Been ss 3 whole hours....now have questions

[ThCube]

I am really new to ss. I am amazed at how easy it is and how much fun it is. I thought it would have been a lot harder.

But I keep breaking blades. I'm following the instructions, so I don't understand what it is I'm doing wrong. Any suggestions?

Also my wood is vibrating A LOT!! My arms are so sore trying to hold it down, am I doing something wrong here?

[BobD (Archive)]

the FIRST thing I would do is make sure the blade is installed correctly. If the blade is in upside down, it's going to work hard to lift the wood right off the table. The teeth should be pointing down towards the table!!!

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[ThCube]

The teeth were pointing up. Thank you.

[BobD (Archive)]

That's what I'm here for! Here's my tip to make sure you put the blade in correctly.

I appropriated a bottle of my wife's nailpolish that she didn't like the color of after buying it. I dip the top ends of all the blades when I open a new package into the nail polish. Spread them out so they don't stick together, and let the polish dry.

When you go to put the blade in your saw, you can tell right away which end is the top (especially important when you're using very fine blades). I always rub the ends of the blade with a scrap of sandpaper anyway, so that removes the polish and you are ready to go!!!

Bob

[workin for wood]

hehe...done that myself more than once!

[Doc249HMCS]

I'm to lazy to "nail polish" my blades. I lightly run my thumb down the blade to ensure that I have the correct blade orientation.

[BobD (Archive)]

My fingers are not sensitive enough to do that on the 2/0 blades...I also use a lot of two-way cut blades, so...I usually end up looking at them under my magnifier anyway...

Bob

[Doc249HMCS]

My philosophy is, if it works, use it.

[ThCube]

Thank you for your helpful hints. I think I will be visiting this site quite often.

I just finished my first project. It looks a little funny and not much like the picture, but it's a start.

I made a bread basket. Since this is going to be holding food, what type of finish do you suggest I use. I don't like the idea of no finish. I used poplar and I want more character.

[workin for wood]

I use #9 blades, so I should be able to see the teeth pretty good...I'm guessing sometimes I accidently flip it when inserting into the holder?

You can use any finish you want on a bread basket. I'd suggest a finish that is easy to clean, like a polyurethane or a laquer. If it's like a wavy basket with holes in it, I'd use a spray can. Or a wipe on poly is good, but it takes more coats to build a finish. I'd avoid an oil finish unless you really want to work up coats of finish. Don't use a water base finish because if it is sitting on the table and gets a shot of overspray from a chemical cleaner or even worse some alcohal spilled on it will damage it.

[Greenfield_Bob]

I've had my blades in upside down and had them in backwards, but not at the same time.

Bob

[PuzzledMoose]

My fingers are not sensitive enough to do that on the 2/0 blades...
Bob

Trying to remember who it was that recentlly suggested running a blade against a piece of cottonwool to check which way up the blade is ... I use the magnifier usually though with a 1 or 2/0 ...

[PuzzledMoose]

I've had my blades in upside down and had them in backwards, but not at the same time.

Bob

LOL ... backwards makes life tricky if you don't notice before you try to cut .. DAMHIKT ...

[Greenfield_Bob]

Ian, it didn't cut very good when I had it in backwards.

Bob

[Mick Walker]

Thcube, about breaking blades. Make sure you have enough tension on the blade. Too much tension is better than not enough. I have yet to break a blade because of too much tension. Push the wood into the teeth rather than pushing sideways on the blade. Practice makes perfect.
Good luck and enjoy your saw.