GrampaJim

I got it form Stockroom Supply in Canada. I tried one from someone in the States and it was not a good fit for my motor. http://stockroomsupply.ca/shop/sanding-mops/keyless-chuck.html Jim

Dust collection is a must for sanding in this house. I probably have more $$$ in dust collection that in tools.

Thanks. I learned about my machine and a little about electric motors in the process too.

I use a 8" grinder that I have modified by removing the grinding wheels and installing a flex drum sander and a sanding mop. Been suing it about a year with good results. Somewhere along the line - maybe a Youtube vid - I got the idea that by reversing the rotation it would make it easier to use. Then the sanding would be on the top of the drum and not the bottom. I thought, maybe less stress on the old back? It was fairly simple to do, just unbolt the base from the motor and turn it 180. That way the on/off switch is still to the front. In operation, it turned out to be a huge mistake. After having it pull a couple of pieces out of my hand on the drum side and launching a couple off the sanding mop, I have torn the whole thing down and restored it to my original sit up. Jim

So this is kind if like cars: you can buy an older Mercedes Benz for a lot of money. Great car, but not the latest features. No top feeding is what would keep me away!

After a week of cutting a variety of things, I broke one blade - a very warn out one. In addition to loosening the the top clamp holder a tiny bit and not tightening the blade clamps too much, I also re-read and follow the instructions on tensioning the blade. I know it is a bad way to troubleshoot and change more than one thing, but it had worked out Some time ago, I had written that I would never own a saw that does not top feed - I am going to the kitchen now to eat some crow. I now consider myself a confirmed member of the Hegner club.

deleted

It would not be the first time in my life, that manufacturers instructions at not perfectly accurate. Advance Machinery has a youtube video about the quick clamp that seems to follow the manual: To my mind, keeping it a little loose does seem to make sense. If the arms are not 100% in line with each other, the Quick Clamp being able to move slightly would be a good thing. You would not want it to be able to pivot front to back at all, just side to side. Maybe we have different rev's of the manual. My is one I downloaded from their web site a couple of weeks ago. I am referencing 4 3) INSTALLING ACCESSORIES, section d) HEGNER Quick-Clamp. Paul, I will be trying your way for a few days.

Yes, I understand now. I will try that. Interesting that my manual says to "Install Quick-Clamp in upper saw arm, being sure to completely lock down the knurled safety-stop screw to hold Quick-Clamp firmly in place." I guess I was thinking firmly in terms of more is better. Thank you !!!

Paul, OK, I a little slow. The Quick Clamp is screwed down tight in its holder and should not move. The blade in the Quick Clamp should not be too tight. Have I got that right? I just finished cutting for a couple of hours and in that time only broke one blade - an FD-UR #1 (in the standard clamp, which is all I have so far). So I think/know I am making progress.

Thanks, That is probably part of the issue. I know I have a learning curve I need to work through.

Thanks, I'll have to check that tomorrow. (shops closed for the night ). I have not done a lot of changes, since it was a working saw when I got it. I am sure I am not tensioning correctly yet.

Update at one month. Just finished cutting the first intarsia project with the Hegner. Because of the less aggressive blade travel compared to my DeWalt, I find I am more accurate and the fit of the pieces is the best I have ever done. I gotta love that. Table size for me is not an issue like I thought it would be. Breaking more blades than I did on the Dewalt, which I think is to be expected. An it is happening less and less. It almost always happens in the Quick Clamp on top. Any thoughts?

I bought a VERY old type 1 off of Craigslist last year after my Craftsman had problems. After cleaning up the table, I had some knocking at the higher speed. Found Rick Hutcheson's website and did a couple of easy fixes. The saw runs great now. I think someday I will need to replace some of the bearing, due to the age of the machine, but I am very happy with it now.

If there is a Best Buy in your area, their Geek Squad my be able to fix it - for a price. I have never used them and almost never shop there, but it may be worth a try.

That song is the first think that pop into my head too!

Thanks Stoney and Rob, these are great!

Not a problem - the thread is about Hegners.

I would be interested in the modifications you have made and others probably would too.

I plan on taking a couple of months to get comfortable with it. The big thing for me was I wanted reliability and I think its that and more. The saw is over 25 years old and has no parts replaced - ever - just some upgrades added. As has been said here on another thread, most other saws will be in the landfill and these machines will be still going strong.

My first SS was a new Craftsman about 4 of 5 years ago. It lasted 4 months before it needed warranty work. Then I found a Type 1 Dewalt on CL and after a year or so learned to top feed. I really liked top feeding and it helped doing fretwork like the piece in my avatar. Thought I would never go back. These days I am doing more intarsia and no detailed fretwork and the Dewalt is like me (getting old and tired ). So, I just got a Hegner 18-V for an REALLY good price from a scroller friend. Its older, but seems to have all the options I would want. I scroll from a chair, so the stand had to go. I am just starting to learn to use it so here are some of my initial impressions. The table has a really nice finish! Wish it were bigger!!! The cut is not as aggressive as the Dewalt, but I think that makes it more accurate – at least for me. Because of the lower vibration level, I can turn the speed up and still feel in control. All the cast iron frame parts look impressive. Interesting blade clamps, especially have using the Dewalt. The Quick Clamp is nice, but I am surprised there isn’t an different option for the bottom clamp. Bottom feeding on the Hegner is overall not as bad as I thought it would be. I did it before and can do it again. I knew going in, that fretwork was not Hegner's strong point, so I pushed my other three project aside and started a new one – Steve Good’s eagle. I enlarged it to 15” across and am using 3/4” oak. Thought this would be a good test for the saw (and me) and it is. I still need to set up dust collection for the lower end but so far I am a happy camper! Jim

Found this on Facebook Marketplace. Its a 220 VS for $150. If I were closer I would not be sharing, I would be buying! https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/202168760565092

Well done! I just cut that pattern too. Yours came out way better than mine did.

Thanks for the idea.

Love it! Is that your pattern?