OCtoolguy

Beautiful work there. I like the pattern.

Maybe a bit more tension? Not sure as I've not used that brand or size. Just thinking about what I'd try. Maybe a bit of info regarding what you are cutting would help. Wood, thickness, species etc. Saw brand/type too.

I'll be 79 next week so age is just a number. I plan on staying around to the centennial. Anyway, you'll be up and running tomorrow. Promise.

Ok, now you have given me the info I was looking for. If Spike is half way mechanical, all he has to do is to take the tension lever cover off and under that you will find an aluminum cover. There is a rod that runs under that cover and it goes clear back to the back of the upper arm and pulls on a wedge shaped piece that causes the upper arm to raise and lower. When you turn the tension slider, it is pulling on that rod and in turn the rod pulls on that sliding wedge causing the arm to rise and apply tension. That sliding wedge is either jammed and not returning to it's relaxed position or someone has turned the tension rod in too far which shortens is and causes the wedge to not slide all the way back with releases the upper arm. That's why I mentioned Scrollsaws.com because there is an article relating to how to get rid of a knocking noise that is caused by that rod. There are pics that show everything. It's a 30 minute job to take it apart, determine the problem and put it back together again.. You'll be back in business and that almost new saw will be working fine. I think someone must have applied too much tension at some point or they picked up the saw using the upper arm and it is jammed. Never lift those saws by the upper arm.

From what you are saying, I get the feeling that I understood your plight correctly. It does sound to me as though your upper arm is either stuck in an up position not coming down completely as it should. Make sure your tension slider is all the way off and then try raisng the arm and jiggling that tension lever and see if something comes loose. I think between Kevin and I we have nailed it down to the tension rod being either stuck or severely out of adjustement. It's very easy to do an adjustment on that rod if you go to scrollsaws.com and do some reading there. Very easy task. Maybe a half hour at most.

I've read and re-read your post and I get from it that you can't seem to mount a 5 inch blade because it's not long enough of something to that effect. Can you possibly post some pics of what you're talking about. This topic has people thinking that you are saying that the clamp slot is too wide open and it must either be spread out or worn out or something like that. I understand you to say that you can't mount 5 inch blades which is what most all of the pinless blades are. I'm completely confused as to what your issue is. Pics would help a ton.

If the wood that I prefer to use keeps going up in price, I may have to go back to wood carving. I have a box full of bass wood blocks that still have no shape.

There is no reason for a Dewalt to not accept 5 inch blades unless the arm is not coming down all the way. It may be that the tension lever is stuck and not releasing correctly. A simple fix if that's the case.

Exactly what MrsN said. First decide on your seat, chair, stool, whatever. That will determine saw table height. Then determine height of saw above stand. If your wife has a sewing machine, measure the height of its table.

Where are you located?

There are tons of used saws out there. Check with Jim Browning on here and maybe you can work out something on his last Hawk. He just sold one and has one left. He also has a Dewalt. There are so many good used saws where I ilve but I realize I'm in a highly congested area. Check C/L and see what might be near you. Also, look at Marketplace on Facebook. I bought a used Hegner for $40 a while back off Marketplace. For that money, if you have to go new, you should be able to find a Dewalt or Delta for under $600. Just don't get lured into buying a new Excalibur as they are all Chinese now. Good luck.

Oh go ahead. If you are anything like me, next year you won't remember it.

You're about 7 days late Kevin. But, better late than never.

I'm glad I don't use much of it.

If we are going to cut trade with Russia, won't the Finnish birch still be available? That's my point. I know it's going to cost more. What doesn't these days.

Thanks for the post. I don't have one of those machines nor do I ever intend to have one, but it's still nice to know that one exists and could be of use. Much appreciated.

You have to pass it along. As prices rise on everything, folks get used to it and won't notice. Our $8 McDonald's lunch is now about $12.

I hope you bought the 10" model. They have an 8" one too so you have to be careful. I've got an early 10 inch. The DW745 and I bought the fold up cart for it. I'm going to be making a permanent dedicated stand for it so I can have an outfeed table also. I'll put my Dewalt 12 " miter saw on the folding stand and be able to move it around. It's a bugger to move the way it is. Very heavy. Great news that you finally got a new saw.

Is Finnish birch anywhere close to BB? Just wondering if that might be an option.

I think that one may have been in the wrong pile.

Thanks for all the kind comments. It looks far better in the picture than in reality. When I soaked it apart the poplar segments became very flimsy and when they dried they took on a shape of their own. So when I glued them up they didn't all line up the way they should so it's a bit out of whack. The best part of this experience is the lesson learned.

A very interesting project, for sure.

I tried to do an edit but screwed it up. I think I fixed it. Sorry.

Thanks Dave. I saved it but that's about all. I would never sell something this flawed.

Well, here it is in all of it's "colorful" glory. One coat of tung oil mainly because I had never used tung oil before. I figured this was a good time to try it since the project is flawed anyway. It still has some spots that are a bit pinkish but all-in-all it's useable. I'll use it on my desk for odds & ends. Next one will be better.