Iguanadon

Hey Brad (Scrollsaw703) Good to hear from you. From my perspective what I'm doing is covering my bases to ensure I never have any downtime. Use one DW788 for daily cutting and if/when it fails, starts making noise, whatever... I simply swap it out with another DW788 and then when I have the time, perform maintenance/repair on it. I haven't cracked one open yet, but I just received the spare bearings and sleeves I could possibly need and I plan on getting my hands greasy the next rainy weekend. My first DW788 starting making noises back in December while I was frantically trying to cut puzzles for upcoming shows and I simply bought another one, new and that's what I'm using now. The noisy one is waiting for me to replace bearings and/or sleeves along with greasing the ones that don't need replacing. I'm looking forward to learning how to maintain them. I want to be in a position in which I'm using 1 saw and I have 1 ready to swap out immediately if needed. My 3rd one will be part of the rotation and when one has a major break such as the motor, the mother board or one of the linkage arms I'll use it for parts only. I should be set for a couple of decades now. ;-)

Good luck! I just got back from picking up my 3rd one. LOL

LOL, just got back... 1 hour drive out there. Yep, got it. It's in great shape. No rattles or odd noises, sounds solid. I'll take it apart and lubricate everything in the near future. I figure the first one of my 3 saws to break a major part will become a "parts saw" to cannibalize as needed to fix the other two.

Yep, I forgot to mention the homemade stand on wheels and his makeshift light. I don't really need either of them, but it he's including them, I might as well take 'em. I'm sure I can use them for something.

I check Craigslist every so often for any saws for sale and this one popped up. (I know. the ad is gone now... snagged it for $175) https://wilmington.craigslist.org/tls/6078740549.html I called the guy to ask a couple of questions. It's a Type 2 from 2006. Not used much, and not at all the last few years. Nice older guy. My wife and I are headed out the door shortly to go look at it and pick it up if it passes muster. Since I already have 2 DW788's I'll stay consistent and will always have at least one backup that's operational in the event of a breakdown and I'll be learning how to perform maintenance on them. I ordered spare bearings and spacers recently, now I just need to set aside a day to take my oldest one apart to lube and replace any parts that need replacing. My wife is hoping I don't become a scroll saw hoarder... ;-) Iggy

Something other than puzzles??? BLASPHEMY!!! Puzzles are the only thing in the world!!! ;-)

Nice looking puzzles Ike. Sorry the sales weren't great for you. Keep enjoying yourself though.

Hi Jim, Puzzle blades are extremely thin and are meant for using with 1/8" or 1/4" wood to make ultra tight turns with the narrowest gaps possible. You can use them for other intricate work also if you prefer. Compare the width of the Olsen Skip Tooth (page 2) size 3/0 blade which is the smallest they make, compared to the Flying Dutchman Superior Puzzle Blade. When cutting puzzles obviously the gap between pieces is very important. Whereas it's not as critical for every day intricate fretwork. If you enjoy cursing every time a blade snaps, you'll love puzzle blades. ;-) http://www2.woodcraft.com/PDF/Olson-scrollblade-chart.pdf http://www.scrollsawbladespatterns.com/puzzle_style.htm Iggy

You're quite welcome, I try to give back to the community since I received so much great information and help when I first started. As far as the drying rack, I simply used some wire fencing I had laying around. Can be picked up at any hardware store usually in their gardening area.

Hi Joe, I did a little write-up/description of my process for thick puzzles that you can see in the link below. Hopefully it has some helpful information for you. I'm kind of surprised that the you're having an issue with them being too loose when using a #3 blade. I've found that they're just right. I personally don't like them so tight that you can't easily assemble them. I use Olsen Mach Speed blades by the way. I now sell the Harvey Byler patterns if you're interested in any, just go to my website. Anything you see on the site, I have the pattern for. There's a section on my site for ordering them. Let me know if you have any questions about my process. http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/topic/20547-iggys-animal-puzzle-assembly-line/ Iggy PS - Sorry, can't help you with the rounded edges question. I don't do any sanding or touch up at all with my puzzles.

Yikes, that's some serious heat! Good thing you didn't collapse... or melt. It's still in the same area, but now it's surrounding town hall and the police station. They don't have to block off Chatham and Academy and that's why they extended it to 2 days, it doesn't cause the entire town to shut down. Spring Daze at the end of this month is at Bond Park in Cary. Vendors get to drive up to their spot and drop off their stuff. Thank goodness.

This photo sums up the Lazy Daze event nicely. LOL https://www.visitnc.com/event/40th-annual-lazy-daze-arts-and-crafts-festival That's just one of the streets lined with vendors. Total of almost 350 vendors in total.

