Messages

1

Introduce Yourself. / Re: Time for a new learning curve... :)

« on: April 14, 2017, 06:44:50 pm »

Hey there Fingerwood and welcome.  I'm Sawdust (John G from St Cloud, MN)

I had a similar experience to yours.  I bought a Ryobi scroll saw on a whim for $69 many years ago.  I never used it much until I ran into a guy I used to work with that had retired.  He showed me some of the things he had made and I was impressed.  He gave me a few patterns to try but this saw took only pin type blades so which wouldn't work for these patterns.  I bought a conversion kit to use pinless blades.  I quickly learned that  this saw was not much of a saw.  I looked around on Craig's List and found a used Craftsman 20".  That saw cost me lots of money to get into usable shape and even then it wasn't very good.  I finally bought a new Delta complete with stand and worklight.  It's been a good saw but 4-1/2 years later the bearings were going out.  The good news is Delta covered it under their 5 year warranty.  It should be up and running again in another week or so.  You got yourself a good saw and a great bargain.  I am familiar with that saw.  Very nice.

John

2

Introduce Yourself. / Re: Just another retiree in Illinois

« on: April 14, 2017, 06:26:38 pm »

Welcome Dave.  I am John aka Sawdust from St Cloud, MN.  I've been scrolling for about 5 years.  My four year old Delta saw is being rebuilt at the time of this message.  The problem seems to be insufficient grease in the bearings from the factory.

John

3

Introduce Yourself. / Re: Chrisitan Patterns

« on: April 14, 2017, 06:15:54 pm »

I really appreciate it.  It will be a while until I can attempt to duplicate what you've done because my scroll saw is being rebuilt. 

What part of the country do you live in? 

John G
St Cloud, MN

4

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: New Scroll Saw Stand

« on: April 06, 2017, 09:25:56 pm »

I'll bet you rode the Horsey out front of the drug store when you were a kid, right?  Just giving you a bad time.  I like it and wonder why I didn't think of it.  Yeah, I rode the horsey too.
John G

5

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Blade Help Needed

« on: April 06, 2017, 09:22:40 pm »

I'm probably not one to give advice on blades.  I found one that worked well and I just keep on  using them.  I use the Flying Dutchman Ultra Reverse.  I've never tried them on soft wood though.

John G

6

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: What glue to use now???

« on: April 06, 2017, 09:12:28 pm »

3M Super 77 has always been my choice.  I usually use clear packing tape over the wood especially if I'm using a wood that burns easily like cherry.  If you're like me you do a good sanding of the wood surface first but make sure you remove the all the dust before applying the tape or the pattern.  Then I spray the back of my pattern and apply it within a minute or so.  I've never had a pattern lift with this adhesive.  I use mineral spirits when removing the paper pattern.  Just dampen the paper with a clean rag and the adhesive dissolves and often the pattern will  come off in one piece.  The tape usually doesn't leave residue on the wood but if you don't use tape you will have to use a rag dampened with mineral spirits to remove the residue before applying finish.

I tried Loctite spray adhesive but I did have trouble with the pattern lifting.

John G

7

Brag Forum / Re: Something Different to Scroll

« on: April 05, 2017, 04:27:55 pm »

Amazing!  I can't imagine the patience it must take.

8

Brag Forum / Re: Third official Scrollsaw project

« on: April 05, 2017, 04:25:31 pm »

Outstanding!  Did you create the pattern?

9

Brag Forum / Re: Name Sign

« on: April 05, 2017, 04:23:21 pm »

Good job and great info

10

Brag Forum / Re: To The Moon and Back

« on: April 05, 2017, 04:08:15 pm »

Outstanding work Danny!

11

Introduce Yourself. / Re: Chrisitan Patterns

« on: April 05, 2017, 02:45:35 pm »

Hey Toneman, great idea.  That's what I'm looking for.  Since my last post I found another cross that I'm going to use.  It is hard to describe.  The cross is 1/4" to 1/2" thick stock and is cut in an irregular cross shape and has routed rounded edges.  Then a simple Jesus figure outline is cut from the middle on the scroll saw.  They take less than five minutes to cut out and then there is sanding and finish.  Like your cross they fit nicely in the hand and just feel good.  I'll post a picture of some of these later.  I can't cut any more  until my saw is back from being rebuilt by Delta.  It should be back next week.

Are you okay with me using your design?  I won't use it unless you say it is okay.

John

12

Introduce Yourself. / Re: Chrisitan Patterns

« on: April 05, 2017, 10:58:13 am »

I have not checked out Steve's site but I will now.  I get his emails and have downloaded some of his patterns over the years but I don't think I've used any.  I am familiar with some of the others and they all have wonderful patterns but not many for my purpose.  I want something that can be held in a hand, something that could bring comfort to someone in the hospital or something small that could just be put on a shelf as a reminder that God is near and cares.  I don't need things with a lot of detail.  I have about nine patterns I use now but I make these in quantities of 25 or 30 to donate to our church.  The pastors may use them as something to leave behind during a hospital visit or for new members as a keepsake.  I'm just looking for more variety.  I consider this my ministry.

I too have purchased from Sheila Landry and Sue Mey.  I've also bought patterns and currently buy my blades from Wooden Teddy Bear.

