jbrowning Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 Hello everyone, so I've been using the Pegas Modified Geometry blade #3 and broke one yesterday and then 2 more tonight (within a 2 hour period tonight). They have all broken about 1"-1.5" above the lower blade clamp holder. Do you think that is because I'm making too tight of a cut and pushing the blade too hard or maybe something is out of wack? This is on my Hegner 18V Scroll Saw. Thank you Jim OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 22 minutes ago, jbrowning said: Hello everyone, so I've been using the Pegas Modified Geometry blade #3 and broke one yesterday and then 2 more tonight (within a 2 hour period tonight). They have all broken about 1"-1.5" above the lower blade clamp holder. Do you think that is because I'm making too tight of a cut and pushing the blade too hard or maybe something is out of wack? This is on my Hegner 18V Scroll Saw. Thank you Jim I have had a couple break at about the place. I'm using my Ex 21 and cutting some intricate fretwork in 2 1/4" thickness hickory using #3 mgt. Making a lot of sharp turns and I think they just get tired of the twisting and break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wichman Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 41 minutes ago, OCtoolguy said: I'm using my Ex 21 and cutting some intricate fretwork in 2 1/4" thickness hickory using #3 mgt I read that as (1) piece, 2 1/4" thick. Did you mean (2) 1/4" pieces? OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wichman Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 On my Hegner, at the top of the stroke, the point of contact with the bottom of the wood is about 1 inch above the bottom clamp. It would make sense for blades to commonly break there, heat and stress would be highest at that point. Jim Finn, NC Scroller and OCtoolguy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoney Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 First I would try a little more tension. Second try a different brand blade. Third I would try adjusting saw speed and feed rate. One thing I have found in 13 years of using my Hegner is once you find the tension sweet spot you stop most of the blade breakage Jim Finn, Scrappile and OCtoolguy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 13 hours ago, Wichman said: I read that as (1) piece, 2 1/4" thick. Did you mean (2) 1/4" pieces? Yes. Thanks Wick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 I break more Pegas blades than FD. But they seem to break at the time I am thinking I need to change the blade because I am having a harder time controlling it do to wear.. Seems to me have a tendency to snap when worn, where as other blades do not... May just be my imagination. Never worried about it, I get my use out of them... OCtoolguy and stoney 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted November 16, 2021 Report Share Posted November 16, 2021 7 minutes ago, Scrappile said: I break more Pegas blades than FD. But they seem to break at the time I am thinking I need to change the blade because I am having a harder time controlling it do to wear.. Seems to me have a tendency to snap when worn, where as other blades do not... May just be my imagination. Never worried about it, I get my use out of them... I agree Paul. I think the Pegas blades may be a bit harder and may snap a bit quicker than other brands. stoney and Jim Finn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rash_powder Posted November 19, 2021 Report Share Posted November 19, 2021 I have been suffering a lot of blade breakage lately on my Hegner also. Most seem about 1/8" below the top clamp, the bulk of the rest about 1 1/4" up from the bottom clamp. Upon reviewing the manual I found that I was over-tensioning the blades - Hegner says no more than 1 turn of the tensioner from no slack and I was going 1 1/2 or more. Less tension has helped some, but I fear my current favorite blade has gone down in quality too, though I can't say for certain as I don't date the bundles of blades I have. I do tend to push the cutting life too as they feel sharp even when broken. Struggling is my thing, as is over thinking which is where I am at with it now. I'm trying to work out how to set the tension to approx 15000 psi as that is give or take where a bandsaw runs and a scroll saw blade is in a very similar situation. I tried tunining to 'C', but all the guitar tuning apps show it going from B flat straight to D sharp so that idea is a no go. If I ever figure something sciency and repeatable and measureable out I will post. I'm not too keen on the do it by feel thing. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted November 19, 2021 Report Share Posted November 19, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, rash_powder said: I have been suffering a lot of blade breakage lately on my Hegner also. Most seem about 1/8" below the top clamp, the bulk of the rest about 1 1/4" up from the bottom clamp. Upon reviewing the manual I found that I was over-tensioning the blades - Hegner says no more than 1 turn of the tensioner from no slack and I was going 1 1/2 or more. Less tension has helped some, but I fear my current favorite blade has gone down in quality too, though I can't say for certain as I don't date the bundles of blades I have. I do tend to push the cutting life too as they feel sharp even when broken. Struggling is my thing, as is over thinking which is where I am at with it now. I'm trying to work out how to set the tension to approx 15000 psi as that is give or take where a bandsaw runs and a scroll saw blade is in a very similar situation. I tried tunining to 'C', but all the guitar tuning apps show it going from B flat straight to D sharp so that idea is a no go. If I ever figure something sciency and repeatable and measureable out I will post. I'm not too keen on the do it by feel thing. Me thinks you are "over-thinking" the issue. I just tension til it feels right. Pluck the blade and it's either "plunk" or "pling". Edited November 19, 2021 by OCtoolguy Scrappile 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rash_powder Posted November 20, 2021 Report Share Posted November 20, 2021 5 hours ago, OCtoolguy said: Me thinks you are "over-thinking" the issue. I just tension til it feels right. Pluck the blade and it's either "plunk" or "pling". Oh I know I am. Just gotta do it though. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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