I bought a 25 dollar Craftsman scroll saw at a rummage
sale and spend a few hours last night making jigsaw
puzzles out of hardboard for a party. (Thanks for the
tip! The project worked out really well.)

I've never used one before, and I don't know a lot about
the tool. I have a couple of questions.

1) I bought Olson No.5 blades with the reverse teeth (even
though the manual said to use blades going one way) because
the package said it created a smoother cut on both sides.
Is this hype or are these blades a little better?

2) What is the purpose of using slower speeds? I cranked
it to the highest speed, worked for four hours. I broke
a couple of blades, but I figured that was par for the
course.

3) (I know, I said a couple of questions) How do you tension
blades? I tightened until I could easily move the blade an
1/8 on an inch either way. Is that about right?

Thanks for the help.

S.

samson wrote:
I bought a 25 dollar Craftsman scroll saw at a rummage
sale and spend a few hours last night making jigsaw
puzzles out of hardboard for a party. (Thanks for the
tip! The project worked out really well.)

I've never used one before, and I don't know a lot about
the tool. I have a couple of questions.

1) I bought Olson No.5 blades with the reverse teeth (even
though the manual said to use blades going one way) because
the package said it created a smoother cut on both sides.
Is this hype or are these blades a little better?

It depends. What is the stroke and how thick is the material? If you are
talking about using those in 1/4" hardboard, don't bother.
____________

2) What is the purpose of using slower speeds?

To cut more slowly. Control.
_____________

3) (I know, I said a couple of questions) How do you tension
blades? I tightened until I could easily move the blade an
1/8 on an inch either way. Is that about right?

Not for me, way too loose.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

"samson" wrote in message
...
I bought a 25 dollar Craftsman scroll saw at a rummage
sale and spend a few hours last night making jigsaw
puzzles out of hardboard for a party. (Thanks for the
tip! The project worked out really well.)

I've never used one before, and I don't know a lot about
the tool. I have a couple of questions.

1) I bought Olson No.5 blades with the reverse teeth (even
though the manual said to use blades going one way) because
the package said it created a smoother cut on both sides.
Is this hype or are these blades a little better?

2) What is the purpose of using slower speeds? I cranked
it to the highest speed, worked for four hours. I broke
a couple of blades, but I figured that was par for the
course.

3) (I know, I said a couple of questions) How do you tension
blades? I tightened until I could easily move the blade an
1/8 on an inch either way. Is that about right?

Thanks for the help.

S.

there are a great group of folks at Scrollsawer.com hosted by Fox Chapel
publishing the forum has members from all over the world with tons of
knowledge here is the link http://www.scrollsawer.com/forum/index.php you
can read all sorts of info but to post you must be registered HTH

On Fri, 8 Aug 2008 20:46:14 -0400, "Daryl Walters"
wrote:


"samson" wrote in message
m...
I bought a 25 dollar Craftsman scroll saw at a rummage
sale and spend a few hours last night making jigsaw
puzzles out of hardboard for a party. (Thanks for the
tip! The project worked out really well.)

I've never used one before, and I don't know a lot about
the tool. I have a couple of questions.

1) I bought Olson No.5 blades with the reverse teeth (even
though the manual said to use blades going one way) because
the package said it created a smoother cut on both sides.
Is this hype or are these blades a little better?

Reverse fret blades do work better, giving less splintering on the
bottom. I use them almost exclusively.

2) What is the purpose of using slower speeds? I cranked
it to the highest speed, worked for four hours. I broke
a couple of blades, but I figured that was par for the
course.


3) (I know, I said a couple of questions) How do you tension
blades? I tightened until I could easily move the blade an
1/8 on an inch either way. Is that about right?

I use Flying Dutchman blades from Mikes workshop. They are the best
blades that I have tried. Except for some heavy duty blades which I
think had a defect, the other blades almost never break. I tighten
the blades as tight as I can get them. It makes for better control
and straighter cuts. With 1/8" deflection the blades will bow on
thicker wood. You slow the speed down for better control.

Some of my scroll saw work is at
http://www.olypen.com/ray/Woodwork2/woodwork2.html



Thanks for the help.

S.

there are a great group of folks at Scrollsawer.com hosted by Fox Chapel
publishing the forum has members from all over the world with tons of
knowledge here is the link http://www.scrollsawer.com/forum/index.php you
can read all sorts of info but to post you must be registered HTH

In article ,
says...
On Fri, 8 Aug 2008 20:46:14 -0400, "Daryl Walters"
wrote:


"samson" wrote in message
m...
I bought a 25 dollar Craftsman scroll saw at a rummage
sale and spend a few hours last night making jigsaw
puzzles out of hardboard for a party. (Thanks for the
tip! The project worked out really well.)

I've never used one before, and I don't know a lot about
the tool. I have a couple of questions.

1) I bought Olson No.5 blades with the reverse teeth (even
though the manual said to use blades going one way) because
the package said it created a smoother cut on both sides.
Is this hype or are these blades a little better?

Reverse fret blades do work better, giving less splintering on the
bottom. I use them almost exclusively.

2) What is the purpose of using slower speeds? I cranked
it to the highest speed, worked for four hours. I broke
a couple of blades, but I figured that was par for the
course.


3) (I know, I said a couple of questions) How do you tension
blades? I tightened until I could easily move the blade an
1/8 on an inch either way. Is that about right?

I use Flying Dutchman blades from Mikes workshop. They are the best
blades that I have tried. Except for some heavy duty blades which I
think had a defect, the other blades almost never break. I tighten
the blades as tight as I can get them. It makes for better control
and straighter cuts. With 1/8" deflection the blades will bow on
thicker wood. You slow the speed down for better control.

Some of my scroll saw work is at
http://www.olypen.com/ray/Woodwork2/woodwork2.html

That's some beautiful work there. Thanks very much for
the information!

S.