JTTHECLOCKMAN

I just bought a load of BB plywood from them 2 weeks ago. Have to say not having to cut down to manageable size from full sheets is a plus. The quality of their wood is a plus. The overall prices is a huge plus. The shipping for that much weight was reasonable. I am using it for jigs and other projects not scrollsaw related. I could buy full sheets from my lumber store but as I said cutting down is not so easy any more. The boxes are heavy when buying 30 sheets of each at a time. That should hold me for some time.

First welcome to the forum. Next could you give us some more background. Such as your name, where you are from. When you say the Dewalt feels like midlevel What do you mean about that? Have you personally scrolled on other saws? And if so which ones? What is it that you do in this woodworking class with these saws? What is the age group of students? Does the saws have foot pedals and if so what kind. Are you using magnifier lights and are you set up with dust collection. Maybe a photo of your work shop would help us. As far as blades breaking, what blades are you using and what size? What type projects are you cutting and learning on? Most times blade breakage is operator error. learning to be patient is the #1 thing to learn. A scrollsaw is a slow cutting saw. Saw speeds are something that can be objective for we all scroll at basically a speed that suits our habits. I am sure you know all this and pass this on to students but always good to refresh. Have you had any problems with the saws that you have and if so what were they and how did you fix? Now as far as recommendations I would not recommend the Hegner 14" single speed. They are out dated. too small a table top and no one uses single speed any more. Being you have the double link Dewat saw already and familar with that action then staying in that line may work such as the Seyco or Pegas saw. The Bauer saw is just too new and you have to deal with Harbor Freight for warrenty work. Not sure if they are available where you are, thus more info would help. The top of the line saws I believe on the market are the Hegners and the RBI but are parallel arm saws. Parts are available and good companies to deal with. You may want to get a variety of saws so students can try them for themselves. As mentioned though the Hegner and RBI have blade clamps that come off the saw to reload. The Hegner requires a wrench wheras the RBI does not. The Dewalt and other double link saws do not have this. Anyway good luck and hope you fill us in on a few more details.

I did something like that today too. I had gotten a 20V Dewalt sliding miter saw for Christmas and decided to assemble stand and put saw through some test cuts. It passed with flying colors and is going to be perfect for my molding jobs. Also cleaned the dinning room where I have been storing my construction materials and things. I need to get in there to hang a fan and light kit. Then I can patch a couple holes and get ready for painting all my rooms. Oh joy. I wanted to finish a few projects in the shop but after this and 2 hours later that was enough for the day. Great to be retired.

What is the model number on that lathe? Basically all these type lathes use the same size bearings.

I am of the opposite mind. I have way too many ideas and sometimes no ambition or time. I have a bunch of projects I want to work on this winter and have started a couple weeks ago but this past week I got hit with a stomach bug that set me down. Just started feeling better so next week back in the shop. No scrolling projects but lathe projects. My scrolling days are just about done.

Wow I am shocked how many people here cut, carve and use MDF and also as toys. Last I checked the formula is still used and it has lots of formaldehyde in the product which is toxic to breathe. using as large pieces means less cutting but still releases fine dust that now gets in the shop and stays everywhere so every time you move that dust it gets suspended in the air again. Unless you constantly wear good quailty safety masks and clean off before going into the house, man wood dust is bad enough. Maybe I am missing something. I know regulations have changed to the amount of formaldehyde can be used and there is some MDF that claims it is formaldehyde free so maybe that is what is being used.

Oh I would be weary of scrolling MDF. That makes a good backer but the dust can be dangerous. Plus if scrolling they dull blades easily. Need certain blades. Just my opinion. Many fine patterns here in the library or on Steve Goods site.

Did Hercules ever make a scrollsaw?. I know Central Machinery did.

I sold all my scrollsaw magazines for $100. Sold them to the buyer of my Hegner saw. I can not find any buyers for all my woodworking magazines. One of these days I have to pull out all my scrollsaw books and sell those too. I have been gathering a bunch of tools and stuff that I do not use any more and will sell. Sold a bunch of tools 2 years ago. If I only could get rid of the woodworking magazines that would clean the attic out tremendously. Just hate to throw out.

For those that use to be in the Magazine craze as I was. I got just about every woodworking magazine out there at one time. but now none. But what I always remembered and one reason I got them was for their tool reviews. But as time passed by and more magazines did the tool reviews you saw the trend. The tool companies that supported the magazines got the better reviews and that would go for all them. After awhile they basically canceled each other out. Maybe one of two tools they agreed on. But they would put the tools through their paces not like these videos where these people want their 5 min. of fame. hey look I made a video. Show me in real time the difference between one saw over another. prove to me this one has more power, cuts larger material, better dust collection, easier blade changing and so on. That is a side by side comparison. Not open a box and lift to see how much each weighs. Says right on the box. That is what the pwoer of a video can do. Comparing prices again means nothing unless that is your main concern than by all means shop at HF or even go on ebay. China made stuff on their all the time under weird names. I just bought a tool for my lathe that is basically one of those very specific needs. Maybe will use a few times so the China made brand will work just as well because only one moving part. Now if down the road I find I will get into that part of lathe work more so I will step up.

