Scroll Saw Won't Hold Tension Under Power

[algale]

I have my top half apart and as I had guessed especially the top bushing is looser then I think it should be. The bottom one did not seem as bad??

I had also guessed the spring was broken (#23 [514980])and it was. I have no idea how that happened. According to the older drawing there is a spring (#21 [513721]) that is not there. I have to see if that was something that happened when I upgraded or if it was always missing on mine.

I will check the hole size in the tensioning rod later when I get out my hole gauge set. I don't feel too much play so I have a feeling it is pretty close fit.

Now comes the problem of finding the bushings......... and "adjusting" them. I pushed the old ones out with my arbor press so that was easy. I'm wondering if one of the farm stores in the area might stock something of this size????? To bad that is not a stock item at shopsmith.

BTW I now have two extra springs, I was having problems with the ordering system the day I placed the order and some how ended up ordering 3 rather then just 1, I also found that a special washer I needed 4 of ended up with me ordering just one........... now that I have one in hand I'll check locally to see if I can find the other 3 or something close.

Ed

Don't forget the pictures!

[reible]

OH yes the pictures. I don't want to steal this thread but I did take a couple of picture which I will share.

I also checked to see if my tension rod was bent. It does not appear so.

I then checked the measurement of the hole. Method and results are in pictures.

20151215_180540sc.jpg (131.87 KiB) Viewed 3291 times

20151215_180604sc.jpg (140.83 KiB) Viewed 3291 times

So now I'm off bushing shopping.

Ed

[algale]

OH yes the pictures. I don't want to steal this thread but I did take a couple of picture which I will share.

I also checked to see if my tension rod was bent. It does not appear so.

I then checked the measurement of the hole. Method and results are in pictures.

20151215_180540sc.jpg

20151215_180604sc.jpg

So now I'm off bushing shopping.

Ed

Unless there's some parallax it looks like .203"? Interesting that your tension rod is shaped like a globe at the bottom. That's still shown in the current on line diagram but it certainly isn't how mine looks.

[reible]

You have the correct dimension of .203. Like I said this is an older saw so I guess depending on vintage parts change.

I had no luck finding a flange bushing, doubted I would be it was worth a try. I have found the ones the jpg used and modified, I have sent a message to the vendor asking if they had one with a thinner flange so we will see. If not I will go the same route he did and see how close I can get.

Would it be possible to get a picture of your saws bushings? Just wondering how much they have changed.

Ed

OH yes the pictures. I don't want to steal this thread but I did take a couple of picture which I will share.

I also checked to see if my tension rod was bent. It does not appear so.

I then checked the measurement of the hole. Method and results are in pictures.

20151215_180540sc.jpg

20151215_180604sc.jpg

So now I'm off bushing shopping.

Ed

Unless there's some parallax it looks like .203"? Interesting that your tension rod is shaped like a globe at the bottom. That's still shown in the current on line diagram but it certainly isn't how mine looks.

[algale]

You have the correct dimension of .203. Like I said this is an older saw so I guess depending on vintage parts change.

I had no luck finding a flange bushing, doubted I would be it was worth a try. I have found the ones the jpg used and modified, I have sent a message to the vendor asking if they had one with a thinner flange so we will see. If not I will go the same route he did and see how close I can get.

Would it be possible to get a picture of your saws bushings? Just wondering how much they have changed.

Ed

Hi Ed,

I'm willing to give it a try -- tonight after work. I must admit, I don't know how to remove them or if I have the right tools to do the job (actually I'm sure I don't have the right tools but maybe we can figure out how to cobble together something that will work).

Al

[reible]

Hi,

No need to take it apart. A couple of photos will do with the bushing in place. Or, take another look at jpg's thread and see if yours look like his.

BTW I head back from the bushing guy and no they do not have anything with that thin a flange. So I'm going to order the other ones and hope I don't mess them up. Looks like this will be setting apart longer then I first hoped.

Ed

You have the correct dimension of .203. Like I said this is an older saw so I guess depending on vintage parts change.

I had no luck finding a flange bushing, doubted I would be it was worth a try. I have found the ones the jpg used and modified, I have sent a message to the vendor asking if they had one with a thinner flange so we will see. If not I will go the same route he did and see how close I can get.

Would it be possible to get a picture of your saws bushings? Just wondering how much they have changed.

Ed

Hi Ed,

I'm willing to give it a try -- tonight after work. I must admit, I don't know how to remove them or if I have the right tools to do the job (actually I'm sure I don't have the right tools but maybe we can figure out how to cobble together something that will work).

Al

[algale]

Hi Ed,

I have to say that the bushing are very different. They appear to be made of plastic (UHMW??)!

Here are the pics. Hope they are clear enough!

IMG_2810.JPG (180.24 KiB) Viewed 3096 times

IMG_2811.JPG (172.7 KiB) Viewed 3096 times

Let me know if you need more pics.

Since I think these are some of the first pics posted on the Forum of the guts of the TEAL scroll saw, I will add that there was a spring washer that goes on top of that which I removed for the photo. Also, the shaft emerging from the bushing and face of the bushing were covered with grease (not sure why that would be because I believe UHMW plastic is self-lubricating; but what do I know?).

Al

[JPG]

Surprise, Surprise!

[reible]

I guess this explains why they don't sell the old bearings anymore. I did take a look at the teal saw parts list online and I don't see bushings listed(or did I miss them?).

So I wonder how close the plastic version is to the old metal version size wise? Could I add the plastic ones to my saw? Yea I don't know the answers either. But I would like to.

My guess would be the plastic parts are cheaper but then I wonder if they will hold up any better or not. I'm also wondering, a lot of that tonight, if one were to send in there old gray saw to shopsmith for a rebuild what would they get back. Or, would shopsmith not do a rebuild on this old gray model? See what I mean about all this wondering?

I don't really expect answers on those last questions.

Ed

[JPG]

I guess this explains why they don't sell the old bearings anymore. I did take a look at the teal saw parts list online and I don't see bushings listed(or did I miss them?).

So I wonder how close the plastic version is to the old metal version size wise? Could I add the plastic ones to my saw? Yea I don't know the answers either. But I would like to.

My guess would be the plastic parts are cheaper but then I wonder if they will hold up any better or not. I'm also wondering, a lot of that tonight, if one were to send in there old gray saw to shopsmith for a rebuild what would they get back. Or, would shopsmith not do a rebuild on this old gray model? See what I mean about all this wondering?

I don't really expect answers on those last questions.

Ed

The flange on the teal version bushing has a much larger od than the bronze bushing. SS did not sell the bronze bushing either. Only with a complete arm. We are not supposed to know how to press parts in/out.