Scrolling a straight line

[Guest]

I recently purchased a DeWalt 788 scroll saw (primarily for Intarsia and fretwork); however, and can not cut a straight line with it to save my life. To cut a straightline, I have to turn my wood at about a 30 degree angle and follow the line. So basically...I can cut a straight line, but I have to turn the wood to the right angle and then go. This a very frustrating problem that I can't resolve.

Steps I've taken: I've ensured my table top is square to the blade, I have the blade tension very tight, I scroll at a slow speed. What else is there? Could there be something physically wrong with my saw?

Doug

[mdallensr]

Re: Scrolling a straight line

It's a common problem, just as it is for bandsaws. It's usually caused by losing the set to the teeth on one side of the blade, which makes the other side cut faster/easier. I have the same saw and noted a similir but less severe problem. I just compensate a little, but nothing near 30 degrees.

[plain_ol_ed]

Re: Scrolling a straight line

Doug - mdallensr is correct, it's caused by the set of the teeth. Very common on scroll saws because of the blade manufacturing process causing the set to be off to one side. Some blades are worse than others, even within the same batch. There are two possible fixes:
Closely inspect each blade and use only the ones with the set being only slightly off. Downside is you waste a lot of blades.
Use double precision blades. Downside they are more expensive and are not available in the smaller sizes.

Or, just get used to it and live with it using options one or two above for critical projects/cuts.

[Guest]

Re: Scrolling a straight line

Thank you 'Plain_Ol_Ed' and 'mdallendr' for your tips and time. I will check my blades and probably try some different ones too.

[Guest]

Re: Scrolling a straight line

My saw too, it's the blades: a precision ground tooth blade (PGT) will cut the straightest, while a typical $2 / dz. blade will have to be angled to go straight because of the manufacturing process putting a one sided kerf in the blade.

[Guest]

Re: Scrolling a straight line

If you're looking for new blades, try out the Flying Dutchman. He advertises in all magazines, including Scroll Saw. I have found his blades to be the best and I have very little to compensate for to cut a straight line. And he has FREE SHIPPING!! If you have read any of my other replies to questions. you will notice I like freebies!

[Guest]

Re: Scrolling a straight line

You can get F.D. blades at www.mikesworkshop.com :

[William_Young_SE_B]

Re: Scrolling a straight line

If you position your stool/chair slightly to the right of the saw while cutting, it will help . It wont change the angle of the cut but it will appear that it has. After cutting many pieces , you wont even notice the angle that the wood takes to cut a straight line. Try drawing a bunch of straight lines on a scrap board with a straight edge ruler and then practice sawing the pencil line in half with no trace of pencil left on either side of the kerf. It wont be long untill you find sawing straight lines becomes quite easy. :
W.Y.

[Guest]

Re: Scrolling a straight line

Hi All;
Well I got a tip for all of you, When I put in a new blade the first thine I do, is take a piece of scrap and start a cut, IF the cut wanders off to the right I stop in mid cut and twist the blade to the left { just a little} start the cut to check,if it is straight then I go to my project, but if not enough or to much corect till it tracks straight.
Just Charlie in Garfield : :P

[Guest]

Re: Scrolling a straight line

Hi All;
Well I got a tip for all of you, When I put in a new blade the first thine I do, is take a piece of scrap and start a cut, IF the cut wanders off to the right I stop in mid cut and twist the blade to the left { just a little} start the cut to check,if it is straight then I go to my project, but if not enough or to much corect till it tracks straight.
Just Charlie in Garfield : :P