kmmcrafts

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..

Well, mine isn't going to be anything with scroll sawing.. well maybe it is in a round about way... I want to get better at the pattern making part.. and since I'm getting a CNC router and a laser... I know very little about the design work for these.. hope to learn on the software they use for these machines.. but this would also be able to be printed out and used as a pattern too.. at any rate... design work is what I intend to learn this year.. I already do a little.. but need much more practice.. Hope to add a whole lot of new designs to my store for next year...

So when windows sticks... I can spray my computer with that stuff and it'll un-stick? Where Do I spray it to un-stick windows.. Sorry Couldn't resist that one, LOL

Mr Blaster is a brand and they have several different types of lube. Guess I should clarify that I used some sort of dry Teflon spray lube. It dries really fast and doesn’t take much and last a long time.

Thanks for those measurements JT.. you had me curious so I just went out to measure the EX-21.. cold out there and was in my pajamas, so I did a quick measure.. looks like at best maybe 4-1/4 " from front of table to the front of the blade.. The Hawks don't bother me this way... but that Excalibur sure does... I know it's something one just needs to get use to... I was real interested in the Jet saws until I seen how they are the same way.. probably the same 4-1/4.. does look like the new 18" Jet has a little more table in front of the blade.. but not a whole lot more.. I don't do the big stuff often.. but I did cut a 28" frame for a friend to put her stained glass piece in.. This was before I had several saws.. so was done on my Dewalt.. I used flat blades for the most part then used spirals on areas that I couldn't do with the flat blades..

Usually the only time I find awesome deals on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace is when I'm broke... otherwise they are asking as much as new cost for stuff when I'm actually looking to buy something and have the cash.. That said though... I've found and bought more than my share of deals...

I'll have to check that out Ray, Thank you for sharing this info... The CNC Router will come with a software called Vcarve.. it's a vectric software.. I've watched a ton of videos on this and have somewhat been planing for a few years to get a CNC.. was always torn between the CNC router or just a stand alone laser machine.. Almost bit the bullet last year.. but really didn't want to spend the cash either... This year has been wonderful with a lot of business..

If buying new... personally I'd suggest a DeWalt for the simple reason they are popular saws and hold their value pretty well... heck 15 year old DeWalts are still bringing near $300 for used ones. probably the easiest saw to sell and recoop most of your money back from... if you decide the hobby isn't for you.. many times a DeWalt can be bought cheap enough on sale that if you don't like it you'd get all your money back in selling it as a used saw.. I bought mine on a Christmas special from Grizzly for $340 with stand and light.. now that was years ago ( 2008) but at that time they was regular priced at about $450.. at that time.. many used ones was selling for $300 - 350 so it was a no brainer for me to buy that saw.... Still have it and have put a lot of hours on that thing...

I believe that might have been me that brought up the topic about Mr Blaster .. as I was looking for dry graphite for the Hawks.. but the only thing the one store had was the Mr Blaster so I bought it to try.. I use that stuff on all sorts of things now..awesome stuff.. my lawn mower is a self propelled and the handle was sort of stiff to push so I used that on the cables and also around the wheel bolts.. as I don't use the self propelled feature on it.. but anyway that thing rolled a lot easier too.. car door hinges and everything I can think of gets sprayed with that stuff now, LOL

Yeah ornaments is my thing really.. and I really enjoy cutting them. For the most part.. I don't need a larger table.. but like the Excalibur I learned real quick that I don't like the table on it.. and it is bigger than the table on the one Hegner I did see.. but that was a very old and small 14" saw.. the table width is what was small.. and while the width isn't my issue with the Excalibur.. it's the blade position being close to the end of the table that I don't like.. there's not a lot of support on cuts that are near the ending of the project and I sit close to the saw so the wood many times is getting hung up on my jacket or something... good thing I'm a skinny guy.. I suppose I could get use to it... great saw for doing my ornaments.. many of my car desk clocks are 10 - 13 inch long.. and that hangs out more than half the board off the end of my table.. on the Excalibur.. and I do cut portraits.. not huge ones and not all that often.. but most of these I cut at 11 x 14.. not much a issue if I'm using spirals... Probably just something I need to get use to on the Excalibur.. as that is my only complaint with that saw now that it has the Pegas chucks on it. So far I haven't found cutting the ornaments boring.. they are actually my favorite thing to cut.. second favorite is portraits... but I try to not make those as I've never had great luck selling that type of work.. and while I enjoy cutting most anything.. I do prefer to cut stuff that I can sell rather than sitting on projects for years before they move..

Yes, i'm fully aware of that.. which is why I chose to purchase the CNC now.. before I get to a point where I need to spend all my time at the scroll saw... I probably made it sound as though I thought I could just set the machine and push a button and walk away... I do realize there is a huge learning curve on these.. I opted for a stand alone laser rather than the one that goes in the CNC because one that come with the router is very limited and not very powerful.. I don't know much about the routers... but have done a lot of research on the lasers.. I know a little about the Vectric software and vector programs as I helped a friend through the learning of running his plotter vinyl sticker machine.. I'm sure it's different than what he does but i have a little.. very little concept of what to expect.. I have a table saw that works and does most everything I need it to.. as well as the jointer and bandsaw.. and can do glue ups.. I do glue ups now.. when I say I don't know woodwork I mean big stuff like furniture and larger projects. joinery etc. things that would require making / buying jigs etc for the table saw.. I do not expect to learn these CNC machines in one or two years.. but something I want to learn.. and take my time learning not expecting to jump in and start making money with them or anything of that nature..

