breaking blades

[swbbat]

This is addressed to whoever can help.
I've been dabbling in scroll sawing over the past year. One problem i'm having
is i wanted to do some intarsia and whenever i get started cutting, i keep snapping
my blades. i've been using 1/2" to 3/4" hardwood and pine. I've tried using 10 and 15 tpi blades and adjusted the speed. It's probably something i'm doing wrong with the
setup.
I guess i need some expert advice on tension, type of blades and speed or whatever else you think i might be doing wrong. Intarsia looks like something i would really
like to get into, but this might just frustrate me too much.

thanks

[Jim McDonald]

Here's a few things to consider:

Most of the time when I have seen someone describing blades by tpi, they are using hardware store blades (Vermont America, etc) and that is not a good blade, so getting into a quality blade that is sold by blade size (#3, #5, etc) may help. It also is a standard we all understand here on the board. If you say you are snapping #3 blades in 3/4" wood, we might suggest going to a #5 or slowing the blade speed or any of three of four other fixes.

On blade tension, it is my feeling that short of pulling the blade out of the holders, there is no so thing as too much tension. Tight blades tend to track better, turn better and don't break nearly as easily. I always pluck my blades like a guitar string and with practice, you will find the note you like. Tighter the blades--higher the pitch.

Speed is an experience issue. As you get more familiar with the saw, blade, wood and thickness, you will be able to judge your blade speed and feed speed much better. I would start slowly (1/2 speed or so) until you get a feel. Right now, I generally run between 5/8 and 7/8 of full speed depending on wood hardness, intricacy of pattern, wood thickness and just how I am doing on that particular day. Some days are better than others and when I seem to be having trouble, the speed dial goes to the left; good days see it heading around to the right.

Scroll sawing takes some practice and remembering past mistkaes (sp). You have to learn from the stuff you throw in the burn bucket and move on, promising yourself you won't make that same mistake too many more times. Any time you feel you are about to get a handle on things, the saw will snap you back to reality.

[dgman]

Jim has given you some excellent advice! Better blades and more tension. Give Mike a call for Flying Dutchman blades at www.mikesworkshop.com. He will set you up with the best blades around.

[wood-n-things]

Welcome to the forum Excellent advice...


I moved your thread to the proper forum so you will get more great advice...

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Take a few minutes to read through them. They are chock full of great information.

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[swbbat]

Wow. Guys..Thanks for all the advice. I can see i'm in the right place. I look forward to interacting more with everyone as i get more aquainted with this
hobby.