OCtoolguy

Beautiful work. Life ain't always easy. It's the tough stuff that you learn from.

I've pretty much scanned over the parts drawings with the numbers and so on. The only thing that I found that resembles a "bellows" is the air blower. I tried to find the number you listed but it's not in the parts list either available or discontinued. Your initial description was "a bellows type thing" so that's what I was going by. Kevin knows a lot about these old saws so I'll have to bow to his knowledge but I still think you're talking about the air blower bellows and when they get dry and hard, they will make a heck of a noise.

As I already did and found that the FD blades were much harder for me to control. From the very first attempt with the Pegas blades, I felt and saw the difference. Sorry but on this, I will have to disagree.

Thanks JT. I was not aware of any "ground" blades. Now I stand corrected.

It's very old and many parts are no longer available. Contact Ray at Seyco.com for more info. If the saw is in good running condition it's probably worth the $100 but if it stops or breaks you may be out of luck. Later model Ex's are much better as long as they don't say "made in China".

I found the biggest difference between Pegas and FD blades is how they are made. The FD blades are stamped rather than ground. That stamping gives the FDs a protrusion on one side and causes a drift. The Pegas cut straighter and seem to stay sharp longer. I agree that the #5 is my go-to size. I think every scroller ends up with a box full of blades that will never get used. I know I have a bunch.

Well, the wood is pretty well sealed even all the sanding but I was thinking of doing a seal coat of some kind. As for you attempt at humor, well I've decided you are a weird dude! LOL> I think it goes along with being an engineer. Thanks for the jest.

Well, I finally decided to try to save this project. I sanded all the clear laquer off and got most of the redness out of the maple. It'll never be what I intended. So now it looks like this. Should I leave it unfinished or shoot it with a satin clear laquer? All suggestions appreciated. I can't make up my mind what way to go.

If I'm not mistaken, that is the air blower bellows. If you remove it the noise may go away. With a bit of tinkering and maintenance it may service your needs. And aquarium pump will work for an air blower.

Good deal. Now post a few pics so we can see what you bought. There are many things to be concerned about on Hawks.

I concur. I didn't do all of the lessons but what I did got me to where I am now.

Howdy and welcome to SSV. The fun has begun. From what you wrote, I get the impression that tension might be part of your problem. You have to really put a lot of tension into your blades. The test is to pluck the blade and see if it gives a high pitch like a C tone. Now about blades. You won't be able to find very good blades in any of the hardware stores. You can still get some fairly good blades at Woodcraft Store if you have one around you. They sell mostly Olson. Most of us who have been where you are right now have asked the same questions that you are asking. Anyway, what you want to do is go online and find suppliers for Niqua (Flying Dutchman) and/or Pegas. Those are the go-to blades for most of us. One seller has already been given and the FD blades are available through Mike's Scrollsaw and also the company that bought Mike's out Wooden TeddyBear. They can supply you with sample packs that will contain mostly #5 blades. As for wood, depends on what your forte is as to what wood and where to buy it. There is a ton of info here and if you do some searching you will find most of the answers to your questions. When I first found SSV I went clear back to the beginning of the General Scroll Saw forum and read every post coming forward. I learned a ton just by doing that. The rest is going to be from your own experience. There are also a lot of great videos on youtube that give great examples of different types of work. Best of luck to you on your journey. It becomes quite addictive.

Hoarder!!!

Wow Bob. I take most anything if it's free. If for no other reason than the challenge of making it work. I guess that's why I have such a large collection of crap. Sigh, I'm a hoarder.

You all have inspired me. I've been in a funk because my bowl project really disappointed me. So I've not been in my shop in 2 months. Tomorrow I will cut something. Thanks!

I am not all that knowledgeable on Excel. If you could maybe PM me with some step by step instructions, I'd be most appreciative. Thanks.

I have to agree with you. When I started, about 8 years or so back, I asked some of the most inane questions. I have gone back and read every post in the General Scroll Sawing forum just to see what others have written and the answers to the questions that intrigued me. Well, I must admit that the questions I asked back then embarrass me now. You are correct when you say that folks want "instant gratification" to their questions. I was one of them. Now, not so much. I'd also agree that by finding things out on your own, you have not only the pride of doing it but you'll also retain what you have learned a lot longer. At our age, that becomes quite important. In my case, I think that I asked questions at times not so much for the answers but to become a part of the community and make folks learn my name and sort of who I am. I now feel like I'm a part of the community and I would be lost without it. I watch many people come on board to get one question or problem solved and we never hear from them again. That's a shame because they have missed a great opportunity to become a part of something much larger. As for the subscription to WWSC, I'll renew as I always have and try to support the hobby in whatever small way I can.

You got that right. No correct answer.

Maybe an alcoholic libation might be one solution.

Kevin, I must agree with what you wrote. I'm not sure what took place to make the OP mad but I'm sure it was something that was taken the wrong way and whoever wrote meant well and was just misunderstood. Oh well, it's big world with lots of folks in it so I guess it's to be expected.

Ray who? Surely you don't mean me. I'm just a trouble maker most of the time. But, I mean well.

Yes, and bad things seem to last forever.

I just got a renewal notice and I'm having second thoughts about renewing. I like the magazine but there is just not enough new ideas to make it worth the cost. It would probably make me want to renew if they announced that they were going to make all the patterns available for download. That would be great.

But, did they fix it? I forget what the problem was to begin with.

Well, I hope they fixed it.