Blade Problems

[Scrappile]

I use and love the FD New Spiral 3/0 blade.  It is my favorite blade, but, lately I have been having a problem with them.  When I put a new blade in, at least 50% of the time when I tighten the blade the bottom or top will bend and crimp.  That means throw it away because it will break off as soon as I start the saw.  I think it has something to do with the twist at the end.  When I first started using them I didn't seem to have any problem.  I checked the alignment and the blade is 90' to the table.  This is the second batch of these blades, no problem with the first dozen or so I purchased.  Any suggestions.

[LarryEA]

Strong possibility the screw you clamp against has loosened up

and backed out a little. When you tighten against it, you are bending the blade into a crevis.

Take these screws out and coat them with medium locktight and reinstall "flush".

 

[amazingkevin]

i'm guessing but somewhere i think i read that a skip tooth blade helps tremendously.Makes sence to get rid of the saw dust in the cut to cool the blade and such.I would try a #12 for starters and then go down.I've even cut band saw blades 5" .Use a thick one to lessen the bending or adjust to suit your needs .That's my  cents worth.Hope it helps .But you can e-mail mike at" mikes workshop.com" ,he knows his blades

Edited November 16, 2014 by amazingkevin

[Multifasited]

I'm Totally with Larry on this ,some thing in your clamps has changed ,spirals will twist  or untwist a little but skewing and bending is a clamps screw pivot gone bad or a set screw has backed out  could be one of each on different ends ,if pivot , won't ,It wll grab at the last sec. and cause that problem to ,backed out set screw leaves an automatic bender for any normal scrollsaw blade ,while your at it add a slight smear of ANTI SEIZE to just you clamping screw s

[SigP]

I was having the same problem Friday. Bent 2 blades. That screw does seem to back out easily. Guess I need some Locktite.

[LarryEA]

Use medium locktite...don't use 'sieze forever'

[Scrappile]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  I will do some work on the clamps and see what happens.

[herrwood]

I've even cut band saw blades 5" .Use a thick one to lessen the bending or adjust to suit your needs .

Good tip I learned something today. Next time I change a blade will try to repurpse for scroll saw

[Scrappile]

I checked the allen screws and was very surprised how easily they move so yes I went to the store and picked up some blue Permatex to put on the threads.  Cleaned the srews up and also the thumb screws and maybe that will fix my problem.  So far so good.  I also ordered some new screws to have on hand.

 

Thanks again all for your help.