kmmcrafts

Nice Work!! You did great.. Pattern making does take quite a lot of in the head visualizing that takes quite a learning curve.. I still like to make the centers of O's and e's fall out every now and then

ME TOO..

My EX-21 vibrated quite badly when I first got it.. and was probably the hardest of the scroll saws I've had to get tuned and getting it mounted solid on the stand with the stand legs planed firm on the ground.. Now it runs real smooth.. Another thing with my saw was the fact that there was several bolts loose on the saw.. must have been made at the end of shift on a Friday or something.. dang near every bolt in and on the saw was loose.. Guess right out of the box.. gave me my first bad impression.. I now like the saw but.. LOL.. really started off as a bad experience.. that I guess I haven't been able to let go of.. certainly a nice cutting saw now.. but certainly not what I would call ready to run straight out of the box.. Curious how my Hawk is going to be after Iggy's experience.. Hoping they don't ruin my Hawk experience and force me to send it back for a Twain saw ..

I might have to make me a larger table for my Excalibur.. I don't seem to have any issues with the table size for the other saws.. I do larger work now and then and usually use the dewalt if I need more table support since it has the biggest table..

That is certainly and interesting outfit.. My son uses something similar at his work that they use to do engraving on engine parts and marking their work and parts.. He works at a place where they build race car, race boat, plane motors etc.. they don't mickey mouse around.. as they don't mess with anything less than 1200HP.. most are 3000+ HP, LOL.. Anyway.. my son fell in love with the tool and wanted to get one for himself.. that is.. until he was told how much.. LOL

Rolf, This is the one I ordered.. I bought it local and they was running a special for free upgrade to the water cooled spindle.. I Also added the touch plate feature.. I didn't go with the laser module for the CNC.. thought about it but the power is really limited for the money.. So I went with one of the cheap 40W co2 lasers from eBay then purchased a custom air assist nozzle .. set up right with some tuning and upgraded mirrors the laser will cut through 1/4" wood.. The trick to these not getting burnt edges is.. tuning them.. You can get good edges with these without the burnt edges.. IF one can tune it to run properly.. Also can cut 1/2" acrylic supposedly, LOL but there is quite a learning curve on these and most don't tune them to run efficiently.. they just set up and get them to cut.. not worrying about the edges etc.. I got both machines just as toys and to learn from them.. not really expecting to run production with them at this time.. CNC - https://www.rockler.com/cnc-shark-hd4 Laser- https://www.ebay.com/itm/40W-USB-12X8-CO2-Laser-Engraver-Cutter-Engraving-Cutting-Machine-Red/153151531963?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 Air Assist-https://www.ebay.com/itm/18mm-Laser-Head-w-Air-Assisted-Ideal-for-K40-Machine/142995089380?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649 I've been following this guy on Youtube for quite some time.. He worked with laser machines cutting metal at his job.. and when retired he bought a cheap Chinese laser similar to what I got and he is quite smart about them.. does a lot of testing with them etc..Real interesting to watch his laser videos for sure.. I think I've watched all of them at least two or three times.. I've had a interest for these lasers for a few years.. and decided to spring for one and do some playing myself.. Certainly not a toy to play with if you don't have some common knowledge about them, LOL.. I've always been amazed that they are even allowed to sell some of these open bed ones.. https://www.youtube.com/user/SarbarMultimedia/videos

Merry Christmas to everyone here in the Village..

I love all my tools as well.. and I'll likely have a hard time letting some of the stuff go.. maybe I won't... If the BM series is anything like the older Hawks are I'm sure I'll be very happy with it.. I've found some really good deals local on Hawks, and a couple Hegners and I have a reason to buy new.. I love the Excalibur saw it cuts nice and can fine tune the blade to where I like to cut.. My biggest complaint is the blade being so close to the end of the table.. but that is a minor thing and I could build a new extended table top if I wished to.. I think all the hype on the Excalibur that everyone loves them so much was kind of a let down on expectations for me... I first had many issues with the upper clamping system.. the upgrade to the Pegas clamps is a must in my opinion and actually made the saw usable for me.. That said.. many claim I had a defective clamp.. maybe.. still a pretty poor design for a clamp on a pricey saw.. I call it a glorified DeWalt because the only real advantage is the tilting head ( if one does angle cuts which I don't do ).. the other advantage is the blade being adjustable... for cutting aggression... pretty pricey feature to buy over the DeWalt... and the down fall for me is the blade is right at the end of the table.. Just goes to show that everyone has a different opinion of their tools and the expectations are different.. I think had I not had the Hawk before the Excalibur.. I'd be much more impressed... The laser I bought is just a small toy that I've always wanted to mess with and not anything pricey.. One of the cheap eBay Chinese 40W Co2 lasers.. There is a lot one can do with those things with some mods.. I've researched those for a couple years.. and made extra money this year so figured I buy some tools to play around with that I otherwise wouldn't do.. such as the Hawk and the CNC.. The CNC is a Next Wave HD4.. There are reviews about them and the only downfall I've seen is the plastic supports can have some flex as it's not as rigid... If I have a ssue with that I figured I'd make my own supports out of aluminum..

