This M&M's candy dispenser is easy to make. I cut it from 1/2" and 1/4" thick Baltic birch plywood. The center section is 1" thick so it is a glue-up of two 1/2" sheets. As designed it dispenses about 13 M&M pieces. Just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth.
There are two critical steps in building this dispenser. The center dial needs to be sanded for easy movement. This means you need to sand about 1/16" off the thickness. Sand the diameter so it turns smoothly. Test and re-test before glue-up.
The second critical step is lining up the dial dowel rod as you glue and screw the pieces together. Constantly check for smooth rotation before you drill for the front holes. Be accurate.
I did slightly modify the pattern after I made this prototype. I made the tray larger and opened up the hole in the acrylic front higher. This just makes it easier to get the candy out of the tray.
Scroll Saw Upper Arm Adjustment:
I have had this question come up a few times lately. I thought I would point out an adjustment. This adjustment pertains to the Excalibur class of scroll saws. This includes the Excalibur, Seyco, Pegas, Jet, King and a couple others.
When you move the upper arm up it should move easily and stay up when released. Some people will find that from the factory the upper arm is difficult to raise. That is more common than the arm not staying up.
There is a simple adjustment to set the friction just right for easy movement and still say up. On the back left side of all of these saws are a locking nut and slotted bolt. Use a wrench to slightly loosen the nut. Use a flat blade screwdriver to turn the bolt. Counter-clockwise will loosen the arm.
Turn the bolt just a fraction at a time. It does not take much to change the friction. Once it feels just right, lock the nut back down.
I have seen this adjustment change after several hours of saw use. Just adjust as needed.
Click Image to enlarge.
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Inlay with a 1" Forstner Bit.
The perfect way to sign your work.
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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.
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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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