unstable table

[gilljc]

does anyone have problems with their cast iron table staying level? Just nipped out to shed before heading off to work to do an hour on a filigree candle tray that I started last night. Then the cuts were even and would push easily both ways through cut, started this morning and the cuts were uneven, only pushing through from top to bottom. I have suspected the table doesn't stay true ever since I got the saw, but this is the confirmation. to add insult to injury, the scale under the saw points to 1 rather than zero when the table is level.
the result of this is weak spots that 'meet' fortunately underneath, but may need to scrap this rather nice piece of wood and a couple of hours work

 

[jonluv]

Had a similar problem couple of weeks ago ,I had moved my saw and eventually found that my stand was not level so quickly moved it back!
However I tend to put more pressure on my left hand when cutting and this can cause table to tilt, so when cutting jigsaws and 3d stuff have got into the habit of placing a small magnetic level on table ( 26 inch Hawk) found this helps.

Probably wrong but I suspect blade tensioning can have something to do with it

 

[Chippygeoff]

I feel it's one of the quirks of scroll sawing. My table is perfectly level and I test it from time to time by cutting into a piece of wood for about 20mm and then turning it over and seeing if the blade will back into the cut okay and that is good enough for me. I have made jig saws where one or two pieces only come out one way. The main reason this happens is going to fast round tight bends, like the cennecting pieces of a jigsaw. Another reason, and we all do it, is putting side pressure on a piece as we cut it and not realising what we are doing. To prove a point try letting go of the wood from time to time and watch it spring back to where it should be. Another reason is what John said in his post, using more pressure from one of your hands, again, without realising it. If the table is prone to moving you can fit a spring washer and this should help.

 

[gilljc]

Is definitely the table, as it moved overnight while I was sleeping :shock:
the table has always felt a bit stiff to move, and the knob never feels like it is quite gripping enough, if you know what I mean?
Will ask my engineer friends about suitable spring washers, that sounds like it might do the trick, thanks will head out and have proper investigate now.....