Mabel H. Posted October 3, 2015 Report Posted October 3, 2015 I just bought a shopsmith free standing saw, and do not have a manual, so I am guessing on the setup. Set up is mainly putting in the blade and adjusting tension, which has become more of an issue than I thought it would. Is there a rule of thumb on how to judge the amount of tension on the blade? I have just been tightening and checking with a little finger pressure to check for flexing. Also there is a, what I would call, crude backup for the blade. Not sure what the adjustment for this should be either. Right now I adjusted so there is just light pressure. Any advice or tips would be appreciated. Quote
dgman Posted October 3, 2015 Report Posted October 3, 2015 Hi Mabel, welcome to the village! You want hear a high "ping" when you pluck the blade. If it goes "clunck", it's not tight enough. Don't worry about breaking the blade from to much tension. You will break more blades from not enough tension. Good luck! Quote
Scrappile Posted October 3, 2015 Report Posted October 3, 2015 Welcome to the forum. As far a tension, if you go to Youtube and search "Scroll saw blade tension", there are several videos on the subject. You can hear the sound you are trying to achieve. Quote
ike Posted October 3, 2015 Report Posted October 3, 2015 A couple of weeks ago I broke a blade. When installing it I got distracted and didn't tighten the blade tight;t enough I cut in about ! in and the blade broke. Other than that I don't break blades very often . Quote
amazingkevin Posted October 3, 2015 Report Posted October 3, 2015 Welcome ! Everybody breaks blades starting out so doing good so far.It's all up hill from there!.The video will leave a lasting sound in your ears and is the best way to learn to tighten them.Scrollsaw Workshop: Scroll Saw Blade Tension ... Quote
amazingkevin Posted October 3, 2015 Report Posted October 3, 2015 Welcome ! Everybody breaks blades starting out so doing good so far.It's all up hill from there!.The video will leave a lasting sound in your ears and is the best way to learn to tighten them.Scrollsaw Workshop: Scroll Saw Blade Tension ... I just bought a shopsmith free standing saw, and do not have a manual, so I am guessing on the setup. Set up is mainly putting in the blade and adjusting tension, which has become more of an issue than I thought it would. Is there a rule of thumb on how to judge the amount of tension on the blade? I have just been tightening and checking with a little finger pressure to check for flexing. Also there is a, what I would call, crude backup for the blade. Not sure what the adjustment for this should be either. Right now I adjusted so there is just light pressure. Any advice or tips would be appreciated. Quote
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