Tweet
I have a Sears/Craftsman 16-inch Direct Drive Scroll Saw. It originally took only pinned blades so I put on the Craftsman Scroll Saw Blade Conversion Kit (22259). I have used this saw for over 15 years and like it based on what I can afford. This one is single speed which is all that I have known so that doesn't bother me. I do some nice work on it, but do not do this to make $. Just for fun.
A tip I have is to reconfigure the upper blade holder. See first attached picture. I put in a screw to go from right to left with a lock washer and torqued it down good. I then put on a wing nut to tighten in the blade. This is a lot less cumbersome along with the original bolt spinning pushing the blade off center. I took a knob which you can see in the picture and cut a slit in it with a hack-saw to fit over the wing nut. Makes quick work of tightening and loosening the upper blade.
I read other posts about issues with the lower clamp. #5 blades break often where it gets clamped in and forget #2s and spiral blades. About 1/8" of blade breaks off each time. I believe the reason for this is that when it clamps the thinner blades is it pinches more toward the tip. I rarely have #7s break and, not that I use #9s much, don't break either. These thicker blades get clamped in with the opening still more parallel. See second attached picture. #7 blade in the clamp.
A tip I have is to reconfigure the upper blade holder. See first attached picture. I put in a screw to go from right to left with a lock washer and torqued it down good. I then put on a wing nut to tighten in the blade. This is a lot less cumbersome along with the original bolt spinning pushing the blade off center. I took a knob which you can see in the picture and cut a slit in it with a hack-saw to fit over the wing nut. Makes quick work of tightening and loosening the upper blade.
I read other posts about issues with the lower clamp. #5 blades break often where it gets clamped in and forget #2s and spiral blades. About 1/8" of blade breaks off each time. I believe the reason for this is that when it clamps the thinner blades is it pinches more toward the tip. I rarely have #7s break and, not that I use #9s much, don't break either. These thicker blades get clamped in with the opening still more parallel. See second attached picture. #7 blade in the clamp.
Comment