Hercules has a better valve than Bauer. There is a side by side videos somewhere out there. I was told many years ago I too have one of the valves not closing all the way. I have been xrayed more times that I should be glowing by now. Just keep monitoring but I was told too at some time they may have to replace. Today that is a micro surgery. they do not crack the chest.

Well this thread took on a few different paths and was not my intention to rile the pro HF fans. I can be controversial but also never was a follower. If I have an opinion then I try to voice it and explain. But just like in all web sites the written word gets misconstrued and meanings get lost and feeling come into play and next thing sides are taken. If new members and I have heard this complaint on other forums that, they opened a thread and did not like the banter so it scared them away then so be it. Live it what it is. That told me they are so closed minded that they did not want to put the effort into seeing the good in the site and reading further and past opinions. I believe this site is one of the calmest sites for arguments if you want to call it that I ever been a part of except my pen turning site that is just about as civil as there ever was. People have their favorite tool brands. It is nature deal with it. Today so many videos are put out by people comparing one tool to another. You can take just about any tool on the market and make comparison physical wise to so many different brands. Like I said we talk about this very thing here so many times with scrollsaws. We do not know what tools come off what lines in these countries that tool manufactures use. Tweak here or there they are clones. But we defend our brand and now adays things get blown out of proportion. It is a color of the tool or a badge on the side of the tool. if it does the job you are wanting it to do that is fine. BUT and I say this with all good intent. 2 things, if the tool can do the job safely. I have seen lesser grade tools be more of a hazard than a help for the operator. and how you intend to use it, professionally or just occasional around the house plays a part. Some one brought up an excellent point and this applies to every tool and brand. learn the proper use of a tool and what the do's and don'ts are for that tool. Tool safety applies to all tools and brands. proper tool for the job will save you time and also could save you from injury. Happy tool hunting. Still think HF has too many brands in their tool lines.

Thanks I love being first at something. Glad I could help.

Just a question, do you build alot of large furniture and cabinets that you use the domino alot? Many years ago I got into the biscuit scene and used them alot for shelves and magazine racks and things like that. My dream to be a cabinet maker went out the door when I built my shop cabinets and saw you need lots of room for cabinet and furniture building. I also went down the pocket screw hole swamp and have lots of those tools collecting dust.

Also if people do not like what I write do not read it. scroll on past. Not sure if this site has an ignore feature but if so use that then. Not hurting me. Just so no one gets the notion,I NEVER EVER EVER said for anyone not to buy any tool they want. Maybe if I saw someone going down a wrong path for a reason but that is the exception. HF is trying to market themselves as the next Sears. But what I and again my opinion is they have too many brands. Hercules was their flagship tool for awhile and now Bauer which as I mentioned I just read an opinion that they are below the HERC. line. I do not get it. You own the rights of these companies, tell them what you want to see. Always buy within your means. I would love to buy into the Festool line. But from here on out I changed once from Makita to now Dewalt. Mostly American made tools which is what I like. As far as battery life goes. again do the ratings or look for them on the net. I am sure they were tested. Give the line of Bauer some time and they probably will come up with another line in 10 years. We basically are old farts on this site, lets face it so none of us are buying huge amount of tools any more. Our tools have been bought already. But every now and then a new tool does appear in the line of tools you own. I just bought and mentioned this before, before Christmas. The new Dewalt 20V sliding miter saw. It is going to be perfect for all the molding I have to install in all my rooms because I can easily carry it. I do not need a big heavy sliding miter. I have one that sits in the shop. Those things are heavy. But if someone is looking for one and does not the used route then knock your wallet off. Go for it.

It was another page from a source I wanted to post that showed the good and bad tools of HF again one person's opinion. In it he said the Bauer line is far under classed to the Hercules line and does not even come close to Dewalt line. If that be the case not sure what HF is doing if they sell the Hercules line even in battery tools. Also pointed out the number of brands under the HF name but all made in China. Again I am not dissing HF but when comparing tools from a hobby home use to a commercial line like Dewalt there is going to be a tough fight. Dewalt is a proven line in both home use and commercial line. You do not see HF tools on job sites at least not the ones I was on. Now can HF tools stand up and last a long time sure without question. Especially if used sparingly. That is all I am saying. As some have pointed out their age plays a factor when buying new toys. Understandable.

