losing my tension

[americancanuck]

I am very new to the world and I have about 1000 questions to ask all of you seasoned scrollers. I will start with just 1 for now. I am trying to cut name ornaments from paterns I got from Steve at this site. I am using FD-SR #1 blades on a King Canada saw. Things are going fairly well for the most part, however I find that when I am making long cuts such as large inside cuts and the exterior of the ornament I am losing my blade tension long before the cut is completed. Is this a problem with the saw? It is very annoying because I often don't catch it until it's too late and I have ruined several peices. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated?

[Russ C]

It sounds like the blade is slipping. The blades have an oily residue from manufacturing. Try cleaning the ends of the blade with alcohol and using 220 drit sand paper, sand the ends of the blade to rough them up. 

[GrayBeard]

I'm going to hazard a guess here and say that it is probably the oil on the blade ends that is collecting in the blade clamps and allowing the blades to slip slightly as you cut.
Some use mineral spirits to clean the blade ends, some use folded sanpaper to rough up the ends.
I personally use 91% isopropyl alcohol to wipe off the blade ends and the blade clamps.  Cheap at the drugstore and leaves no oil residue.

Try one of those methods and report back....

Good Luck!

~~~GB~~~

[jscott2]

If you do a search in this forum, you'll find many suggestions that might solve your problem.  Assuming that your saw take plain end blades (not pin end), here are a few that come to mind.

- clean the ends of the blades with a solvent or with fine sandpaper to remove any oil that might remain from the manufacturing process.

- make sure the blade clamps are clean or dirt, oils, etc.

- make sure the clamps tighten enough, but don't over-tighten as you may strip the threads or break the clamp.  A clean blade doesn't require much clamping force to stay in position.

Without knowing how your blades clamps are made, I can't suggest more.  Perhaps others who are familiar with this saw can add to this.

Good luck and let us know how you solve this.
Jim

[Rapid Roger]

Not to argue with the above ideas of what is going on here but, I have another suggestion.
Some times I find that when doing a long cut there is a tendency to push the wood sideways into the blade in an effort to follow the line instead of guiding the line into the blade from the front. I think that not only does this put stress on the blade clamps but it actually will stretch the blade and cause it to loose tension.
I know that even after 10 years of scrolling, I will find myself doing that and start saying bad words. I just stop, take a deep breath and say "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!" Then it dawns on me that I am hurrying or pushing the wood and saw and will slow down for a bit and let the saw and blade do it's work at it's own speed. I'm just there for a little guidance. 

Rog

[GrayBeard]

OH Roger! You hit a sore spot!

I think that happens to most of us especialoly when we get close to the finish of a cutting project.

Thanks for the reminder...Let the BLADE do the job!!!

~~~GB~~~

[americancanuck]

thanks all for the advice!! I did clean my blades and holders and it definately did help. since doing that I read the last reply about pushing sideways on the blade and I know I am guilty of that offense. I will only use the fact that I am a newbie to defend that. but believe me I will be back out in the shop in minuets to test thisw out.
thanks again for all the help and trust that there will be more questions forthcoming

[UHMNL]

Most blades have a burr on the right side. You have to move the wood some degree to the right to make it easier to stay on the line.
FD Mike

[bettyswood]

On my long cuts, I have better luck if I RELAX and not push too hard.  It also helps me to start and stop a little as I push and relax.  Just push, hesitate and so on.  Hope it works for you too.