JTTHECLOCKMAN

after only using it for a couple of hours i dont really know that i want to get used to it! other than the usa made motor and electronics and being heavy built i dont think it is all it is cracked up to be. the on/off switch is not in a real handy spot,the blade holders are crap, and the more i use it the less i want to use it. this is supposed to be a enjoyable hobby, not a headache with the saw every time you have to make an inside cut! i also got the manual with it when i bought the saw. i have done what the manual says and i still dont like the clamp system. i am glad i bought this used because i would be upset if i had paid anywhere near the $1200 price tag they want for it new. I read it different. sorry. He said he wasn't going to bash it and as he added more posts it got worse. Others will find the blade system works great. It is an opinion. $1200 saw is not a better design, Some disagree as I do. To me and I am entitled to my opinion too that sounds like bashing. As far as trying to buy a saw from reviews especially one of that much money you are kidding yourself. Would you buy a car sight unseen and no test drive?? Everyone is use to the saw they use the most and it is human nature to not like something they are not use to. If he used that saw before he used a Dewalt he may have had a different opinion. Everyone here has a opinion about the saw they use and how much they like it. As far as the switch thing goes, use a foot switch and take the switch out of the equation.

I hate to read this type bashing. You started out saying you were not going to bash it and then here you are. If you do not like the saw sell it plain and simple. Whenever you buy any tool weather it is new or used you take for a test drive, just like a car. You are use to the Dewalt than why not buy another dewalt?? I have an older Hawk 220 and 226 and love them. They are not the barrel clamps but the next generation up from that. I also have a Hegner 18" and a Dewalt 788. I think the Dewalt is a pain in the neck to use with the use of the arm having to lift. The blade tightening system is not the same every time you do fret work. With the hegner and RBI it is one lever that sets the blade tension the same every time. Each of us can tell one another their love of the machine they use the most and try switching and things are different and not as smooth. Sell the saw and get back your money and buy another dewalt saw because you will need more than one. Oh yea oil and grease it to because if you do not it falls apart. China loves this part.

Yes they are one company now.

Why not just email Jim??? Here a thread. www.scrollsawvillage.com/forums/topic/8972-inlay-in-cedar-trunk/

I have been scrolling way longer than you so I will say I need the full size of my saws for what I mentioned with scrolling mirrors, shelves and other projects. I have more than one saw because of the deals I got on them. I have never replaced anything, oiled anything on my RBI saw except the front blade holder which wore out. I would highly highly highly recommend an RBI saw over any other saw on the market. I am a bottom feeder which will also have alot to do with saw choice so take that in your consideration. But to your point put me down for 26" saw and need every inch of it. Just another thought. full capacity can mean alot more than just throat size too.

Again lets go back to what you are asking and who you are asking. It is good that over the years you found your niche and know what size saw fits your needs. But there are many many more scrollers than you. I am sure the makers of saws see what the trend is when it comes to saws and that is what they focus their price range on. Not only you. To make a smaller saw is not going to save much money if you want quality. The tooling to make those saws has to be adjusted in the price. The top makers know that the smaller saw market is well inundated with cheap Chinese saws that basically are all the same but different colors. They probably all come out of the same market and are basically throw away items. I believe the top makers see that the average saw buyer is buying a saw in the 20" range but being there is not many in the larger range they offer those too. That market is not crammed like the smaller market so their profits will justify the making. This is my thought as to why you do not see the top makers joining the crowd on smaller saws. People look at price and would buy the cheaper one before the more expensive especially if just starting out. The top saws are for the serious scrollers. Again the difference between a 20" and 16 or 18" saw is so small in the eyes of the serious scroller and they weigh in on the larger size because of future needs. Buy once.

My take on it what in the world is the difference between 4". It does not take up that much more room. It is the design of the saw that takes up the room. You may only need to cut on a 16" or 18" saw but that first project that is larger than that you wish you had at least a 20" saw. I have a Hegner 18" saw. a Hawk 220 and a Hawk 226. The 220 gets the most use. But I need the 226 for mirrors that I make and a few other larger patterns and I will never ever use spiral blades. The longer you scroll the more you develop your needs. Just starting out you have no idea what your needs are. So ask that question to 100 people and you will get 100 different answers.

Teak is a very hard wood and oily wood. Not sure what type pattern you are cutting but you may have to step up to a #7 skip tooth blade. 3/4" is thick. It will burn and eat many blades. Tough choice of woods.

