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First Scroll Saw


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the first scroll saw i bought was from harbor freight, it broke in the first week. then i bought a wen, it made me want to keep scroll sawing. either one you need to get the adapter for pinless blades. I was going to buy a dewalt and the price went way up, saw that i could get a remanufactured excalibur or King 21" from amazon for about the same price. I'm so glade i did, 3yrs and the only thing i changed was the blade holders. bought the cheaper ones first then got the pegas, it knocked the vibration to less then half, i dont know about any other saws

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I have to say proceed with caution.  I saw an unbelievable deal on an almost-new Hawk a while back.  There was not much info, just pictures and video.  I started asking questions because I was excited.  Asked two questions via message, then asked if he would send the serial number so I could check on the age of the saw.  The guy exploded and cussed me out for asking the questions; Then I noticed that by the end of that day, the listing was gone.  He may have sold it, but I felt like maybe it was a stolen saw, and he was afraid I was on to it.  Could be wrong, but his action just set off alarms in my head.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Very happy with my Bauer,, does everything I can think of..  Guess you pros will need to tell me what I am missing,,,Love that the table stays level and the arm tilts.

I am looking for clock patterns,  when I am ready,

 

\Have been looking at all the videos that are out there, So far I am learning more from the two different ladies that have made videos…They are very informative for a newbie and very logical which I appreciate.

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Glad it's going well for you and you're happy with the Bauer... Good to hear of those that have bought them to have been happy with their purchase. 

Not knowing what type of clock pattern you mean? Wall hang clock, desk clock, victorian fretwork style clocks etc.. there are a lot of different patterns for clocks.. I'm sure there is probably some right her on this site in the pattern section.. Also look up Steve Good.. he has quite a few clock patterns. Sheila Landry, Sey Mey scrollsawartist, There are also many clock pattern books out there. Since you're in Michigan if you're ever near Charlotte check out LLJohnson lumber.. They have a wide selection of different lumber and plywood.. they sell tools and have a library of the scroll saw books and many other woodworking books of all kinds.

What ladies you watching? I assume on YouTube? There is a lot of good videos out there to watch.. some better than others but I almost always learn something from them.. even after scrolling for years there is someone doing something a different or easier way..   

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Glad you like the saw and the more you use it you will get to understand the workings and little tricks you can do to help things along more. Good luck. As far as clock patterns, yes check this site, and Steve Goods site for free patterns to get your feet wet. When you get more specific reach out and maybe we can steer you in the direction. Clocks are always fun. There are so many variety of clock to be made so you will have to decide which way you want to go. Using clock inserts is always the easiest way. But will say you are now adding an expense to the project so keep that in mind. Some clock works are better than others but you can get lemons in all. Good luck and welcome to my world. JTTHECLOCKMAN😀

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A word of warning: 

One of this type of clock was featured in scroll saw woodworking and crafts; spring 2007 issue 26. The plans in the magazine are missing some information, that information is available at

Http://wooden-clockworks.com/

The website is supposed to have additional patterns but very little works on the website, possibly because I'm using my phone.

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15 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

I will tell you this, that most those clocks are cut with a CNC machine. To get accurate cuts with a scrollsaw is a huge task. The gears need precision in the teeth. Can it be done ye it has been but you are tweaking all the time(No pun intended) Good luck.

I'll second this.  I knew a master scroller who made some of these wooden gear clocks.  He was also a mechanical engineer, so he had a fundamental understanding of the challenges involved.  He said his biggest problem, apart from the precision required, was that the slightest change in humidity would mess up the movement and his clocks never kept good time.  This can be mitigated somewhat by using plywood, but the tolerances are so tight that even using BB ply, there can be enough movement with humidity to mess things up.

These are great examples of a scroller's skills and an excellent conversation piece, but if you intend for it to actually be functional & accurate clock, well, good luck.  

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18 hours ago, Bill WIlson said:

I'll second this.  I knew a master scroller who made some of these wooden gear clocks.  He was also a mechanical engineer, so he had a fundamental understanding of the challenges involved.  He said his biggest problem, apart from the precision required, was that the slightest change in humidity would mess up the movement and his clocks never kept good time.  This can be mitigated somewhat by using plywood, but the tolerances are so tight that even using BB ply, there can be enough movement with humidity to mess things up.

These are great examples of a scroller's skills and an excellent conversation piece, but if you intend for it to actually be functional & accurate clock, well, good luck.  

100% agree. I thought about this the first time I saw one of these. The history of the struggle to get accurate clocks is an interesting read.

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What I really wanted to say is --- my first saw was a Dremel, used off and on for many years. Lots of frustration in keeping blades chucked in , I became very good at changing the start switch. It has sat in my shop for many years. I have a Seyco and before that a dewalt type one. Both are very good saws. 

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Here is another great sight for plans.  https://lisaboyer.com/Claytonsite/Claytonsite1.htm. I have done his robot Laboratory plans, and all worked great except one, I emailed back, and we figured out why.  He was great to work with and very enthused.  and helpful.  It was not my problem, but between us, we figured out a needed change.  And yes, these clocks and their gears can be cut on a scroll saw.  The workers were available.  But we advised they are not like normal clocks, and I  think most only run for a short time.  Like 30 minutes or so. I have cut out one clock and had trouble getting it to run, but it is still on my shelf, and I hope to get back to it sometime.  Go for it, it is a challenge. But many have succeeded.  To me it would be a success like I felt when I built a hand crank street organ and heard the first clear notes from it, all most as exciting as my children being born!  Well not maybe not quite as much as babies being born.  But getting there. 

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