So, you have cut several of my Stickman series of patterns. Your significant other is starting to be concerned that maybe you are regressing back into your childhood or even worse slipping into early signs of senility.
Before he or she starts making arrangement to keep you safe from yourself, make this little project and gift it to them. It may not stop the men in white coats from showing up but at least your loved one will feel guilty for calling them.
Pegas Scroll Saw Clamp Heads for the DeWalt DW-788 and Delta 40-694 scroll saws: Pre-Order Now from Bear Woods.
Back in January of this year, I reviewed the new Pegas clamp heads for the Excalibur style scroll saws. At that time I showed that the clamps could also be installed on the DeWalt and Jet scroll saws even though they were not specifically designed to do so.
I also mentioned to Pegas at that time that it would be nice if they would develop these clamps specifically for the DeWalt and the Jet. They are a company that listens to their customers so they got to work and now DeWalt and Jet saw owners have this new accessory. I will review the Jet version later this week. It deserves its own write-up.
If you are not familiar with this product let me give you some background. Pegas makes scroll saw blades. They are experts in what makes a scroll saw blade efficient. I personally think they make one of the finest blades on the market.
Because of this expertise, they decided to see if they could make a better clamp to hold the blade. That's the process that this product came from. They say this clamp is designed to improve the vibration of the machine by reducing the weight. They also say that these clamps are easier to use than the standard clamps. You can read my earlier review at this link to see my conclusion of these claims. To save you some reading I basically say I can't prove all their claims but what they say sounds reasonable.
The Pegas clamps are available for Pre-Order at Bear Woods. They sell for $64.
At the time of this post the graphic for the DeWalt version on the Bear Woods site is incorrect. They still show the Excalibur version so don't let that confuse you.
The original DeWalt clamps weigh 1.6 oz.
The new replacement Pegas clamps weigh 1.3 oz.
The set screw did not come adjusted. You will need a 10mm wrench and a 3mm allen wrench to make the adjustment. Just center the blade in the clamp.
You will need a 3mm allen wrench and a 7mm wrench to install the new heads. The hardware on the original DeWalt clamps is different so you will need a 1/4" wrench and a star bit to remove the hold clamps.
The new Pegas set comes with the head, set screw, thumb screw and replacement sleeves.
There is a top and bottom clamp. You can install them backward and upside down. The picture above shows the correct orientation. If you get them backward you will not be able to install the blade. Don't ask me how I know this.
Here are the original DeWalt clamps. The sleeves on the left were also replaced. The new ones are different so save these and the old clamps in case you ever want to put them back on the saw.
The whole job is simple and only take a few minutes.
In this next photo, you see the DeWalt with the Excalibur style of these Pegas clamps installed. You will notice that it has the tension lever on the head. Theis causes you to have two tension levers. I have had a couple people tell me they actually prefer having both levers. They use the standard lever for rough tension then just use the flip lever for quick tension. My opinion of this is not well formed yet. I think I prefer using the DeWalt version of the Pegas heads but at least you have an option.
There is a scenario where I think these new heads are a really a good buy. It is very common for the standard DeWalt clamps to get bend from over torquing the thumb screw. They then will not hold a blade effectively. The blade will slip out of the clamps and drive you crazy. The thumb screws are also wear items that need to be replaced occasionally. If you need these items replaced I would order the Pegas replacement set for sure. The parts cost of the standard parts is around $56 and this new "better" set is only $64. I think that would be a smart buy.
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.
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.
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.
The DVD is $20 plus shipping. Ships to 60 countries around the world.
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.
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.
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Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.
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Currently priced at $314.63.
- Electronic variable speed can be adjusted from 400-1,750 SPM for a wide array of cutting applications
- Dual parallel link arm design reduces vibration reducing over and under cutting improving accuracy and quality
- Upper arm lifts and locks in the raised position during blade changes or while adjusting blade position for fret work
- Tool-free blade clamp allows for quick, easy blade changes in seconds. Bevels 0° - 45° left and right. Motor: 1.3 Amp
