with it I could not get hardly any tension on the blade. I wound up cutting about 1/4 inch off each blade and that seems to work. I have up graded to an Excalibur saw. I kept the 1680 in case The EX21 ever stops as a spare. Been two years now and have not had to go back to the 1680. But I still have plans for it. When my grandkids get a little older I am going to let them learn on it. __________________ Pájaro Pete Hombre del pájaro www.pajarostudiowns.com Member " Scrollsaw Association of the world " Excalibur EX-21 fanatic One of the Chosen few "Never try to teach a pig to sing It is a waste of time and it annoys the pig. "

07-31-2009, 09:40 PM	#6
KtownScroller So much better :) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: PA Posts: 2,662	The owners manual can be downloaded from here: 1680 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw / Model: 1680 There is a nice drawing at the end of the file. Maybe you will see something there that will help you. __________________ - Rick

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-31-2009, 04:13 PM	#2
georgewoodie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 123	lolwood: I have the same saw but only have 10 hours on it. At this low usage, I have not had any problems yet. Perhaps if you use a "spider" washer it might hold better? If that term is unknown to you, the washer has thin protrusions all around the circumference . These could be internal, external or both. They are a lock washer but generally thinner than the lock washer with a single split and bend to it. I often use them and find them to be very good at locking. I hope this is of help. Woodie

07-31-2009, 04:47 PM	#3
GWhit SKP RV'er Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: motorhome, USA Posts: 94	I've not had that problem with my 1680 but I did have a blade slippage problem that was helped(from all the good advice on this forum) by cleaning the oil off the new blades by sanding the end 1" and sanding the blade holder screw ends flat. I still notice the blade slipping a little but have learned to catch it before it comes out and breaks. I then curse the Dremel engineers and go back to cutting. Gordon

08-02-2009, 04:59 PM	#7
lolwood Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Plantersville, TX Posts: 17	Rick, I have the manual but it hasn't helped. I talked to Dremel again and they aren't sure what the problem might be.