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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Dale2006 on July 21, 2012, 04:36:57 pm
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I am a little lost on buying blades. My saw requires the Pin type blades and came with clamps to use the non-pin type but when I tried to do that it took a long time to get the blade in place. So, I would prefer to buy the pin type. I have looked on line and I am having trouble translating what is being sold with what is being recommended.
I have been digging into the archives and saw several references to : Mike's website". I didn't see a URL. If he is still available and might have the blades I need would someone would someone please point me in his direction. If he is not available Can someone tell me where to go. Well, better yet just tell me where to get the blades.
Thanks
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Mikes Workshop can be found here http://www.mikesworkshop.com/
But having said that, pin end blades are very restrictive on the work you can do, you can'd do any fine inside cuts due to the larger hole needed to thread the blade through. I know it is a pain with the "clamp adaptors" to use pinless the blades but it is well worth the extra effort using pinless blades, there is a much greater selection of blades and a larger selection of patterns to cut that can't be attempted with pinned blades. I could be wrong (perhaps another member here could confirm it) but I seem to remember seeing a quick release adaptor kit that fits quite a few machines, if I'm right it would be worth looking into getting one
Keith
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Mike does not sell pinned end blades. If you still want to use them after reading Keefe's reply, go to www.sloanswoodshop.com. They sell Olsen blade which do have pinned end blades.
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OK, it doesn't make sense to ask people who know a lot more than I f ro advice and the not follow it. I have decided to go with the pinless blades and I will be ordering from Mike.
I traded a metal detector for my scroll saw and it is not top of the line. If this works out for me I will be upgrading and that will be using the blades without the pins.
Thanks for the respones
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you ask for advice about blades. you got it but you don't need to be rude here dude.
I did not feel he was being rude, I did not see that at all!
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I'm with Dan. I see nothing but respect. Maybe you just took him wrong?
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I didn't read anything rude in Dale response. You are out of line on this one cyberghost.
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Hey Dale, Most of us started with less than optimal machines. Nothing wrong with that. Your world of possibilities opens up when you can use the pinless blades. Fine work requires them. Mike has an assortment pack that will give you a good idea of what you prefer. Enjoy trying them out. You will develope your own favorites. We all have them. Happy Scrolling!
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Thank you all. If anyone saw any rudeness, I apologize. It was not intended.
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Dale2006, you might be able to use both types of blades. Olson blades with pins might be OK for larger cutting, and would be easier to change. You could use the pinless blades only when the pinned are too large to fit the cut.
Jim
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Dale, I started out with a cheap machine like you, which required a hex key to fit the pinless blades into their special holders then fit the assembly onto the machine then tension it. Yes, it was a pain in the butt, but as I used it more I found I got a lot quicker at changing blades, I even did a portrait of my Mum (thanks to Grampa Paul for the pattern) and it turned out ok (see Pic) So you might have a cheap starter machine which is slow on blade changes, but there is nothing that we do on out higher range machines that you can't do on your machine - it just takes a little more time. Once you have the money and upgrade your machine you will just appreceiate it more.
Keith
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Thank you all. I do have a supply of pinned blades. I'm not sure what sige but I suspect they are the larger blades. I think I will follow advice and byt the ones without the pins and learn to live with it. I see a new machine in the not too distant future. I appreciate you all going out of your way to help.
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I haven't done it, but I'm told you can tap the pins out the the pin blades. Just a thought.
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There is nothing wrong with a pinned end blade machine.
I used mine for about 8 years, and i could make pretty nice things.
But it's a fact, once i got my EX21 a new world opened up to me.
I can make much more fine projects.
But we all have to face it.
It isn't cheap to buy a new machine, specially if you want the top of the line.
I had to dig deep in my pocket to buy my EX21, but it's worth every cent of it.
Although it is good to learn on a simple machine and find out if scroling is something you really want to keep on doing.
If so, then i think start saving like mad and upgrade your tool.
More on topic, i don't know how it is in the USA, but here in Belgium we can buy pinned end blades in every DIY shop.
Glenn, Belgium
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my first machine had pin blades as well.
but couldn't make the tiny holes.
so I bend a piece of steel and made my own clamp holders.
bought 2 Hegner screw clamps and tadaaa.... I could use normal blades.
then later I bought a used :D Hegner and it is still running fine.
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As suggested.I ordered the sample pack from Mike's Workshop. I ordered online Sunday and got an email from him on Monday that they had been mailed and they got here today. Get service. Thank you all.
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I didn't read anything rude in Dale response. You are out of line on this one cyberghost.
OK, it doesn't make sense to ask people who know a lot more than I f ro advice and the not follow it
Well Then i guess i took this line wrong then but to me sounds a little rude.
so long...
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Dale. . .
There are retrofit holders to convert your current pinned blade machine to use the pinless blades.
I used this conversion kit from Pozsgai's Designs. I converted my old Dremmal to use pinless blades. It was a cheap investment to really see if I really wanted to be a Scroller. You can switch back to the pinned blades pretty easily as well.
http://www.pozsgaidesigns.com/page0006.htm
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Thanks, I am getting by with what I have. It just seems to take a little more time to change blades. I have some adapters but I wanted to be sawing and not changing blades. I am getting faster.
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Thanks, I am getting by with what I have. It just seems to take a little more time to change blades. I have some adapters but I wanted to be sawing and not changing blades. I am getting faster.
Hey Dale, Just like Keefie, I started out with a saw that used adapters and an allen wrench to change blades. It took an average of about two minutes to change from one hole to the next. Now with a better saw, it takes about ten to twenty seconds! So I know how you feel. Regardless of how long it took, I still produced some very nice stuff!
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Well, I guess there is a learning curve to everything. I got Mike's sample pace and tried to get them going today. When i got the saw it had some blades and adapters with it. Most of the blades were the type with pins but there were a few pinless.
Anyway, I couldn't quite figure out which way the adapters were supposed to fit. They are shaped something like a U with a hole on one end, some solid metal in the middle with a slit down the cent and a hex screw to make it tight and a the other end there are two round areas sticking out the legs of the U. I guess I'm trying to figure out which way the adapter fits in the unit. Does the hole face the unit or the other way around.
I hope this makes sense.
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Can you post pictures of both the adapters and where they attach?
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No, I don't have a camera I can post with right now. But I thin I know what I am doing wrong. I'll check when I get home from work tomorrow.
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The slot in the U should face the front of the saw.
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Thanks, I'll try that tonight.
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Hi Keefie, that is a lovely portrait. Afraid i'm still using the allen key for tightening the blade holders. It's a bit of a pain in the butt as you say, and a bit slower, but what the heck, I've plenty of time on my hands.
Rob Roy.