TheSilverFox Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 I use a scroll saw also. I don't build a lot so it works for me. I build some balsa and some pvc. Like said above, for the money and space it made the most sense to me. I started with a jig saw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
token12 Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) Do any of you who use a scroll saw get a slanted cut when cutting the bill slot? I use a casting resin by smooth on and here lately I have had some problems get a nice straight even cut; Even with wood it still happens... My blade is tightened down, saw is on a level surface and the cutting surface is set to zero and not on an angle.. Edited November 12, 2014 by token12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don-Art Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 It could be blade deflection. I would suggest trying a wider blade that has more backbone.If you have a blade tension adjustment. I would add more tension to the blade.Another thing is that it is easy to forget to let the blade do the work. Overworking the blade can cause all kinds of odd results. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don-Art Posted November 14, 2014 Report Share Posted November 14, 2014 Another thought is that you may have to make a fixture to stabilize and provide proper positioning of the cast blank.I have used epoxy putty to create a half mold in the past. Just don't forget to use a release agent.position your mold on a flat piece of wood or other material and add guide strips and a stop strip to your saw. Being that your casting a number of blanks it will be worth your while to spend the extra time needed on setup. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 Is the blade good and sharp? If too much force is applied while feeding the blank through the blade it can make the blade wander. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I use a scroll saw with a regular ?1/8?" wide blade, tightened down really good with pliers, and I feed the blank into the blade slowly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
token12 Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I'll try all the advice given over this weekend on some scrap wood. Idk how tight my blade should be I have it tight but I can keep turning the blade tensioner knob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don-Art Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I may have over complicated things. Before you get in too deep. You should put a square on the table and then against the blade. I have found that on many machines that the zero mark is not true and can be off by several degrees. As kid sometimes scroll saw blades were sometimes hard to find locally. We would take coping saw blades and either drive the pins out or snip the ends off. Just thought that I would mention that in the event a wider blade is difficult to find. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don-Art Posted November 15, 2014 Report Share Posted November 15, 2014 I may have over complicated things. Before you get in too deep. You should put a square on the table and then against the blade. I have found that on many machines that the zero mark is not true and can be off by several degrees. As a kid scroll saw blades were sometimes hard to find locally. We would take coping saw blades and either drive the pins out or snip the ends off. Just thought that I would mention that in the event a wider blade is difficult to find. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 How tight to make the band saw blade is always the big question. Just setting up the bearings and guides can be a brain strain. There is lots of set-up information out there in Google world, worth having a read. Personally, I judge the blade tension by sound. I pluck the blade while adjusting until I get a clear musical note. You can laugh, but it works for me. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 (edited) How tight to make the band saw blade is always the big question. Just setting up the bearings and guides can be a brain strain. There is lots of set-up information out there in Google world, worth having a read. Personally, I judge the blade tension by sound. I pluck the blade while adjusting until I get a clear musical note. You can laugh, but it works for me. Dave Dave, that's exactly how I do it, too. Just be sure to back the tension off when you're done. or your blade can take a shape from being in the stretched position too long. Edited November 18, 2014 by mark poulson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 (edited) Any music sound and you are way over tightening the blade. Alex Snodgrass set up video is about as easy as it gets...quick and excellent results. Edited November 18, 2014 by Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 Any music sound and you are way over tightening the blade. Alex Snodgrass set up video is about as easy as it gets...quick and excellent results. I didn't realize you were a music critic, too! Hahaha I guess I should have said I tighten it until it makes a higher pitched sound, like a mid rang note, when I twang it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Glenn Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 Some band saws have a gauge with a swinging dial that indicates how tight a blade should be according to the width of the blade. Musky Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 18, 2014 Report Share Posted November 18, 2014 (edited) The gauges are notoriously worthless in many bandsaws and can't recall ever coming across any article or instruction made by "pros" that would recommend setting a blade tension using them. Especially if you have swapped springs out to a more robust version. Edited November 18, 2014 by Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Glenn Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 This would be a good book to check out for setting up any kind of wood working shop equipment. Musky Glenn Cabinetmaking and Millwork by John Feirer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
token12 Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I may have over complicated things. Before you get in too deep. You should put a square on the table and then against the blade. I have found that on many machines that the zero mark is not true and can be off by several degrees. As a kid scroll saw blades were sometimes hard to find locally. We would take coping saw blades and either drive the pins out or snip the ends off. Just thought that I would mention that in the event a wider blade is difficult to find. Don Is this the method you are referring to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 That is a good way to square. I usually use a square and eyeball it then cut a curved piece and then check the cut piece with the square relative to the table and make any adjustments if needed. Several methods will get you to the same point. One of those things that it important to do and may be some time before you do it again. I haven't moved mine since initial set up years ago, but don't to a lot of scroll saw work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
token12 Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Sweet. Exactly what I wanted to hear. I'll give this a try tomorrow sometime. I'm thinking that the table maybe off. In the beginning when I first bought my scroll saw I never had a problem cutting a bill slot. I have completely avoided cutting into resin lures until I can figure out a solution. Hopefully this will be the solution. To all that have replied giving me input on solutions to help solve the problem I was having on this thread, thank you. All input has been noted and put to use or will be put to use. You guys have been courteous and generous. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don-Art Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Yes that's what I was referring to. I generally use a small machinist square, but I believe that this should bring you to the same basic result. Many times when we move these little machines around, we have a tendency to grab a hold on the table top. It doesn't take much to knock them out of position. I use the degree graduations on the table for reference only. Don 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
token12 Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Thanks for the tip. Hope this solves my problem. Ill post results tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don-Art Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Not a problem, Glad to help you out. looking forward to viewing your post tomorrow. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
token12 Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Went out just a little bit ago and got my scroll saw blade problem fixed using the method wooden block method. I cut into a blank resin casted crank bait and the cut was even and straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don-Art Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Great, Happy to hear that corrected the problem. Don 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrogAddict Posted January 1, 2015 Report Share Posted January 1, 2015 (edited) I turn my lures and then use my band saw to cut the lip slot when I still have my square ends in tact. This is a pretty fool proof method for me. Edited January 1, 2015 by FrogAddict Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
