Missing my old saw

[gilljc]

At the beginning of the year I replaced my old multicut 2 with the 2se, and while I like a lot of the features of the new one including the quick tension release, I am struggling with it when I use 2/0 blades. when the tension is tight enough to prevent wandering or being off the angle, there is a serious tendency for the blades to snap - consistently.
I feel I am experienced enough now to know that it is definitely a tension problem, and I did not have this issue with the old 'screw it up' system on the '2', but it is driving me mad on this saw. I am cutting the same patterns on the same types of wood that I used to have no trouble with, so either I have 5 bad packs of blades, or I am missing something here.
On the old saw you could feel the tension getting there as you turned the knob, but I don't get the same feedback from the new one even when setting it up for a new blade type.
Not such an issue with the bigger blades obviously, and a lot of the things I am making now don't need the 2/0 blades, but some are better with them, and I miss being able to do them confidently
Any suggestion anyone?

Gill

 

[Claymore]

Gill, What brand of blades do you use? I have been using Pegas for the last 6 months and have found I break hardly any now so either the blade quality has improved or I am getting used to them. I used to use FD blades until my last batch snapped when you were tensioning up never mind actually cutting and if you bent them slightly they just snapped (the Pegas don't snap when you bend them)
I have been using no 0's and 2's this week on my latest project and expected to snap plenty but managed to finish the project using 3 blades which is excellent considering how thin they are and how gormless I am lol
Hope you get your problem sorted as I know how annoying such things are.
Cheers
Brian
Ps How did the craft fair go?

 

[gilljc]

Hi Brian
I use olsen blades and they are actually the same batch I had before I changed saws (I think) did try fd blades a while back and didn't like them, found they broke as you said and left a lot of fuzzies, whereas I know that olsen and pegas are pretty good quality and cut nice and clean. The ones I am using are reverse tooth, but I might have some 0's somewhere, will give them a try. Will probably try another batch of blades just to be sure :roll: or maybe I need a new tension rod or a different saw...........
Craft fair went well thanks was going to put on a post to thank finneyb and naznomad for the idea and the pattern link for the wine yoke, I sold 2 and took orders for 4 more personalised ones and sold a couple of my more expensive items too, and some keyrings and stuff in between, so although some of the crafters were disappointed with the footfall, I was chuffed
Gill

 

[Chippygeoff]

Hi Gill. I have the S2 Hegner and like you I find the level of blade breakage unacceptable. I made a plaque today and broke a total of 4 blades, it seems to be the number 5s that break the most. The Hegner is about the best saw on the market today but in my opinion it could be a lot better. If the speed was increased and the table made a lot bigger it would be a fantastic saw. I am now on my third tension rod. I have had my Dewalt scroll saw back in operation for about 5 weeks nowand I have broken just 2 blades. The tension achieved on the Hegner is adequate but again, in my opinion, I would like to get the blade just a bit tighter as this would increase the speed at which the blade cuts through the wood and also be more accurate.

Well done with the craft fair Gill and glad to hear you had a good day.

 

[Claymore]

Geoff I have a Hegner clone Axminster saw and still on my original tension rod! what about buying an Axminster one to fit on your Hegner? 9-) never thought i'd hear that lol
Seriously though do you ever contact Hegner and report the faults? If enough people complain maybe they will fix the problem or at least update the exisiting ones and give the people like yourself who have spent a fortune on their gear a free upgrade kit etc.
I have been using my Foredom flexi carver for 12 months now and the flexi cable has been replaced twice and the latest one is starting to overheat like the others after 10 minutes use... my old Dremel may have been noisier but lasted 14yrs before breaking.
Cheers and hope things improve
Brian

 

[Bryan Bennett]

Hi Gill
Sorry to hear about your problem breaking blades,I agree with Brian that Pegas are worth trying.I thought that I was missing out with quick release on the top arm,maybe I am quite happy without one. :roll:

Bryan

 

[gilljc]

Hmm! here's a thought. Went out to shed in a more relaxed state of mind today, and sat down and went through everything I could possibly have wrong. Checked the set up of it all and noticed that the Quick clamp was screwed in tight (wasn't me, must have been the shed goblins again :shock: )
Anyway, fiddled with it a bit and now with it really :!: loose I have managed to cut accurately with a 2/0 blade without breakages
Embarrassed but much happier now
I know an aircraft engineer whose favourite phrase is 'it must be the nut on the end of the stick' think that might be relevant here :roll: