Carvex bent blades

[Joelm]

I was splitting my lumber storage cart into 2 separate pieces last night and had to use my carvex to cut shelves I could not reach with my track saw.

After a few cuts I noticed a smoking smell. I stopped the tool and took a look at the blade. It had come out of the tool, was all bent and had melted some of the splinter guard.

I examined the blade holder and it looked fine.  So I grabbed my last blade and tried another cut. This time I smelled smoke and started to see sparks come from the blade. I stopped the tool again and the blade was bent as well.

I finished up the job with my old dewalt jigsaw and called it a night.

Anyway. I was wondering what I should do. It was a recent recon jigsaw. I guess buy new blades, make sure the guides and set properly and try again before reaching out to see if it needs repairs.

 

[ScotF]

Try adjusting the carbide blade guides - it looks like they are too tight and heating up the blade and causing failure. Plenty of threads and videos on how to properly adjust the guides - just search the forum or You Tube.

 

[sancho57]

Also are you using the right blade for the job?

 

[Michael Kellough]

Your case is an extreme example of the error in using stationary friction devices to “guide” the blade rather than something less destructive (like a roller as Bosch and others use) or better yet more carefully guiding the reciprocating shaft like Mafell.

A stationary friction device will restrict lateral motion of the blade (as intended) but not without heating the blade which will cause the steel blade to expand which will increase the friction which will cause the blade to get so hot it will bend.

If the stationary friction device is “adjusted” so that it is not touching the blade is it really doing anything?

 

[Michael Kellough]

That blade, even though now distempered, is still sharp and should have easily cut any kind of wood.

The “guides” (or maybe just one guide) are/is rubbing too much and needs to be backed off to the point that they aren’t doing anything (except in the case of a tight turn in which case they will limit the deflection of the blade up until it overheats and simply bends).

 

[Joelm]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I used the 2 blades that came with the jigsaw.

Makes sense it would be the guides that heated and bent the blade. I could not easily reach the shelves I was cutting and had to cut one handed reaching into the shelves as far as I could and then cut from there other side.

I'll buy some new wood blades this week, back off the guides some more and test my jigsaw out again.

 

[Stone Message]

I think the recommendation is to tighten the blade guides until you are just unable to move the blade fore and aft. Then back off the adjuster by 180 degrees. That should work.

I must confess that this has happend to me when I have changed blades in a hurry and not checked the adjusment. It does not help if you are trying to do too tight a curve for the blade width or there is too little blade set for the curve.

Peter

 

[waho6o9]

I removed those guides, they're nothing but trouble,  this isn't for everyone I get it. I cut slowly and follow the line and
that works for me. 
Best luck.

 

[Joelm]

I just did a test with some new blades. Everything it's fine.  I loosened to guides a lot and haff no problem cutting some 3/4" plywood and some bench cookies.  [smile]