OCtoolguy

I blame it all on Bic. I still remember when they brought out the "throw away" ballpoint pen for $.15. That was the beginning of the end. I still try to fix things rather than toss them. But, sadly, this time it's just time for the old monitor to go away.

The back of our tv looks like a wire jungle. I put a 48" 12 outlet strip on the wall about 2 feet off the floor just to get all the wires off the floor. It's still a can of worms but at least now we can vacuum under it all. It's amazing how much crap there is plugged in. I think I only have one empty outlet.

Just being able to get rid of that big fat old coax cable is a plus. I have a ton of HDMI cables that have never been out of the package. A while back, I was having trouble with the DVR that Verizon supplied us with. They kept sending me rebuilt ones and always with a full set of cables and a new remote. I would try them, find the same problem and send them back. But I always kept all the accessory stuff. So, I have a lifetime supply of remotes and cables.

Well, it is coming straight from Acer and it will be a week. Luckly, I had this old NEC that was given to me by a friend. I was just on the verge of tossing a whole bunch of electronics that I have been ratholing. Good thing I didn't do it too soon. This little monitor is great except for the area that is visible. I could adjust the thing down and get more on the screen but then I wouldn't be able to see it. The new one will offer me a whole of adjustment. I've been wanting a new one so I guess it is all working out. I even have a computer out in my shop but I'm thinking of letting it go too. Takes up too much space. I've got an old laptop that I might use out there. Back when I was teaching myself how to repair laptops, I acquired a bunch of them. Time to purge.

I was only using the pine for practice. I had a scrap the right size so I chopped it into a half dozen pieces and glued up some patterns. I got pretty good practice out of it. Much better than the cedar. I won't be using cedar anytime again soon. Thanks for your input. I really do appreciate all the help and advice.

I had to tape more than once in this particular pattern. I used a clamp as you suggested too. I practiced on cheap pine for 3 of them and then moved into the red cedar. That's when I found out that there are more than one kind of cedar. What I bought was multicolored and where the colors came together, I kept getting breaks and separations. I switched over to African mahogany and have cut 4 so far with no problems. Only 4 to go. It's been fun but aggravating too.

Like somebody in another thread told you, if you aren't making mistakes, you aren't learning. The trick is to learn from them.

That's exactly why I would never own one of those. I like to "fix" stuff and when it's all unitized, that is beyond my abilities. I have built many of these things from pieces and parts. No problem but when everything is on one board, well, the dumpsters are full of them. I'm not a fan of Apple for the same reason.

I sat down this morning to do my regular thing on my computer. I hit the space bar to bring it out of "sleep" mode. I heard the hard drive spool up and I waited for the screen to come on. Well, it didn't. I rebooted and it still didn't. I checked all the cables to make sure nothing had come loose. Nada. So, I hooked up a spare 15" monitor I had and it came to life. So, long story short, the monitor that I had been using for the last 12 years or more finally bit the dust. I know it was Mama's turn to buy something but she knows how important my computer is in our lives so, I got the go ahead to buy a new monitor. I found an Acer on Amazon that will match the box that I am using right now. That's another long story. Anyway, while researching that unit, I found that there were 10 factory recons with full warranty for $92. How can I go wrong. I'll even be upgrading to HDMI. And yes, I have a port for that on my box. So, one week from now or sooner, I'll be looking at a 23.5" LED HDMI monitor that should last me to the grave. Or not! Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Thanks for your patience.

Well, from what you have described as your back problems, I would think just sitting back and doing some "chatting" on your computer is the best therapy in the world. And, there are always folks here who have nothing better to do that "chat" with you. I just hope you get better real soon so you can get back to cuttin'.

Something that functions successfully doesn't have to be pretty. You can always sand and paint and nobody will ever know.

I don't have the room to work with unless I hang it out in the middle of the shop where I have to have access to the overhead. Keep in mind, my shop is 9 x 13 maximum. Once I put stuff in there and add shelves, it closes in very quickly.

I knew it was just an oversight. Brad, you're the best and we all know that you meant no "slight" in your writing. Please do keep writing. I for one enjoy reading it.

If I do anything in the middle, it cuts down on my access to the overhead storage. The pictures don't really do justice to how small the area is. I'm thinking about raising the overhead shelving up a foot or so closer to the awning roof. I no longer need all that storage that we once did. My wife has parted company with all her seasonal decor. I've even given some thought to doing away with one of the two shelves completely but they do come in handy from time to time. I'll figure something out. I know where I have the unit right now is not the best location. But, I wanted to get it up and start using it asap. Now, it's up there and I can get on to the next phase. Thanks for your input though.

It really comes down to taking a good look at what you will be cutting and thinking about keeping it all together. Believe me, I'm no expert but I'm sure getting an education on this project. I told my wife that it is a "one off" and she shouldn't be wanting any more like it. Actually, the biggest problem I have encountered on it is the wood that was called for in the pattern. I switched wood types and things are going much better.

Brad, I very much agree with most everything you said here. The one thing I picked up on, and I know it's not meant as an insult, is that you keep talking to us "fellers" and "boys" and "men". Well, there are quite a few ladies who hang out here too and I know they are as caring as we MEN are. So, you might just think a bit about including them in your future posts. Please don't take any offense at me saying this. It is only meant to bring attention the ladies on Scroll Saw Village. We ALL love you and Mary Ann.

When you heated the pvc up to soften it, what did you use to "swedge" the opening to the size you needed? I would have to think it would have been too hot to use the plastic vac hose. Or did you do that?

Yes in some cases. If the pattern is symmetrical probably not but I have been cutting this pattern and there was a definite order to cut in. On the side that I would call the front, I drilled the round hole first, then I cut the inclosed areas. Then I turned it over to the side and cut the long sides. Once that was done, I came back to the front and cut the outer lines. If I had tried to do it any other way, it would have been very difficult to keep it all together.

Very nice and another way to finish a project. I like it. I'd love to see a video of how you do it.

I was thinking maybe "Rice A Roni" chicken flavored. I'll add a small amount of water too.

No Kevin. It only has the manual/auto option on the switch. Mine is the older model that was still made in the original plant. I think that was in Italy but I won't swear to it. The vac is very quiet so I really think if I can get the noise at the pick up point to be quieter, it will be the best way to go. I'm going to do some experimenting with what I have now on my Dewalt to see if it helps. A trip to H/D to get some pvc fittings is in my future. I just have to figure out what I need. In order to use the original hose end, I had to adapt it to a "soft" fitting that could be squeezed down with a clamp. I'm going to see if I can come up with a larger fitting that the hose end will fit inside of that doesn't "neck" it down. Then into larger pvc piping that I can heat and bend to get it to the upper and lower points where needed. I know that pvc can be heated and bent but I have to find a way that doesn't allow the pvc to kink or neck down. I might try filling it with sand or something like that. Maybe rice.

High and welcome to SSV. Congrats on the new saw. You won't be disappointed in the Dewalt. You may want to invest in the Pegas clamp set for it though. I am toying with putting a set on mine after doing it with my EX and finding out just how great they are. Anyway, welcome and keep on posting as you go along.

WOW! When do you sleep?

I'm seriously thinking about using the 2 1/2" LocLine kit on my EX vac installation. The Fein hose is smaller than that though so some adapting will be required. I'm hoping it will still clean up the dust but with reduced noise. I hate to spend the $50 on a failed experiment but I will hope for the best.

Things come and go on Amazon because they don't actually have that much in stock and depend on outside suppliers to furnish and ship the merchandise. That's why sometimes the ad will say how many is left.