Could not get page to load.

Say what you want Kevin. There is no side by side rating there. Put it through its paces then it is a side by side. I am not defending Dewalt or dissing HF but price wise HF will ALWAYS have the lower prices. He unboxed the saw and it looks like the Dewalt. How many times have we said over and over again here about scrollsaws looking alike. A little difference here and there. He said his Dewalt saw was still kicking. let him come back in 10 years and tell us. That is all I am saying. You must have stock in HF I am guessing. Go on the internet and you can see hundreds of comparisons of tools within all brand names but remember one person's view that is all it is just like this video. One person's view.

I do not see the purpose of these type threads. Of course anything HF sells is going to be cheaper than brand names. Many times you pay for the brand name but many times you pay for better quality. Especially any of the bench top tools. If a person uses a tool once in a blue moon it should last them a life time. If a person uses the tool for their livelyhood they will want a better quality tool. That Dewalt saw he compared to will outlast him. I thought Hercules was HF old brand name, why not name it a Bauer saw? Heck you can find a used tool of brand name cheaper than that saw. What does that prove? You notice he used my exact words in that video, "If the tool has a motor I am not buying from HF" they are trying hard to change that stigma. Disposables, I buy all the time. They are one and done items. If it breaks not out much money.

Brings back a few memories. I see the Berry Basket collapsible basket in background. Also see the book of other items. I use to do both. I would leave a book full of photos of different items that can be ordered or I had but no room to display. I think what sold your ornaments was the beautiful ornament not so much the box. I say this because we do not box other things and sell. Why just ornaments? I know when I first started I carried to the shows different sized cardboard boxes to be able to give people a box to put the item in instead of a bag. But that just slowed things down too much. Everyone is different and if it makes sales then it is a good selling practice for we all are after the same thing$$$. At one time I was going to use those portable picture frames that can show photos on a loop. Then thought of a lap top but never did any of that. Anyway nice display.

See that usually does not work for when I see people that sell them They usually have some sort of display such as a Christmas tree or just metal tress where they can thumb through them easily. Hey if selling with a box means more $$ then go for it but I have watched many people sell ornaments next to my booths or in the show when I walk around. I have been told I should make them but my answer is too small and not worth my effort. Can not do multiples. Just not built for making multiples. I have a very active mind as I mentioned before. Have so many ideas run through it and to get bogged down with cutting same things is a drag for me. Just the way I am built. I leave that all to you Kevin Have fun. My sister makes ornaments that are knitted. No boxes. Displays on a stand. As I said when selling my pens or even giving them away I ask if they want a box and then ask will they keep pen in the box because it is waste to buy a $50 box to throw away. That is why I offer different range of prices in boxes. I just bought a couple days ago some $3.50 pen boxes that are beautiful and make great gifts with a pen. But I will not charge for those boxes because there is enough markup in the pen. Have boxes that are $10 each. People use pens differently than ornaments. Can be a desk pen or a carry pen or a special gift pen. I do not display pens or anything in a box. People love to pick up and touch and feel.

This is basically how most people think who make this and other things as a hobby. It is not a job where you rely on the income. Because then you would approach selling a whole lot differently. prices vary from state to state and even area to area if selling in person. If selling on line you set a price that you are comfortable with and everyone draws from the same pool of items. We went through the pros and cons so many times on this forum it gets boring. I see the same questions asked in the pen turning forum and the same answers apply. I made my money in my real profession. This business was a hobby with the ability to make a few extra dollars. I will say that just about all shows I ever done and been at no one sells a box with ornaments. Just about every crafter sells some sort of ornaments weather scrollsaw, knitted or some other medium way it was made. I do see people with small bags for lack of a better word. You can buy those in bulk for very cheap prices. I sold some pens and ask my customers if they prefer a pouch or a box. Now if they say box I have to decide or let them decide what box because I have 50 cent boxes that do just nice but also have $50 boxes that drive cost of pen up and have to charge as such. Now selling on line you have to put in a box of some sort so why not a decent one and reflect it in the price but again you can buy those in bulk for cheap money. That being said though size of ornaments can determine how it is shipped also. I use plastic boxes for my birdhouse ornaments that I sell both in person and send in mail. They can be delicate so needs protection. All this stuff depends how, where and what you sell.

Example of redheart.

My price would be $8 to $12 especially if stack cutting. Tops. Really not complicated of a cutting. Type of wood plays a role too. if BB I lean more toward $10

Good to see you back. I too have been out of my shop for quite some time. Close to a year. Stepped back in this past Thursday and sure is good to get back. Have so many little projects I want to try before summer comes. I need to slowly get the feel of tools again. We forget things but they should come back to us quickly. Good luck with your show and getting the puzzles cut.