A couple of blade questions

[Badgerboy]

Nope not the usual, tell us your favorite, questions here. I have two quick questions.

1. When changing blades, in this example let’s say you are replacing a blade mid cut, same size blade,  do you return your tension knob back to “zero” and restart the tensioning process from scratch or just pop in a new blade and check for “middle C”?
2. I have noticed on my latest batch of Pegas MGT blades they are coated with a light oil that needs to be wiped off or I get slippage when clamping in the blade. Have other scrollers noticed this oil?  Is this new or did I just miss it ?

Thanks for playing!

[Wilson142]

I rarely pluck my blade anymore. I install a new blade, set tension to a level that feels right and pay attention to the way the blade is cutting. Rather than pretensioning I increase the tension when the blade acts like it is beginning to wander a bit. I find each blade is a little different. 

[Denny Knappen]

Hi Todd.

Not sure what you mean by tensioning knob.  All my saws have a lever to tension.  The nice thing about the Pegas is that the lever gives the proper tension without adjusting.  As for oil on the blades, yes, but some more than others.  A simple wipe will help.

[Badgerboy]

1 hour ago, Denny Knappen said:

Hi Todd.

Not sure what you mean by tensioning knob.  All my saws have a lever to tension.  The nice thing about the Pegas is that the lever gives the proper tension without adjusting.  As for oil on the blades, yes, but some more than others.  A simple wipe will help.

Hey Denny, I am referring to the blade tensioning knob on the top back of my Pegas. 

[don in brooklin on]

The knob on the back of the saw is not for tensioning the blade.  It is used to make the arm parallel to the table.  Then it should not have to be touched.

At that point of time when you install a blade top and bottom and move the white lever up you should be good to go.

 

[OCtoolguy]

To add: my EX21 did not have the white line on that black knob. I adgusted the arm to parallel with the table and created a mark with a piece of masking tape. I keep an eye on that mark but it never seems to move as some others have stated. If it ever does it will be easy to see and reset. I never touch that knob. Strictly do all my tensioning with the white lever. Also, I too have noticed the slick oil on the Pegas blades so now I have gotten in the habit of wiping with a blue shop towel and scuffing the blade ends with a scrap of 400 grit paper. 

[Denny Knappen]

Don is correct.  Use the knob only to be sure the top arm is parallel to the table.  Then note the position and keep it there.  I check the parallel with a credit card.

[Badgerboy]

Wow, true newbie mistake there!!  Thanks Don and Denny.

Edited March 17, 2020 by Badgerboy

[munzieb]

I have a EX-16 and almost never touch the back adjustment when replacing blade or repositioning blades. I am doing a very fine fret pattern right now using very small holes and found that if I grind the insertion end of the blade to a point on my belt sander, it's easier to find and pass through the hole.

[new2woodwrk]

My Delta has a tension switch which I always release to 0, load the blade, then retension to 3 - for #3 blades, my tension is always #3, for #1 blades my tension is always #2

If I don't release the tension before removing the blade, I get a "Pinnngggg" sound like "Oops, idiot forgot to release the tension before removing the blade"

I received a huge order of blades a few weeks ago and have not noticed any oil or residue on the blades.

Edited March 17, 2020 by new2woodwrk

[dgman]

Everyone has given advice on your tension question. So, for your second question, yes, all blades have a coating of oil on them. It’s from the manufacturing process, but to also help prevent rust. I keep a piece of folded 220 sand paper next to my saw. Every time I change a blade, I sand the ends to remove the oil. Been doing it for years!

[OCtoolguy]

8 hours ago, Denny Knappen said:

Don is correct.  Use the knob only to be sure the top arm is parallel to the table.  Then note the position and keep it there.  I check the parallel with a credit card.

Great idea Denny. I keep all of my old plastic to use as scrapers and to push the bubbles out of my contact paper. Now I have another use.

[amazingkevin]

13 hours ago, don in brooklin on said:

The knob on the back of the saw is not for tensioning the blade.  It is used to make the arm parallel to the table.  Then it should not have to be touched.

At that point of time when you install a blade top and bottom and move the white lever up you should be good to go.

 

 This knob is what kept me from ever owning a saw like this. I thought it was the blade tension knob Like the old Chinese saws. I never seem to amaze how much I don't know!

[Roberta Moreton]

I keep a glass spice jar with about 1” of mineral spirits. When I open a new pack of blades I dip the ends in the jar and wipe them off. 
Clean and ready to work. 
 

[Badgerboy]

On 3/17/2020 at 2:54 PM, Badgerboy said:

Wow, true newbie mistake there!!  Thanks Don and Denny.

Well I guess I found out where I got the idea for the back knob on the Pegas saw can be used for tensioning. While I understand  is not a wise idea at least I know I am not completely a loon. from the Pegas manual, see item #6.