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The Johnny Cash is an order for a birthday present. Pattern by Charles Dearing, 12 X 12 in 1/8 BB ply. The "Reflections" pattern is by Ken Keyes, 9 X 13, 1/8 BB ply. This pattern tore my heart out when I saw it and had to cut it. The horse, cowboy and dog pattern is from Kris Martinson, 11 X 14 BB ply. Jeff

Learning to better control the spiral blade. I've wanted to cut this pattern for some time but with my old saw I knew I'd mess it up. I still need work but I'm getting there.

I just received word that the Pegas saw that I pre-ordered is going to ship in the next week... Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy...

Here is the Tissue Box that I finished, not the best but it will do.

I finally got this finished up. I've been having some back issues so I've only been able to get a few cuts in at a time. It still needs to be framed and finished but I am definitely glad to get something cut again. 1/8 cherry, FD UR #1 blade

If you leave now you'd arrive around the same time as NC Scroller and we can have a party.

At my last craft fair, someone asked if I could make a box with a duck hunting theme. I don't generally do custom work but came up with a design that the lady liked so here it is: Thanks for looking. Rob

I had to try it in a solid wood. My brother gave me it a couple years ago, I think it's spalted cherry. I finished it with 321. When I showed it to dad he traded me for the one I did first and put it on his living room wall. My sister already talked me into giving her the first one. I'm sure I'll cut it again. I used cedar for the M again, not sure it is the one to use here. Walnut work better??

I have been a hold out on the Pegas clamps for my Seyco. I have never had a problem with the original clamps on it or the Excalibur I use to own. But, I have read so many comment of the Pegas miracle clamps,,, I finally had a weak moment and purchased a set. I purchased from QTE North America out of Calif. They were a little cheaper than any where else. Saved a couple bucks. I received good service from them, I think. I also ordered some blades while I was at it and they sent the wrong blades. I called and they are working on correcting that. Didn't have the ones I wanted so they had to have them shipped from New Jersey. I have not received them yet, they could be in my P.O. Box, I haven't been there for several days. Okay I have had the clamps on my saw for over a week. I had a minor problem installing mine. One of the bolt/nut that holds them on would not tighten down snug. I would tighten the nut as far as I could (lock nut) and I could still turn the nut and bolt together with my fingers. All the others fit snug. I moved bolts/nuts around but it made no difference on the one location.. So I took the clamp off and the bushings out and compaired the length of them. One measured a very tiny bit longer than the other. I took a file and just ran it across the end of the bushing very lightly. Put it back together and it worked fine. Must have been a little burr or something. Using the clamps is nice. I have been cutting more than usual lately so I feel the clamps are getting a work out. I like the lack of bulkiness the original ones have. The clamps work smoothly. I'm a little worried about how well the tension lever will last. It just seems frail to me, but time will tell. I did not notice any difference in vibration of the saw. My Seyco runs pretty smooth and has since I first fired it up. I have had no complaints with that and do not see how it could be improved. I like the Pegas clamps and do feel they are an upgrade. Not sure it is worth changing if things are working well with the original clamps, but if one really needed to replace the old clamps I would recommend spending the extra and getting the Pegas clamps. The longer I have them on the saw, the more I seem to like them. They sure are prettier than the original clamps........

I saw the recommendation above and thought... "ugh, I'll just live with it." LOL I've had to take the top apart before on one of my first saws when the tensioner would max out at 5, so I know exactly what is being described... I just don't feel like doing it, I can clamp blades in for now without too much trouble. I have a new Pegas saw on the way, so, screw it.

Kevin your post got me to thinking. The knob is the most moveable when the arm is raised. So I added a rubber band just to create a little tension to it is not totally free to move. It is working for me. Simple and effective.

More Great tips. I haven't used pinned for 2 saws but I kept the blades ( just cause they sat in a corner and didn't bother anyone) Now I can get my monies worth out of them again. Bob

My EX-21 does this all the time. My tension knob has the white line on it. Once I got the arm adjusted correctly, I put a piece of tape, with a line on it, on the saw to show where the white line should be. Once I start cutting, and not paying attention to it, the arm will start drifting. I finally cut a block of wood the correct dimensions for my arm being level. It helps to quickly bring the arm back to level.

