I decided its time for a little saw maintenance

[nrscroller]

HI all,

After many years of my hegner 18vs I decided to do some maintenance on it. The quick release rollers are not moving any more when I push and pull the handle back and forth so I ordered some new ones of them. I did some general cleaning of my saw, old oily grit etc. I am  also replacing the flywheel bar on the flywheel that sets my stroke pattern. Anyone with a hegner here, what type of oil to use is best for the top arm to use on the joints? I have been using the type of oil I put in my nailgun. I also sent an email off to Advanced Machinery for their opinion on where to set the flywheel bar, on long or short stroke. I have had it on short stroke for a long time, but someone on the SSWC forum said I should use the long stroke I would get better blade life. A couple of days and I will be up and running again. 

nrscroller

[tonylumps]

I just use 3 in 1 oil But anthing will work on the bushings .I use the long stroke never changed it .If I do thin material I adjust the speed .Not much maint. is there on these saws.

[rdv464]

I just replaced the tension rollers on mine last week plus the clips that hold them n and the steel pin that they ride on. Also replaced the upper and lower arm springs because they had worn flat spots on them that was allowing some side play in upper arm. Replaced connecting arm on fly wheel, one small word of advice! ! pay close attention to the washers when you remove the arm and that they go back on in order. Hegners are very simple to work on but what I like the best about them is the customer service.

rdv

[amazingkevin]

So a hergner is prone to repairs ,that i never heard of?

[stoney]

9 hours ago, amazingkevin said:

So a hergner is prone to repairs ,that i never heard of?

I think the Hegner that Roger is talking about is 18 years old.   The rollers he  replaced are used on every fretwork cut, blade change, etc.   My saw is 10 years old and the rollers are still working fine so I guess I may have a ways to go.   I don't understand his statement about springs for the upper and lower arms though as my saw only has one.  

[hotshot]

48 minutes ago, stoney said:

I I don't understand his statement about springs for the upper and lower arms though as my saw only has one.  

I think he is talking about the spring on the main pivots.  Do springs with very little movement weaken over time?  That back spring sees a lot of moment, so it would make since it would eventually weaken, but I've never really considered the possibility of this kind of stationary spring weakening.  That is very interesting.

To Kevins point, yes, Hegners have things that occasionally need replaced, but usually after many many years.  Two things that often need replaced at the > 20 yr mark are the bellows and the connector rod, both because of the weakening of plastic over a very long time.  My old Hegner had the connector rod break with less that 10 hours on the saw.  My mom bought it for my Dad, thinking she could get him into the hobby, but he was not interested, so with less than 2 hours on it, it sat idle for > 20 years.  I was already deep into the hobby before I ever found out they had this saw, imagine the suprise.

There are things like clamps knobs/clamps that may need replaced, but I don't really count those and almost consider those consumables.  I've had the tip break off of a QuickClamp knob, but have yet to destroy a clamp itself. 

 

 

 

Edited November 1, 2017 by hotshot

[rdv464]

Randy is correct they are the main pivot springs, talked to Advanced Machinery about slight side play and they told me that over time the springs will become weak. New springs solved problem, 

rdv

[stoney]

I don't know specifically what Hegner bellows are made of but it appears to be a rubber compound of some sort.   I heard years ago that rubber tires need to be rolled periodically to prevent the rubber from cracking like what happens to allot of trailer tires.   As the story goes the action of movement brings some of the emollients in the rubber to the surface to help prevent cracking.    I wonder if that would apply to a bellows?  Randy said his dad's saw sat idle for 20 years.  Maybe a combination of time and lack of movement will do in any type of rubber product.   Just a thought.  Now the plastic connector rod that's another story I don't know if there is anything that can prevent plastic deterioration.     

Edited November 1, 2017 by stoney

[OCtoolguy]

On 11/1/2017 at 6:09 AM, hotshot said:

I think he is talking about the spring on the main pivots.  Do springs with very little movement weaken over time?  That back spring sees a lot of moment, so it would make since it would eventually weaken, but I've never really considered the possibility of this kind of stationary spring weakening.  That is very interesting.

To Kevins point, yes, Hegners have things that occasionally need replaced, but usually after many many years.  Two things that often need replaced at the > 20 yr mark are the bellows and the connector rod, both because of the weakening of plastic over a very long time.  My old Hegner had the connector rod break with less that 10 hours on the saw.  My mom bought it for my Dad, thinking she could get him into the hobby, but he was not interested, so with less than 2 hours on it, it sat idle for > 20 years.  I was already deep into the hobby before I ever found out they had this saw, imagine the suprise.

There are things like clamps knobs/clamps that may need replaced, but I don't really count those and almost consider those consumables.  I've had the tip break off of a QuickClamp knob, but have yet to destroy a clamp itself. 

 

 

 

I was taught as a Buick mechanic years ago that any spring that is kept under tension will eventually lose it's strength or take a set. 

 

[stoney]

4 hours ago, octoolguy said:

I was taught as a Buick mechanic years ago that any spring that is kept under tension will eventually lose it's strength or take a set. 

 

Interesting Ray.   Maybe that only applies to Buick springs.   Just kidding I couldn't resist.

[Scrappile]

I use 3 in 1 because it is what I have.  I will worry about all this maintenance in 15 - 20 years.... Oooopss.  I won't probably be scrolling then,,, I probably will not be around!,,,  Will my daughter can worry about it.

[tonylumps]

9 hours ago, Scrappile said:

I use 3 in 1 because it is what I have.  I will worry about all this maintenance in 15 - 20 years.... Oooopss.  I won't probably be scrolling then,,, I probably will not be around!,,,  Will my daughter can worry about it.

Oh you will be scrolling.But you will forget what you were cutting half way thru.