storing your saw

[Young_Scroller]

Hi everyone. I have a quick question: When you arent using your saw for a couple of weeks how should you leave it: with a blade fully tensioned or without a blade. Im a little curious because I wont be using my saw very much in the next month or so. Thanks!

-Joe

[Dan]

Hi Joe. I usually try to release the tension on the blade. But, I don't worry about it if I forget.

[Scrappile]

I try to remember to release, but don't alway remember.  I am old.

Edited December 4, 2015 by Scrappile

[Young_Scroller]

thanks for the replies, so it wont do any bad if i leave a blade in?

[Sorcier]

Blade in, tension off

 

Ward

[Lucky2]

Joe, I always release the tension on my blades, when I'm done using my saw daily. But, if I know that I'm not going to be using my saw for days, I even remove the blade from the blade holder. I see no reason to leave the saw or blade under pressure, when not in use.

Len

Edited December 4, 2015 by Lucky2

[WayneMahler]

I try to release the tension at the end of each day. I forget quite often, guess it's an age thing. 

[Lucky2]

thanks for the replies, so it wont do any bad if i leave a blade in?

Well, that would depend upon what brand of saw your using. If your using a Dewalt or an Excaliber, you could be doing damage to the tip of the screw that holds the blade in place. On both these saws, the tips of these screws have a small insert that rotates when tightening up against the blade. It does this, so that the blade doesn't bend at the top from the screw rotating against it. If you leave the blade in place when the saw is not being used, your leaving the pressure on this tip. I don't like doing that, so, I remove the blade to save the tip. I don't know if doing this makes any difference or not, but, I've owned this saw for over five years now, and I've never had to spend any money on parts or repairs.

Len

[amazingkevin]

I read somewhere to leave the tension off when not in use, Same as with a hydraulic jack,jack up your car and put jack stands under the car to relieve pressure on seals

[dgman]

It won't hurt your saw if you leave it tensioned, but I usually release the tension when I'm done for the day.

I think what is more important, if you have a cast iron table as on the DeWalt and the newer Delta saws is to wax the table so it won't rust.

[kywoodmaster]

I also try to release the tension on the blade when finished. Wont kill it if you forget.

[lawson56]

Tension off

[Scrolling Steve]

The owners guide that came with my EX21 says tension off when not in use.

Edited December 4, 2015 by Scrolling Steve

[dgman]

The owners guide that came with my EX21 says tension off when not in use.

You actually read the owners guide?

[Scrolling Steve]

You actually read the owners guide?

It is not something I am proud of !     !

[Young_Scroller]

thanks for all of the replies this helped alot

[LarryEA]

More important to not leave any beer in the fridge, wax the table, clean your saw and cover it. 

Remove the blade? Only important because you will forget what blade is in your saw.

[RedOrZed]

In My Opinion anything more than a couple of weeks is worth taking the blade off. As much as anything it's something less for things to fall into around the workshop!

[crupiea]

I always detension the blade right after each use.  then i cover the saw with an old towel to keep it from getting rusty.

[Muzz]

I always detention the blade also, the manufacturer of both my old scrollsaw (Delta Q3) and new (Excalibur) recommend this.  I also cover my scrollsaw with a very large garbage bag, meant for wheelie bins. 

[NC Scroller]

I try to stop my day when I have a dull blade. I leave in the saw with the tension off but the blade still connected top and bottom. I then start back up with a new blade. One I am sure of what size and type it is.

[Sparkey]

I leave mine with blade out and tension off. I stop when I finish cutting a piece. I take the blade out of the top blade holder to remove what I am cutting and leave it that way.

[NC Scroller]

One fact to consider. If your saw is stationary I doubt how you leave it is really critical. Now if your saw is moved even on a rolling base a blade should be left in to prevent moving of the arms.