Trouble mounting blades in scroll saw

[grits]

I know I am not working with the "best" scroll saw but mounting plain end blades (spiral) in my saw is killing me. Is there a saw on the market that doesn't use a thumb screw to secure the blades? I can't find a pin end spiral anywhere.

[LCHIEN]

Spiral blades probably not available with pin ends because the pins make it hard to thread thru a board you are working on fine scrollwork on an inside cut. That of course is where you usually use spiral blades.

I really like the convenience of the pin end blades and use them for my work. I can't really give much advice on the clamp ends except that other people use them sucessfully so you should be able to, too. Keep trying.

[khf314]

Scroll Saw

I have a very old Dremel SS that is essentially a pin end scroll saw with adaptors that attach to each end of plain end blades and tighten with allen head set screws. I don't know if the newer Dremels use a different arrangement but you might check to see if you can still get the adaptors. You could use a T-handle allen wrench to screw them down.

Even simpler you might see if you can find allen head screws the same size as your thumbscrews and use the T-handle wrench.

[grits]

I think I will be doing alot more scrolling so it will be best if I upgrade to a better saw. My problem with this one is the thumb screw tightens agianst the blade and wants to twist the blade out of the groove. My next saw will had a holder that pinches the blade, if there is such a thing.

[SARGE..g-47]

I'm not sure if anyone sells a spiral with pins but if you call Mike at Mike's worlshop he can probably tell you. Mike sells the Flying Dutchman and lives and breaths scroll-saws. www.mikesworkshop.com

I used to use a cheap scroll-saw for a few odd jobs and it was really a pain. To the point I really had no confidence in scroll saws what-so-ever. About the same confidence I had in a jig-saw as I felt it was useless... until one day I bought a Bosch barrel grip JS to do a commercial round job.

The same happened with the scroll-saw the day I purchased a factory re-conditioned DW 788 from a DW rep who is a friend. He got it for around $250 his cost for me. It has set for almost two years as I just didn't have time to learn to use it. But recently it got the call with me as a very inexperienced Scroller. I played for about an hour or so and scrap and then took the plunge knowing I would not get excellent results stemming from my previous SS encounters.

But.. IMO a good SS made a bunch of difference as I feel confident enough to do it blind-folded now. Well.. maybe not that confident but a good SS made a huge difference in my earlier failed attempts. So.. a better saw of some brand may cost you but I think it will pay for itself in results.

My first real attempt on something other than shop grade cuts...

[grits]

Very nice work sarge. I am in the process of looking for a new saw one that pinches the blade instead of tightening a screw agianst the blade. How is the blade held in the dewalt? Right now its a toss up between the dewalt and the dremel.

[SARGE..g-47]

Very nice work sarge. I am in the process of looking for a new saw one that pinches the blade instead of tightening a screw agianst the blade. How is the blade held in the dewalt? Right now its a toss up between the dewalt and the dremel.

It's a thumb-screw with twin T knobs and it basically does just pinch the blade in. At first I had trouble doing it and in those Old English letters thought it would take forever having to take the blade off and move to the next cut as some letter requires 3 separate cuts.

But.. after about the 3rd letter.. it got easy.. very easy as I just became familar with the procedure. I was using SR reverse blades and it was hard on these old eyes determining teeth up and down. Those blades are tiny I tell you but... those SR Reverses left an extremely smooth cut in ambrosia maple and the DW didn't have any vibration. I have it mounted on a mobile Tri type stand so I can sit at it when I park it.

I have not used the Dremmel but I can vouch for the DW. Ron Brown is a SS guru local and worked demonstrating the DW for DeWalt at shows for years. There is also a very large SS Club in my county but I do not belong.. at least at this point as I really don't have time to specialize as large carcass furniture has been my forte for 37 years.

Those boxes were my first and first small project I have ever done. Anyway.. the DW is a winner if you can squeeze out the dollars. Or.. you could look for a Hawk.. etc. on Craigs-list if you are going to be a serious scroller as many in that club I mentioned are. Most don't do furniture which is similar to some turners I know.. I suppose they are just hooked on scroll or turning as they find it enjoyable.