Topics

76

Computer questions / Enlarging patterns

« on: June 21, 2012, 12:52:10 pm »

I want to enlarge some of Steve's patterns (PDF file) by 300 or 400%.  I have also wanted to enlarge bitmap (jpg) images to cut larger pieces.

I found a clever way to enlarge PDFs http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_enlarge_a_pdf_for_printing.html but the patterns start to get a little fuzzy as they get larger.  PDfs are raster images so I would need a program to manipulate raster images. 

Using GIMP for JPGs (bitmap image) results in very fuzzy blowups and it is hard to follow the line.

How do you make significant enlargements of bitmap and PDF images?  Freeware is preferred, naturally.

Thanks,
Jim

77

Tutorials, Techniques and Tips / Stack Cutting Question

« on: June 20, 2012, 06:12:04 pm »

I'm starting a project stack cutting 3 layers totaling about 1/2" thick.  Each resulting 1/8" plus thick plaque will be glued to a 1/2 or 3/4" backer of dark wood.

The design will be cut away from the plaque.  I am having a problem with the letter "P" - I want to cut out the "hole" in the loop of the "P" and then glue it in the correct position on the dark backer. 

I've done this before but only on a single layer cut.  When I started cutting the "hole", I realized that with 3 layers being cut, it would be very difficult to keep the layers together.  There would likely be pieces flying everywhere.

I don't want to have "connections" to hold the "hole" in place, I want it to be a real island.

I hope I have clearly explained the problem.  I suppose one option would be to separate the layers but I would prefer to cut them all in one cut.

Has anyone has any idea(s) so that I can make the cuts?

Thanks for your help.
Jim

78

General Scroll Saw Talk / Delta service

« on: May 15, 2012, 02:35:25 pm »

I have the Delta 40-690 scrollsaw with a 5 year warranty.  So far it is working well but Dewalt doesn't appear to be doing warranty or repair work for Delta so I was starting to wonder what would happen if there was a problem.

I just sent an email to Delta about finding a service centre up here in Quebec.  Their web site is no help at finding Canadian centres.  Calling customer service using the number on the Delta site, gets Dewalt customer service!!

30 to 45 minutes after I sent the email, a local Delta rep called and updated me on the situation.  According to him, Dewalt is supporting and repairing Delta for two year.  Delta is in the process of setting up service centres and obtaining the necessary spare parts to look after their products and plan to have them up and running this year.

I'm much happier now.

I don't know if US Delta owners have local service centres in place but I thought the Canadians in the forum would be interested in this news.

Jim

79

General Scroll Saw Talk / Scored some wood, but . . .

« on: May 05, 2012, 09:43:47 am »

Went to a flooring store yesterday and walked out with a couple of cubic feet of sample boards, all 3/4" thick - oak, teak, and Santa Maria.  Sounds like heaven but the back of the boards are all grooved (typical wood flooring) and some are finished on the surface.  All the pieces are 9 to 10" long and from a couple of inches to 6" wide.

I need a something to remove the finish from the top and the grooves from the bottom.  I don't have a band saw or a planer.  I'd share the boards with anyone who can fix the wood for me.  I'm on the West Island area of Montreal in Quebec.

On another note, how would you folk make these pieces suitable for the scroll saw?

Thanks for your help,
Jim

Corrected the thickness of the wood - 3/4" thick.  Sorry.
J

80

General Scroll Saw Talk / Rounding corners

« on: May 02, 2012, 10:58:14 pm »

I have cut some of Steve's patterns - The Dog Lady is one, and my problem is making the rounded corners of the base.  It's hard to get all 4 corners symmetric.

Somewhere I read of a way to make the 4 corners the same, perhaps using a pattern.  I do remember I thought it was a slick trick but can't remember where I saw it or how it was done.  (Senior's moment?)

