Friday, May 31, 2019

X-Wing Fighter Scroll Saw Pattern.

I built this X-Wing fighter from Baltic birch plywood and dowels. I used 1/2", 1/4", and 1/8" BB ply. I used three sizes of dowel. 3/8" diameter for the engines. 1/4" and 1/8" diameter for the torpedo tubes.

The body is 1" thick so I glued up two 1/2" pieces to get the needed thickness.

There are a few places where you will have much better success if you use CA glue and activator. There are small parts that need to be glued together and clamping would be difficult.

R2D2 is a button plug.

The body of the ship needs to be contoured to a nose cone. This will need power sanding to accomplish. The cockpit also needs contouring.

This is not a toy for small children. It will not handle rough play. This is a model intended to sit on a shelf. Please do not let toddlers play with this project.

Free Online Scroll Saw Pattern Generator:

Watch the Demonstration Video

Visit the Free Online Pattern Generator.

It has been a while since I talked about this feature of the blog. I get new readers all the time so I want to pass this information along to those who may find it useful. I have a free online scroll saw pattern maker that you can use. It makes two different types of patterns. Key fobs and nameplates.(See the picture above.)

It's easy to use but if you need help then watch the video demonstration.

Click to Order

$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping

Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.

The perfect way to sign your work.

Video Demonstration Link

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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:

Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2018 in DVD

Purchase the entire Scrollsaw Workshop pattern catalog for offline access.

This DVD has over 2,600 patterns published from 2007 thru 2018.
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.

Now Available on USB Thumb Drive

Don't have a DVD drive on your new computer. No problem. Buy the catalog on a USB thumb drive.
All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.

Buy Now.

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

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.

My Sponsors:

Support the businesses who support our community.

Shop Bear Woods for your craft supply needs.

Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.

Visit Heritage Wood Specialties

for you scroll saw ready boards.

Ad: Affiliate

400 CFM)

Keep your workshop safe and your lung clear of saw dust.

Circulate the air in a 400 square foot room up to 7.5 times per hour
Three-speed operation flows air at a rate of 300, 350, or 400 cubic feet per minute
Includes a 1-micron filter and a 5-micron pre-filter, both of which can be easily replaced
Programmable timer automatically shuts unit off after set number of minutes
Remote control allows users to set timer, change speed and power the unit on and off from up to 26 feet away

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Best Step Dad Plaque Scroll Saw Pattern.

Father's Day is just days away and this project is for all those bonus dads out there. It is a simple project that would probably mean a tremendous amount to that guy who stepped up to the plate and took on a tough job.

If you have a grandchild who has a loving stepfather this may be something special you could build together.

Bob Brokaw of the Gwinnett Woodworker Association demonstrates DeWalt DW788 Maintenance Procedures:

Watch the Video

Bob Brokaw is one of the leading experts in the country on repairing the DeWalt DW788. He has produced a few videos showing repair techniques. This is another in that line of videos. There is updated material in this video. If you have watched his other videos you will find even more information here. Every time Bob does one of these videos he gets better at presenting the information. This is his best yet.

I realize this is just one of many scroll saws on the market but this is an important saw. The DeWalt is the most popular scroll saw ever sold for the serious hobbyist. The DeWalt has been on the market for many years. There are thousands of them in the field. If you own or are considering purchasing the DW788 then you should bookmark this video for future reference.

The DW788 is what I consider a mid-level saw. That is not a knock on the machine but more a reflection of its price point and slightly poorer build quality of the high-end saws. As a mid-level saw it does not have much competition. The Delta 40-694 is really the only machine in the same class.

Let me mention something that I think is important. Repairing these saws yourself is possible. It also requires at least a moderate level of skill. If you have no experience working on machinery you may be better off using a repair facility. While this is by no means a complex piece of machinery it can bite you in the rear if you make a mistake.

