How to make a Whirligig center hub.

This post will show one method for cutting the diagonal slots in a whirligig center hub. This can be a difficult cut to make so I wanted to show an easier way to accomplish it.

Warning: The table saw is a dangerous tool if not operated correctly. You are responsible for your safety. If you are not comfortable making any of these cuts then either become comfortable or do not make the cut. I am not responsible for your fingers.

You can download my whirligig project here. 

These instructions can be downloaded for future reference with the download button below.

The center hub holds the blades of the whirligig. The cuts need to be cut at an angle across the hub. Typically 35 degrees is the angle but this method will work at any angle you like.

Print the pattern and apply it to a board.

Center punch the hub for later drilling for the steel rod.

Cut the hub on your scroll saw.

Use a pencil to mark the indexing lines on the edge of the hub. Mark all four.

Use a straight edge to connect the indexing marks you just made with a pencil..

We will use our miter gauge, sacrificial board and clamps to set up the cut. The miter gauge is set to 35 degrees but any angle can be cut.

Clamp the hub to the sacrificial board with the indexing line 90 degrees to the table. Set the table saw blade to ~ 3/4" high. Notice that the indexing line is not centered on the blade. You want the blade to cut the indexing line at the center of the hub. It needs to be offset slightly.

 After you make the first cut you need to test the kerf to see if the 1/8" thick fins fit. If not we need to make a second cut after we slightly move the hub.

We want a snug fit for the blade.

For the second cut to widen the kerf we will remove the clamps from the miter gauge. Very slightly nudge the sacrificial fense and re-clamp.

Notice the two pencil marks on top of the sacrificial fence at the edge of the hub to the left and right of the clamp. These were made to realign the hub for the remaining cuts. 

Move to the next indexing line and repeat the above steps to complete the hub. The critical part of the operation is moving the sacrificial fence. Don't move it too much. It's better to make multiple cuts than to cut them too wide. 

Exciting News. We have another giveaway for this month.

Click to Enter

Stephen over at Bear Woods recommended that we do a giveaway in conjunction with the Midwest Scroll Saw and Woodworking Trade Show. You do not have to be at the show to win.

We will have three winners.

#1 will receive a $300 gift certificate from Bear Woods sponsored by the Scrolsaw Workshop

#2 will receive a $150 gift certificate from Bear Woods sponsored by Bear Woods.

#3 will receive an incredible scrolled piece of art by Charles Dearing. This artwork will be cut live at the show. After the show, it will be packaged and sent to the winner. You will love this artwork.

The contest is open to the world. Enter once per day.

The entries will end 7/31/2018 at midnight. Winners will be drawn during the show.

We will try to stream the drawing live if we have a decent internet connection.

CLICK TO ENTER

Woodworker Guild of America Blogger Awards:

 

The voting for the WWGOA blogger awards is underway. The Scrollsaw Workshop is honored to have been selected as a finalist again this year. I am up against two of the finest woodworking content creators on the internet. Marc Spagnuolo and Jay Bates both have outstanding followings and make wonderful content.

They have me in the "Best furniture making blog" category.  No, I have no idea how I got in that category but it's just nice to be mentioned.

If you would like to vote for me just click the link. You have until July 13th, 2018 to vote.

VOTE NOW

Email Newsletter Readers: Remember that the Newsletter is just a copy of the daily blog post. To see the post in it's proper formatting click this link. If you ever misplace a pattern or any item you see here you can always find it on the blog. Everything stays on the blog forever. 

www.scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com

Products for your consideration:

Scroll Saw Pattern Design Tutorial: DVD
Let me teach you to create a beautiful wooden portrait pattern. I will show you everything you need from start to finish. The video will show you the free software program you can download for Windows or Mac OS. I will show you how to install the program and configure it for best results. 

Then I will show you the technique to take your photograph and make a pattern from it. When the pattern is complete we will go in the shop and cut it.

The DVD is $10 plus shipping. This is a data DVD that you will use on your computer to watch the video tutorial  

Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2017 in DVD

Purchase the entire Scrollsaw Workshop pattern catalog for offline access.

This DVD has 2,300 patterns published from 2007 thru 2017.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.

Click here to Order. 

If you use the DVD on a Windows PC there is a simple viewer program to browse through the patterns.

The DVD also works fine on a MAC. The viewer program is not MAC compatible but there is an included PDF with all the patterns shown as thumbnails for easy viewing. 

Unique Wooden Vases:
Want to create beautiful wooden vases on the scroll saw?

My two "Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw" books make it easy.

The books are $12 each and available for instant download after purchase. Click for Video Demonstration.

The Scrollsaw Workshop is primarily supported by donations. If you enjoy this Blog and would like to make a donation please click this Button. Your support is greatly appreciated. 

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Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.

Visit Heritage Wood Specialties

for you scroll saw ready boards.

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