Breakage

[Tom Gi]

I broke 3 #5 advanced machinery blades doing these two little birch plywood snowflakes 

is that about normal

for beginner 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Hard to say because not many use those blades. Can say this #5 blade is a stout enough blade to withstand cuttings like that though. I use FD #5 blades to cut 3/4" oak without a problem and get good life from them Alot has to do with other factors too. Speed at which you are cutting. How much force are you putting on the blade . if turning in tight corners are you allowing for blade to turn easily. Finally tension from the saw you are using. The more you cut the more you will be able to figure out what is right and what is not. It is all a part of the learning curve. have fun.

[Wichman]

Are these the PB#5 blades in the assortment pack?

What tension are you using? On the Hegner we measure tension by quarter turns after meeting resistance, I usually start at 3 for thin stock and up to 7 for thick ( 1 1/2" ) or hard wood.

Where are the blades breaking, top at the clamp, somewhere in the middle, or at the bottom clamp?

I'll try some out of my assortment pack and get back to you.

[Wichman]

I just spent a half hour cutting with the #5 blade from Advanced Machinery, I didn't break a blade and the blade is still sharp enough to continue cutting with. Test cut in 3/4 Poplar, tension 5, speed 1600, quick clamp :

 

[Tom Gi]

1 hour ago, Wichman said:

Are these the PB#5 blades in the assortment pack?

What tension are you using? On the Hegner we measure tension by quarter turns after meeting resistance, I usually start at 3 for thin stock and up to 7 for thick ( 1 1/2" ) or hard wood.

Where are the blades breaking, top at the clamp, somewhere in the middle, or at the bottom clamp?

I'll try some out of my assortment pack and get back to you.

2 broke at the top clamp one at the bottom clamp 

yes the blades are from the assortment pack that came with the hegner

when I tighten the tension it is 3 quarters of a turn I think it tightens up by itself cause when I put in a new blade I have to looosen it 2 or three turns

[Wichman]

Are you using the quick clamp?

 

[Tom Gi]

22 minutes ago, Wichman said:

Are you using the quick clamp?

 

Yes

 

[Wichman]

How tight is the quick clamp in the holder?

[BadBob]

I rarely break a blade and cut hard and soft wood up to 1.5 inches thick. I let the blade cut by applying only enough pressure to keep the wood in contact with it.

[Scrappile]

The quick clamp should be held tight in the top holder.  the regular clamp should move some in the top holder

"Use the QuickClamp instead of a standard blade clamp at the upper end of your sawblade, and align your blade instantly! A positive stop helps you put your blade in the same position every time, and the easy-grip knurled aluminum knob places pressure directly on the blade for slip-free tightening. Unlike the standard HEGNER blade clamp, the QuickClamp is designed to be locked into place in the upper arm of your HEGNER saw at all times. And since it doesn't require a wrench, it's super-fast to release and re-tighten for speedy blade changes, especially for frequent inside cuts! The QuickClamp is supplied complete as shown, and accepts all blade sizes." 

When I first got my Hegner, I broke a lot of blades. But when I got used to it and the tension. that went away.  I rarely break blades anymore.  I have never used any of Advance Machinery blades, so I can not speak for them.  I will add I purchased a used Hawk a few months ago.  The same problem, was breaking blades.  But after getting a feel for the tension on that saw, that went away.

Edited Monday at 03:15 PM by Scrappile

[Wichman]

Are you using a foot switch? When a blade break and the saw keeps running, the adjustment knob can turn on it's own.

 

When I'm installing the blade in a bottom clamp I position the blade against the screw then move the blade just a fraction so the screw doesn't move the blade, then tighten. I feel that I get a more consistent blade length when I do this.

Same with the quick clamp, I start with the blade slightly below and behind the quick clamp then gently pull the blade top forward and the arm down until the blade is past the screw, let the blade slide into the clamp, and top out the blade in the clamp and tighten.