If you take on these repairs I highly suggest you take pictures as you go. Pay meticulous attention to how the parts come apart. Observe the minor details. Keep hardware separated as you remove it. Label parts if you think it will help in reassembling.

I spent 37 years working on very complex electro/mechanical hardware. We would disassemble machines with hundreds of moving parts. We would have repairs that would take days to complete. Even with all that experience I still take pictures when I disassemble anything. Complex jobs are often just a long series of simple steps. If you document each simple step you have a far greater chance of being successful.

Click to Order

$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping

Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.

The perfect way to sign your work.

Video Demonstration Link

- -

www.scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com

Products for your consideration:

Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2018 in DVD

Purchase the entire Scrollsaw Workshop pattern catalog for offline access.

This DVD has over 2,600 patterns published from 2007 thru 2018.
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.

Now Available on USB Thumb Drive

Don't have a DVD drive on your new computer. No problem. Buy the catalog on a USB thumb drive.
All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.

Buy Now.

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

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.

My Sponsors:

Support the businesses who support our community.

Shop Bear Woods for your craft supply needs.

Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.

Visit Heritage Wood Specialties

for you scroll saw ready boards.

Ad: Affiliate

FosPower Emergency Solar Hand Crank Portable Radio, NOAA Weather Radio for Household and Outdoor Emergency with AM/FM, LED Flashlight, Reading Lamp, 2000mAh Power Bank USB Charger and SOS Alarm

Every home needs an emergency radio. This one has all the features you could want at a price that won't break the bank. Solid Amazon reviews. 4.5/5 Stars with 136 customer reviews.

2000MAH POWER BANK WILL KEEP DEVICES POWERED] FosPower's emergency radio incorporates a 2000mAh power bank capable of providing emergency power to any small tablet or phone.
[3 POWER SOURCES POWER WHEN YOU NEED IT] Use the emergency weather radio's 3 power sources when you need a boost of power or need to recharge the radio. The radio's crank lever and solar panel are both capable of regenerating enough power to keep the radio, lights, and SOS alarm ready to go when you need it most. AAA Batteries ensure you have power when not able to regenerate power.
[2 LIGHT SOURCES ALWAYS POWERED] The emergency crank radio can also provide light. The 4 LED reading light and 1W flashlight provides enough output to keep you and your loved ones out of the dark in an emergency situation.
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[LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY] Includes a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Please visit FosPower's website for more information.

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Hummingbird Art Scroll Saw Pattern.

This hummingbird art piece is 10.5" X 7".

$3 PDF Catalog Update:

I am working on the $3 PDF Catalog update this week. I hope to have it updated before the weekend. I will let you know in the daily newsletter when it is ready to download. You can see more details on the $3 PDF catalog in my eStore.

Buying Used Scroll Saws:

No links are included for the used saws.

Buying used tools can be a great way to build out your workshop. It can also be a good way to throw away money if you don't do your homework.

The Craigslist ad above is for a used DeWalt DW788 Type 1 scroll saw. They are asking $525. Is this a good deal? Let's start out with finding out what this saw and stand sells for new. On Amazon, a new DeWalt DW788 with stand goes for $550.13.

The used saw in the ad is a Type 1. There is a belief that the Type 1 saw has better resale value than the newer Type 2 saws. At one point that was probably true. The problem is that the Type 1 saws are many years old. I would prefer a new Type 2 over a very old Type 1 unless it had very few hours of use and I got a good price.

Of course, the person selling the saw above may only be asking $525 and you may get the saw considerably cheaper. If you know the facts before you give them a call you may get a better deal. If not then you can walk away.

Let's say you give the person a call and they say you can buy it for $375. At that price, you may decide to go take a look at the saw. What do you look for?

Before you even get in the car, research the address. Use Google maps and street view to look at the address. With Google street-view you can see the house and neighborhood before heading that way. Make sure you feel safe.

