Bill
You say that you have used this to cut brown stuff in the past, with the same type or similar blades, with no problems. As you say that you are using the same or the same type of blades then has the return arm mechanism become too stiff or slack after lack of use or has it had a knock and become misaligned somehow.
If the return arm/spring is not maintaining tension on the blade then it is possible that the blade is becoming loose at some point in the cycle and the system is snatching the blade tight causing it to fail. If too tight then the blade will be over tensioned with the same result. Does the return arm have free movement for the complete cycle of the blade movement, is there a stop and if so is this adjustable to accommodate various blade lengths?
Just a few ramblings
while I await my instructions from SWMBO for the afternoon's activities
.
Regards
Martin
Edited By Martin W on 14/04/2012 12:39:43