I assume you are using stickyback felt. I would rough cut the shape with scissors and then stick it to the bottom and take a razor blade and trim the edges following the contour of the base. Do it all the time and it works fine but I am never in a hurry. Bad things happen when in a hurry. Do it right the first time.

It is in the Mahagony family. Can be a number of spieces though

Have to say I learned a lot through books such as Patrick Spielman and John Nelson when I started out. Never had a computer. Now things are much easier to find and to ask a question is so easy and you get immediate responses. Also The Berry Basket was my go to source of patterns. I probably made so many of Rick and Karen's patterns that they are most of my products. I remember the black and white small little catalogs they started with. I bet I still have those somewhere. Scrolling took off and was a popular hobby due to people like that. Still is a relaxing hobby and you canstill make a few $$$ from.

I would use the tape also. Easiest thing to do.

I was just trying to see if there was any old time scroller here that worked on the project.

Do they still have any scrollsaw picnics or get togethers any more. I remember going to a few many many years ago. I remember seeing all the top designers at that time. Such as John Nelson and his wife, Dan and Ray Wilckens, Dirk and Karen Boelman, Rick and Karen Longabaugh, and a few others. I also remember being able to see all the latest saws and scrolling material available all in one spot. There were also a few wood sellers there also. They would have contests for scrolled entries and you got to see so many projects all in one place. It was always a great time. Anyone gone to any???

Come on people. There has to be some scrollers here that remember the clock I am talking about. Just do not remember if this was the clock or was it one of Dirk Boelman clocks. It was in one of the scroll magazines. I also know that Dan and Ray talked about this clock in the magazines also. Don't make me have to go into the attic to find them. It is hot up there. OK after doing a little more digging all I could find is reference to the clock I am talking about and it was indeed a Dirk Boelman clock called The Great Fret Work Clock. I saw the mention of it in his obit. www.thedodgevillechronicle.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=3&ArticleID=5071

This clock looks like a Wilckens design. Now that I think back, I am going to wake up the old time scrollers here, was this not the clock that Dan and Ray had scrollers from all over the world help build the first one. I remember going to scrollsaw picnics and seeing it in various stages of completion. If my memory serves me well. If this is the clock and people do remember the clock I am talking about were you one of the makers or contributers to it and if so how about a little story. Maybe some photos.

Do you know the size of the saw?? Here is a chart for details and manuals www.hawkwoodworkingtools.com/WebsitePages/Scroll-Saw-Manuals.html Needs to be put on a solid floor and not a wood floor. The legs need to be splayed properly so the saw sits level. Most saws have no oil fittings on a RBI Photo would be helpful and all info on the saw such as motor name plate and name plate on the side of the saw.

I just use clamps. The key is a good glue joint which can be done on a tablesaw or with a router or with a jointer.

Yellowheart is one of those woods that will never lose its color. It may darken somewhat over time but will remain yellow. There are many woods like this. I use Danish oil as my finish and if i need a top coat I will use a lacquer.

I just use tape. Works for me.

I too very rarely take an order that has specifics in it. Not worth the effort. I have been left with product that I could not sell because people pull out of the deal. Yes you can keep deposit but still not enough to cover time and effort and then materials you have a hard time reusing. If someone wants more than one of something I make is much different because even if they pullout I can resell easily. Putting names on things is something I have stopped doing also. I will not personalize. I leave that to others. Again just no money in it and not worth the time.

Always have multiple projects going. I have about 6 or 7 pen projects I am working on and also just ordered some clock inserts for a project I want to make as a thank you gift to someone so that will be another project. Nothing wrong with that.

You are actually shutting down the job for 3 stiches You have nine other fingers.

This is the one I sell and have sold many of them. I make from 3/4" red oak. It is a pattern from the old Berry Basket company. I look back on this pattern and wonder exactly how many of these I cut. probably 50 to 60 over the years. Have to say this was a very good pattern for me. I could almost scroll this one with my eyes closed. Some patterns do get very familar with time.

You have to be careful making comparisons like that though. That is comparing apples to oranges. Hegner and RBI saws are better quality and maintenance is nothing compared to a dewalt. They are priced accordingly. The people that buy the top of the line saws are more into production work as opposed to hobby. The Dewalt is a very good top of the line hobby saw. Selling the higher $$ saws is tougher just because of the price but if people do their homework they can assess the value more. The price of that Dewalt could be a good price depending on the condition and time spent on that saw. Seeing first hand and getting to run the saw is a great thing when buying any tool. Good luck.