Grampedstl

I have a Craftsman 21601 that I inherited. When looking at the Hitachi I noted that they are virtually IDENTICAL! Yes the lower blade clamp is a pain on both so I just took off the lower left cover and cut out a notch so I could get my big PAW in there. Another thing you might check is if you are not using the 'holdown' the screw on my Craftsman was an identical thread and just the right length so I swapped them after squaring off the holdown bolt to make more comtact with the blade. The one on the holdown has a larger griping surface on the Craftsman. Otherwise it is doing good as my first saw and I am slowly learning how this hobby works and ADDICTS. GrampedStL

I was just cruising around the Meisel Hardware Specialties website and in their "Closeouts" section under the "Tools" heading they have the Stand Magnifier on closeout for $19.99 and the bench mounted one for $12.49. Did not give the magnification on the lens but I am guessing it is about a 3 diopter lens. Both are "Illuminated" magnifiers! GrampedStl

Sloan's Woodshop has the blade holder tubes. http://www.sloanswoodshop.com/ GrampedStl

W....Walter Winchell! "Good evening Mr. and Mrs. America, Let's go to press!" GrampedStl

Weird you should bring this up!!! I was just putting up shelves and doing other fun things getting ready to tear into the warmer season in my garage workshop and I was smiling to myself about a couple of incidents that involved 'little me' and my dad many years ago! Best story and best advice was the day he left me to saw up some 2X4's into 'firestops' for a garage addition we were building. I was about 7 at the time and instead of leaving me a sample he just hollered a measurement and I wrote it down wrong! When he got back I had about 20 pieces of great firewood and a very long face since I had measured the space AFTER doing all the cutting using my 'wrong measurement'. He looked at my long face and obvious fear of punishment and smiled. "Is that the first mistake you ever made" he asked. Of course I said no and he said, "Well you can darn well bet it will not be the last one you ever make!" We then went to the lumberyard and replaced the 2X4's and even stopped for ice cream on the way home! God bless the ol' man! GrampedStl

How in God's sweet name did you keep the silly grin off your face? I might have wet my britches!!! I would have loaded it up and been out so fast he would have thought I 'really' stole it! Gotta start checking 'craigslist' more often! GrampedStl

Alcohol! No not that kind! Denatured, rubbing, etc. Wipe the ends of the blades before inserting. This cleans any oil from the manufacturing and leaves no petroleum based residue. Also take a folded paper towel and clean out the blade holders with the alcohol. You might also sand the ends of the blade to slightly rough the surface. GrampedStl

"J" -- John F. Kennedy! We share the same birth DATE, May 29th just like BobHope, Bob Gibson and Annette Benning (my sweetheart!) GrampedStl

DW-788 Stand Light Package deal at $529 Wish I had the funds!!!!!!!! Grampedstl

When I got the FD blades from Mike I was shocked at how much finer and sharper they were than the local store brands. I tried some from Vermont American which is a fairly reputable tool supplier and there was NO comparison. I have subscribed to two of the magazines and I am getting all the books my local library has. I am one of those who have to know fully what I am getting into before I start and this seems like such a fascinating and I am sure rewarding hobby I couldn't resist the urge to get started. Fortunately my saw is in the garage so I can be a night owl on it as I am on the computer! First hing I have to do is make a top for the saw since the factory insert has large openings and is sitting below the surface. Will try with a piece of tempered masonite I have from another project. Once that is done I will be 'off and running' and will keep you all posted on my progress... Graybeard

I wanted to make some woodpecker feeders and cutting them out with my jig saw was a pain! SO I bought an old clunker of an Asian saw and did the rest of them and got hooked. Now I have a Craftsman 16" with VS and dual blade holders so I am seriously hooked but still a beginner. Just starting into the wondeeful pages of the "ScrollSaw Workbook" to lean and enjoy! Lookout WOOD here I come! Graybeard

I clipped a picture from a magazine of an acorn shaped woodpecker feeder and tried cutting them out with my jig saw. Royal pain the tookus! So I acquired an old Asian made scroll saw on a stand for the outrageous sum of $25 and finished the feeders for Christmas gifts but in the process got HOOKED! (subsequently sold the old saw on craigslist for $40!!!) As luck would have it a neighbor passed away and his wife offered me his Craftsman 16" with dual blade holders and variable speeds and now I am SERIOUSLY HOOKED! Just received my FD blades from Mike and am ready to try some of the beginner things from the workbook. Wish me luck! Graybeard

Well here goes! I am brand new to Scrolling and NATURALLY I want to hang out where the knowledgeable folks are! Looking forward to having a great time with a brand new hobby. Best wishes to Travis for the New Year and especially for the New Venture!!! Grampedstl