Rapidor Power Saw

[Exmoor309Participant @exmoor309]

Tapered cuts

[Exmoor309Participant @exmoor309]

Hi all,

I have an old Rapidor power saw that has served well for many years. Recently it has started to wander whilst cutting, resulting in a tapered cut in the vertical plane.

I have checked the obvious with a new blade seated correctly, slides adjusted adequately, job square in the vice etc, but it doesn't seem to cure the issue.

Has anybody got any experience of these saws or any advice that may help me cure the issue please?

Many thanks in advance,

Exmoor309

[Martin ConnellyParticipant @martinconnelly55370]

A few things can cause this, too fast a feed putting pressure on the blade (or too much weight if it is not a controlled feed), blade not taut enough, blade blunt or blade clogging up. These all cause the blade to distort and result in cuts going off to one side or the other. Unusually the material can cause problems if there are internal hard spots or stresses. Worn or loose blade guides on a bandsaw can cause this, if it is a powered hacksaw then material trapped between the blade and the saw where it is mounted can also cause blade wander as the blade is not correctly positioned relative to the hinge point.

Martin C

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

You seem to have covered most of the potential issues, barring an oops I didn't do what I thought I did (bin there, dunnitt). I assume the blade is in the right way round. I know a man who put it in wrong way round and took weeks to twig why it was cutting slow.

Only obvious thing you haven't mentioned is the hydraulic lit dingus that reduces the pressure on the blade on the return stroke. The pivots can wear so its not getting enough pressure relief. Especially at the start of the cut this excess pressure can let the blade create a partly oversize kerf so it twists slightly as it starts to cut. Once settled into eh cut the blade the follows it.

One day I shall look at mine as it appears to have some excess clearance in the lift pivot. But whilst its working OK I'm leaving well alone. Especially as I don't really understand how it works.

Generally seems that nothing much short of a small tactical nuclear device or being totally and utterly knackered stops a Rapidor from working pretty well.

Clive

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