This is a clock for the sewing room. It requires a 2 3/4" clock insert. I get my clock inserts from Bear Woods.
There was a time when sewing was a necessity for most families. They did not have easy access to department stores. Sewing helped keep the family clothed. The art was passed down from mother to daughter. Through the 1900s the art/skill declined in popularity. Then the popularity of DIY started in the 2000s and sewing has been growing in numbers.
LED Magnifying Headset Review:
Many scrollers use a magnifying lamp when they cut. These are normally large and need to be attached to the scroll saw stand. They work fine for most people.
I was asked by a reader what I thought about wearing a magnifying headset for scroll sawing. I had never tried one that I could remember so I jumped on Amazon and ordered the one above. This one had decent reviews and was priced moderately.
I got it in yesterday and went to the shop to try it out.
Let me tell you the features before I talk about how it worked.
It comes with five lenses. 1x, 1.5x, 2x, 2.5x, and 3.5x. You can place two sets of lenses on the headset at once to multiply the magnifications.
It comes with an LED light that is able to tilt to the angle that places the light where you need it. It is reasonably bright.
The headset strap is adjustable and fits my big head just fine. I don't think anyone would have a problem with the fit. It has a dial adjuster that works easily. You can adjust it while it is on your head.
There are tightening thumbscrews on each side of the headset to make it stay in the position you set it. There was one review that said they could not keep it in place but it worked fine for me.
The overall quality seems fair to good. I would not expect it to last a lifetime and I would not recommend dropping it too many times but it was acceptable.
The lenses come is a nice little box to protect them from scratches and dirt. The lenses are plastic and do attract wood dust. You will have to blow them off from time to time.
Now for the review of using this device with the scroll saw. I was surprised that I actually liked using it. The clarity of the line on the pattern was definitely enhanced. It was comfortable to wear. I could easily flip the lens up out of the way when I did not need it.
There is a catch. These lenses are fixed focal point lenses. In other words, there is an optimal distance from the front of the lens to the object being magnified. The distance has some leeway so you don't have to be at the exact distance but the higher the magnification of the lens the tighter the distance has to be. This makes using any of the lenses other than the 1x and the 1.5x impractical for scrolling.
What makes this a difficult review is that everyone's eyesight and height are different. For me, I was able to use the 1x lens and set up at a normal angle with a clear view of the pattern line. (It was not only magnified but also looked sharper). Using the 1.5X lens meant that I had to lean forward just slightly. Not sure how that translates to other people.
Me Silly Head
I think this is one of those accessories that you just have to try to know if it will work for you. I had little expectation that I would use it for cutting on the scroll saw but that was wrong. I will use this headset for projects where I need a little extra visibility.
I can see this becoming a go-to magnifier for cutting very small projects like coins. I would use it for cutting fine fretwork just because of the enhanced visibility of the pattern line. The 1x magnification helpful but I wish the 1.5x did not require me to lean forward.
I will probably use it mostly with the 1x lens. I will use the 1.5x lens when I only need the magnification for small parts of the project. I don't mind leaning over for a few cuts, then flip it up out of the way for all the normal cuts.
Another advantage: I will absolutely be using this headset when not scrolling. The higher magnification lenses are wonderful for hands-free viewing of small objects.
Conclusion: I like this headset and find it a good value at $18.99 plus shipping. I will probably use it more for things other than scroll saw work but it is useful when scrolling also. The fixed length lenses might be trouble for some people. I'll have to wait to hear feedback from readers before I can say that my experiences are typical.
$12 per sheet of 12 coins plus $3.50 shipping
Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.
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:
Every Scrollsaw Workshop Pattern from 2007-2018 in DVD
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.
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.
All the same file but on an easy to use a thumb drive. The USB thumb drive option is $23 plus shipping.
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.
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
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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