Blade tension on Hegner saws

[starman]

I am curious as to the blade tension used on your Hegner saws, particularly with the Quick Clamp. In YouTube videos By Advanced Machinery it was stated that you could turn the tension knob up to two full turns after the initial "snug point".  If I turn much more than about 3/4 turn past the snug point, the Quick Clamp won't hold the blade.  I sand the blades before clamping.  The standard blade clamps are phenomenal  in their gripping power, but I need the Quick Clamp for inside cuts. Even at 3/4 turn it is easy to pull 2/0 blades apart.

[kmmcrafts]

I'm so glad you mention the blade size because this is so important. I have very limited experience with running the Hegner saw since I just got my first one not to long ago. 

First off I think they mean that turning the knob until snug means that is your starting point so for instance with those small blades you'd start there and as you increase blade sizes you can and probably need to turn it some more but only up to two full turns. This is honestly just a rough ballpark idea and you should always pluck the blade to see if it has the high pitch C note.. Myself, I've scroll sawn for years and rarely pay any attention to what the saw instructions might say. I just tighten until I know the sound the blade should make. 

Now if you're blade is slipping out of the clamp before achieving proper tension then you may need to clean the clamping surface of the clamps or may need new screws etc.. 

[Scrappile]

One of the reasons they may tell you that, is with the standard clamps the top clamp is suppose to float (not be held in the holder tightly.  The Krewl knob at the top it backed off the clamp slightly.  With the Quick Clamp the top knob is screwed down to hold the top clamp tightly in place.  So you have to re-adjust the tension before cutting the first time.  I agree you don't have to go by the exact number of turns they state.  Tighten until the blade Pings as Kevin above states.  Pretty soon it becomes just the feel of the tension on the knob when you turn it and you will not even need to thump the blade to know if it is tight enough or not.

Edited April 12, 2023 by Scrappile

[Tom-in-Ashland]

I have a Hegner I bought new about 18 months ago.  I use the quick clamp but have never had that problem. I do not count turns. My process is to install the bead, push the lever above all the way back,  tighten the screw at the back until plucking the blade gives a high C note. Done. I find that as long as I'm using the same size blade I seldom have to re-adjust the back tension screw. 

[TAIrving]

We have discussed the 2/0 blades previously in this forum.  They are very small blades and will break if overtightened, no matter which brand saw you are using.  The preferred answer seems to be to back off on the tension just a bit for that size blade, then they work just fine.  Happy sawdust to you?

[Wichman]

I have ad my Hegner for about two years now. I use the quick clamp exclusively. The only time I get blade slippage is when the blade is in the wrong position when the clamp is tightened, this includes 2/0 blades ( FD Polar ), FYI I don't do anything to the clamps or the blades, i.e. sanding, solvent ect.

To get the blade in the correct position I start by having the quick clamp almost closed, then gently push the blade back behind the clamp area( using the piece to be cut or my fingers at the bottom of the blade, then pull the top af the blade forward until it is in front of the top clamp, pull the arm down and allow the top of the blade to rest against the clamp screw, unscrew the clamp until the blade springs back, tighten the clamp.

I know it sound co9mplicated but it isn't. I just trying to explain the whole thing.

I generally put more tension on the blades than "normal" because I cut thick material ( 1/2" with a 2/0 blades and I don't want the blade to bend inside the cut.

I usually tighten 5 quarters, and that includes the 2/0 blades.

[Jim Finn]

On 4/10/2023 at 12:42 PM, starman said:

I am curious as to the blade tension used on your Hegner saws, particularly with the Quick Clamp. In YouTube videos By Advanced Machinery it was stated that you could turn the tension knob up to two full turns after the initial "snug point".  If I turn much more than about 3/4 turn past the snug point, the Quick Clamp won't hold the blade.  I sand the blades before clamping.  The standard blade clamps are phenomenal  in their gripping power, but I need the Quick Clamp for inside cuts. Even at 3/4 turn it is easy to pull 2/0 blades apart.

Run it at a lower tension if it pulls out of the clamp or breaks. Tension  enough to achieve good control on your cuts and no more. 

[starman]

Thanks to all for this afvice.

[Wichman]

An additional thought:

   A few days ago I started to get some slippage. The issue was the set screw opposite the knurled knob tightener on the quick clamp. It took just a small adjustment ( maybe 1/8 turn ), at first I made too large an adjustment and got a small "hockey stick" so I back off just a smidge. No more slippage or hockey sticks.