I have an EX- 21 that has a white line on the knob. If yours does not then adjust it to level and put a piece of tape or a drop of paint so you have a reference point. I agree that is does move too easily. Though rare I have wanted a more aggressive cut so to me it is a nice feature. I think you could unscrew the adjustment slightly and put a drop of blue Loctite on and then adjust to level. Worth a try.

Did this today. I will be making more of these out of Walnut and Red Oak. This one is Red Cedar.

I haven't been making much with the scroll saw except for these rustic bunnies.... 7 more completed

Made this one from a pattern by Gayle from ' The Scrollers Cafe..

You're gonna love that new saw. If it's anything like my EX you will have a saw to last for years.

Kevin, I used the farm boy trick. I just adjusted the arm where its supposed to be and then took a roll of electrical tape and made several wraps around the threads below the knob. I did this to my EX and my Seyco as they both vibrated and moved out of adjustment over time, they have not moved since. Might not be as pretty as you want. I did fold over about a half inch tag end on the tape to make it easy to find the end and remove should I need to. This ended my frustration of the arm moving on its own all the time. grizz

You know Kevin, you may very well be right. These saws don't come from the factory with very much in the way of lubrication. When I took mine apart that wedge was pretty dry. I greased the heck out of the entire slide/wedge area with synthetic grease. I also did all the known fixes for the knocking noise that comes from the tension rod. I adjusted the rod. and I filed the plate that covers the rod. All stuff that should be done when taking the saw apart for service.

With the tension released on mine the space between the two clamp screws is 4 1/4" . Yours should be close to that. Is the saw new or used? If new and the space is really 5 1/8" I would return it.

Ray, I may be wrong.. but I don't think the saw stopping in a odd position should change the distance between the blade clamps.. I'm thinking more along the lines of the rod that screws into the wedge at the back of the saw needs loosened up to let the upper arm drop down a little lower.. Maybe I'm wrong on that.. Maybe you should raise up and lower the arm down a couple of times to be sure it has dropped down to it's lowest point.. a new saw sometimes has the bolts a little snug and the upper arm doesn't pivot real smooth and easy.. and will take a few hours worth of cutting to get it to sort of loosen up so to speak.. If that doesn't fix it then I would guess you'd need to adjust the rod.. which is underneath the cover where the power switch is.. the rod connects to the lever that you use to adjust the tension..

Well I never noticed it until I had issues clamping my blades or installing them.. it keeps rising up and to a point where the distance between the lower clamp and the upper clamp makes the blade too short or at least very hard to install and have enough blade to clamp too.. Now that I know to watch for it.. it's just second nature to lower it some until the blade fits between the clamps. I'm going to use some blue loctite on the threads.. shouldn't take much to at least slow it down.. pretty annoying having this happen a couple times in one project though.. I at first though my kids was just playing around with it as they do set at a saw every now and then.. but when it started getting to the point of changing during a project I realized it's doing it by itself.. LOL I do really like this saw.. the more I use it.. and I know I just gotta get the bugs worked out and get the saw tuned to me and my style of cutting.. but my experience doesn't seem to be as good as I expected it to be with everyone loving the Excalibur.. I don't love it yet but don't hate it either.. its starting to grow on me...

My EX does not have a white line. So far I have not encountered the problem you have. But..I have not been watching for it. Now I will be. I do like Tgiro's suggestion of a block to do a quick adjustment. Sorry for your plight. I hope you get it figured out so you can "love" your EX as much as I do mine.

That's what I meant to say.....the space between the clamps is too far apart, even with the tension released.....I was hoping to adjust the clamps to give me a bit more room to change blades. Thank you

Call Ray at Seyco then tell us what he said to fix it.

