My Membership Just Got Renewed to "The Idiots Club"

[scrollgirl]

OK - Here goes!  Here I am a designer for over 13 years who works with scroll saws all the time.  I read a post last week about a newbie who was embarrassed that he had the blade in upside down.  Everyone here was supportive, so that was great.

So yesterday, I spent about 3-4 hours cutting out 12 new ornaments I just designed.  I use Pau Amarillo, which was new to me.  Things went OK, but I was wondering if the tension on my DeWalt 788 was having some issues, as it seemed the blade just wasn't tight enough. I really felt it in my shoulder from having to push the top arm down so hard to get the blade to tighten properly.  But all went pretty much OK for the most part and I did finish the ornaments.

I peeled off the paper pattern this morning because I want to sand and finish them today, and I noticed there was a little ridge around all the cuts on the TOPS of the ornaments.  Yes, I am sure this was the top because they are to be embellished with small crystals and I needed to drill depressions in the tops of each of them. 

Then it dawned on me . . . . I cut ALL 12  ornaments with the blade UPSIDE DOWN!  (DOH!)

Yeppers!  I certainly did! 

I think that qualifies me for another year's membership in the "Idiots Club", don't you? 

Good thing I am a "professional"!!!  LOL

Sheila

[julief]

Don't you hate it when you know something isn't right, but you just can't put your finger on what it is? 

[scrollgirl]

I KNOW, Julie!!!  I was thinking I would have to tear down the saw and see what was what.  My DW is about 15 years old and I thought "Uh Oh! - New saw!"  I guess it was good that it was just my goofiness! 

Sheila

[julief]

I actually DID tear my saw apart once for that same reason.  Put it back together and all was right with the world - till I changed my blade.  I did it twice before I figured it out.  DUH!!!

[ufgator]

I'll share something I learned a long time ago: "He Who Never Makes A Mistake, Does Nothing".  I must do alot because I'm always making mistakes. Just have to learn from them and move on. As long as no body is hurt, all is well.

Happy Scrolling
     Bill

[Russ C]

LMAO ,,,,Sorry. "Then it dawned on me . . . . I cut ALL 12  ornaments with the blade UPSIDE DOWN!"  Still,,,, LMAO   

[GrayBeard]

AND we all just talked about this very thing!!!

Welcome Back into the CLUB, Sheila!

You just made the day of every scroller who reads this thread!

The nice part is that as soon as you discovered it you HAD to come tell US knowing the guffaws you would be responsible for this morning!
I'm going out to the shop a little later and will chuckle about this all day, ESPECIALLY when I am changing a blade!

Thanks for sharing your ENLIGHTENING  discovery!

~~~GrayBeard~~~

[scrollgirl]

It's always my aim to make everyone smile!  

Hey, I know I am among friends here!  Of COURSE I had to share with you all!   

Sheila

[dgman]

Thanks for sharing Sheila, It just shows that you are human like the rest of us!

[Dawie]

Hi Sheila,
You just proved that these things can happen even to the best of us. So glad not only newbies make these mistakes . Thanks for sharing.
David

[northie66]

There's no way you are an idiot Sheila!  Just a simple mistake

[Rapid Roger]

You have made TWO mistakes!!! The first was installing the blade up-side-down and the second was telling ALL of us about it!!!
You may never live this one down! 

Rog

[northie66]

I have to say... I've never put a blade in upside down.  Never.

I have, however, almost killed myself changing the fuse.   

[Dan]

The FD blades are marked on the top so we can install the blades with the marking up. This has helped me, most of the time.

Dan

[MadHatter]

thanks for sharing sheila, you are not alone, we all have made mistakes. just goes to show that we all are human. my eyes are weak and the only way i can tell if my blade is correct is using my thumb to feel which way the teeth are going. although i have put the blade on backwards alot too lol.