Yeah I was just trying to give the Hegner guys a chance to talk me out of the Hawk.. .. I've only seen one Hegner in person and it was a real old 14" single speed with no quick release.. I'm interested in trying a Hegner but not really at the cost of this particular one.. Buying new I have more comfort level with the Hawk as that is what I know.. but still have interest in Hegner's basically just looking to learn the ins and outs of them..as I know the Hawks.. Right off the bat there are small tidbits about the Hegner that sort of turn me off.. small table being one of them but it's a simple fix too... The purpose of the CNCs is more about enhancing my scroll work and capabilities rather than replacing the scroll work... I don't believe CNC work to be considered "Handmade" while many do.. maybe my mind will change on that after I learn them... I really wanted the laser machine more than the router.. But I purchased both for a few different reasons.. I may start another store and do a different type of work using the CNC.. but at this point the scroll work is very enjoyable and profitable for me.. I don't consider myself a woodworker.. but more a scroll saw artist ... which is why I backed down from the big table saw.. I don't know much about woodwork and table saws.. could I learn? yeah.. but I feel if I'm going to take on a different type of work.. I might as well do something that doesn't require my whole attention.. working a table saw and doing a different line of woodwork requires my time.. which would take me away from the scroll work. The CNC will take my time in designing and setting up the machine but once started I can walk away to go scroll saw while the CNC does it's thing.. If I expand it out into different projects.. I see the CNC's as a better investment for me.. and just like scroll work.. the CNC can do many different mediums.. I suppose the table saw can too.. but.. still requires me to run it.. My scroll sawing business gets busier every year.. I don't want to get so big with the scroll work that I need to hire people.. as this brings on much more tax laws and liability things that I'm not interested in dealing with.. The laws I have to deal with now is plenty enough for me.. and that is getting worst with these new state sales tax laws etc.. The husband and wife team you speak of is probably the same couple that contacted me several years ago wondering if I would be interested in buying their business as they was ready to retire.. They only did ornaments and small things.. maybe keychains? anyway they was doing $120,000 a year in sales back in 2007-8 ish.. I wasn't ready for that kind of commitment at that time.. and would have failed the business as at that time I was still very new to the business side of this..and had never really done shows.. and that was all they did.. I don't think they did any online stuff..

I'm thinking about selling my DeWalt, old Hawk, and Excalibur and buying another high end saw.. Really leaning toward a new Hawk BM series.. but ran across this Hegner tonight on Craigslist... Not knowing the Hegners very well.. Not sure I'd like it.. took me forever to have the Hawk grow on me and now I don't really like any of my other saws, LOL... I notice the table on the Hegners look small.. one of my bigger complaints on the Excalibur.. and that the blade is close to the front of the saw rather than setting back aways.. Yeah I know I can build a larger table... and might if I was to know that I actually would like the Hegner.. I also see the are on sale... Still leaning toward the Hawk.. but I also have always wanted to try a Hegner.. rather spend $400 ish on something to "try" than $700 + https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/tls/d/scroll-saw/6767867748.html I scrapped my idea of a new table saw... and bought a CNC Shark HD4 router with water cooled spindle.. While spending some money.. also got a CNC 40W CO2 laser ( cheap china one ).. just to play with.. Also picking up a Festool MIDI Vac.. to make a dust collection system for my scroll saw... In no way will these two CNC machines take over my handmade scroll saw stuff.. I wanted the table saw to branch out and make cutting boards or something different than scroll work.. but got to thinking about how I would have to man the saw and glue ups etc etc.. which takes time away from scroll sawing... so the CNC machines caught my interest.. I don't know much about them but will be learning either if it was an investment or a bust... I feel the table saw for me would be a bust because I'm getting busy enough that I need to be at the scroll saw more and more.. and not expanding into something else that will also take a lot of my time... Maybe dreaming but hoping to be able to set up the CNC and while that is making something.. I can go scroll saw.. but since I don't know much about them.. There'll be quite a learning curve to not only run it.. but now looks like I'll need to learn more design type work with the computer.. so i can run the darn things, LOL.. If nothing else.. this is probably at least going to give me some scroll saw pattern making type of experience... even if I throw away the CNC's LOL Anyway back to the scroll saws... This Hegner... Since I know very little on the Hegners... anything stand out in this saw that I should not bother to go look at it.. It's only about a 30-50 minute drive from me. One thing that turns me off right away is the fact they was too lazy to at least dust the thing off before taking the pictures.. LOL But maybe a good sign that it works too, LOL.. I feel the price is a little steep but maybe that's just me.. I'm probably going to pass on it.. and go with the new BM Hawk... since Hawks is what I know.. and I'll have a lot of learning with my other new toys..

I have a couple pair of work tunes noise cancellation head phones.. Bought them way back when I started my lawn care business.. Use them a lot for several summers.. hoping the bright yellow would fade away and make them not stand out on my head like a big yellow jacket bee.. but no luck... still bright yellow

I need to watch that video when things slow own for me.. I really want to know how to do this. and also want to know how to fill an area with text.. like the animal puzzles Iggy cuts.. I'd like to be able to take a silhouette and put text into that like those puzzles.. Many many things I could make if I was able to do that.. Some day... I hope...

brad point bits are awesome.. I had a set several years ago and never had any ripping or push through splinters.. I doubt they have them in the small numbered sizes though do they? Don't think I've ever seen them smaller than 1/8..

I use a scrap board for drilling.. a real good sharp drill bit helps some too.. also.. take it slow.. especially going through the last ( bottom )of the stack.. When drilling wood.. I find that if you are making a small pile of fine sawdust on the top board.. your probably going the right speed... if not then you end up with the drill clogged and as you bring the drill back up it unclogs and leaves you the packed sawdust strings rather than a sawdust.. if that's the case.. pushing to fast through the wood.. I push through most times if its away from the line into a waist area.. otherwise I go slooooow, LOL..