Hi..newbie here

[beech1948]

Hi,

I've been a flat woodworker for many years and have decided to have a go at scroll saws. I just bought a cheap saw off ebay....a Meddings.....must be from the 40s or 50s maybe. i hav'nt picked it up yet. Anyone got any experience with these.

Al

 

[Bryan Bennett]

Hi Al welcome aboard,sorry I can't help with your post.You have picked the right place to get information for this wonderful hobby that we all enjoy.I am sure that one pf the group will be able to help.

Bryan

 

[marcros]

well a 40's or 50's meddings has to be better than todays cheap offerings.

 

[scrimper]

Hi Al

I don't know much about the Meddings Fretsaw except that they are a really heavy duty British made Fretsaw, more for the industrial market than for hobby use, I think they were often supplied to schools and such like.

I would imagine that although they are a nice machine to have in the workshop they are not as practical to use as a Hegner especially when it come to doing internal cuts.

Some were supplied with 3phase motors.

They are very heavy!

I understand that the firm that made them are still in business though I don't think they have anything to do with Fretsaws now, they may be able to point you in the right direction for advice. http://www.meddings.co.uk/

 

[martinka]

Hi Al, I can't help wondering if the Meddings will only take pinned blades, which would limit you a bit, though it'll still be usable. I've only seen a couple of photos of Meddings scroll saws and they were both piston type rather than parallel arm. The only thing I know about those is that the blade tends to have less tension at the top of the stroke.
I just had a look on ebay and if you bought the single phase one that sold 2 days ago, it was cheap enough. If you don't like it, you could probably get your money back weighing it in.
Hope you have fun with it.

Martin.

 

[beech1948]

Martinka,

You hit the nail very accurately.....I did indeed buy this 2 days ago and it was so cheap that it is almost in the disposable category even if it is old british iron....and it is ex-cabinet makers workshop but the current incumbent seems to know little about it.

I plan to collect this weekend, do an assessment and then start asking questions. I think my first question will be about blade clamps but first need to see what its got.

many thanks for all of your comments so far.

Al

 

[ChrisR]

Hi Al.
Welcome, I don’t know anything about Meddings scroll saws, but the last place I worked had a Meddings pillar drill dating back to the 1930’s (pre WW2), it was a very robust piece of kit, ran like a sewing machine, plus parts/spares were still available for it. =D>

Take care, enjoy your scroll sawing.

Chris R.

 

[stevebuk]

Hi Al
welcome to the forum, hope to see you around here and the work you will do when you get the saw up and running..

 

[boysie39]

Hi Al , welcome to the forum . I hope you enjoy your time here . I can be of no help to you with your saw but you will have the best chance of finding something out about it on here . (they are a lot of know alls ) said in the best possible way . :lol: :lol:

Best of luck and like Steve hope to see some pictures soon . Take care.

 

[beech1948]

I picked the saw up today.

Gross weight was 232 lbs. ouch! This makes modern machines look like anaemic has beens even the Hegner.

Saw is very clean, very stable, there is no vibration due to surrounding mass, oil in gearbox is OK for now, single speed, excellent motor at 3/4 hp. Can't sit at this as table is high enough to work comfortably from my 5ft 8inches from a standing position.

It is a piston type and takes pinned blades. The lower blade holder can be removed and replaced with a pinless design. The upper blade holder is part of the piston. Piston is used to smooth out the cuts and as a source of air to blow away saw dust. I will have to remove piston and see if I can turn it into a pin less clamp.

Anyone who has some spare Meddings pistons and might sell one please send me a pm.

Al

 

[martinka]

That's a big old chunk of cast iron! How did you lift and transport it? It'd be nice if you can convert it to pinless blades. Any chance of a photo of the top blade holder?

Martin.