Here is the background info on the extension of Lazy Daze to 2 days. Sounds like the crowds are as large as ever. I'm sure Sunday will be less crowded as most folks are so accustomed to going on Saturday, but that's ok. http://carycitizen.com/2017/02/03/lazy-daze-permanently-extended-to-two-days/

Interesting. I came across the map for vendors from last year and noticed they had moved it slightly to surround Town Hall, etc, rather than up and down Chatham and Academy Streets. I also counted over 330 vendor spaces. I look forward to being accepted and having information to share.

I wish. LOL I've crunched the numbers and it simply isn't possible. I'm fortunate enough to have a job that pays me well and there's no way I could come close to matching it. So, I'm stuck enjoying my hobby as a hobby. I will continue to enjoy things once retirement comes in a dozen years.

It'll be like going thru a time machine for you. ;-) Be sure you can accept credit cards, it's just about a necessity these days. I recommend Square. I used PayPal, but their device wouldn't work with my new phone (Google Pixel) so I switched to Square and I haven't had a single hiccup with it. I only got the free swiper, I didn't go with the chip reader. It really isn't necessary.

I got curious what vendors were going to be on either side of me so I started looking through all of the artist categories... this guy is beside me, he does pet portraits. When folks leave his booth after hearing his price of $175, they'll love stepping next door and buying a wooden version of their favorite pet instead for only $25 bucks. :-D http://jimmydog.com/index.php?top=cp&second=Latest%20Works

Ha! Oh, I know. I lived in Cary for 20 years and you're exactly right, it always seemed to be the hottest day of the summer for Lazy Daze. My wife said "You signed up for that??? Are you nuts??? I won't be sitting there with you!" LOL And it's also now a 2 day event! I may sweat off 30 pounds... which would be a good thing... Heat Index is the southern version of Wind Chill. ;-)

Oh cool, I just noticed they really do a nice job with their website... I went to ARTISTS and they broke everything out by category, I clicked on WOOD... scrolled down and there I was! :-) http://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/events/festivals/spring-daze-arts-and-crafts-festival/artists/wood

Just wrapped up my first 2 day event with slightly above average success selling a total of 56 pieces and now my focus is on a big event I have coming up April 29. My first time doing this one, but it's back in my old home town and I'm looking forward to it. Town of Cary Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival. I received my packet of information and from what I can tell there will be 160 or more vendors! This is the 24th year they've held it and they seem to have everything very organized. It's a 1 day event. The summer version called Lazy Daze is in August and is 2 days. I've applied and will find out if I've been selected sometime in May. It is HUGE! One of the biggest arts and crafts events on the east coast. I just hope I get accepted. I have a lot of cutting to do as I want to be sure I have enough stock on hand. Especially the kids dinosaurs as this event in 3 weeks has a lot of focus on kids activities. http://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/events/festivals/spring-daze-arts-and-crafts-festival Everyone cross your fingers for no rain that day. Iggy

Using spiral blades is "challenging" in and of itself... so just be aware. As a self proclaimed newbie, don't get too discouraged and consider backtracking to other types of projects in order to get some experience. Above all... HAVE FUN! Good luck, Iggy

Can someone provide a link for the optional blade adjustment/tensioner that is available for the Hegner? I am unable to find it on the Advanced Machinery website. Thank you Never mind, I found it... https://advanced-machinery.myshopify.com/products/m18-v-m18-s-part-number-304-upper-arm-with-quick-release-1

Hey Everyone, thanks as always for the great information and feedback. Sorry for the delay in responding. I had the week from hell being on jury duty and on a case that lasted all week... until 7pm Friday evening. I just checked and the saw is still listed for sale on Craigslist. It appears to be what I'm guessing is a pawn shop. It's a 2 hour drive where it is, but worth the trip it seems. New bellows and recommendations of getting the blade tensioner still make it a major bargain. Thanks again, I'll let ya know if I grab it. Iggy

Hi Gang, See this used Hegner for sale. Very good price, but I don't understand what he's saying about " the plastic part that controls the table would need to be replaced cause it has holes in it." I'm not familiar with Hegner's so I don't recognize that part. What is it, (is it the bellows for the blower?) has anyone had to replace it on their saw before and know what it costs or difficulty in fixing? Thanks for any insight and your thoughts on whether it's worth pursuing to buy it. Iggy https://raleigh.craigslist.org/tld/6053556342.html

How about blade speed, too slow will cause it to grab the wood depending on wood type and thickness.