Replies

1. 
   RickL | Jan 23, 2009 03:25pm | #1

   This has always been a point of contention for the trainees in the shops I've been in.

   Grabbing the blade with two fingers and a light turn of the wrench is all that's necessary.  Do not use a wrench longer than the stock wrench!!!!! Over tightening has been the problem. I've had to replace arbors from overtightening. The threads get distorted and fail.  The nut is self tightening with the rotation of the blade. 

   It doesn't take much to tighten the blade. I remove extra long wrenches from table saws to prevent overtightening.

   Can't tell you how many times I've had this discussion when I was on the road as a Delta Service Tech going to schools, custom and production shops.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/23/2009 7:27 am ET by RickL

1. 
   Ray | Jan 23, 2009 04:50pm | #2

   Thanks Rick, I've always wondered if there was a "right" way to tighten the blade.

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Jan 23, 2009 09:25pm | #3

   Thanks Rick for the reassurance that I'm on the right track. I've never had a TS blade slip before.Edit: Could over-tightening be a factor in causing kickback?Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
   (soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com) - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

   Edited 1/23/2009 1:26 pm by flairwoodworks

1. 
   RickL | Jan 23, 2009 10:09pm | #4

   Edit: Could over-tightening be a factor in causing kickback?

   Nothing to do with kickback!

2. 
   SantaFeTom | Jan 23, 2009 11:19pm | #5

   I don't worry about tightening the blade too much because it has reverse threads. The blade will naturally tighten itself. If anything would slip, it would probably be the belts.

3. 
   oldusty | Jan 23, 2009 11:37pm | #6

        Chris ,

                 I agree with Rick L .

            Only I stick a wrench on the nut to the blade insert opening and give the blade a little rotation to tight .

       Sounds to me if the blade is not loose and the arbor shaft is not sheared then the belts may have slipped or your power cut out .

                   dusty

1. 
   dc206 | Jan 24, 2009 01:22am | #7

   I just happened on this thread about how tight to tighten the arbor nut on a table saw.  I usually firm the nut up and give it a bit more and call it good.  I have always been cautioned on overtightening, so I began using less torque.  As it turned out, I used this method on my dado set up and ended up with the blades slipping and had carbide teeth going everywhere.  Luckily the only harm to come from this was the damage to my dada set.

   So here is my question, should there be a difference between how tight you would tighten the arbor nut for a single blade vs a dado blade set?  If so, how do you determine the amount of torque for each?

   I have been inclined to give my dado blade set a bit more tightening since my incident.

   DC206

1. 
   mrbird90 | Jan 24, 2009 01:49am | #8

   With multiple blades there is more chance of small wood particles or sawdust getting between the blades and when cutting they can get displaced and cause a few thousands of loosness. Another probability is that all your blades were not in the gullet of the adjacent blade so when you tightened them you thought they were tight but when cutting one blade backed off the tooth and caused a loose condition. I tighen my dadoes to the same tightness as as single blade and check to make sure that there is no space between any blade.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 24, 2009 03:18pm | #13

   mrbird,

   This may be more sometimers here but also take light passes?  Kinda like finishing, many light coats vs a couple heavy ones?

   Requires a bit more planning when doing multiple pieces but cuts down on stress, in more ways than one.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 1/24/2009 7:20 am ET by KiddervilleAcres

2. 
   oldusty | Jan 24, 2009 02:11am | #9

     DC206,

         I think mrbird may have it , it it possible the gullets were not all right and the blade or blades shifted under a load ?

        Because of slight spaces between the blades it makes sense it could take a bit more torque to secure them , however the same theory of the blade self tightening as you use it would be true. More blades more mass converts to more thrust and the probability of movement if left loose .

      I have never had a dado set get loose or move , I have set them up funky a few times but got lucky .

   There is one time where an odd thing indeed happened about a year or so ago ,I was cross cutting a 4/4 piece of oak maybe 3 1/2" wide on the RAS and right in the middle of the cut , POW a big pop sound and light flash and one hell of a grounding howling sound from the RAS I thought the arbor broke off as the blade was sort of wobbling and still spinning .

     The power went off in our neighborhood as the saw was under a load in the middle of the cut and it inadvertently loosened the arbor nut because it was engaged in the load of the cut , whoa Nelly !

     I don't think it's an exact science , make it snug and a little more , for a dado set maybe a little more more .

            regards          dusty

1. 
   dc206 | Jan 24, 2009 03:35am | #10

   Thanks Dusty and mrbird.

   It was only the second or third time I used the dado blade, so I took a lot of care to have the blade aligned properly.  I found the arbor hole for the dado was a tight fit. The saw was a used saw and was not particularly well cared for.  So there may be been a burr on the shaft or some dust between the blades.  As I reflect back, it is possible that either some particles got between the various blades or the tight fitting arbor may have caused me to think it all the blades were snugged together and tight to the arbor flange, but were enough apart to cause the wing blades to collide with the outside blades when placed under load. 

   So many things to think about. 

   Appreciate your input.

   Finally, my apology for highjacking your topic.  Got excited thinking about trying to get the answer to my question.  Sorry.

   DC206

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Jan 24, 2009 04:01am | #11

   If you ask me, it's not hijacking. Still the same topic. I am the OP, by the way. No apologies needed.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

2. 
   dc206 | Jan 24, 2009 05:37am | #12

   Thank you. 

   DC206