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A friend gave me an old Mark 5 (1956). not been used for a least 20 years. I was told the motor was burned up, checked and found much to my surprise that it only needed a new switch. The Magna jigsaw that came with it is in great shape, the problem is it keeps breaking blades. It had a blade in it that had to be from the 50s,about 1/4 of an inch width. I broke that blade,found scroll saw blades that are much lighter,but just break after about 30 sec of running. After I replaced the blade I found that the yoke bracket set screw had become loose so no power to the saw. I reset it high up on the shaft, not sure if this the problem. My blade hold downs seem to be fine, Any ideas would be great, the short time I used it worked great. I build wooden boats, and this would work great for cutting out forms.

You are setting the blade tension?

If the upper plunger(the spring loaded thingie) does not move freely, it can get behind and cause the blade to bend.

Finally, you are running speed close to slow.

Running a low speed. Not sure if I have the tension right, the manual says to set the tension, but it not telling how to set it. Any help would be great.

jim

jimjet wrote:Running a low speed. Not sure if I have the tension right, the manual says to set the tension, but it not telling how to set it. Any help would be great.

jim

You might be forcing it. It does not cut very fast. 'Let the blade do the work'. Generally too little tension causes problems, too much not!

I'm not getting to the point of running any wood,breaks almost as soon I start it up. Can you run me thru the steps of the set for the tension.


thanks jim

jimjet wrote:I'm not getting to the point of running any wood,breaks almost as soon I start it up. Can you run me thru the steps of the set for the tension.


thanks jim

Loosen the knob on the front.

Pull up in the large cylinder an inch or more.

Tighten the knob.