Looking forward to hearing and seeing some of your projects with the CNC.. What CNC did you get for $1200 if you don't mine my asking? By the time I bought a couple accessories etc for my CNC I walked out of the store $5000 less than I had when I went in the store.. that almost always happens when I go to that store.. either buying tools or lumber, LOL

The G4 is a lot like the newest Hawks... I believe the G4 has a adjustable blade forward backward motion.. for cutting aggression.. The G4 also have the lower arm protrudes through the angle adjust at the front of the saw so you don't have to reach around behind that to do your blade changes.. The G4 is also a top or bottom feed saw.. I'm not real up on them but these are things I've read abut.. the G4 was always kind of a sought after saw.. Believe the came out around 2005 up until the new BM series came out.. To be honest I'm not really sure what differences there is between the G4 and the newest BM series are.. pretty much the same features.. I know the BM series changed out to a different heavy duty motor that has a much larger shaft and doesn't use the old flywheel design.. the motor mounts directly to the connecting rod and uses a counter weight balance.. Anyway.. from what I've read the G4 is a awesome saw.. Rolf has one maybe he'll chime in with his experience..

LOL, I have had the 20" and the 26 in my shopping cart on and off contemplating what one to buy for 4-5 days now... Yeah the smaller 20" is more than enough for the projects I do.. and.. I do have the 226 Ultra.. My thought was really at some point I may have a need to just keep one saw if I keep buying other tools and filling my shop up.... The newest one and the one with the variable blade adjustment just made more sense to buy and keep if I were to sell off the others at some point.. and my thinking was.. I have the cash now.. and at some point I decide to let the other two Hawks go and buy another new one.. it will be easier to come up with the $200 less later than right now while I have the funds too... maybe.. LOL If.. I end up really liking the BM series.. it's very possible I'll sell my Ultra and the 220 and make another purchase for the 20" saw next year..

I bought my CNC and laser more to just play and learn.. them... not really so much as a way to make production for selling products.. I love the true handmade process more than just setting up a machine to make stuff for me... will I change my mind after playing with it.. probably not but.. I may start another store for selling "machine " made stuff if I can learn how to operate the darn things, LOL Jim.. I'm not certain the CNC is going to cut those motorcycles like you think it will... I may be wrong as I don't know a lot about them myself.. but I didn't think you could really cut things with them.. well actually you can... but you'll need to leave tabs that'll need to be cut by hand... They are from my understanding.. not as easily done on some of the project like many people think.. My local workbench store has them running making things on display quite often.. I've sat and watched them run for several hours and talked with them about the things they can make and compared to the scroll work I do and much of what I do they say would be doable but with compromises.. I have no idea for sure though... also they don't cut nearly as fast as one really thinks too.. again... I'm really new to that side of woodworking but wanted to learn.. so I may be way off in my thinking of them..

