OCtoolguy

Sue77, I did the same thing but there was just someone here who mentioned that using this knob will over torque the screw and eventually strip out the threads. So, since reading that I have backed way off of how tight I tighten the knob. I also am looking to buy a tube of anti-seize to lubricate the threads. Ray

Scrappile, to answer your question all you have to do is read what I wrote. I never said anything regarding "worn out" blades. I clearly wrote that a blade that was being used but still having life left in it, how do you keep track of what it is, size, tooth configuration, etc. so that you can save it for when you come back to the project you were working on when you changed to something else. I realize they are pretty cheap but so am I. I throw away the ones that have become dull or show signs of heating up. They go into the can. But, why throw away a blade that still has a lot of life left in it? That's all I'm asking and how best to keep them organized?

DGman, you are probably right but at this point, I'm still trying to figure out how to insert the blades correctly. I am messing with a lot of different blades and don't have enough experience yet to know when a blade should be thrown away or kept. And if I'm in the middle of doing one type project and suddenly want to cut out something of a different type or thickness, I would have to change out the blade for the correct size or type of blade required. It would be a shame and very wasteful to just throw a blade away for no reason. That's why I asked the question. Lot's of good info so far. Thanks. Ray

Scrappile, you are probably correct. Makes sense that if they are still usable, it makes no difference as to when you use them. You may have saved me and others a lot of headaches. Thanks. Ray

Thanks for all the great input and ideas. I only ask this question because I was working on a marquetry project when something else popped up and I wanted to try it. It was going to be in much thicker wood and would require a different blade. I bought one of those 60 tube racks from Amazon and I have a ton of unused tubes at this point so I have a lot of places to put used blades. I was just wondering what others were doing. Now I have all kinds of ideas. I am going to build one of those circular racks for my blades that was mentioned above and maybe epoxy a magnet to the outside of the tubes that I'm using to put the used blades on the outside of the tube. I like that idea. Once again, thanks for all your wonderful ideas and for indulging this curious newbie. Ray

I know this is sort of off the wall but something occurred to me this afternoon while I was out in my shop. I am working on a project and have decided to try out some different blades. But, I didn't want to put the used blades back in the blade container with the new ones like it. So, my question is, what do you do with a blade that is used but still good. I do throw the worn out ones away but I was just wondering what you all do. Also, how do you keep track of which blade you are using at any given point in time? I was trying my darnedest to try to identify them by looking at them and even with a magnifying glass, I can't see which blade is which. I know if I was only doing marquetry it would simple as I would only be using 2/0 blades but I have about 10 different blade types/sizes and it's almost impossible to identify which one is which. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Ray

Kris's Kreations, you should be able to buy the small collet for your Dremel that comes down to '0' clearance. That will hold your tiniest bit. Ray

You can buy as many or few of what you want at Ottofrei.com. I bought a gross of 2/0 blades and a dozen #68 bits. It came to about $35 with shipping. That was before I had any idea of what/where to buy anything. I just followed the advice of the instructor who put on the marquetry class I took. Give them a try. They seem to have everything that we scroll sawyers need. Along with a ton of other stuff. I also got a tool kit from the class for an additional $50. It came with a dozen blades, a couple of drill bits, a pair of tweezers, an exacto type knife, some other things that will be useful, and a really neat little pin vise for turning the drill bit. It has a spiral cut into the shaft and a spring so that you can hold the bottom of it near the bit and push the top up and down to do the drilling. It works very well. Not sure about thicker material though. Another source is Micro-Mark. They specialize in tools and equipment for model making. They have all kinds of stuff that I'd love to have but can't justify it. Anyway, I hope this is helpful. Ray

Well, so far I have none to show. It's all still in the learning stage and I've been trying to get everything together. I now have all the equipment and I have my work area all set up. So, I'm going to try to get some marquetry work done this weekend. I also have been practicing. I bought the Scrollsaw workbook and have been working my way through it. I need lot's of practice. Definitely a learning curve. But, that's what makes it fun. I'm still learning woodcarving too. Thanks for indulging me. Ray

I sold tools for almost 40 years. I used to sell and add-on set that went from 61 to 80. It was great for the carb guys who wanted to drill air bleeds in carburetors. I have a number set that goes from 1 to 60 and a few odds and ends. I ordered a dozen #68 for the 2/0 blades I'm using for marquetry. Try OttoFrei.com. They have all that jeweler's supply stuff. Ray

My life wouldn't be complete without making mistakes. I was redoing a closet in my office and I cut four beautiful shelves 1" too narrow. Now they are sitting in my shop waiting for me to find a use for them. Like someone above said, crap happens. My Dad used to say, " I cut it twice and it's still too short". It must run in the family. Ray

I'd love to go but it's way to far to drive. And with the cost of gas, I can't hardly go across town. It sure would be fun though. I love the Lancaster, Pa, area. Ray

My bench is where crap goes to collect. I can't seem to keep it from getting cluttered. And the clutter is never anything that I am currently working on. I have too many directions going all the time. Too many dissimilar projects. Time to take a minute and clean house. Ray

Thanks Dick. I did just as you warned so I will have to be very careful when tightening. I cut out some add-on knobs from cherry wood and epoxied them to the stock knobs. I'm going to get some anti-seize just to be on the safe side. It's hell to be a newbie and have to learn all this stuff. Ray

I have a DW also, Is there a problem with the blade clamps? Mine seem to be ok but it would be nice to know ahead of a failure. Should I be using anti-seize? R

My comment wasn't meant to upset you. I just don't like noise. I too will be looking for an answer to the dust problem. If I come up with something, I'll sure let everybody know. Ray

I love what you have done. Very ingenius. My only thought is that I don't want to hear a vacuum running all the time. I go out to my shop for the quiet and solitude it offers me. I am going to try a box fan with a furnace filter on it. I love to hear the saw and the cutting of the wood and as your video shows, the air flow drowns out your voice. But, I must hand it to your for your diligence. Ray

We are going to a flea market tomorrow and I will have to be on the look out for frames now. I have been trying to find baby food jars to make a hardware organizer out of but I'm coming to the conclusion that people aren't feeding their babies anymore. At least where I live. I have checked Craigslist too. On Ebay, they are going for about a dollar each. I can't believe it. Folks used to throw the darned things away. Are they feeding the babies kibble now? R

This guy has an interesting website. I watched the video here and then went to his site. Lot's of good info. Thanks for posting. Ray

Scrappile, I have the same problem. I keep a scrap of wood near by and just run the blade up and down the edge of the wood. Not hard to feel the drag on the cutting edge. Ray

Ducky, read it again and you will hear it. Ray

Kevin, it works slick. Just a good way to hold the blade while positioning it. I am using 2/0 blades so they are very hard to hold/see what you are doing. Ray

I don't know if anybody else has ever come up with this idea but I find with my old eyes and fumble fingers, trying to hold a blade and getting it into the blade holders can be a lesson in frustration. So, what I have started doing, and it works great, is to get the blade in it's correct relationship and use a pencil magnet to hold it while I'm inserting it into the lower holder and tighten it up. Then, I can now insert it into the upper holder. Once that's done, I loosen the lower holder and let the blade straighten itself out before retightening it. No more fumbling with the blades. Ray

Hey OldHudson, I like your design on that cabinet. That would solve a lot of space problems for me. Did you design it yourself or did it come from someone else's plans? Would you consider making a copy of your plans and PM'ing them to me? I really do like that design. Ray

Jim, that looks like way more planer than I need at this time. I just want to be able to make my own craft wood. Ray]