Debating the right way to handle a stuck bone saw blade

I had a blade jam up on a beef femur yesterday and spent a solid hour trying to free it. One side says you should force it through, the other says you need to back it out completely. What's your go-to fix for this?

3 comments

3 Comments

veram991mo ago

Oh man, backing it out is the only way. I learned that the hard way trying to muscle through a pork shoulder bone. Snapped the blade clean off and sent little metal bits everywhere. Now I stop the second it binds, pull it all the way back, and check the cut. Usually a chunk of cartilage is wedged in the teeth. Clearing that out takes two seconds and you're back to cutting. Forcing it just wrecks your gear.

simons281mo ago

Back it out, every time. Forcing it just makes things worse and can ruin the blade. You have to clear whatever is binding it, usually a bit of bone or gristle. Clean the kerf and try again with a steady, even push. Rushing it always costs more time in the end.

hugo_schmidt23d ago

Backing out is the only move that makes sense once you've felt that awful binding. Had the same thing happen with a brisket flat last summer, got impatient and tried to power through it, ended up chipping three teeth off my good blade. Taking those few seconds to clear the cut and start fresh saves your equipment and your temper every single time, right?