OCtoolguy

I must ask once again, why do you folks stay where it's so darned cold? We moved away from So Cal back in 85. We moved to Woodland Park Colo. Our home was at 8500 feet. It was common to be below zero. But, it was nice. For about 6 years. We came back to So Cal and saw how clean and green everything was. Nothing looks DEAD in the winter. Of Course, it's crowded. And expensive. But, let's face it. Like is short. No reason to spend it being miserable for half the year or more. I'll just put up with the crowds and hide out in my little shop. It's probably about 60 out there right now. And it may get down in the low 50's tonight. But as sure as the sun comes up tomorrow, it will be pretty much shirt sleeve weather all winter. As soon as March rolls around and the time changes, we will be in that great weather cycle for about 6 months until it gets "cold" once again. But, not like you guys are experiencing. No way, no how. I''ll put up with the crowds. OH, we moved back after 6 years and never looked back. Ray

Wayne, marquetry is fun and really easy once you learn the basics. I took a class near me and it was great. Good luck. Ray

Steve Good did a pretty good video on making an auxiliary top for his Jet saw out of Plexiglass or acrylic. I forget which but you might want to check it out. It's on youtube too. In the process of making it showed how he was able to retain the dust collection holes and that feature works pretty good. Oh, and welcome to the SSV. Glad you came around. Ray

This one is a great deal for somebody. I wish it was closer to me. https://www.ebay.com/itm/RBI-Hawk-Precision-Scroll-Saw-226-VS-The-Rolls-Royce-of-Scroll-Saws/292388864597?hash=item4413bc0255:g:~d4AAOSweZJaRs8p Ray

I come to the General Scroll Saw section and I know I spend way too much time there. With that said, I might stray to the University section to watch a video on Inkscape but that's about it for me. My butt is growing wider and wider from all the sitting. If my wife didn't make me get up and accompany her on a walk, I'd get no exercise at all. Ray

I might have to see if I can jigger up something that would work in a DeWalt type saw. Ray

Wow Bob, you sound just like me. I'll grab any excuse to sit here by my computer rather than get all dressed and go out to my shop. But, the time is nearly here where I will get bored and once again get back to my creative needs. Ray

I never said cold. I said moderate. But, I did say I'm a wimp and I like to be at 75 degrees. Oh well, maybe that's just me. Ray

Back when I had a 3 car garage, I bought a similar one as this from Home Depot and paid twice that much. It worked really well but as I have stated, I lived in a moderate setting where it never got down to freezing temps. But, I feel that if it had, this heater would have been adequate and in a smaller setting might just run you out after a while. Ray

mine is only 117 sq. ft. but the problem I have is the aluminum awning that runs the length of our driveway is also the roof of my shop so it has a lot of draft to it. I'm going to do some sealing of all the draft points and then I'm also going to insulate the walls and panel over them. I'm in a very moderate temperature area but since I got old, I can't stand to be cold. Or too hot in the summer time. I guess I'm just a wimp. Ray

Can you tell me what the "ultra" means? I know that the "VS" means variable speed but other than that, I don't know what the names mean. Am I making sense? Ray

Thanks, that's what I was wanting to find out. I may just have to throw a crazy offer at the seller. It's been there for a while. Ray

Yes, it is. Unlike so many other forums that I have been on. Ray

Thanks for all your sage advice. I'm not afraid to gamble a few bucks on an older saw but what I am really worried about is the method of blade containment and tensioning. I don't want to have to buy all the upgraded methods that have been added to the newer saws. I'm gaining quite a bit of knowledge as I study the different manuals that Bushton has put online. And, also, I don't want to get into a single speed saw or one that requires belt changing. So, now, it's just a matter of watching what comes along in my area and doing the comparisons. Thanks again. Ray

Thanks Jim. I plan to get out and do more this year. My shop is a work in progress and everytime I think I'm going to sit at my saw, something catches my eye and I have to fix or change it. My absolute most important thing this year is to insulate and panel my shop so it's more comfortable to work in. It's the hazards of living in a mobile home park with just a converted storage shed. The roof is actually part of the awning. Ray

I just wanted to take a quick second and wish everybody here on the Scroll Saw Village website a very Happy and prosperous New Year. And also to say thank you to all who have answered my many questions and put up with my nutty sense of humor. I love you all. Ray

Thanks Scott but I have no desire to come to the "cold country". Ray

I was just scouring the Bushton/Hawk website and came across this. It sure looks like a good deal. Ray http://www.hawkwoodworkingtools.com/Scratch-And-Dent-1.html

What I am trying to determine Kevin is, over the years, each manufacturer adds/changes things on their saws. Without a playbook to go by, it's hard to keeep track of what improvements have been added. So, I figured that those of you who have been using these saws would have kept track of what to look for, what to consider as viable additions, and so on. All those things add cost to bring a saw up to speed. From the point of purchase, how much will a person have to figure on spending to trick out his older saw? Now, if the saw already has all the bells and whistles, the regular buyer wouldn't know it. So, I am asking the question of what you folks see on the saw and what would I have to add to it to bring it up to current day specs. If it is too much, then I might as well just buy a new one. The same questions come to mind with a Hegner. They have some great improvements over the years but to the casual buyer, we don't know what all they are. Thanks to all of you who have replied. It's great to know you are all trying your best to help. Ray

Thanks Guys. Just the stuff I want to know. I look at it and they all seem to look alike. I do know to look at the side of them to see if they only have an on/off switch or the speed control too. My Hawk from 85 was a two speed but it required a belt change. That's the main reason I sold it. I just can't keep up on all the add-ons and so on to know if it's a good deal. I don't want to buy something and then have to spend a ton of money to upgrade it. I'll call Bushton on Tuesday. Ray

I've been watching this one for a while now. Can anybody look at it and tell me what I might have to add to it to bring it up to date? I like the price. https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/d/scroll-saw-rbi-hawk-220-vs/6416047248.html Ray

I've been watching this one for a while now. Can anybody look at it and tell me what I might have to add to it to bring it up to date? I like the price. https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/tls/d/scroll-saw-rbi-hawk-220-vs/6416047248.html Ray

What's a bummer is that I just placed an order for a gross of the FD XL blades in different sizes. Now I find out they aren't any good? Oh well, lot's of practice blades I guess. Ray

Wow! This is exactly the type of info we newbies need. I had no idea that there were more or less teeth per inch. I figured that it was just the blade number/size that was important but now I need to also watch out for TPI too? I have been using Pegas #3mg and also the #5 mg but I have no idea how many TPI they are. I'll start watching from now on. Thanks for opening my eyes. Ray

I like talking while riding on a train. Ray