Hegner / Axminster AWFS18 blade clamp broken

[lukenotts1]

Hi guys,

A couple of days ago, my top blade clamp split in two, with the crack vertical down the middle. I assume this is the most regular breakage of these clamps, and I believe it is down to me using a clamp designed for larger blades than I have been using.

Interestingly though, the clamp is still fully functioning, as I tend to leave the clamp wedged down with the top holding screw, and as such, I can still successfully tighten the clamp and hold the blade with plenty of tension required, even for the thicker blades. After about 10 hours of using the clamp, it functions as good now as it did before it split.

My question is, can anyone think of a reason why what Im doing is wrong, and any problems I could run into by doing so.

Im a bit of a tight wad, and will avoid buying (overpriced) new clamps if at all possible

As always, everyones time and knowledge is much appreciated.

[Geoff3]

Hi Lukenotts,
I remember reading on this forum sometime last year a member was advising
cutting these clamps in half as a cure for the clamp not holding the blade
tight enough, so you seem to have found this out by accident.
if you can still clamp the blade ok I would say keep on useing it..........Geoff3

[Hawaiilad]

You know, I have been using a Hegner for about 13 years and have often wondered about the different sizes of clamps for the blades...I know they come in different sizes for the different thickness of blades, but I have always had one size...of course I am talking about the bottom clamp. At times I have a bit of time fitting the blade into a clamp that was tightened for a thinner blade but I get it to fit. I have wondered about the upper clamp as well...do they come in different sizes as well? I have not had a problem with the upper clamp as yet.

[loftyhermes]

Hi Luke, have a look at this thread and Hawkinob's post blade clamp not holding • Scroll Saw Village

[ChuckD]

I have a Hegner but there is no way you can tell what size the clamp is unless you use some kind of gauge. I never had one break and the only reason I have to buy new ones (and they are not cheap) is because when a blade breaks, they really take off and have been lost, temporarily. As soon as I buy a new one the old one is found. Most of the time..

[welcon2]

Just waiting for my new Hegner scrollsaw to show up, but there are 3 different blade clamps available they are .05mm, .07mm, and 1.0mm. I ordered all three and the upper quick clamp. I have never done any scrollsawing but can't wait to unpack it when I get home and give it a shot.

[Jim Finn]

Just waiting for my new Hegner scrollsaw to show up, but there are 3 different blade clamps available they are .05mm, .07mm, and 1.0mm. I ordered all three and the upper quick clamp. I have never done any scrollsawing but can't wait to unpack it when I get home and give it a shot.

I suggest you go right to installing the upper quick clamp. It works well. I use #5 #7 and #9 blades in it.

[tony coleman]

I didnt realise there were different size clamps for hegners,until by chance i came across it on the net,so i got smaller clamps as i uasaly use #3 or less...
One fault i find with hegner saw is it wont run a #1 spiral for long with out breaking it,i prefer too use spirals,and have had too switch up too #3 ,but would prefer too use # 1,has any other hegner user had this problem,and have they found a way round the problem.