I went with the Hawk because it is the best made tool I have seen.. with the features and goodies offered in the price range of high end saws.. I don't like the smaller table of the Hegner.. DeWalts last about a week.. and Excaliburs are really no differently made ( mechanical wise ) than a DeWalt.. so I see no real advantage to keeping it around... some may be offended because they love their Excalibur and DeWalts.. I like using them.. but longevity just isn't there for a production type setting.. I do think Hengers are great saws.. looked at a few.. parts aren't cheap.. it would mean learning the in's and outs of using it... all over again.. took me a good amount of time.. fussing with blade configurations etc to get to a point where I actually like using the Hawks not really wanting to do that again with Hegner.. In part also my reason for going with a brand new one is that it has the variable blade adjustment.. my 226 Ultra only has the two position blade holder and the aggressive position is too much.. and the less aggressive not enough.. these two positions the way the saw is designed is quite a big blade movement from the one slot to the next.. I feel if one could be set in the middle of these two position the saw would be perfect.. The older 220 with the round clamps.. cuts almost perfect for my style cutting... but is well worn and needs plenty of repairs to be a production worker saw.. With the new saw this is variable so I should be able to get it dialed in to where I like.. even though I've kind of grown use to the slower pace cutting and being able to maneuver the tight corners better..... The 226 Ultra is making some squeaking noises from the motor area.. the old 220 needs the arms machined and new wedges.. I intend to fix whatever is going on with the 226 Ultra and maybe later on I'll send the arms in for the 220.. meanwhile.. I want to have a dependable saw so my reason for going with a new one.. work on the issues with the older ones.. sell off the others.. I'm a bottom feeder so that wasn't the issue.. just more about buying a quality saw that'll be dependable for a couple years hopefully without having to do anything to it.. The 226 Ultra was brand new when I bought it two years ago.. but I've found that from sitting for 20 years the grease in the bearings had dried up and got hard.. I've had to replace about every bearing in the thing.. but did't do the big bearing in that block on the end of the motor or the one just inside the motor... I'm thinking this is where the squeaking is coming from.. saw still works flawlessly but stopped using it before I damage the motor or something else..

Just placed my order for a BM-226 with all the options.. fully loaded.. even has air conditioning.. probably should have ordered heater instead .. shop's pretty frosty right now at 34F.. .. After the new year.. I'll be having some saws for sale.. gotta thin out the scroll saw herd.. Will be selling a DW-788.. possibly a lightly used EX-21 with pegas upgraded clamps.. maybe.. big maybe.. the old Hawk 220VS.... Definitely keeping my Hawk 226 Ultra.. If anyone here might have any interest you might wanna let me know.. But.. before I sell any of these.. I'll be waiting to make sure the new Hawk is here and set up and tuned.. and running good.. Will also be selling some sanders and many other tools I just don't use.. I would keep them all but really have only been able to run two scroll saws at a time and the others get mad because I'm not using them... and I need to make room for the CNC router and the laser machine I just bought.. as they'll require a large portion of my woodworking shop.. I'll have a whole lot of new toys to play with in the new year.. The CNC was back ordered and may be Feb or so before I get it.. but the laser is supposed to ship on the 3rd.. Just ordered the Hawk this morning so have no idea on that yet..

You must of seen that on the show Dinners Drive Ins and Dives, LOL... They featured one of the restaurants not too far from me in Pottersville.. I'm not sure about the one in Saginaw.. but Saginaw is a good 2 hours from me I think..

Adjustable stroke? Or do you mean adjustable blade angle? I've never seen a saw with adjustable blade stroke.. The ultra saws have a two position blade stroke or blade cutting angle however you want to word it.. Can't really top feed on them though.. but that isn't an issue for a bottom feeder.. .. On another note... I've been watching the used market for Hawks now for a couple years.. and have only seen a handful of the G4 and newer saws on there.. and pretty hefty priced still.. Then you have a large crowd that still seems to think the real old ones are worth 500+ because a new one is 1200 +.. and they are always comparing it to the BM series saws of today.. which they are two completely different saws.. Something to note as well is.. My 1998 Hawk 226 Ultra came new to me still boxed.. Receipt shows they paid $1300 for the saw... They haven't raised the prices of these hardly at all over all those years... and I hope they aren't reading this.. because I want to buy a new one... not sure if it'll happen this year yet or not..so hoping the price might still be the same next year... There is a newer BM 226 series on eBay with shipping option available Buy It Now Priced at $990.. shipping to me is $100..

I'm glad to hear everyone has done decent with sales.. I figured I'd not make as much as last year because I shut down a lot of sites that I was selling on.. But not big profit sites but enough profit to add a decent amount of income between them all.. But my plan to drop all of those sites and start up a Amazon store put me ahead of last years profits by a large amount.. I could have probably done about 25% better had I been more prepared with inventory.. My hottest sellers had been sold out before my busiest time even hit.. and I had message after message of if/when there might be more stock added to the site... Sales are still flowing in but have slowed up.. I have orders that aren't scheduled to ship until mid Jan.. and I have some custom / personalized orders to make that are booked out to the end of Jan.. So.. I guess it's a good start to the new year..? LOL I say that with a ? because I was ready for a break, LOL.. even though after being so busy this slow down is nice because it's not completely dead and I'm not bored all of a sudden.. I spaced out the orders for the new year with extra " rest " times.. so I'm not pressured to get them out before Christmas or anything like that, LOL Most likely take the next couple weeks real slow as the kids will be on Christmas break etc.. and we have to take that vacation to try McDonalds LOL..