If anyone has any ideas, suggestions, or links, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Jim

81

The Coffee Shop / New Yankee On-line

« on: April 25, 2012, 06:12:52 pm »

Can anyone else view the current video?   http://www.newyankee.com   When I click the link, it goes to the video page but nothing plays.  The "circle" goes round and round but that is all.  It appears the video downloads but will not play.

I'm using Windows XP and both the operating system and Flash are up to date.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jim

82

General Scroll Saw Talk / Opening a 40-690

« on: April 23, 2012, 06:53:28 pm »

My 40-690 (the DW788 clone) has a metallic knocking that seems to come from the back end of the saw.  It's under warranty so I called Delta and they admit there isn't much in the way of factory service locations since Delta and Dewalt separated.  He said it's something that needs to be resolved but didn't know when it would be resolved.  The 5 year warranty isn't worth much if I can't get service.

There is a Dewalt factory service centre in Montreal but service of Delta tools will be at their discretion, and mine probably will not be their top priority.

I have considered looking inside the saw to see what I can see and wondered what your experience has been with the 690 or 788.  Is it best to lay it on its side?  If so, am I correct in assuming the motor side should be down?  Are there any parts that can fall or spring out when the side is removed?  Can I turn the mechanism by hand while the side is off?  Can I turn it using the motor when the side is off - to better hear the noise?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and hints.
Jim

83

Computer questions / Computer infection

« on: April 21, 2012, 11:30:55 am »

There has been an interesting event in the computer world.  Some computers have been infected and the user doesn't know it.  So far the FBI has been protecting Internet users but their protection will end soon.  This link describes the problem:    http://news.yahoo.com/hundreds-thousands-may-lose-internet-july-181324701--finance.html

For Canadians to check your computer automatically, follow this link  http://www.dns-ok.ca/  and scroll down.  Accept the terms and conditions and your computer will be automatically checked.  Green bars mean you are OK while red indicates you have the infection and should talk to a professional to have it removed.

US users can go to http://www.dns-ok.us/ where your computer will be checked immediately.

Other countries can get a link at http://www.dcwg.org/detect/

This www.dcwg.org  give more information, if you are interested.

Mine was clean according to the US and Canadian test sites.
Jim

84

The Coffee Shop / Lee Valley newest product

« on: April 01, 2012, 05:51:06 pm »

Check it out, it's http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=69302&cat=1,42401 really neat!!  Everyone using a plane should have at least one, and I am sure it could be adapted to other devices in the shop - for example, chisels or perhaps even saws or sanding mops.

Jim

85

The Coffee Shop / Scented candles for men

« on: March 06, 2012, 10:21:43 pm »

It seems in this day and time you can?t go into an area dominated by a woman without detecting the ?aroma? (odorous terribilis) of some kind of bizarre scented candle. Everything from ?Boysenberry Vanilla Potpourri? to ?Spice Orange Jasmine Chocolate?. Sometimes it gives me a headache!

Well, it?s about time men had their own scented candles. Below you will find a few scents men would appreciate.

SCENTED CANDLES FOR MEN

?62 Chevy truck ? Interior and Exhaust
Gunpowder
Wet Dog (only if it?s your own dog)
Frying Bacon (actually, a lot of different fried foods)
Wood Smoke
Chainsaw Exhaust
Freshly Caught Bass
Ozone (arc welder, of course)
Acetylene
Freshly Moved Dirt
Sale Barn
Silage
Sawdust
New Tires
Hot Metal
3 Year Old Baseball Cap
Ammonia Fertilizer (light, of course)
Burning Grass or Leaves
Alfalfa
Firecrackers
Latex Paint

86

Tutorials, Techniques and Tips / New Yankee workshop videos are back

« on: February 10, 2012, 08:25:11 am »

Not sure if this is the best forum for this but here it goes.

Norm's videos are back on-line again at the New Yankee Workshop.  The old URL for the videos doesn't work but this http://www.newyankee.com/#ecwid:category=0&mode=product&product=7916628 has a link to the video.

