Messages

31

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: jet 18 inch scroll saw

« on: October 28, 2020, 08:45:10 am »

Pegas makes a head replacement set for the Jet.  It replaces the lower blade holder, allowing top feeding for those who prefer such.

If you are happy with how the Jet is designed, no need to consider the Pegas parts.  These at least allow top feeders to keep the Jet in their short list.

32

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: jet 18 inch scroll saw

« on: October 27, 2020, 09:35:44 am »

Looking at the photos of the Jet 18 on the JET website, it looks like a variation of the original Excalibur design.

Major modification to the lower blade holder, which will make it a bottom feed only design.  Is that correct?

33

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Font use on Happy Halloween pattern

« on: October 21, 2020, 11:55:15 am »

Larry - thanks!  That is exactly what I was looking for.

34

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Font use on Happy Halloween pattern

« on: October 21, 2020, 10:54:23 am »

Thanks!

Looks like it has been modified for scroll saw cutting.

35

General Scroll Saw Talk / Font use on Happy Halloween pattern

« on: October 21, 2020, 07:05:33 am »

Does anyone know what font was used on the Happy Halloween pattern?

This pattern is at:
http://www.stevedgood.com/halloweenprop.pdf

Thanks!

36

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Parts

« on: October 21, 2020, 07:00:42 am »

They will not ship the part to Canada!

Turns out they will ship to Canada, but you must order via email message or phone call.

This is to let them calculate shipping.  The website seems to only handle shipping to US addresses.

37

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Parts

« on: October 19, 2020, 07:34:26 pm »

I just tried to order a potentiometer for my EX-21 from Seyco.

They have the part, ready to install.

They will not ship the part to Canada!

38

General Scroll Saw Talk / Circle Cutters for the Scroll Saw

« on: October 17, 2020, 10:38:52 am »

Has anyone tried building a circle cutter for a scroll saw?

I built one for my bandsaw, and it works well.  Was just wondering if the same thing would work on a scroll saw.

It might depend on how the blades cut.  However, that could just be a matter of placing the center of the jig ahead of or behind the blade.

39

General Scroll Saw Talk / Cutting Angles

« on: October 06, 2020, 07:19:59 am »

I use two types of blades mostly - Flying Dutchman and Pegas.  Also have a few from Niqua.

One thing that is irritating is that each brand cuts at a different angle.  That is, to cut a straight line, you have to angle your wood differently with each brand, and sometimes with each type of blade.

With one brand, you have to angle to cut line towards 1 o'clock or 2 o'clock.  With a different brand, you have to angle the cut line towards 10 o'clock or 11 o'clock.

I guess if you use only one brand all the time, you will become so used to it that it won't be an issue.  However, I have too many blades of each brand to just throw them out.  Since the blades seem to last a long time, and do not break, it will take some time to use up.

No real point here, just venting.

40

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Just checking on the lies my computer tells me.

« on: October 06, 2020, 07:14:53 am »

If you use the dip method it is good to have a forced air system to blow out the holes to get rid of the excess stain.

Judy - thanks!

Don also mentioned this earlier.  I have a compressor, but it is very loud and not very powerful.  Guess I will have to wear my ear protection even more.....

I also have a Shopvac where I can plug the hose into the exhaust.  However, I suspect this would not provide enough pressure, even with a narrow tip, to achieve the desired results.

41

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Just checking on the lies my computer tells me.

« on: October 05, 2020, 12:53:33 pm »

I made the hot pot stand from July 30th - https://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/2020/07/hot-dishpot-holder-and-stir-paddle.html
Didn't bother with the companion stir paddle.

Same here - made one, made another, will make some more once other projects are done.

First one was made from poplar, second one in oak.  What did you use?

Tried staining one by dipping, so that all the holes were coated, but that did not go well.  I think I can do better next time.  As they say, we learn from our errors.....

42

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Finishing Compound Cut Items

« on: September 18, 2020, 10:37:38 am »

I have taken a air compressor and blown out the holes too.  With all stains you need to wipe off after a few minutes.

Interesting - I had not thought of doing that.  Maybe because my air compressor is very loud and takes forever to come up to pressure.... 

Did wipe off after dipping, but I think I waited too long to wiped the stain off the second time.

I also have a hanging rack (3/4 inch pine with 2 inch brads go to the other side.  I have a couple to hang ornaments and I have a flat piece that I can sit stuff on too.

I have been using painter's points.  Work well, but maybe not for dipped items.

Thanks!

43

General Scroll Saw Talk / Wood Choices

« on: September 17, 2020, 07:28:21 pm »

Trying to do some compound patterns that have moderately thin sections.  I am finding that poplar may not have the strength for these.  The latest example was the "G" compound ornament in the pattern released by Steve on Sep 7, 2020.

I know that red oak is very nice to work with, and has much more strength.

What other woods are good for scroll sawing?  Any personal favourites?

44

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Finishing Compound Cut Items

« on: September 17, 2020, 03:01:50 pm »

I have cut a lot of the miniature compound bird houses and I finish with dipping in a mixture of 50/50 shellac and alcohol.  Let dry and usually good to go. Some times I do twice.

Don - I tried dipping a couple of items in the stain I am using, but that did not go well.  Drips keep going for far longer than I can stand there, and they pooled on the underside.  The candle holder will need some sanding and restaining by hand.

A piece with small holes had the stain clog up in the holes, so I don't know how this can be fixed.

It is either my technique, or the stain in use, but this does not look like a valid option.  Perhaps with a thinner finish, such as the shellac and alcohol you mention.

45

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Next step up from WEN/Harbor Freight

« on: September 17, 2020, 02:58:21 pm »

I started with a saw from Canadian Tire.  It was great, for a while....got the missing screws to use pinless blades, but that is not what the saw was designed for and they never worked right.

Used the deWalt saws at Lee Valley courses.  A definite step up from the CTC unit, but didn't feel quite right.....

Picked up a used Excalibur EX-21 for a bit less than the price of a new deWalt, and have been very happy since!

Except for when I was trying to get a couple of items finished for our yard sale, and the lower chuck had a problem.  Ordered the Pegus chucks, but they didn't get here in time, so I put them on the following week.  Definite improvement!  May be personal taste, but I will echo Don's feeling about how the Excalibur design works.