It was my original post about making a tension gauge from 10 quid digital calipers; actually I just clamped mine on with two small "thumbscrew" clamps. I was fed up as most saw's tension gauge readings are blade length dependant, so if your new blade is welded 0.5 cm longer it throws the reading out. Please read my original post, as the extension must be measured over the correct length of blade!
Tension is measured in psi, so 15,000 psi on a narrow/thin blade takes less pounds than on a wide/thicker one; but the narrow blade stretches more, so the same extension (gauge reading) is needed for both. No extra maths needed!
Use 25,000 psi for bimetal. Lower tensions are quite ok and kinder to saw when you're not ripping to full depth capacity. Smaller saws may not be able to reach these tensions, so don't compress the spring till it's turns actually touch.
Tension is measured in psi, so 15,000 psi on a narrow/thin blade takes less pounds than on a wide/thicker one; but the narrow blade stretches more, so the same extension (gauge reading) is needed for both. No extra maths needed!
Use 25,000 psi for bimetal. Lower tensions are quite ok and kinder to saw when you're not ripping to full depth capacity. Smaller saws may not be able to reach these tensions, so don't compress the spring till it's turns actually touch.