My ex stays rock solid in that respect, but I do not see why you can not take it out and put a jam nut on it, if blue lock-tite does not do the job for you. edt - Of course now that I said that, Murphy will visit me. sigh

I don't use the Excalibur very much.. Mostly using the Hawk.. My Excalibur probably has about 30-40 hours on it in the year and a half I've had it.. So it's not getting used much.. mostly used to "Play" with and learn the saw.. testing things like the vac port and the new pegas clamps etc.. I want to use it more.. I do like the saw.. but things like the stock blade clamp issues I had with it and various other things have prevented me to use it very much... unless I'm just in the playing around mood and not rushed to cut orders etc..

We only have one Walmart within a twenty mile radius of us. Price wise, I've found that, for name brands, Walmart is the same, or maybe, a little less than other stores. When I was shopping for a TV for my daughter, I found a good one at Best Buy. When I checked Walmart, that same TV was the same price. I actually found a video game for my grandson cheaper at Gamestop than at the neighboring Walmart. The same goes for groceries - the prices of name brands are about the same as the local supermarkets. As far has hardware, tools, appliances, paints, etc - the local Lowes is highly competitive with Walmart.

I still love them. Pity they don't multiply like rabbits then you would only have to cut one of each color. Marg

He looks terrific. I have seen the odd bits and pieces of the Potter films but I have never seen one all the way through, so I have missed this little guy. The wood you chose suit him very much. Well done. Marg

Great work, and just right for the time. jim

Well done, great cut. jim

It's hard to be optimistic with misty optics.

Very nice cutting for sure!

Not all the Walmart stores have that great of a craft section.. There is a Walmart in each of the surrounding towns I live by.. of coarse the farthest one away has the best craft section, LOL... one of them doesn't really even have a craft type section.. LOL On another subject of Walmart products and prices.. Motor oil... The same brands from the local autoparts stores is about 30% higher.. some brands even more than 30%.. I do my own oil changes etc.. and buy the big 5 quart jugs they have.. the parts stores are more money for the jug but not just that.. they also only come in a 4 quart jug and the one quart size at the autoparts stores is almost as much as Walmarts 5 quart jug.. LOL..same deal with Transmission fluid.. Not sure on other things like car / tractor batteries as I buy the factory blemished ones from Interstate battery.. $35 for a brand new Interstate battery that has a ticker on upside down or something is awesome compared to the $130+batteries from the auto stores, LOL

Probably not needed all the time. Saw a youtube on a project and he glued the pattern to cardboard before trying it he taped it up to see if that's what he wanted. Good test way for most small shop projects. Matter of fact I would go with a large frig box for a large project with expensive wood. RJF

Not to change the direction of the thread, but I just wanted to make a quick comment on dowel size. I've given up on buying just plain dowels. Not only are the sizes all over the place, but the wood that most are made from are just barely denser than balsa. I've had much better luck with the oak variety sold at the big box stores.

Did you know that you can change out the contact end on your D/W/ clamps? The end swivels to avoid bending the blade, and you just pull the end out and replace it. It has a tiny "o" ring holding it in place. The ends are available from D/W/.

I like your cutting. You've done it very well. I also like your idea of framing. It does not capture the subject but rather thrusts it forward nicely. Good job!

I had this problem on the Dewalt 788 done the sanding, changing position etc each helped for a while but it kept progressively getting worse till I changed out the clamps for new ones. Went to the Pegas clamp as it was only a few dollars more, shipping was cheaper and quicker, so far quite satisfied.

Great cutting.

Got It. Thanks again!

They look Fantastic!!

Very "cute"; women will love them, should sell well.

A little trick I do when sharpening tools on a grinder is to use a sharpie and color the end. Then lightly hit the edges and look to see if my grinding is at the right angle. I flatten screws of all sizes on a belt sander.

Thanks! I'll do that. I did a little cutting with it this afternoon to try it out. The guy I got it from is a cabinet maker. He said he bought it new about 9 months ago. Used a couple times then just sits all lonely in the corner. That saw is not going to be lonely any more!

Beautiful job Dave! Unbelievable cutting skills. I know they'll love it, but I doubt they'll understand just what you put into it! Very selfless gift!

No money Marg. It is a gift

Cutting any pattern will have you cutting in both directions. I let the pattern dictate the direction.