kmmcrafts Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 Anyone use the holes on the sides of the Excalibur saws body for their storage tubes? I have a whole stack of test tubes.. however not one of them fits into these holder holes on the body of the Excalibur.. If you do use these with test tubes.. what was your source for the test tubes.. I have a couple different sizes and neither fit.. With having so many saws and not really using any one dedicated saw.. well I mostly use the Hawk 226.. but whenever I move to another saw.. I'm always having to come back to the 226 to grab a blade.. I eventually move the tube to the saw I'm using.. just thought it make more sense to put a tube of blades at each saw.. That way I can be even more lazier LOL.. I suppose I could go measure the holes and do a search for the tubes the correct size for the Excalibur.. But that's the hard way... remember.. I said I was lazy in my last paragraph, LOL.. But I thought I'd ask because maybe someone will post a better storage system.. Now, I've seen a lot of your wooden storage racks etc.. I'm not looking for that kind of solution... Where my Excalibur is located.. I don't really have any tables or areas where I can set something down on.. which is why I was specifically looking for tubes that'll fit the slots on the sides of the base.. I don't need to put 10 different styles of blades at the saw.. I most commonly only use 3 different blades.. and if I need a uncommonly used blade getting up to get it isn't a big deal.. It's just that every time I switch to a different saw I've gotta get up to grab the blades.. I will be rearranging my shop soon so maybe I won't have the issue of one saw being clear across the shop.. Both the Hawks sit right next to each other and I keep my blade storage system right in between them so using either of these saws is not a problem..and the DeWalt sits right on the one side of the Hawk too so it's also not too big of a problem.. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don in brooklin on Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 I use the small tubes from Lee Valley http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32173&cat=1,43326 I have both the 3/8 and 1/2. Both fit just fine. OCtoolguy, NC Scroller and Dave Monk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 I'll be following the replies to this question. I have a dozen tubes I bought from Sloan's (I think) several years ago. They won't fit in the holes in my EX either. Fortunately for me, I have a table right next to my saw, where I can keep all of my blades, so they are always in reach. But when I take the saw off-site, it would be nice to be able to use those holders in the saw frame. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted February 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 37 minutes ago, Bill WIlson said: I'll be following the replies to this question. I have a dozen tubes I bought from Sloan's (I think) several years ago. They won't fit in the holes in my EX either. Fortunately for me, I have a table right next to my saw, where I can keep all of my blades, so they are always in reach. But when I take the saw off-site, it would be nice to be able to use those holders in the saw frame. Yeah that's the ones I think I bought.. I bought the tubes with the plastic holder that holds 12 tubes? I also bought an extra 12 tubes but.. the tubes I ordered extra are smaller but only slightly.. and neither fit.. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted February 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 2 hours ago, don in brooklin on said: I use the small tubes from Lee Valley http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32173&cat=1,43326 I have both the 3/8 and 1/2. Both fit just fine. Thank you, I'll check into them.. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 In my shop I use a shop made holder that is right behind my saw. We are going to start taking the saw to different shows we do so this is very interesting for me. I'll have to measure mine when I go down today and see what comes out of it. SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted February 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 4 minutes ago, WayneMahler said: In my shop I use a shop made holder that is right behind my saw. We are going to start taking the saw to different shows we do so this is very interesting for me. I'll have to measure mine when I go down today and see what comes out of it. Yes, my thinking too... We typically spend most of our summer at a local campground... I'd like to take a saw with me.. and the Hawks are too big and heavy.. I'm considering buying a 16" Excalibur once I get some of these other saws sold.. But I might just take the EX-21 too.. not sure of the weight difference .. but either way those slots for the tubes are a nice feature.. that is if we can get tubes that fit.. I'm probably going to buy some from Lee Valley as mentioned above.. but will wait to see if anyone post any other options first.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 I found on Amazon a plastic rack that came with 60 tubes with caps. I think it was about $15 bucks. I'll see if I can find the order. It's been a couple of years. The tubes fit the holes in the EX perfectly and are the right length. kmmcrafts and SCROLLSAW703 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 Here ya go Kevin..... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PD9ULS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Scrolling Steve, kmmcrafts and SCROLLSAW703 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 I wonder if it would be a simple matter to ream the holes in the EX frame to accept the existing tubes? That sheet metal is pretty heavy, as I recall and I'm not sure how much space is in-between each hole, but it may be an option. kmmcrafts and SCROLLSAW703 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 Hmmm, I wonder - I bought some that look to be pretty much the same as the ones that Ray bought above, says same size - only difference is different color lids on the tubes. These are tthe ones I had bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CSXXTF0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and those DO NOT fit the holes on my purple excalibur. I had also bought some from Sloan's before found here: http://www.sloanwoodshop.com/scroll_saw_blades.htm but those didn't fit my