Messages

31

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: New Jet Saw Review

« on: February 01, 2017, 04:55:33 pm »

Do any "top feeders" use the Jet? I have played with it at the woodcraft store and irregardless of what I was told, the bottom clamp is NOT tooless. It is such a pain in the butt to use that I will just wait for the new Seyco saw to come out. I guess my DeWalt and Excalibur saws have spoiled me.....

32

Introduce Yourself. / Re: Newbie here

« on: February 01, 2017, 04:49:37 pm »

Hi Jerry,

As another antique (68 yrs) I think you will find this blog a big help in your scroll saw hobby. I have learned a lot not just from the YouTube videos, but by conversations with other members. As far as the DVD, he also makes one for the MAC. I, too, have a MAC and a (shudder) PC but like the to use the MAC. I'm sure if you look at the DVD instruction video, you'll see how it works on the Apple... Take care and welcome to the group

Dr. Jeff Popa

33

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Jet Scroll Saw

« on: February 01, 2017, 04:45:06 pm »

Well, I agree with the not supporting the item. But, these are factory reps that are breaking the parts. If a person who is trained by the factory cannot do it right, what chance do us meer mortals have? It sounds like a tremendous idea for clamping, but as is too often the case function follows form in industry

34

Introduce Yourself. / Re: Just wanted to say Hi.

« on: January 31, 2017, 04:39:51 pm »

Hmmm, not sure what all that is about, but welcome...

Jeff

35

Introduce Yourself. / Re: And Yet Another New Guy

« on: January 31, 2017, 04:39:19 pm »

Welcome aboard, Stevan.... I'm sure you will find, like the rest of us, that Steve has a really great site filled with friendly helpful scrollers. Don't forget to check out his pattern treasure trove. If you can't find something you cut there, well, it probably doesn't exist, LOL. Again, welcome and keep the group posted of your projects, triumphs and questions.

Jeff in Ohio

36

The Coffee Shop / Craft Shows

« on: January 31, 2017, 04:12:31 pm »

Does anyone know of a reliable site that lists craft shows by location? I know there are a million and one during the Holiday season, but I'm thinking more of shows during the summer months. And since I will be traveling by RV, it would be nice to list by location so I could see what was going on in whatever locale I happen to be visiting at the time....
I know there is a listing on this site (thank you Steve), I am looking for something where you can just type in a general location and a list will magically appear showing local events.....

Thanks,  Jeff

37

General Scroll Saw Talk / Jet Scroll Saw

« on: January 31, 2017, 09:36:46 am »

Hello all,

I just returned from Hartville Hardware and a Jet Scroll Saw Demo.... this is a "heads up" to all scrollers thinking about the Jet. The demonstrator (?) attempted to clamp a saw blade into the upper holder, but it would not hold. After several tries, he removed the clamp and found that it had broken at the top of the blade cut-out. He apologized and went to the back room taking the clamp from another new machine. Inserting it into the demo saw, he again attempted to clamp the blade. This one did not hold either. Taking it apart, it too had broken in almost the same place. This happened again, in the same place, with a third clamp.

It seems that if you apply too much pressure to the cam tensioner, or do not have the set screws that actually hold the blade properly adjusted, the pot metal (at least it looked  porous like pot metal at the break) clamp will break with little additional force. So, like Steve says, make sure you read the manual and it might not be a bad idea to order a spare clamp, just in case.

After the demo (or whatever you want to call it) I went up to play with the saw. It is NOT a tool less change on the bottom clamp and as a "top feeder" it is too cumbersome to use, for me. I guess I'll wait to see what Ray's new saw looks like.

This is not a condemnation of the Jet saw, but simply a heads up as a possible weak link in the saw. I am sure with proper adjustment it will work just fine.

Dr. Jeff Popa

38

General Scroll Saw Talk / Replacement parts for Excalibur

« on: January 27, 2017, 11:52:47 pm »

Hello all,

I sent Ray at Seyco an email concerning ordering spare parts for my EX-21 since they are no longer being manufactured. This was mainly the clamping assemblies top and bottom and brushes for the motor....... his comment, in addition to sending along the pricing info, was that even though the Excalibur will not be made any longer, the new Seyco saw using most of the same parts and spares for the Excalibur saws will not be a problem. Just in case anyone else was concerned about spare parts down the road.....

