Rob

Very cool. Using the extraction holes for stops is a great idea. I wonder if you could hinge the lid so you could store the accessories and maybe even the sander inside? Obviously you would need some mesh over the extraction port though. Rob

Thanks for the long reply Charley. The knocking sound seems to be coming from the bearing at the back of the top arm as far as I can tell. I have ordered a complete set of bearings and will strip it down and replace them all at some point. Rob

Great work as usual Kevin. I like the postcard idea. Rob

Thanks for sharing your pattern Dick, Travis has a tutorial on uploading to the pattern library here: http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/articles.html/_/using-ssv/how-to-post-a-pattern-to-the-pattern-library-r65 Rob

I don't know which is better, the pattern or the cutting? I really like that. Please add the pattern to the library if you would be so kind. I'd love to cut that sometime. Rob

If that is your first it is very respectable. Well done and keep at it. Rob

Great piece Dick. I can't even begin to think how many holes are in that! Rob

I knew your nickname was an anagram of something Rob

AMazING KEviN, the NAME KING ! Rob

Thanks Brad. DeWalt don't sell the DW788 here in NZ so I doubt there is much support for it here. Fortunately there is a lot of info on the web and some great videos on YouTube which cover it in detail and being a newer saw, parts should still be available for some time. Rob

Thanks Al. I was able to find a bolt as a temporary fix and got a replacement from ereplacementparts.com but there are parts which are no longer available. I was also keen to try a saw with a less aggressive cutting action although I think that will take some getting used to. Rob

Really crisp cutting Dick. Very nicely done. Rob

In May last year I snapped the tension lever on my Delta Q3 which got me thinking what I would do in the event of a catastrophic failure. Parts for the Q3 are hard to find now so I started looking for a backup saw. Good scrollsaws are like rocking horse poo in New Zealand and ever since then I have been looking without success. Last week, to my amazement a DeWalt DW788 popped up and in the South Island too! DeWalt do not sell the DW788 here so to find a Canadian made Type 1 saw in 240 volt got me more excited than was good for me. Twenty watchers on the auction but I placed my bid and got it for $300 NZ or $210 USD. Yesterday I drove 6 hours each way to pick it up and brought my baby home. Today I removed the pinned blade the seller had fitted checked the brushes (almost unworn) and most of the bearings which were all good. Two 5mm screws were missing from the bottom clamp assembly but they were easily replaced. There is a slight knocking which I need to track down but overall, like the missus, she's a good 'un. First impressions: I don't like the hum from the potentiometer when the saw is switched off. I do like the tensioning system which is a big improvement on my Q3. I don't like the blade clamps which seem like a step backwards after the Q3 but I will get used to them. I do like the 45 degree tilt in either direction although I will not use that often I'm sure. Q3 speeds range from 300 to 2000 strokes per minute vs 400 to 1750 for the DW788. DW788 is a much less aggressive cut which will take some getting used to. No table insert on the DW788 which means less visibility of the bottom clamp when changing blades. Better perpendicular action on the DW788 than the Q3 (hence the less aggressive cut). I think I am going to like the DW788 but I also feel like I need to learn to scroll all over again which is strange. Rob

Hi Al, I bought a cyclone a while back but only recently got round to setting it set up. The first time I used it I got 4 inches of sawdust in the cyclone bucket and barely a teaspoons worth in the shop vac. If my experience is anything to go by, you will be venting almost nothing to the outside. Cyclones rock! Rob

Good to see you back Gator. That is one fine cutting too. You haven't gone rusty. Rob

Dear old Kenny. I do miss him! Rob

It's hard to see the raised effect from the photo but that is a very nice sign. I bet it looks even better in real life where you can see the raised effect. Rob

I think you call them a dumpster? https://duckduckgo.com/?q=skip&t=canonical&iar=images&iax=1&ia=images Rob

Thanks Paul, I have been meaning to try that for a while. Now I have no excuse not to. Rob

Great cutting. I love the grey colour it is like a black and white photograph. Rob

I meant to join the scheduled chats a couple of times but we are 13 hours ahead of GMT and nearly 19 ahead of EST so the scheduled times are 8am or 9am the next day for us down here and I never remembered in time. Rob

Love the frame. It sets it off perfectly. All round gorgeous. Rob

That is certainly different. I really like it. Rob

I presume you stack cut those where you could. Even then, it's a lot of stars to cut but beautifully done as always Dave, Rob

Good job Ralph. I think the frame is a bit too dark though. Rob