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Modified my General Internation Scroll saw to Toolless blade changes


Ceric ME

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Adam Savage once said on his channel to start with the cheapest version of a tool that does what you want.  Once you used it then you'll know what you want in the best version or you'll know it's not worth the money.  To that end I've wanted a scroll saw since I was a kid, so for about 28 years.  I recently got some money as the employee of the quarter and I had an excuse.  I went looking for a scroll saw in my budget and I found this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/General-International-1-2-Amp-16-in-Variable-Speed-Scroll-Saw-with-Flex-Shaft-LED-Work-Light-BT8007/206347735
The General International 16in Variable Speed Scroll saw.

The saw can take Pin or Pinless blades.  In general I like it for what it is.  A beginner scroll saw.  The one thing though that I really didn't like was the it uses an Allen Wrench to remove and add the blade.  That needed to change.

Look at the manual I noted that bolt was just an M4-0.7 hex head bolt. 

To McMaster-Carr, the parts would have been $11 with $11 shipping and come in 1-3 weeks.

To Amazon:

M4 Star Knob - Swpeet 15Pcs M4 7 Star Knob Female Thread Nut Clamping Knob Grip Assortment Kit, Star Shape Hand Knobs Black Plastic Screw-On Handle Clamping Knob for Mechanical Equipment (M4): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

M4 Threaded Bar - Amazon.com: uxcell M4 x 110mm 304 Stainless Steel All Threaded Rod Bar Studs Fastener 10 Pcs: Home Improvement

$16.50 Total and could be here in 2 days.  We have a winner even thought I'm not fond of the star knobs.

IMG_20210320_175141.thumb.jpg.b29170ed6c6867b47acf60949b190924.jpgIMG_20210320_175159.thumb.jpg.9534433ed0bfeaf6e71762078f1bb3fb.jpg

 

Biggest problem is I can only tilt the table 15 degrees as I went with a long bottom pull to clear the guard and well... the guard is built in a way that the hole is off...

IMG_20210320_171633.thumb.jpg.0edeca361bf51124ae774f23ba5f8a43.jpg

 

I may turn that into a stubby like the top.  Plus the blade wants so slip a little from the bottom but, I don't think its the swap out causing that as much as I think I need to rough up that grip somehow.

 

Suppers ready so I'm going to expand this a little later if others are interested in the steps and why.

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Bit of an update.  Needes to loctite the bottom and top ones at the grip.

Today I made a new plate for the where the saw goes.  Its clear so the visibility is up.

 

IMG_20210408_103817.thumb.jpg.94697b00baf8b5cf436386db7a1130e1.jpgIMG_20210408_102711.thumb.jpg.585a9d218bfddccbfb1a2dd190aa7790.jpg

Edited by Ceric ME
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Being a tinkerer I'm always interested in modifications, changes and such. Both my Hegners are quite different from original. I order from McMaster-Carr. Made a mistake ordering from them three days ago. I ordered a three foot length of 6mm cold roll steel. The4 steel was just under $7. The order said shipping and tax would be added. When I got the invoice the shipping was over $36. Dang near fainted. My stupidity. They shipped it in a heavy 4" diameter X 42" heavy cardboard tube. Should have ordered three on foot pieces which would be much cheaper. However, that being said, they ship fast and there is nothing they do not have.

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On 3/20/2021 at 8:34 PM, octoolguy said:

You may find after adding all that weight and length that your saw has a lot more vibration now. I hope not but it's very possible.

 

I was worried about that and had the full 110mm on both spots.  Not a problem.  When that got cut down a bit still not having an issue.

Now I am having an issue with the blade slipping out occasionally I need to figure out.  I think the surfaces just need roughed up.

 

Edited by Ceric ME
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2 hours ago, Ceric ME said:

I had bought red Loctite and didn't originally use it.  I ended up using Red Loctite on the top handle today as it unscrewed.  The bottom is just as solid where it connects to the rod.

I have to say Red Loctite is a pretty red.

Red is forever. Blue is until you change your mind.

 

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3 hours ago, Ceric ME said:

Looking up a piece out of curiosity led me to this https://www.ereplacementparts.com/ryobi-sc163vs-scroll-saw-parts-c-7931_8000_8001.html

Looks like this is also a Ryobi SC163VS 16" Scroll Saw interesting.

There are probably more than just two names on that saw. Generally, they are sold under many names.

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