Scroll Saw Won't Hold Tension Under Power

[algale]

A 3/16" tension pin will measure larger than 0.1875" when 'expanded'. Remember it is a compression spring that is placed in tension when squeezed.

0.0325" seems very sloppy to me.

Measure the holes in the arm? 0.188?

Yes! Exactly .188".

[reible]

Just for reference a 3/16 pin should measure a nominal .188". The actual dimension should be in the .194 to .199". The hole that holds it should be .187 to .192". Well at least that is what the book says.

Got a notice that my shopsmith order has shipped so I too will soon have eyes on the inside of the mine, an older gray model.

Ed

[algale]

Just for reference a 3/16 pin should measure a nominal .188". The actual dimension should be in the .194 to .199". The hole that holds it should be .187 to .192". Well at least that is what the book says.

Got a notice that my shopsmith order has shipped so I too will soon have eyes on the inside of the mine, an older gray model.

Ed

Were your parts on back order for long?

[reible]

Just for reference a 3/16 pin should measure a nominal .188". The actual dimension should be in the .194 to .199". The hole that holds it should be .187 to .192". Well at least that is what the book says.

Got a notice that my shopsmith order has shipped so I too will soon have eyes on the inside of the mine, an older gray model.

Ed

Were your parts on back order for long?

One part was no longer being made so that got canceled but the other parts that I guessed might be needed were in stock. The order was held up by the new quill feed handle, they were waiting on them to ship. Promise date was the 18th so they must have come in early.

My issue is with the slop of the arms. Since I got it used I have no real feel for the slop but it seems excessive to me and when cutting it seems to lack stability. I grew up with jig saws and have the shopsmith one and they are much more stable then the scroll saw. Maybe I'm too picky for my own good but I don't enjoy using the saw the way it is. If I can't fix it then I will be in the market for a new saw, unlikely to be a shopsmith.

Ed

[algale]

I will be very interested to learn from your experience, too. When I first got this saw, I couldn't follow even a straight line to save my life. Based on JPG's refurb thread, I attributed my problem to side-to-side play in the arms.

Clearly what was causing the the error in my case, however was the progressive loss of tension and the blade simply deflecting away from the intended direction of the cut.

Having taken it apart and examined the arm pivots, I do not see wear on mine. I just think the arms are quite long and the ends are far from the pivot points; so some side-to-side play is inevitable given the arms must be able to pivot.

Once I get my new tension rod, I will find out for sure whether I have an issue beyond losing tension. I hope not!

[reible]

I will be very interested to learn from your experience, too. When I first got this saw, I couldn't follow even a straight line to save my life. Based on JPG's refurb thread, I attributed my problem to side-to-side play in the arms.

Clearly what was causing the the error in my case, however was the progressive loss of tension and the blade simply deflecting away from the intended direction of the cut.

Having taken it apart and examined the arm pivots, I do not see wear on mine. I just think the arms are quite long and the ends are far from the pivot points; so some side-to-side play is inevitable given the arms must be able to pivot.

Once I get my new tension rod, I will find out for sure whether I have an issue beyond losing tension. I hope not!

I don't remember what the amount of movement I was observing but it seems it was a lot more the jpg had after his was rebuilt so here go nothing as they say. I should look up that thread and see if I had posted the amount of play and got an answer from him.... I think I did but my memory is not like it use to be.

I'm thinking my issue is the bushings. I don't think I have much else to do other then that but we will see.

Ed

[JPG]

I will be very interested to learn from your experience, too. When I first got this saw, I couldn't follow even a straight line to save my life. Based on JPG's refurb thread, I attributed my problem to side-to-side play in the arms.

Clearly what was causing the the error in my case, however was the progressive loss of tension and the blade simply deflecting away from the intended direction of the cut.

Having taken it apart and examined the arm pivots, I do not see wear on mine. I just think the arms are quite long and the ends are far from the pivot points; so some side-to-side play is inevitable given the arms must be able to pivot.

Once I get my new tension rod, I will find out for sure whether I have an issue beyond losing tension. I hope not!

I don't remember what the amount of movement I was observing but it seems it was a lot more the jpg had after his was rebuilt so here go nothing as they say. I should look up that thread and see if I had posted the amount of play and got an answer from him.... I think I did but my memory is not like it use to be.

I'm thinking my issue is the bushings. I don't think I have much else to do other then that but we will see.

Ed

Nothing wrong with thy memory. Yes yours had considerably greater side to side play than mine with new bushings and posts. I do not however recall the numbers. Mine IIRC are < 1/16". The bushings are no longer available but I refer you to that thread of mine. Access to a machine shop/lathe would be helpful. New posts might reduce play.

[algale]

Here's what I said about my side to side play.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 81#p178681

And here's what Ed said.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 26#p178726

[algale]

Just checked my order status and it says "shipped." Very happy! I was worried these service parts for the scroll saw might take a while.

[reible]

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