Insane Dust Maker Posted March 24, 2023 Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 Hi all, I’m making a new table for my scroll saw, it’s the one weak link in my original modification in as much as I drilled the blade hole to big, so when doing complex cutting there’s not enough support for the wood over the hole resulting in premature breaks. So can anyone tell me what is the hole size/slot on the saw you using, also some table don’t have dust extraction holes around the hole/slot what’s your thought on that, because I use my own design cyclone dust extraction system I’m kind of leaning towards adding the hole in a circular pattern, I was thinking either 1/8” or 5/32” it’s difficult to judge the size fro website photos OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted March 24, 2023 Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 I have an EX-21. I'm not sure what the dimensions are of the blade hole, but it can't be much more than perhaps 1/4" wide and less than an inch long. As for the dust extraction holes, I do not like them. Small bits of wood have a habit of getting hung up in them. I removed the dust collection apparatus from below the table, as it was more of a hassle than it was worth. I've considered filling the holes with Bondo or something similar but have never gotten around to it. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted March 24, 2023 Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 Not sure if this will help, I was just measuring some stuff and had my calipers handy. I wasn’t sure if you were using mm or inch so I did both. Hope this is useful OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insane Dust Maker Posted March 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 Thank you so much that’s exactly what I was after my thinking for the slot/whole is the size I was looking at. Going to make a wood mock up of the slot/hole and test it first, because you know the story once you’ve drill it you can’t put it back. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted March 24, 2023 Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 No matter what size you make the hole for the blade to go through it will get bigger over time Your table should be made so you can put a replaceable insert in there. Hegner comes that way and you can buy replaceable inserts or you can make then. As for the dust holes, they do not hurt and must help get rid of more of the dust. As you can see I am getting close to needing a new table top. But u do have a replaceable insert and I make several at a time to have on hand. I do not have dust holes because the hegner table top does not have them. OCtoolguy and GrampaJim 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharleyL Posted March 24, 2023 Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 When doing really small work, I have a piece of thin (about 1/32") Baltic Birch about 12 X 12" that I have added a hole just a little larger than my #2 scroll saw blades. When needing it, I add a couple of small 2" pieces of double sided tape to the bottom side, clean the saw dust and wax off the saw table, and attach this piece of plywood to the saw table. It messes with my under table dust collection, but I don't have problems with small pieces breaking or getting pulled into the blade hole. I would leave it on there for all cutting, but I do like my dust collection system working properly, so it's only added when needed. Charley OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insane Dust Maker Posted March 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 Scrappile, that would involve laser cutting and a insert made here in SA that would cost a lot of money, so I’ll have to thank my chances. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted March 24, 2023 Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 18 minutes ago, Don Bedggood said: Scrappile, that would involve laser cutting and a insert made here in SA that would cost a lot of money, so I’ll have to thank my chances. I make my own. using the ones that came with the saw as a pattern. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new2woodwrk Posted March 24, 2023 Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 I just put a piece of acrylic on my top with dbl sided tape and drilled a hole. Simple, easy peezy! OCtoolguy and barb.j.enders 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insane Dust Maker Posted March 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 I’ve only been scroll sawing for two years and have cut numerous Russ Beard complex patterns, and I have never damaged the table with a saw blade yet. So you have lost me here why would you be cutting the table, I only use straight pin less FD straight blades because that’s all we can get so, I’m a little confused about this. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted March 24, 2023 Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 26 minutes ago, Don Bedggood said: I’ve only been scroll sawing for two years and have cut numerous Russ Beard complex patterns, and I have never damaged the table with a saw blade yet. So you have lost me here why would you be cutting the table, I only use straight pin less FD straight blades because that’s all we can get so, I’m a little confused about this. I've been scrolling for over 25 years, the last 6 or so in an EX-21. I haven't ever damaged the table or enlarged the blade hole on any of the 3 saws I've owned. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted March 24, 2023 Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 3 minutes ago, Bill WIlson said: I've been scrolling for over 25 years, the last 6 or so in an EX-21. I haven't ever damaged the table or enlarged the blade hole on any of the 3 saws I've owned. My thoughts too Bill. Curious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted March 24, 2023 Report Share Posted March 24, 2023 8 hours ago, Don Bedggood said: Hi all, I’m making a new table for my scroll saw, it’s the one weak link in my original modification in as much as I drilled the blade hole to big, so when doing complex cutting there’s not enough support for the wood over the hole resulting in premature breaks. So can anyone tell me what is the hole size/slot on the saw you using, also some table don’t have dust extraction holes around the hole/slot what’s your thought on that, because I use my own design cyclone dust extraction system I’m kind of leaning towards adding the hole in a circular pattern, I was thinking either 1/8” or 5/32” it’s difficult to judge the size fro website photos Why not buy some of that magnetic material that they make signs out of and just lay it over your existing table? You can poke a pin hole in it and have a tiny hole. Then if/when it gets worn out, replace it with a new one. Is your table steel? If so the magnetic stuff will still great and it's got to be far easier to replace than making a whole new table top. Just trace around it while it's attached to your table top and cut it out. Easy-peasy! GrampaJim and Scrappile 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insane Dust Maker Posted March 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2023 Thanks for your comments, I know what I have to do now anc go ahead and prepare my table. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBob Posted March 25, 2023 Report Share Posted March 25, 2023 If I need zero clearance for my blade, I tape an index card to the table. It's not a permanent fix, but it works well for the few times I need it. OCtoolguy and Gonzo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimErn Posted March 25, 2023 Report Share Posted March 25, 2023 My mag sheet from Amazon. I was not sure it would stick magnetically, it did, but if not I was going to use double sided tape on the corners. Hole size is up to you GrampaJim and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson142 Posted March 25, 2023 Report Share Posted March 25, 2023 I save all those refrigerator magnets that are given with adds for anything from Tax Help to Ac/Furnace repair. When I need more support, I simply grab one, cut to my blade slot and have an instant zero insert. They work quite well for me. OCtoolguy and barb.j.enders 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barb.j.enders Posted March 25, 2023 Report Share Posted March 25, 2023 44 minutes ago, Wilson142 said: I save all those refrigerator magnets that are given with adds for anything from Tax Help to Ac/Furnace repair. When I need more support, I simply grab one, cut to my blade slot and have an instant zero insert. They work quite well for me. This is what I do as well. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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