some noob questions, various topics....

[Homerjh]

Hi all, new to scrollsawing and for a few questions..

I have some painless blade's with my used purchase, but the blade guide is pin. What would I need to convert, and is it expensive? Looking at the saw the two guides are held in by screws, so is this an easy switch?

What is the best way into baby step learn? Currently I have loads of 3mm ply so just making shapes on the ply and trying to cut to the line, wobbly and difficult at the moment but practice should make it easier (I hope). The blade seems to be quite tough so possibly it is of the larger type,.

Blades, I know there are plenty of different types but is there any easy way to identify unknown types.

When a blade breaks, what happens? Silly question but is it to be concerned about for injury or does it just ping and stayin swith?

Any linksto easy but good valentine ideas, the better half always jokes that loads of tools and bits disappear downstairs but nothing ever seems to come back up apart from noise and sawdust n my clothes

 

[M P Hales]

What make and model is the saw?

M

 

[RogerP]

When a blade breaks, what happens? Silly question but is it to be concerned about for injury or does it just ping and stayin swith?

If it's any comfort at the school where I worked the only power tools the kids were allowed to use were scrollsaws. Blades were broken like there was no tomorrow but I never saw and injury

 

[Homerjh]

Perform ccfs axminster branded, looks very similar to the single speed one they sell now tbh.

Googling seems to show there are pinless guides that just attach where the pinned ones are and dirt cheap.

 

[scrimper]

When a blade breaks, what happens? Silly question but is it to be concerned about for injury or does it just ping and stayin swith?

It sometimes makes you jump! but no it will not injure you, normally the saw has a spring at the rear which makes the top arm go upwards hence preventing the broken blade stabbing your hand or damaging the work!

 

[martinka]

I don't know the saw but the blade guide is likely to be U-shaped and fastened with one caphead screw. If so, you can replace them with the clamps from Axminster for a couple of quid. Just search on the Axminster site for scroll saw clamps, or do a search in this forum. This has become a FAQ.

You can tell the difference between blades, but it's not always easy at first, and sometimes nearly impossible to tell two different sizes apart. It's something you get used to over time. There's plenty of info around on blades but it won't be the same between different manufacturers. Have a look at http://www.mikesworkshop.com/blades.htm he has a silhouette of each blade he sells so you can see the difference.

You'll likely find something Valentine's related on Steve Good's pattern site. http://stevedgo.ipower.com/cat/

 

[Chippygeoff]

There are two main reasons blades break, one is pushing the wood to hard against the blade and the second is clamping the blade wrong. Let the saw do the work with just gentle pressure on the work piece and when you put a new blade in the clamp just bring it back a tad so its not touching the bottom of the clamp. It sounds as if the blade you are using is to big. For 3mm ply I would use a number 3 blade or maybe a number 5 if you are stack cutting. Also with 3mm ply you will follow the line easier if you are able to turn the speed down.

You are doing the right thing with your learning curve by practicing on thin ply wood. Draw some squiggly lines on the plywood and try to follow them. Its not so easy at first but practice makes perfect. When you progress to thicker wood it becomes a little trickier but you will soon get the hang of it. If you have microsoft word on your computer you can easily make some valentines day patterns, just the word love on its own is a good way to go, either loose letters that will stand up on their own or on a stand. Steve posted a couple of good examples recenty and they will give you an idea of what you can do but they may be a bit advanced for a beginner. I wish you well and if there are any questions you may have the guys here will only be to happy to help.

 

[Bryan Bennett]

Hi Homer I have sent you a PM if ok please send postcode,thank you.

Bryan

 

[powertools]

Is it possible to post a picture of the blade clamps on your saw. I feel that the change to pinless blades could be quite simple.

 

[scrimper]

Hi all, new to scrollsawing and for a few questions..

What is the best way into baby step learn?

The best advice that I can give is for you to get yourself a copy of Scrollsaw handbook by Patrick Spielman ISBN 0806947705 you can get them s/h via Amazon for around £1.50 + £2.80 P&P. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listin ... ition=used

This book was first published in 1987 but is still filled with fully relevant and worthwhile information IMHO it is the Bible for Fretworkers.
I first started fretworking with a hand frame as a boy in the 1950's so have had quite a lot of practical experience however buying this book opened my eyes to many new ways of doing things and I can honestly say I learnt more from this book than all other books I own put together.

It's not just a book for learning it also has much info on the history of fretwork and makes an interesting read.

In case you don't know the late Patrick Speilman is considered by many to be the 'Godfather' of scrollsawing.

 

[Homerjh]

OK, so googling and what not between work found the following.

The blade clamps are just screwed on, hex head bolts, upper and lower, so the axminsterones look like they will fit. a future purchase I think, as got one pinned but 12 pinless blades.

Tutorial videos have been handy, so practising curves and angled cuts, getting better, and managed to make a ply giraffe which had a lot of the shapes, came out quite nice. Still need to practise curves, getting better at them and just technique now to learn.

Tried a thicker wood but the blade struggled, suspect it may not be sharp enough or the wrong type, but on the ply it seems ok, especially for playing.

Ta

 

[Homerjh]

Also regarding the blades, both aminster, checking their site, nothing listed but I have yfb12, look quite a big tooth, and yfb28, these look really small, but that's all I have, so off to Google I go

 

[bodgerbaz]

Have a look here http://www.mikesworkshop.com/DaveG.htm you may find it useful :wink: