Iguanadon Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 (edited) Note: If you cut puzzles from thick stock... do NOT modify the forward pitch of the blade to make it more aggressive. Holy crap, I spent 2 hours this morning trying to recalibrate pitch and angle of the blade after I decided to try setting it a bit more aggressive... Puzzle pieces wouldn't slide in and out from both sides, so I had to un-do what I did (once I remembered I'd changed it Saturday afternoon), but it took a lot of tweaking to get things back to where they were. In the meantime, poor ELMO the Aussie was sacrificed. May he rest in peace. LOL But I got him cut again and he's oiled now. Also, FYI, the little mark underneath that moves when you're adjusting the forward pitch is not exact, so be sure to double check the actual pitch rather than lining up the mark with where you think it should be. I ended up going from an aggressive forward pitch to a negative pitch and didn't realize it until I was still having puzzle issues. Good news... when stuff like this happens, you really get familiar with things on the saw as you're checking and tweaking various things. I still like the saw overall and I look forward to getting some Pegas blades that were recommended to me. It's all a learning experience when you buy a new/different saw. I'm getting there. My farmers market was a rain-out Saturday so this week is dedicated to cutting 40 puzzles for the big event. I'll then review my inventory and decide what else I think I need. Edited July 31, 2017 by Iguanadon Lucky2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonylumps Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 I never did like an aggresive cut saw. I always make sure that my blade is cutting straight up and down.When I started cutting puzzles i check that blade very often. 3/4 " stock is unforgiving with puzzles for me because I use all Hardwood.I change blades often so I do not force the stock. I have been lucky with FDUR #3 and #5. Iggy I get maybe 1 puzzle a blade Some time I may change blades more often Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted July 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 10 minutes ago, tonylumps said: I never did like an aggresive cut saw. I always make sure that my blade is cutting straight up and down.When I started cutting puzzles i check that blade very often. 3/4 " stock is unforgiving with puzzles for me because I use all Hardwood.I change blades often so I do not force the stock. I have been lucky with FDUR #3 and #5. Iggy I get maybe 1 puzzle a blade Some time I may change blades more often Unforgiving is a nice way of putting it. LOL This is like dating a new woman... have to figure out what she doesn't like by trial and error and remembering so you don't do it again. I've had good luck with the Olson Mach Speed #3 blade... I get 4, 5 or 6 puzzles per blade on the Dewalt. I cut the outline of 10 puzzles out of poplar Saturday with a single blade on the Hawk and was pleased. I knew from others that cutting on the Hawk would be slower, and it is, which is fine. I heard that the Pegas Modified Geometry blades are more aggressive so I ordered a sample pack which should be here within a week so I can give them a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonylumps Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 Yes going to a more aggressive blade if needed is why I try to do.I never checked the saw so much until I started cutting Puzzles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 39 minutes ago, Iguanadon said: This is like dating a new woman... have to figure out what she doesn't like by trial and error and remembering so you don't do it again. What do you know about dating a new woman - or even an old woman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjweb Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 How did we go from women to cutting on the scroll saw, RJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted July 31, 2017 Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 3 hours ago, Iguanadon said: Unforgiving is a nice way of putting it. LOL This is like dating a new woman... have to figure out what she doesn't like by trial and error and remembering so you don't do it again. I've had good luck with the Olson Mach Speed #3 blade... I get 4, 5 or 6 puzzles per blade on the Dewalt. I cut the outline of 10 puzzles out of poplar Saturday with a single blade on the Hawk and was pleased. I knew from others that cutting on the Hawk would be slower, and it is, which is fine. I heard that the Pegas Modified Geometry blades are more aggressive so I ordered a sample pack which should be here within a week so I can give them a try. The Pegas Modified Geometry blades are just about all I use now. I fell in love with them. I use the #3 and #5 and for puzzles I use #5. I really don't think they are more aggressive but it may be different for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iguanadon Posted July 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2017 After my thrills and chills this morning getting things recalibrated, I was successful in cutting my quota of 10 puzzles today. All is well. I'll have a new item to show once it dries. meflick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 14 hours ago, Iguanadon said: Note: If you cut puzzles from thick stock... do NOT modify the forward pitch of the blade to make it more aggressive. Holy crap, I spent 2 hours this morning trying to recalibrate pitch and angle of the blade after I decided to try setting it a bit more aggressive... Puzzle pieces wouldn't slide in and out from both sides, so I had to un-do what I did (once I remembered I'd changed it Saturday afternoon), but it took a lot of tweaking to get things back to where they were. In the meantime, poor ELMO the Aussie was sacrificed. May he rest in peace. LOL But I got him cut again and he's oiled now. Also, FYI, the little mark underneath that moves when you're adjusting the forward pitch is not exact, so be sure to double check the actual pitch rather than lining up the mark with where you think it should be. I ended up going from an aggressive forward pitch to a negative pitch and didn't realize it until I was still having puzzle issues. Good news... when stuff like this happens, you really get familiar with things on the saw as you're checking and tweaking various things. I still like the saw overall and I look forward to getting some Pegas blades that were recommended to me. It's all a learning experience when you buy a new/different saw. I'm getting there. My farmers market was a rain-out Saturday so this week is dedicated to cutting 40 puzzles for the big event. I'll then review my inventory and decide what else I think I need. Glad you ironed it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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