Scruffydog

So this happened today: Masterforce (Menards brand) 18 " saw. Got 11% off. Looked at it last night and slept on it. Got it this morning. Nice size table. Nice insert. Takes both styles of blade. Took off the ridiculous plastic guard before I even had it bolted down, lol.

Q: Why does wood jump while cutting? I have the blade in correctly. The feed rate is slow. The motor speed? Bad wood? Bad blade? What have you learned about scrolling to help you overcome this? Sometimes I feel like I have to hold down the wood so hard my already arthritic hands get so sore. It cant just be my lousy saw.... Can it?

Yes, its always vibrated

East central Wisconsin. Sheboygan County. Update: Took most of the sheet metal off of the saw and added the foam pad. Also removed all of the plastic on top. Still vibrates, but not as bad. I'm still trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear tho. Going to putz with it again today. I have a small project for my wife to get done, so...

Thanks for that tip! I think that would work on a lot of saws. As an alternative to screws, a longer piece of wood and 2 clamps, if there is room, would also work. I think I'm going to try this on my craftsman saw.

Actually, I am taking the opportunity to try, one last time, to get the vibration out of the current saw. I found some nice dense 1/4" foam in the trash at work yesterday, and will be putting it under the saw, sandwiched between that and the wood table slab, to see what that does. I'm also going to make some washers for the mounting bolts to isolate the nut and washer from the body. I figure every little bit helps. If I am successful, then I can afford to wait for a better deal.

Update: Just got a message from HD that the saw arrived broken. So I had to cancel the order. Now I am re-evaluating my options. Deep breath, taking my time....

I put my saw on a slab of wood hinged in the front with a moveable block to adjust the angle. I suggest a u shaped front so you can get in there straight on. Then a single leg toward the back, making a three legged stand. The Hawk stand would be a good model. My "legs" are actually heavy panels forming a "vee". Yours could be spread apart in the back wide enough to fit your chair. As long as the front was wider than the back you have a stable platform. I can draw a sketch if you want. My 2 cents...

After further consideration, and reading old posts about breakdowns & such, I am putting my current saw on the shelf as a backup in case the new one goes down in the middle of a project. Cheap insurance I figure. Latest update is that the saw will be here no later than the 23rd.

Well, just looked on ereplacementparts.com and a new motor assy is $315 US! Yikes! Mmtoolparts.com has it for $249.

Yeah, that sounds like a ripoff. 320 for a motor and some tweaking? 550 Canadian for a new saw? There has to be another way. Can't you just buy a motor for these saws?

Wow! That's terrible! I am so sorry you are going thru that

That is beautiful

Yeah, no matter what my next saw will be larger cause i want to end up with 2 saws anyway. Hoping to try the jet some day. I'd like to hear more about yours.

Got the go ahead to pull the trigger on a saw. Ordered the 16" Ex. With the 90 day return policy, I took the chance and saved almost 200. If it turns out to be junk, I'll return it and order the Dewalt. Thanks to all for the comments. I'll post a pic when I unbox it.

Thanks! I made it for my brother, just haven't sent it to him yet. I'm still thinking about the finish.

This was my first project. Not sure where the pattern came from. Amazing Grace txt is burned.

Just ordered one! Thanks for the tip!

Yeah, there is a Henniger out there for $650 and a Dewalt for $400. I can get a new Dewalt for not much more than that, and the Henniger doesn't appeal to me that much. Not for that price anyway.

Thanks for the replies. Check CL most days and there is nothing but cheap saws in my area.

So I have decided to replace my Craftsman 16" saw. The issues I am having are: Having to press down too hard on the work piece to scroll for any length of time Vibration Tensioning In general, I just don't like the saw well enough to want to do many projects. Plus I know that it could never be a production machine. So I have started to research saws and have it narrowed down to the question of tilting table vs tilting head. But other questions have popped up, so please forgive the somewhat lengthy post. I am looking for advice. The Dewalt 20": Are they so poorly made now that you would avoid them? I want to grow into a part time scrolling business, so I starting looking at this one first. I had the thought of starting here and then upgrading after I got established. But if they are poorly made, I'm not sure I want to invest in one. The Excalibur 16": I see some good prices, but am afraid that they are cheapened up now as well, and should be avoided, right? The King 16": A stretch for my budget, but definitely in the running The Jet 18": Same thing. Anyone know where they are made? The Delta 20": Comparable to the Dewalt, but unsure of the reliability. The rest are too spendy for me. Of those on my list, the Delta is the cheapest and the Jet is the most expensive. I am comparing these to my Craftsman, which is an ok saw for small stuff but I just don't like. If you have thoughts I would appreciate hearing about them. Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi All, Started scrolling early in the year and then got distracted by life issues. Back in the saddle now, and my version of santas workshop is up and running again. Lot's of projects to catch up on. Looking for the Christmas Tree Nativity pattern, if anyone knows how to get it, please let me know. Thanks!

Wow! Thanks for all of the welcomes!

Hi, Another new guy from Wisconsin. Started scrolling recently and am practicing almost daily after work. My goal is to be proficient enough in a year or two to sell my work at shows and craft fairs, and transition into that when I retire. Thanks in advance for the welcome!