Messages

46

Ask Steve a question. / 3D keyring

« on: January 22, 2017, 05:38:27 pm »

Is there a program that you use that would enable me to make custom 3D key rings? Ii'm not sure if there is something special you have to do or if the normal keyring holder would work by placing the names above each other and folding them over.....  Thanks, and I have started using the ReSizer program. Really a great feature you have provided for us, I especially like being able to remove the "gray" tint area to save ink..... Thanks again....

47

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

« on: January 21, 2017, 08:52:28 pm »

Hi Steve,
I watched your review of the new Jet scroll saw and have a couple of questions. When you reviewed the Excalibur a few years ago, you were concerned about the small amount of area ahead of the blade. When you looked at the Jet, this wasn't even mentioned. I was told it was a "tool less" blade change, but then it is mentioned there is a built in tool slot on the saw. Can you just reach under the table without looking and remove the blade for "top feeding"? I cannot imagine having to slide my stool back over 150 times in a pattern to feed the blade through the bottom trying to find that little hole. While it is nice that there is an extra blade holder, in an intricate pattern, you may go through 20 blades. That seems like an awful lot of time having to stop sawing to remount blades when the Excalibur and DeWalt allow it from sitting on the stool blindfolded. Do you honestly think this saw is a MAJOR IMPROVEMENT over the saws that are out there? By the way, I asked the manager of the local WoodCraft store when they would be getting the JET in and his replay was "hopefully never". "When we looked at them at the dealer trade show, the distributer couldn't get it to load blades right and he was continually crawling under the table to change blades". Anyhow, thought I'd ask you what you really thought about the JET. Thanks for the help and all of the plans. Your YOUTUBE videos and plans are the best thing that has ever happened to scrolling... THANK YOU!!!

48

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: Dust extraction with the new Excalibur model

« on: February 05, 2016, 05:29:37 pm »

I just received my EX-21 and noticed the same problem you gentlemen are having. My solution was to remove the plastic hose hook-up port, and used a very sharp Exacto knife to cut the clear plastic to the same size as the hole in the table. This allows everything to fall right through to the floor. Then all the maid has to do is sweep it up. If the maid is off, I just use my shop vac. Now, why did they use such a soft coating for the table? My first project was using a piece of maple and as soon as I moved it on the table, a large scratch was gouged into the covering. With all the great features, why did they drop the ball on the table coating???

49

Introduce Yourself. / Hello to all....

« on: February 05, 2016, 05:21:36 pm »

Just a quickie to say hello and introduce myself. The name is Jeff and I live in the portage lakes area just south of Akron, Ohio. I have been scrolling since 1976, having started with a Craftsman vibrator saw. It practically shook the whole house when running. I have progressed through several incarnations and various saws my most recent a DeWalt 788 which I just sold. I received my new Excalibur EX-21 this afternoon and am looking forward to getting it up and running. I'll let you know my first impressions. I am also a Ham radio operator, the call being K8INA (the wife is KA8INA), and teach the motorcycle safety class for the State of Ohio. I am a retired Police Motor Officer, having retired in 2003. I currently drive a school bus, which is probably one of the best kept secrets in the occupational world. So there you have it, drop me a line if you're in the area.... Dr. Jeff Popa

50

General Scroll Saw Talk / Re: The Scrollers Cafe

« on: January 22, 2016, 05:59:50 pm »

I just tried to register and received a message saying they are not accepting new members at this time.....

51

Ask Steve a question. / Re: alphabet

« on: January 22, 2016, 05:46:54 pm »

I agree about dafont..... it is a remarkable site with hundreds of fonts. I use it constantly to make custom and seasonal signs and plaques.

52

Ask Steve a question. / Angle cutting with spiral blade

« on: January 22, 2016, 05:45:53 pm »

I recently tried to make a sign by tilting the table of my DeWalt a few degrees. Using a #2 blade, I cut a few letters and they moved out about a quarter of an inch, which is what I wanted. Then I thought I'd try using a spiral blade. Leaving the table at the same angle, I cut out the same letters. To my surprise, the letters fell out as though the table were set at 90'. Can anyone explain why this happened? I am so confused......

53

Tutorials, Techniques and Tips / Re: Top or bottom feed

« on: July 05, 2015, 09:28:27 pm »

Hello all,

I just recently started top feeding, and it has shown to be so much easier than trying to crank my neck over to find the tiny hole amongst all the others on the bottom of the pattern. The EX holds the blade up far enough that I can slide my workpiece over and then lower it to the table. I place the workpiece over the hole so Idon't have to tie up one hand holding it, with the free hand, I guide the blade away from the bottom holder until it is fully through. With the DeWalt, I do the same, use my right hand to release the holder, and guide it down, and feed the blade. Once it is in the hole, I go underneath to guide it to the blade holder. Simple either way, but think the EX is a bit easier for me.
As far as blade tension, I agree that if you don't put the blade in exactly the same place each time, the tension on the EX will change. After years of scrolling, I  get it right only once inna while, so I adjust the tension quite often. The DeWalt wins on this one.....

54

Pattern Requests. / Excalibur

« on: June 16, 2015, 02:11:10 pm »

Hi Steve,

Love the DeWalt pattern. I also have an Excalibur EX-21.... any chance of a pattern for this is in the works??? Thanks so much, Dr. Jeff Popa

55

Tutorials, Techniques and Tips / Re: Tight turn tip from Terry

« on: November 24, 2013, 09:29:23 pm »

Hello all,

I've heard that tip before, push the blade backwards while turning so the pressure is on the back of the blade. I find it usually works, but what if you are at the end of a cut coming towards you and you have to make a 90' turn? You can't really push it back against the back of the blade or you will push it back into the previous cut. Is there another way other than just "spinning" the blade in place?

thanks from a newbie

56

Ask Steve a question. / Re: JigSaw Puzzles

« on: November 20, 2013, 11:01:07 am »

Thanks Rog,

That's just what I need to know about making puzzles. I've seen some demo's on free handing the puzzle, but I just don't think I'm up to that just yet. One wrong move and you get to start over....

Now, how do you determine at what speed to cut? Like I mentioned, I have used a #2 blade but it seems to burn while I am cutting. I've ordered some of Mike's puzzle blades, but any clues on determining saw speed?

Thanks, again

Jeff

57

Ask Steve a question. / JigSaw Puzzles

« on: November 19, 2013, 11:06:04 am »

HiSteve,

I trying to make a few JigSaw puzzles for Christmas gifts and have a couple of questions.

1. I'm using hardwood, either poplar or oak. I tried using a #5 blade but the gaps are too big for what I want. I switched to a #2 and the gap is perfect but the wood burns. Should I be trying a faster speed or slower? I haven't encountered an article that explains at what speed different blades work best at so I am at a loss. Larger blades faster? Slower? Doesn't matter?

2. Once I mount a picture on the selected wood, what is a good way to transfer the pattern to the picture in a way that won't mar the picture? How do you do it?

Thanks so much...

Dr J Popa

58

Ask Steve a question. / Re: Lifter Coupon Code

« on: November 19, 2013, 10:51:34 am »

I checked with "papas workshop" and he sent email saying the code is steveg       hope that helps...