Once you are in front of the saw, look at the general condition. I'm talking about the outward appearance. Are all the parts with the saw? Is the table covered in rust? Check that all the bolts are in place. Does it come with any accessories? (Light, foot switch, extra blades etc..) Ask when they last replaced the thumb screws and set screws. General questions like "Why are you selling it?" can sometimes give you information that helps.

Start the saw and slowly run it through the variable speed. Does the vibration get much worse at high speed? Listen for rattles. Noise is one of the biggest tale tales for problems with scroll saws. Almost any unusual noise is a potential problem. Sometimes that can be difficult if you don't know what a good saw sounds like. Grinding sounds are not normal. Clicking sounds are not normal. Squeaking sounds are not normal.

If at all possible sit down and cut with the saw. Some problems will only show up when the saw is under load.

Tilt the table to its extremes. Does it move smoothly?

There are some problems that you may not be able to see if you are not familiar with the saw you are looking at. One example of this is the amount of front to back movement of the blade. There is some normal front to back movement but if it is excessive that is a sign of trouble. The more you know the better you can see signs of trouble. If you have a friend who already owns a scroll saw take them along.

I have primarily talked about the DeWalt in the Craigslist ad but most of the tips can be used as a general guide.

This eBay ad is selling a new DeWalt DW788 without the stand for $606.97. Wow. Ebay is a nightmare if you do not do your homework. They even have a DeWalt listed for $799 in one ad. I think not.

Here is another Craigslist ad. This one is for a Delta 40.694. They are asking $235. Amazons price for the Delta 40-694 is $399. The ad says the saw was lightly used with a few scuffs but runs great. The price is actually below what you would expect for this saw used. Looks like a good deal but you still want to do a good checkout first. Good price does not always mean a good deal.

Now we're talking. $45. We can get started really cheap. Right? I know it's tempting when budgets are tight but this saw is only good for very rough cuts. It only accepts pin end blades and I can pretty much guarantee that the vibration will be bad. If you are looking to get into the scroll saw hobby this is not the saw you need. Save your money until you can afford something better.

What about vintage scroll saws? Here is a 1950's Sears and Roebuck's scroll saw. They want $300. This saw is not for a hobbyist. It is for a collector of vintage tools. It's also overpriced. If you are looking to enjoy cutting patterns then I suggest you stay away from vintage machines. I'm not saying that all vintage tools are bad but you need much more information to buy vintage tools.

Craigslist, eBay, local papers and online forums are all places to look for used tools. There are good deals to be had. There are also bad deals. The more knowledge you have the more likely you will steer clear of the bad deals.

If you have experience with tools, then looking for a used machine may be okay. If you are very new to the hobby and tools in general then buying new will be the easier path.

Click to Order

$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping

Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.

The perfect way to sign your work.

Video Demonstration Link

- -

www.scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com

Products for your consideration:

Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2018 in DVD

Purchase the entire Scrollsaw Workshop pattern catalog for offline access.

This DVD has over 2,600 patterns published from 2007 thru 2018.
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.

Now Available on USB Thumb Drive

Don't have a DVD drive on your new computer. No problem. Buy the catalog on a USB thumb drive.
All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.

Buy Now.

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

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.

My Sponsors:

Support the businesses who support our community.

Shop Bear Woods for your craft supply needs.

Home of Pegas scroll saw blades.

Visit Heritage Wood Specialties

for you scroll saw ready boards.

Ad: Affiliate

Bostitch BTFP02012 6 Gallon 150 PSI Oil-Free Compressor

4.5/5 Stars with over 1,200 reviews. Currently $109.99

Be aware that it does not come with a hose or attachments.

Note:Item does not includes hose or gun kit
150 max PSI 6.0 gallon tank (22.7 L) and 2.6 SCFM* delivered @ 90 PSI pump
High efficiency motor for easy start up in cold weather
78.5 dBA** operational noise level for a quiet work environment
High flow regulator and couplers to maximize air tool performance
Long-life oil-free, maintenance-free pump for convenient use