39

Ask Steve a question. / Re: Excalibur Adjustment

« on: January 27, 2017, 11:48:51 pm »

This saw has an adjustment knob K in the rear that can raise the blade mount up to 1” (25 mm). This allows you to fine tune blade tension when needed, as well as to reposition the saw blade at a point where you can use a different part of the blade in the cutting area. This also allows you to use a piece of band saw blade, cut to a length of 5”- 6” (127-150 mm) in your saw, and gives you up to 3 inch cutting capacity when needed.

This is the wording from the Excalibur manual. I was just wondering if anyone has tried this to get more life from an expensive blade.

40

Ask Steve a question. / Excalibur Adjustment

« on: January 26, 2017, 09:54:12 pm »

Steve,

On Page 13 of the Excalibur, it states that by turning the black knob at the rear of the saw, you can raise the blade by up to 1", allowing you to use another portion of the saw blade. Have you ever tried this? I just adjusted the lower arm to parallel, and was wondering if this is a viable option to get more use out of the blade.

Thanks for the help,

Dr. Jeff Popa

41

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Scroll Saw Popularity....

« on: January 26, 2017, 01:05:02 pm »

Thanks for the help guys..... I currently own an Excalibur EX-21, a DeWalt 788/2, and an old craftsman vibrator..... I'm really hard pressed between the Ex and the De. I jump from one to the other constantly. I like the quickness of blade change (for me) of the EX but like the huge table of the De. I am a top feeder and usually use several blades for each pattern and then several of each of those so quick change is important. Like most of us Excalibur owners, I am a bit concerned with replacement parts now that the Ex is no longer going to be made. I may just order spare clamps, brushes and tensioner cam to be on the safe side. But, while not really looking for a new saw, it just seemed that when I looked online, everyone was out of stock on popular models. I do see that Woodcraft is having a sale. I think the 788 will be $489 with stand, which seems a pretty fair deal. My local store isn't planning on carrying the JET but Hartville Tools nearby has one on the floor. For some reason, the upper clamp is taped over so you can't try it. Wonder if they're trying to hide something???
Anyhow, thanks again....

42

Ask Steve a question. / Modified Excalibur

« on: January 25, 2017, 05:42:23 pm »

HI Steve...

I don't doubt you've already been asked this, or perhaps thought about it in your testing, but, since the new Jet saw looks so very similar to the Excalibur, is there a possibility that you could order replacement parts and change out the thumb screw blade mount on the Excalibur and convert it to the new style on the Jet? I think this would be the best of both worlds, quick tensioning and top feeding as well. I did notice that you mentioned top feeding in your review, but some of my projects (using your patterns and the Resizer App) can reach 2 foot by 2 foot and that is a little large to be lifting to feed the blade through the bottom, especially complex shapes.
So, what do you think? Is it possible for a reasonable cost? Thanks for all the help,

Dr. Jeff Popa

43

General Scroll Saw Talk / Scroll Saw Popularity....

« on: January 25, 2017, 09:32:42 am »

Hello all,   I have been looking around to find another scroll saw ( I have a DeWalt 788 and Excalibur EX-21) and when I go to Ray's site at Seyco, every saw they handle is out of stock, including the new Jet 21. Is there something I have missed while in the Scroll Troll Cave or has scrolling become so popular every saw being made is sold? Just kind of curious.....

Jeff

44

Ask Steve a question. / Re: Subjective "JET" review....

« on: January 23, 2017, 10:19:06 am »

Thanks, Steve.... My question was in no way critical of your review, I was trying to clear up what you were saying in my own mind. I took your advise when I purchased my DeWalt and again with the purchase of my Excalibur. I have frequented many of the companies you have mentioned, including the lift for the 788. I have never been led astray by any of your recommendations. And, I find your patterns are outstanding. Just difficult enough to make them interesting but complex enough to make my family wonder how I am able to make something so nice, knowing that I can't walk and chew gum.
I went to your site to order the pattern DVD and noticed you do not accept PayPal. Is there a reason? I'm still a bit leary of putting my credit card number out there of the world to see. In the mean time, thanks again for all you do for this great hobby....  Jeff

45

Ask Steve a question. / Re: 3D keyring

« on: January 23, 2017, 09:55:54 am »

Thank you... that is exactly what I was looking for. Fortunately, I have a spare PC as my main computer is a Mac and this program is an .exe...... thanks for the help....