dvdneal Posted September 16, 2015 Report Posted September 16, 2015 Bad luck for me. My cheap Ace saw finally died. It just won't hold tension. You can watch the tension lever unscrew itself while it runs. Of course this means it's time for an upgrade so I started really looking for a decent used saw in the area since I can't afford new - kids do that to you. When I talked to the wife, she had already decided she was going to buy me a new saw from all my complaints on the old one. I just have to wait for Christmas. Let's hope she listened when I told her about the Dewalt. Until then I guess I'll live vicariously through your projects and play with the inkscape lessons. Quote
Scrolling Steve Posted September 16, 2015 Report Posted September 16, 2015 David , Christmas will be here before we know it.......But for you not soon enough......It may remind you of when you were a kid! !.....Hang in there and it might not hurt to be real good between now and Christmas ! Quote
bobscroll Posted September 16, 2015 Report Posted September 16, 2015 Hello David, Sorry to hear of your frustration! Is there anyway you could make do and mend your scroll saw for now! Threaded rod & nut's washer? Hope you get sorted, Bob Quote
ike Posted September 16, 2015 Report Posted September 16, 2015 Isn't there a way to jury rig the tension? just sit down and look at the part and figure it out, Quote
jerry1939 Posted September 16, 2015 Report Posted September 16, 2015 Hi Sir, I have a 10+ year old Performax (They quit making them.) It started doing the same thing a year ago. Cured it with 2 plastic zip ties. One around the top arm & another through that and over the lever. I wasn't using the tension lever anyway. To tension the blade, I just pushed down on the top clamp when clamping the top of the blade. This works fine. FYI: The bearings started going bad & it was rattling. Just bought a Delta. Am currently disassembling the brand new saw and greasing the bearings, as I read the reviews on this saw & the newer (Taiwan) 788s, and a lot of them are not greased adequately at the factory. Mine wasn't. More to follow later. jerry Quote
jerry1939 Posted September 16, 2015 Report Posted September 16, 2015 Hi Ike, It's "JERRY" rigged. Not jury rigged. Gee whiz fella, get it right! Just had to kid you. As to your Reply, great minds think alike!!!!!!!!!!!!! jerry LarryEA 1 Quote
LarryEA Posted September 16, 2015 Report Posted September 16, 2015 Jerry rig it, prep a lot of patterns on the wood, ya know get things ready. And congratulations (early) on your new saw.....!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote
amazingkevin Posted September 16, 2015 Report Posted September 16, 2015 Bad luck for me. My cheap Ace saw finally died. It just won't hold tension. You can watch the tension lever unscrew itself while it runs. Of course this means it's time for an upgrade so I started really looking for a decent used saw in the area since I can't afford new - kids do that to you. When I talked to the wife, she had already decided she was going to buy me a new saw from all my complaints on the old one. I just have to wait for Christmas. Let's hope she listened when I told her about the Dewalt. Until then I guess I'll live vicariously through your projects and play with the inkscape lessons. Best i can do is suggest going on "craigs list " your location or near by and find a used low price scroll saw .I've gotten all my saws there and two $700.00 ones free used once.!That's well over a dozen saws! Quote
kywoodmaster Posted September 17, 2015 Report Posted September 17, 2015 it would be a pain but I am thinking a drop of blue locktite on the tension screw would stop it from backing off. Quote
wombatie Posted September 17, 2015 Report Posted September 17, 2015 Just think of all the great patterns that you will soon be making. Now just sit there and learn. I know Christmas is another year away for you, well that is what it will seem like but if you get under your wife's feet enough she will soon buy you a new saw. ;) Marg Quote
GrampaJim Posted September 17, 2015 Report Posted September 17, 2015 I think we have all been there, I know I was. A lot of good advise above. Looking for a used Dewalt on Craigs List would be my first choice, but they are hard to find. There are a lot of used Delta's out there, but don't be afraid to ask the group for opinions on those. Many are not what you want. In an emergency (being without a saw would be one for me), I would consider a newer Craftsman on Craigs List - about $50-75.00, until I could afford something better. I NEVER want to stop making sawdust. Wish you well. Jim Quote
dvdneal Posted September 17, 2015 Author Report Posted September 17, 2015 I've been thinking about spending $40 on one of the cheap models I can find on craigslist. I can get a slightly rusted delta 480 (I think) for $50. The problem is my wife just doesn't understand. A saw is a saw to her and there would be no need for a new saw. That and I'd get yelled at for being impatient about Christmas. In the end, the happy wife is more important than my playing with wood. I did find a nice dewalt for $200. I wonder if I can convince her to just go look at that one and "surprise" me for Christmas. I tried tying the tension thing down, but it didn't work well. I'll have to try the locktite. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.