Scrappile

Look for a good used Hegner 18" variable speed. They can't weight a lot and will take the packing around.

If it is like Loc-line, they have pliers, but to be honest they are very cheap,,,,, made wise, not to buy. I bought a pair for 3/4" hose because I knew I would be taking the hose on and off as I experimented with my dust collection. They work, they are some kind of plastic should cost about only $3 in my opinion. https://www.loc-line.com/products/14-loc-line-system/14-accessoriestools/ heat works well, just do not over heat or it will ruin the joint. I use a heat gun like Jim.

You are really knocking them out!! That is really cool!

Really nice!

Well you could do it easily but there is a slight giveaway. On my saws I have made 1/8" thick auxiliary table top and my inserts are the same thickness. I did this so I could have the inserts and in addition it gives me a larger table top for my Hegner. The giveaway is you give up 1/8" of thickness you can cut. So far I have not missed the 1/8" but I may, since I have started playing with compound cutting. But my table tops are easy to remove so if I need that 1/8" I will just remove the aux table top.

Looks like you have lots of suggestions to work with. I just wanted to welcome you to the forum.

Great cutting Dick. I love John Wayne movies as did most Americans. It had to be easy for him, he played the same part in every movie they just changed the settings. Even wore the same costume in many movies, it was his trademark. But, he was a good American hero... as were many actors back in the day. Wish we had some like that now.

Ya, I don't find frame making fun. Mainly because they are hard to clamp. I have made a couple jigs that help, but it is still not fun. You did good Dick.

Well done. You are a very busy man at the scroll saw lately.

Very nice work, Dick. Great job on a very difficult pattern.

I have then on all my saws, (both) I'm talking to Kevin from Michigan now he has "saws", I have 2 , anyway when I change blades I just pop the insert out, put in the blade and put the insert down over it into the recess. Not really a problem. I did drill several holes in mine to help the lower dust collector nozzle suck more dust down. When I make the inserts I make them in batches. They do get beat up over time so I always have replacements.

Thanks all for the nice comments. I had so much fun making this that I increased the size of the pattern by 20% and I am gluing up a few pieces of wood to the size needed to cut it. That is as big as I can cut with my saw. May try to add a few extras, like a hat with a bill, a belt that looks more like a belt... I don't know, just having fun.

WOW! Awesome piece. I really like the way you did it.

Welcome to the forum. We are glad to have you here.

And that pretty red. That has to count for something. You mean the difference between it and the Excalibur. There are several differences the Seyco and the Excalibur/Pegas. The differences favor the Ex/Pegas in my opinion.

I'd say, some side ways pressure and wrong blade. Move up to an aggressive #5 blade, no reverse teeth. If you have something besides pine would help also. That would be my, guy with little experience, so take it for what it is worth, advice.

If nothing else, it is sure a pretty saw! All the infor: https://www.bearwood.com/pegas-21-inch-scroll-saws-order.html

It can be per-ordered from Bear Wood right now. I was reading a review at their site that says it is made in the same factory as the Excalibur, Seyco and Jet. If that is true, than it should help ease the concerns as to the quality of the Ex.

I just finished that nutcracker and most of it was cut out of 1 1/2" wood. I used a #5 Pegas Modified Geometry SPR for most of it. That was because it was the biggest most aggressive blade I have. The size was right, but it may have gone better if it hadn't had the few reverse teeth at the bottom. Maybe not, I don't know. It worked well, but I had to slow the speed of the saw down to about 1/2 what I normally cut at and go real slow. This project was only my third attempt at compound (I call it, hope we are talking the same thing), cutting. If I do a lot more of this type cutting I will probably look for a different blade, or not... I didn't have the clamp NC Scroller shows but if I do more I may make one. There were some scary places where I had to get real close to the edge of the wood and the clamp would have made it easier. I didn't use the tape, it might also help hold things together. Basically I just winged it, I was using real scrap wood, most was a piece a 2 x 4 I had in the shop, so if it didn't work out no big loss. I am really surprised it turned out as well as it did, coarse you can cover a multitude of errors with some paint!

Ya, I spent some time there yesterday, look and watching videos. I'd like to try the little sterling engine someday.

Well, that is disappointing. Sorry it didn't work out this time.

Welcome to the forum. that is some very nice work you are showing. I look forward to seeing more.

Nice job. Had to smile, the dogs tongue sticking out,,,,, did you say cookie!!!!

Last week I did the final cutting on one of the biggest scrolling project I have undertook. I still have the sanding, mounting and finish to do on that project, but I needed a break from it. At about the same time I read @Foxfold's post of a compound cutting video. I started watching it and decided to go check out the guy's site. ( JEPlans.com ). Compound cutting fascinates me because I am always surprised how you cut the pattern, take the block of wood apart and here is a neat little whatever it is you were hoping you would have. I look around the site and find a pattern for a pretty simple, but cute nutcracker, like for the ballet. When my daughter was little she danced in it a few years as she progressed through ballet classes. It was always fun to go watch her and all the little ballerinas. So I thought it would be fun to make for her and bring back some memories for her. This was really fun for me to make. All pieces are compound cut. His plans are very well done and he has a Youtube video on making this project. The plan give you a choice of 2 sizes to make. This is the bigger one, stands 7" tall. The plan was $3. So here he is in all his glory. Sorry I am not much of a painter, and boy I did not realize how shaky I am. I would like to do another some day, a little more detailed and bigger. The hair was the hardest part to cut, I could not believe it came out of that little block of wood when I was done.

Super job. I love the bright colors.