For a small shop.. you might be best off with a 220 or even a older 216.. but get the 216 with the VS.. most will say they didn't make a VS 216 but my friend had one and I have seen a few around.. 216 has the tension release at the back of the saw though.. 220 would be best choice in my opinion for a small shop.. especially if your going to be moving it out to use and parking it back into the corner.. Those 226's are big monsters.. and heavy.. but.. if you can spare the room.. well worth owning... Looking for a budget saw on CL or FB sometimes you can't be too choosy when a deal pops up though.. I think you'd like a Hawk... but then.. also thought Iggy would too, LOL They do take a long time to get used to..if you're use to the DeWalt style saws...

My sales are finally winding down and I'm ready for a vacation .. I made a lot of money this year and going to go somewhere with the $30 worth of profit I made.. Anyone know a good spot to go in Michigan since I've got $30 to spend.. I have a family of 5 so thinking maybe McDonalds could be affordable.. I heard that sometimes you actually get change back when going there... I've never been there.. anyone verify that? be nice to feed all of us and get a little change back. I'm thinking.. if my profit keeps growing year over year... I bet in about 5-8 more years I'll be able to go to the McDonald's down in Indiana because I'll be able to put gas in the van too.. Whew Whoo.. Hoping everyone has done as good or better than I have this year..

Guess it's a matter of opinion but... I like the modified Geometry better than the Mach blades.. Try a couple packs around the size you like.. my experience is that the Pegas seem like they run a little smaller.. I've never really check the actual dimensions of he blades to see if that's true.. But where I was using a #3 in a Mach blade I found that seemed like to me the #5 was a closer comparison.. Maybe just my goofy brain thinking that.. but anyway.. I'd get a package of a few different sizes to see what size works best for you..

That's a great idea that Larry does for those that don't do online sales.. I've had many times where I had to look up what a customer has purchased.. but I have access to all my online sales and invoices from the very first sale.. on the websites I sell at.. Every year I download the data too. just in case the websites disappear LOL..

I use two methods, LOL... I write with a Sharpe fine point pen.. I use to use my woodburning pen but got annoying getting it out and setting it up.. waiting for it to heat up so the Sharpe works well and instantly.. almost looks as though it was woodburned in.. Last time I ordered business cards they had a deal on return shipping stickers.. I custom made those to be like a business card with my website and contact info.. They work good on before or after a finish.. I still hand sign it then put the sticker over the hand signed piece in case someone tries to peel off the sticker or it falls off over time.. stickers look more professional than my handwriting, LOL.. Stickers work great on my gift boxes to seal the ornaments in too... so it's been a win win with those..

Not too sure what is considered a dust collection system on a scroll saw.. but there are many saws out there with a dust port to hook up a dust collection.. I might add that the one on the Excalibur I have works quite well... other than the sound of the noisy vacuum, ... 14 years ago I had a Dremel 1800 that had a dust port.. so they've been around... that saw also had a disc sander on it.. quite nice little outfit but quality lacked for a production type of work I was throwing at it.. LOL Believe Hegner now has a dust port? as does seyco, jet, wen, pegas, king, and that whole line of like saws.. My Hawk also has a spot cutout in the base right below the lower blade that I believe might be there to put a dust port in.. the size it the same as the smaller shop vac. hoses.. mine is the larger hose so I've never done anything with it ( yet )... Seyco sellsa scroll saw dust collector that can mount to the stand and stay with the saw.. also only 62db.. same noise level as the Festool and Fein vacs..

Don't forget about the two newer Jet saws.. a 18" and a 22".. basically the same design as the Excalibur with a different clamping system.. Lower clamps are like the old style barrel lamp of the Hawks.. and the upper one is a complete different mechanism that I think I'd personally love.. well at least the concept seems cool.. haven't used it so cannot speak about it.. they sort of have a love hate deal with those that own them.. some love the clamps.. others hate it and bought the Pegas, LOL

I hope you sell a lot of those..