CATRK Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 I've been doing a lot of cutting of signs and ornaments and my go to blade tends to be a 3 or 5 FDUR. I have very few issues with these and they cut great. Recently i started trying to cut smaller more intricate work which require a smaller blade a #1 or 2/0. I can't seem to keep these blades on the saw without breaking for more than a minute. Most of the time they break when i turn on the machine. I'm using double stacked bb plywood so i know it's not the wood and like i said they break even before engaging the wood. I've tried taking the tension way down and that doesn't help either. Any input would be great Saw is a porter cable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWSUDEKUM Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 With a very small blade like those a high C tension is too much for them. I use jeweler's blades a lot and I have found that on my dewalt which has a 1 - 5 tension scale that if I put the tension much past 3 the blade breaks quickly. You might wish to try lowering your tension to about 1/3 of what you normally have it set to. The other thing is speed. The faster the speed the more the blade will wobble at the lower tension so you will need to slow your saw speed down a bit. Those thin blade can only handle so many flexes back and forth before they break. Hope this helps a bit. DW WayneMahler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 (edited) More likely clamp pressure ,ease off on the clamp ,you need the tension more and a lighter touch .machine speed less issue than hand control ,both ways ! CARL! Thin blades can not stand flexing (no back bone ) ! Edited July 18, 2015 by Multifasited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 Where are they breaking? In the middle at the ends?? By middle I mean where the blade contacts the wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 thin blades and thin wood like slow speeds.Try starting out slow and speed up after it starts.Starting out fast snatches the blade and any sloppiness in the machine get compounded to the blade .Which will pull the blade loose as soon as you start it up on fast speed is what it sounds like to me.I've had years of experience with lower cost machines and found this to be true.Just my 2 cents worth. I've been doing a lot of cutting of signs and ornaments and my go to blade tends to be a 3 or 5 FDUR. I have very few issues with these and they cut great. Recently i started trying to cut smaller more intricate work which require a smaller blade a #1 or 2/0. I can't seem to keep these blades on the saw without breaking for more than a minute. Most of the time they break when i turn on the machine. I'm using double stacked bb plywood so i know it's not the wood and like i said they break even before engaging the wood. I've tried taking the tension way down and that doesn't help either. Any input would be great Saw is a porter cable oneleggimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 A problem that occurs quite often is the set screw that backs up to the thumb screw backs out. This leaves the blade up against the thumb screw and a hole. If the blade is breaking at the blade clamp, this is what's causing it. Check to see if the set screw has backed out. Use what ever tool is needed to set it so it just protrudes past the hole. I frequently use 2/0 and 1 and 2 size blades at all speeds tensioned to high C without breakage so tension and speed should not be an issue. LarryEA and Scrolling Steve 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CATRK Posted July 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 thanks for all the suggestions. I'll give it a try and see what works. I think it may be that i'm tightening the screw too much since they are breaking near the ends. I'll let everyone know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryEA Posted July 18, 2015 Report Share Posted July 18, 2015 A problem that occurs quite often is the set screw that backs up to the thumb screw backs out. This leaves the blade up against the thumb screw and a hole. If the blade is breaking at the blade clamp, this is what's causing it. Check to see if the set screw has backed out. Use what ever tool is needed to set it so it just protrudes past the hole. I frequently use 2/0 and 1 and 2 size blades at all speeds tensioned to high C without breakage so tension and speed should not be an issue. Dan hit it on the 'nose'. I'll bet Marg's bottom dollar (or whatever currency she would use) that the set screw has moved. GrampaJim 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Since your issue at at the clamps. I would check the set screw and make sure it is tight and also flat. Have had issues from usage were the set screws deloped a slight edge to them leaving a sparp edge and causing problems. A quick touch up with a flat file or sandpaper and a steady hand do the trick. I also use a porter cable and think they should have hardened those screws more then they did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kywoodmaster Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 I agree with the set screw issue. I love 2/0 blades. it is really my go to blade. I have used a 2/0 in 3/4 thick material before. I also agree with the start up at slow speed and ramp up as you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 I have always used Olson's blades , so I bought 3 dozens of FDR #3 blades and they didn't hso i will be going back to the olson"sold up nearly as long as the Olson's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CATRK Posted July 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Ok. i looked at the set screw and sure enough there was a small burr on surface.So i decided to grind it flat on the grinder. Boy those things fly through the air really well, never to be found again, so now my sawing is on hold until i can get another set screw. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multifasited Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) a spare is m nice to have ! Most used item you have! Edited July 20, 2015 by Multifasited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted July 20, 2015 Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Ok. i looked at the set screw and sure enough there was a small burr on surface.So i decided to grind it flat on the grinder. Boy those things fly through the air really well, never to be found again, so now my sawing is on hold until i can get another set screw. LOL. I don't think you ever want to grind one of these. I would suggest that you use some sandpaper or a cardboard nail for taking out any burrs. But I guess you have probably figured that out by now. Dick heppnerguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crupiea Posted July 30, 2015 Report Share Posted July 30, 2015 Lower the speed down to the slowest it can go. Also start with the tension way looser then you normally would have it. Tighten it up as you get going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.jpg.95d348aa76923344a5cab534cc1b3bc1.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.