purple excalibur either. The holes on my purple excalibur are not round, they are more oblong and narrower then any of the tubes I have. OCtoolguy and SCROLLSAW703 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 13 minutes ago, meflick said: Hmmm, I wonder - I bought some that look to be pretty much the same as the ones that Ray bought above, says same size - only difference is different color lids on the tubes. These are tthe ones I had bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CSXXTF0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and those DO NOT fit the holes on my purple excalibur. I had also bought some from Sloan's before found here: http://www.sloanwoodshop.com/scroll_saw_blades.htm but those didn't fit my purple excalibur either. The holes on my purple excalibur are not round, they are more oblong and narrower then any of the tubes I have. What vintage is yours? Mine is a 2010. Holes are also oblong but tubes fit perfectly. In fact so close that my labels had to be moved to inside the tube. SCROLLSAW703 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 3 minutes ago, octoolguy said: What vintage is yours? Mine is a 2010. Holes are also oblong but tubes fit perfectly. In fact so close that my labels had to be moved to inside the tube. My understanding is that the purple ones were first introduced in 2006. I went out to the shop and double checked again to make sure I was remembering correctly and none of the ones I have will fit in the holes. All of my labels are inside of the tubes. OCtoolguy and SCROLLSAW703 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 Just go to your hardware store and get one of the step hole drills. They can hog out pretty heavy sheet metal using a hand drill. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermit Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 Doesn't help the original post but this is what I just finished and installed on mine. Might give you ideas. All made from scrap wood. Taped the bottom and top piece together and then drilled using a 5/8ths forstner bit. Notice the separation between the holes on the right/left. On the right side I pull tubes over that I am using on the current cut. Every size/type has a "used" tube behind it. I've found there are certain cuts I don't want to use a new aggressive blade on so I reach for a used blade. Seems to work for me. Seems you could make a smaller version of mine and attach it directly to the side of the table. Either permanently or possibly magnetic to transport between saws. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 Looks really good and functional. I like the color too. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 That is what I would have done drilled them out. If the holse are too big then make a new top and double sided tape it and drill to right size. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted February 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 I've given some thought to many of the wonderful ideas you all have suggested.. I think for me the best route is going to be buying the smaller tubes.. I measured the holes on the saw.. and they appear to be around 5/8" wide and 1-1/4 tall oval slots.. Not too king on drilling holes in a brand new saws base really.. and further more.. the tubes I have are quite large at least 3/4 inch but thinking maybe even slightly larger than that.. The step drill at my local hardware was like $18 but I see harbor freight has them much cheaper.. either way .. not to interested in drilling on a fairly new tool.. If I do take the saw to the camp site this summer.. I'll only take just the saw.. because I wont have the space to put it inside with the stand and everything.. so thinking the slots they have made is what will work best for me.. so guess I'll be buying some tubes... OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimErn Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 (edited) A step drill bit and some judicious drilling will solve the size problem https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10194A-Titanium-Drill-Speed/dp/B000FZ2UOY?ref_=Oct_BSellerC_256287011_1&pf_rd_p=0c52eddb-bf3e-5079-a600-1a1baeabeb0f&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=256287011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=4PVPBA6XGDP4FG4292NW&pf_rd_r=4PVPBA6XGDP4FG4292NW&pf_rd_p=0c52eddb-bf3e-5079-a600-1a1baeabeb0f EDIT: Well shoot just read that you are not willing to drill it out Edited February 6, 2019 by JimErn kmmcrafts and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 I got my storage tubes from Seyco when i bought the saw ! OCtoolguy and kmmcrafts 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 (edited) From the Seyco website: http://seyco.com/blades/ Edited February 6, 2019 by NC Scroller added link OCtoolguy and kmmcrafts 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted February 6, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 Awesome, I think I'll order from Seyco.. since I have a couple other things I want to order from them.. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sycamore67 Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 I bought mine on eBay. They were 16 mm diameter by 150 mm long. (About 5/8" diameter x 6" long.) The cost is $6.27 for 25 tubes and includes free shipping. kmmcrafts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 17 hours ago, Hermit said: Doesn't help the original post but this is what I just finished and installed on mine. Might give you ideas. All made from scrap wood. Taped the bottom and top piece together and then drilled using a 5/8ths forstner bit. Notice the separation between the holes on the right/left. On the right side I pull tubes over that I am using on the current cut. Every size/type has a "used" tube behind it. I've found there are certain cuts I don't want to use a new aggressive blade on so I reach for a used blade. Seems to work for me. Seems you could make a smaller version of mine and attach it directly to the side of the table. Either permanently or possibly magnetic to transport between saws. I like it. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodmaster1 Posted February 6, 2019 Report Share Posted February 6, 2019 I made a tube holder from a Steve Good pattern. You could adapt it to fit what ever size tubes you use. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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