Will this saw do?

[Just Steve]

I am brand new to scroll sawing.  I have done other woodworking for years but wanted to try my hand at smaller more marketable projects.  I love the look of detailed fret work or intarsia.  I have a scroll saw that my research says was made in 1951.  It is a craftsman 20 inch with a 4 step pulley belt drive.  The lower blade holder works off a gear box and travels straight up and down. (no arm)  The upper blade holder is at the end of the upper frame and is merely a spring loaded sleeve with a clamp that is depressed down and tightened on the blade.  All the scroll instruction videos I watch emphasize blade tension.  The blade will make the high "ping" when I install it, but after a cut or two the tone changes, even though the blade is still clamped just as deeply in the blade holders.  Also I am not having much luck getting it to follow a line in my attempts to "practice" using on-line available patterns.  It's not so bad on the straight line, only wandering a little, but when I try to get it to turn it seems to have a mind of its own.  First it won't turn, then all of a sudden it make a hard turn and oversteers the line badly.  I am trying a few blades as I heard some blades are made to overcome "set drift" of the teeth.  My first "play" with the saw after I got it set up on a stand and the right belt for it was the best.  I had no pattern as was just seeing what it would do on a scrap of 1/4 inch sandiply, and with home center blades. (I think they were skil brand)  It cut tight turns and pretty much responded to my attempts to change direction when I wanted.  My practice patterns have been on 1/2 plywood with #5 PS wood super sharp blades.

    Am I wasting my time on this machine since it does not have fixed tension on the blade, or will enough patience and practice allow me to do the detail work needed to make salable projects?  I know intarsia pieces have to fit together right.  I am sure I could use this machine to make free hand jigsaw puzzles, but to get it to follow a pattern reliably I am not so sure of.

[OCtoolguy]

17 hours ago, Just Steve said:

I am brand new to scroll sawing.  I have done other woodworking for years but wanted to try my hand at smaller more marketable projects.  I love the look of detailed fret work or intarsia.  I have a scroll saw that my research says was made in 1951.  It is a craftsman 20 inch with a 4 step pulley belt drive.  The lower blade holder works off a gear box and travels straight up and down. (no arm)  The upper blade holder is at the end of the upper frame and is merely a spring loaded sleeve with a clamp that is depressed down and tightened on the blade.  All the scroll instruction videos I watch emphasize blade tension.  The blade will make the high "ping" when I install it, but after a cut or two the tone changes, even though the blade is still clamped just as deeply in the blade holders.  Also I am not having much luck getting it to follow a line in my attempts to "practice" using on-line available patterns.  It's not so bad on the straight line, only wandering a little, but when I try to get it to turn it seems to have a mind of its own.  First it won't turn, then all of a sudden it make a hard turn and oversteers the line badly.  I am trying a few blades as I heard some blades are made to overcome "set drift" of the teeth.  My first "play" with the saw after I got it set up on a stand and the right belt for it was the best.  I had no pattern as was just seeing what it would do on a scrap of 1/4 inch sandiply, and with home center blades. (I think they were skil brand)  It cut tight turns and pretty much responded to my attempts to change direction when I wanted.  My practice patterns have been on 1/2 plywood with #5 PS wood super sharp blades.

    Am I wasting my time on this machine since it does not have fixed tension on the blade, or will enough patience and practice allow me to do the detail work needed to make salable projects?  I know intarsia pieces have to fit together right.  I am sure I could use this machine to make free hand jigsaw puzzles, but to get it to follow a pattern reliably I am not so sure of.

The answer is yes. They have made tons of advancement over the last 60 or so years. You will reach a level of frustration that might end your interest in learning to scroll. I'm unsure of your budget and location but there are many far better used saws available in the $2-300 dollar range that would be much superior to what you are using. You can get all the answers and advice right here on SSV so do a lot of reading and ask all the questions. We are all here to help you make a good choice. Craigslist is your best friend. Also Facebook Marketplace. If you have the budget look at the Pegas saw. By far the best for the money. Best of luck.

Edited April 25, 2020 by octoolguy

[dgman]

Ray gave you some excellent advice. While your saw will work, you may soon find it frustrating. If I were in your shoes, I would look into a good used saw. If you want something new with a warranty, look into the Delta saw. On Amazon it usually goes for $299 - $349. It’s a great saw and comes with a five year warranty. 

[OCtoolguy]

Yes, Dan gave you a great suggestion. I keep forgetting about the Delta. Great saw, great warranty, great price. A very smooth quiet saw that will last a long time.

 

[amazingkevin]

Delta, Pegasus,DeWalt,excaliber and a few more saws to my limited knowledge are using the same parts in a different styled machine. I could be wrong but someone will set me straight. Looks s of things can make your saw not act right including, blade in upside down, metal cutting blades,to fine a tooth blades,oil from finger tips touching the blades opon loading them,blade slipage,to high a speed cutting or pushing to fast,ETC.

[Kepy]

One problem you will have with a saw like that is not being able to use really fine blades as they won't stand up under the stress.  I started with a saw like that back in the 60's and you can do a lot with it but there is no comparison with the newer type saws.