browders Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 I'm sure many of you saw this recently on Steve Good's blog. These knobs fit both DeWalt and Excalibur scroll saws. To me they appear to be an answer for those of us with arthritic hands. Mine just came in the mail today and I'm excited to give them a try. I'll add to this post after I've tried them and let you all know if they do what they're supposed to. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarltheScroller Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 (edited) I read about them and got the order form. Still haven't decided to spring for them because of the $$. But they do look like a great mod and I'll probably go ahead and get them after I stew about it for awhile. I am getting tired of using pliers on the lower knob of my Dewalt because I just can't turn it tight enough with my fingers anymore. Edited December 18, 2015 by EarltheScroller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 Looking forward to you review Jim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 I'm sure many of you saw this recently on Steve Good's blog. These knobs fit both DeWalt and Excalibur scroll saws. To me they appear to be an answer for those of us with arthritic hands. Mine just came in the mail today and I'm excited to give them a try. I'll add to this post after I've tried them and let you all know if they do what they're supposed to. Jim knobs1.JPGknobs.JPG Looking good Jim.I have the wooden version compared to,the bottle cap ones i used for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kepy Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 Will be interesting to hear how you like them. I have the replacement knobs from Seyco and they work great with no modification but the knobs are plastic and are a little rough but definitely help my arthritic fingers. May try a little light sanding to smooth out the sharper edges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 Please do let us know how they work for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 I had that problem and then i applied anti seize to the screws, an I now tighten the blade with out any trouble, it seems that it only takes about 1/2 the strength. A tube cost $4-$5 a tube enough to last a life time at your hardware store. I don't know if the big box stores handle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ike Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 I reapply dthe anti seize about every 3 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 I had that problem and then i applied anti seize to the screws, an I now tighten the blade with out any trouble, it seems that it only takes about 1/2 the strength. A tube cost $4-$5 a tube enough to last a life time at your hardware store. I don't know if the big box stores handle it. That anti-size compound is great stuff, but I've never tried it on the scroll saw. Thanks for a great tip!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustLarry Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 Also great fan of anti-size compound on the scroll saw. Not only does it make turning easy, it also helps to keep the threads from gaulding (stripping out). Got mine at auto parts store. Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
browders Posted December 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2015 Installed the knobs today. The modification for the lower knob took less than 5 minutes with a Dremel. As far as I am concerned this was one of the best investments I could have made. My arthritic hands immediately noticed the difference. I've seen the do it yourself versions which may work just as well but I've never tried them so I can't compare. Although ordering them is kind of old school, I had to snail mail a check. I received the Knobs within 10 days. They have my vote. wombatie and Lucky2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwminnich Posted January 8, 2016 Report Share Posted January 8, 2016 So, I'm late to this thread, since I just found the site, but hopefully this will be useful to someone... Assuming you can find bolts with the right pitch/thread count, you can easily make your own knobs for this, and any other shop use. I got in the habit of doing this a couple years ago for all my shop jigs. Basically, create whatever shape you like best for the knob (could be a simple circle or something with some "lugs" for your fingers to latch onto). Personally, I draw a circle the size I want on a piece of 1/2" baltic birch ply, then drill holes around the perimeter at 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees. Then, to the bandsaw/scrollsaw and cut out the rest of the perimeter line. A little sanding or a roundover on the router table will clean up all the sharp edges. Drill an appropriately-sized recess in the center of the circle (careful... don't drill through the piece!) and epoxy the bolt head into the hole. Once the epoxy cures, I've never had any problem with the knob failing, and I use these for clamping fixtures all the time. Easy, cheap, and adds a little character to the piece. Enjoy! --dave browders 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharleyL Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Those of you with arthritic hands may find these knobs useful. The handle can be positioned in increments around the 360 deg by just pushing the button, so you can tighten the blade and then position the handle so that it's out of the way and won't hit anything. The thread is M6X10, so it should fit many saws on the market. I know for certain that it'll fit a DeWalt 788. These are available from www.thewoodenteddybear.com and their part number is M101 but they are also available from the major hardware sources like McMaster Carr and other larger hardware sources. Charley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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