Messages

346

Computer questions / Re: I want to clear what steve said on the blog about this virus scam

« on: January 16, 2013, 09:15:46 am »

A few days ago I put some more detailed instructions on removing Java here http://stevedgood.com/community/index.php?topic=12509.0

I certainly agree with Steve on backing up your data.  I have two physical drives on my PC, one for programs and a separate drive that has only data - pictures, patterns, letters, music, emails, etc., etc. so backup to an external drive is pretty easy.  I don't even use a backup program, just copy/paste.

Jim

347

Ask Steve a question. / Re: WORD ART

« on: January 14, 2013, 05:09:48 pm »

I'm just getting started using Inkscape to make word art.  So far it has done what I want but I'm not getting very artistic yet.  Made this one without much trouble.  (The line underneath helped me line up the pattern with the edge of the wood.)  I know it's not as elegant as some of Steve's but I'm learning.

Just another idea.
Jim

348

Ask Steve a question. / Re: CG in Photoshop

« on: January 14, 2013, 05:04:26 pm »

Not quite sure what you mean by a "flip-over" but I assume you will be flipping it around a vertical axis.  In that case, hold two small nails, one in front, and one behind the finished cutout sign and place them where you think the sign will hang properly.  If not quite right, move the nails around until it hangs the way you want.  Don't push the nails too hard or they will leave a visible mark.

Once it hangs the way you want, push the one in the back harder to make a mark.  Drill a hole or put a hook as needed.

It's easier to do than to describe but I hope I made sense.
Jim

349

The Coffee Shop / Re: magnifier lamp

« on: January 14, 2013, 03:39:31 pm »

Bought this one http://www.busybeetools.com/products/MANIFYING-LAMP-90-LED-TABLE-MOUNTING.html from Busy Bee when they had it on sale for 1/2 price.  The magnifier is good and the light is very even across the work area. 

I have it on the saw bench (homemade) and the bench is solid enough for sawing but it does move a bit which makes the light sway slightly. I am getting used to it but will probably find a better mounting method.

The clamp seems to be a little weak to hold a heavy lamp like that at full horizontal extension so I might just drill a hole in a hardwood block and screw the block down to something solid.

Other than the mounting, it's a great lamp and would recommend it, especially if BB puts it on sale again.
Jim

350

Computer questions / Look our for your Java

« on: January 12, 2013, 05:50:33 pm »

Not the drinking kind!  Ran across this http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/us-warns-java-software-security-concerns-escalate-1B7938755  Further searching confused me even more so I decided to disable Java in the browser and to remove it from my PC, although there seems to be some indication that the latest version is OK.  The latest version is supposed to have a control panel that lets you disable Java more easily.

This http://java.com/en/download/testjava.jsp tests whether Java is installed on your computer.

As Phil Esterhaus used to say on Hill Street Blues, "Let's be careful out there."
Jim

351

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: scroll sawing is tough!!

« on: January 05, 2013, 10:22:15 pm »

When I got into scroll sawing, Gabby gave me some good advice on making sharp inside turns.   http://stevedgood.com/community/index.php?topic=6646.msg63296#msg63296

Jim

352

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: DeWalt 788 on Sale

« on: January 03, 2013, 05:49:35 pm »

For the Canadians in the forum, Busy Bee http://www.busybeetools.com/products/SCROLL-SAW-20IN.-CW-STAND-AND-LIGHT-DEWALT.html has the saw, stand, and light for $499.  At the moment, shipping is included.

Jim

353

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: How To Make Helix Forms On Your Scroll Saw

« on: January 03, 2013, 12:27:22 pm »

I thought I'd try to cut a spiral something like Steve does so very well.  His website shows some very impressive work.

Of course, I was free-handing the cut but did get a spiral of sorts.  I made the spiral 1" per turn as shown on the video and tilted the table to 20 degrees and started cutting.  The result was a spiral, I think - I couldn't get it apart.    If I could feed the dowel into the blade at a constant rate, it probably would have worked out better.

Not sure how to make a feeder, Steve mentioned a motor drive. 

The other problem is working out the starting point of the cut.  I think with a little more thought, I might be able to get a single spiral to work but the double he shows on the spreadsheet would be difficult.

If a person is serious about cutting spirals, the best course would be to buy the spreadsheet and instructions from Steve.  But, now that I have said that, someone on the forum will show the spiral they made using the hints in the video.   

Jim

354

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Tuning the DW788

« on: January 03, 2013, 10:54:58 am »

If you do make a bracket out of wood, use a hard wood.  I used soft wood (pine?) and the nuts tend to sink into the wood.

Jim

355

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Tuning the DW788

« on: January 01, 2013, 09:55:41 am »

Woodmangler, I had some success in reducing the back and forth movement by raising the rear of the table.  If you haven't cut the slots, raising the table might work for you.  I made an adjustable gizmo http://stevedgood.com/community/index.php?topic=12146.0 because I couldn't figure out how much I wanted to raise the back of the table.

Good luck and be sure to let us know what you did and how much it improved the situation.
Jim

356

The Coffee Shop / Re: any pen makers on the forum

« on: December 26, 2012, 10:28:38 pm »

I'm going way out on a limb here but . . .  The web site description mentions parts made of a number of different woods and notes the pen kit, presumably the metallic parts, must be ordered separately.  I think all the wooden parts are the small pieces that make up the wooden part of the pen.

Not sure how this helps but I hope it does some good.  Perhaps someone else can improve on my thoughts.

Jim

357

The Coffee Shop / Re: One Man's (Woman's) Trash is another Man's Treasure

« on: December 26, 2012, 10:28:30 am »

In our neighbourhood, instead of putting things out for the trash, many people put them at the end of the driveway.  Most times, someone takes them home.  I have put out upholstered chairs and a 50" projection TV (working), among other things.  It's a good way to keep things out of the dump.

In addition, there are a number of organizations such as the Salvation Army, that collect clothes, electronics, furniture, etc., etc. and resells them for their charitable works.  Much of my stuff goes there as well.

We even have people who drive around collecting scrap metal.  An old stove doesn't last long when these guys come by.

Happy New Year,
Jim

358

Computer questions / Re: Pop-ups

« on: December 20, 2012, 06:05:56 pm »

Chuck, FF has a pop-up blocker - under Tools/Options/Content - make sure it is enabled.  Someone may have found a way around the blocker.

Make sure your FF is up to date but other than that, I'm not sure what to suggest.

Let us know what you find out.
Jim

359

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: He has it but it ain't right!

« on: December 20, 2012, 05:59:39 pm »

GB, any idea on how much movement?

Jim

360

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: losing my tension

« on: December 16, 2012, 11:12:24 am »

If you do a search in this forum, you'll find many suggestions that might solve your problem.  Assuming that your saw take plain end blades (not pin end), here are a few that come to mind.

- clean the ends of the blades with a solvent or with fine sandpaper to remove any oil that might remain from the manufacturing process.

- make sure the blade clamps are clean or dirt, oils, etc.

- make sure the clamps tighten enough, but don't over-tighten as you may strip the threads or break the clamp.  A clean blade doesn't require much clamping force to stay in position.

Without knowing how your blades clamps are made, I can't suggest more.  Perhaps others who are familiar with this saw can add to this.

Good luck and let us know how you solve this.
Jim