Enjoy,
Jim

 

87

The Coffee Shop / The Man Rules

« on: January 28, 2012, 04:55:41 pm »

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down
 
 Finally , the guys' side of the story.  ( I must admit, it's pretty good.)  We always hear " the rules" From the female side....
 
 Now here are the rules from the male side.   
 
These are our rules!  Please note.. these are all numbered "1 "  ON PURPOSE! 
 
 
1.   Men are NOT mind readers.
(FIRST & FOREMOST RULE)
 
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.  We need it up, you need it down.  You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports or news, It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.  Let it be.
 
1.. Crying is blackmail.
 
1. Ask for what you want.  Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work!  Just say it!
 
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
 
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.  Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.  In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.  Don't ask us.
 
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the  other one
 
1. You can either ask us to do something  Or tell us how you want it done.  Not both.  If you already know best how to do it , just do it yourself.
 
1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..

1. Captain Cook did NOT need directions and neither do we.
 
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.  Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color.  Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched.  We do that.
 
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.  We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle..
 
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.
 
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .
 
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as Football  or Cars.
 
1. You have enough clothes.
 
1. You have too many shoes.
 
1. I am in shape.   Round IS a shape!
 
1. Thank you for reading this.  Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; but did you know men really don't mind that?  It's like camping.

Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh.

Pass this to as many women as you can -  to give them a bigger laugh.

88

General Scroll Saw Talk / DIY Scroll saw stand

« on: December 28, 2011, 03:54:35 pm »

I planning a replacement for the metal stand that came with my Delta 40-690 (the Dewalt 788 clone) so I did some searching.  I see stands ranging from GrayBeard's (that will support a small tank  and also looks good), to tall skinny stands that look like they could fall over with a gentle nudge.  I know that vibration can be a problem so I set (not bolted down) my saw on a metal stool and ran it through it's speeds, cutting and not cutting.  There was a bit of vibration but not as much as I expected, bolting it to the stool might be enough.

Do I need a stand like GrayBeards for my 40-690, given that I don't see much vibration when it is sitting precariously on a stool or can I get good results with a lighter design?

Has anyone built a light-weight stand and had to beef it up?  What saw were you using?

Thanks for your comments.
Jim
An aside to GrayBeard, I notice you saw isn't bolted down http://stevedgood.com/community/index.php?topic=6416.0.  Do you run it that way or is it bolted down now?

89

General Scroll Saw Talk / Home made shop air cleaner

« on: December 15, 2011, 09:23:02 pm »

I'm planning to us a furnace blower with a 1/2 hp, multi-speed motor running on it's lowest speed, to make a ceiling mounted air cleaner for my shop - it's about 22'x12'x7'.  (I know, it could be a head-knocker.)

When the blower is run on the bench, in free air, the motor draws twice it's design current - not good.  It also moves so much air that I'm afraid it will blow off what little hair I still have on my head.      I know that the air filters will reduce the air flow and current draw but I'm not sure if it would be enough.

I could start building a box with filters over the inlet but I thought I'd check with the forum before I start.  Have any of you used a furnace blower for a shop air cleaner and did it work out well?  Was the air flow too high or did the filters cut the air flow significantly?  Any tricks I should know about?

I'm not sure just what questions to ask but any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

90

Tutorials, Techniques and Tips / Delta 40-690 blade alignment

« on: August 03, 2011, 09:50:41 pm »

I just bought the 40-690 and was surprised to find the blade tilted forward about 2 degrees.  The blade also moved forwards/backwards almost 1/8" as it moved up and down.

The local Dewalt/Delta repair shop had no idea how to fix it.  Dewalt support was unable to suggest a solution but with a little pushing I reached an engineer.  He suggested tipping the lower rocker mount forward by loosening the two supporting bolts and letting it tilt forward.  (The lower rocker mount is item #13 on the 40-690 parts list.)

There was just enough slack in the holes to make the blade vertical throughout its travel.  As a bonus, the forwards and backwards movement has been reduced to under 1/16".

As the 40-690 is identical to the Dewalt 788, this may also apply to that saw.