I also volunteer as a driver for the VA transporting veterans to medical appointments.  Being a veteran myself I have a heart for the veterans.  I cannot use the Christian symbols doing this work but I'm looking for something similar in size that I could give a vet just show appreciation for their service.  Sheila Landry had a beautiful pattern that I used to put in the transportation office of the local VA.  It is plaque size and says, Veterans Proudly Serve With Honor.  Lots of people have commented on that.  I'm looking for something smaller that will convey the same message.

I will check out the other sites you mentioned.  Thanks for your reply.

John

13

Introduce Yourself. / Re: Newbie from North Carolina

« on: March 31, 2017, 11:58:31 am »

You can't go too far wrong with either the Delta 40-694 or 40-695 (same saw but with the stand and work light) or DeWalt 788.  To many they are considered an entry level saw.  I consider them more of a mid-range saw.  If you buy one that costs less than these you will soon wish you had a better one.  These saws can be had for about $500 with the stand and work light or under $400 without.  Delta has a better warranty (5 years) and has an upper arm that lifts and locks to make blade feeding and changing easier.  DeWalt doesn't have that feature.  Both have a 20" capacity.  These machines are well made but are known to have insufficient lubrication in the bearings when assembled at the factory.  Insufficient in that it is inadequate to last the life of the machine.  There are some videos done on YouTube that will tell you more.  If you buy a new one, plan on doing some maintenance in the first year or two involving lubricating these bearings with a good synthetic lubricant.  Once done you're probably good for a number of years.  The newest Jet scroll saw is a very nice saw and has some features that the Delta and DeWalt saws don't have, such as a slotted table for easier blade feeding but you're looking at about $1000.  The running gear in this saw uses the same bearings as the Delta and DeWalt so is probably prone to the same issues with bearings.  Hope that helps.

John in MN

14

Introduce Yourself. / Chrisitan Patterns

« on: March 30, 2017, 01:05:28 pm »

Hi, I am new to this blog and enjoy doing scroll saw work.  I have a well equipped wood shop full of quality tools I've collected during my lifetime and have built many things.  Because of a cancer diagnosis I retired in 2014 a few years earlier than planned.  Having a more limited budget than when I worked, I gravitated to smaller projects.  Hello scroll saw.  Some of the things I make are Christian symbols.  I have a number of patterns for small items, the size being something that can be held in your hand.  I make these of various hardwoods and then do a clear finish.  I make 25 or 30 and donate them to our church.  They use them to put in a goodie bag with some other craft items for new members.  This year they are giving one to each of the confirmation kids.  I really enjoy doing this and probably get more out of it than the receiver.   I also volunteer as a driver at the VA driving veterans to their medical appointments. If any of you have some patterns you are willing to share with a Christian theme or a veteran or military theme that can be made "hand sized", let me know.

John G

15

Introduce Yourself. / Scroll saw rebuild

« on: March 30, 2017, 12:44:49 pm »

I own a Delta 40-695.  It is the twin of the DeWalt 788 but in more pleasing colors.  I might have considered the bright yellow saw if I had trouble finding it in my shop but that hasn't been a problem.  On a recent project I noticed some really loud and disturbing noises coming from within.  I had seen a video on YouTube showing rebuilding the DeWalt saw and knew of the problems these saws have with the needle bearing and insufficient lubrication when assembled at the factory.  Having been a mechanic before I became a woodworker I tore it all apart to investigate and found a number of bearings in need of replacement.  One was so dry it would hardly move.  No wonder it was making noise.  I contacted the bearing company mentioned in the video and found all the bearings but the inner races or sleeves were not available from them.  I reached out to Delta and found that they do not sell the bearings.  Their parts breakdown leaves something to be desired but did list some of the sleeves but I had some questions in my mind if I would be getting the right parts.  I contacted Delta and in talking with Steve in Tech Service found that my saw was still in warranty.  They have a 5 year warranty.  I hadn't even considered that it would be in warranty and I was looking forward to rebuilding it myself.  The saw is now being repaired at a Delta repair facility in the area where I live.  Praise God! 

Delta was really good about the warranty but if it had not been in warranty the only way to buy the parts to repair the machine is to buy what they call "assemblies".  For example the upper pivoting arm that holds the blade contains six bearings but it comes as an assembly from Delta for about $45.  I suspect that the cost for the various problem assemblies would soon exceed the price of saw new.  I have been coveting the new Jet JWSS-22 saw ever since it came on the market.  Being a mechanic, I wondered what makes it tick inside so I went to their website and to their parts breakdown.  Believe it or not the bearings are identical to the ones in the Delta and DeWalt saws.  In fact the entire mechanism is the same except that the motor is in a slightly different location and some other minor differences. 

I would advise anyone purchasing one of these saws to plan on doing some annual or semi-annual maintenance involving disassembly, inspection and lubrication.  It isn't that hard to do.  Plan on at least a morning or afternoon to accomplish the task.  Also make sure you have the tools needed.  A 19mm wrench will engage the counterweight on the motor to hold it stationary while removing the motor shaft nut which is a left hand thread.  Also take note as you disassemble the parts that some of the pivots have sleeves that are longer than the bearing, allowing for a washer to slip over the sleeve on each side.  Proper positioning of those washers is critical. 

John G