Chuck prob w/ Wen 16” 3922

[Dusty AF]

My bottom chuck won’t keep #5 or smaller blade tight for internal cuts. I’ve switched top and bottom chuck but to no avail. I want to move up to 21” table (Wen) but afraid of the same problem. Spend $200 more to get Dewalt? With Dewalt I could get Pegas chucks but thats another $100 ish. Don’t know what to do. 

[Dak0ta52]

You might as well go to the WEN website and purchase some of the blade clamps. I also have a WEN and pretty much have the same problem every so often. You can run sandpaper in the grove where the blade clamps and that will help but ultimately you will have to change the clamp. I purchase clamps by the half dozen from WEN at about $5 each. I also had to do away with the thumb screw on the clamp. I couldn't tighten the clamp with the thumb screw tight enough to hold the blade. Instead, I use a hex nut and a nut driver to tighten the blade. Just remember not to overtighten with the nut driver or you will strip the threads in the clamp. I tighten the clamp until it touches the blade and the give it just a slight twist to secure the blade.

I've tried to drill and tap the clamps after they eventually strip but haven't had much success. The next size up is a hex nut that has fine (32) or course (24) threads. I tried using the courser thread so you wouldn't have to twist as much to tighten the clamp. Unfortunately, I seem to always break the tap.

By the way, welcome to the Village Forum. There are great people on here and I have learned a lot from their vast experience. Also, share pictures of you work in the "Brag" section. We always enjoy seeing other's work. It inspires us to do more.

Edited December 10, 2022 by Dak0ta52

[Dusty AF]

5 hours ago, Dak0ta52 said:

You might as well go to the WEN website and purchase some of the blade clamps. I also have a WEN and pretty much have the same problem every so often. You can run sandpaper in the grove where the blade clamps and that will help but ultimately you will have to change the clamp. I purchase clamps by the half dozen from WEN at about $5 each. I also had to do away with the thumb screw on the clamp. I couldn't tighten the clamp with the thumb screw tight enough to hold the blade. Instead, I use a hex nut and a nut driver to tighten the blade. Just remember not to overtighten with the nut driver or you will strip the threads in the clamp. I tighten the clamp until it touches the blade and the give it just a slight twist to secure the blade.

I've tried to drill and tap the clamps after they eventually strip but haven't had much success. The next size up is a hex nut that has fine (32) or course (24) threads. I tried using the courser thread so you wouldn't have to twist as much to tighten the clamp. Unfortunately, I seem to always break the tap.

By the way, welcome to the Village Forum. There are great people on here and I have learned a lot from their vast experience. Also, share pictures of you work in the "Brag" section. We always enjoy seeing other's work. It inspires us to do more.

Thank you for the info and the warm welcome !!

[OCtoolguy]

Also, make sure you clean the oil off the ends of the blades. Use a rag dampened with mineral spirits to remove the shipping oil. And you might try roughing the blades with some 220 sand paper after cleaning them. Make sure your clamps are clean too. They have probably gotten oily. 

And welcome. Great place.