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Thought I’d make a little St Patrick’s Day decoration. Finished product doesn’t quite pop for me like I was expecting from the pattern but it was definitely worth the unexpected challenge. I thought it would be fairly easy, just time consuming with a lot of small frets. Boy, did I not look at very closely. I noticed a lot of the veining in the vest and beard when I was prepping but didn’t realize how much until I started cutting and how I had to plan on the cuts on the fly. For instance, the buckle on the hat ended up being a much tighter bridge then I expected. I realized it as the piece start bouncing a little midway through. Also the beard and fingers, etc. . Never would have been able to do this with my old saw with the way my blade travelled on it, the pieces would have snapped during the cuts. The veins are pretty thin using a 2/0 blade and I know of the way some will go back through with a bigger blade but I’m a coward and couldn’t risk it. It's a pattern by Bob Valle

Used Western Red Cedar, Walnut, Poplar, Select Pine, Wenge, Red Oak, White Oak... I took a little more time this go 'round and I was a bit more comfortable with doing the intarsia... Hopefully, I'll continue to get better at it because my wife has several project she wants me to do already and she keeps talking about buying more patterns... I've got to slow her down a bit... My finger tips are sore from sanding... This is a Kathy Wise design...

After making hundreds of toy angels I decided to try to develop one of a young girl. Our club gives toys away to local hospitals and they asked us to make something for little girls to just hold on do during their visit. Five inches tall made of a fir 2x4. First photo shows what it looks like right out of the saw. You can see the feet need work as does the pony tail hair and the head. I adjust the shape using a "Mastercarver" rotary tool. The pattern is of my own design. You are welcome to use it.

Haven't posted anything of late, as I have been making the same old stuff due to a few successful markets and a lack of equipment. Both have been solved today. Wooden Teddy Bear haven't diminished any since I last used them about 5 years ago. Great service, only 9 days from placing the order to it arriving on my front door. Actual cost in Aussie dollars $175.00

Kevin, it isn't just one bad review. My BM came from someone not happy with it. I know someone else on the forum that got another BM from someone not happy with it. Iggys complaint was initially with vibration, but in the end, the more serious complaint was about how it cut. I have very serious concerns about multiple design decisions on the Hawk, including the knobs/clamps and the stand mounting. I know someone else on the forum that made the trip to Bushton to tour the facilities, and was concerned enough to change direction and go the Hegner route. I know a few others that were happy with their purchase, as I'm sure you will be. As for the Excalibur, your not the first person I've heard complain about various aspects of it either. I know a couple of folks that left EX to go to Hegner and so on. So, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what any one thinks about your decision. You have the right to drive a Ryobi or a Hegner, or anything in between, so that is your decision alone. When you discuss your decision on a forum, and the complications that arise from that decision, then everyone else is going evaluate that choice. I'm just glad you are not trying to cover up the consequences of that decision, to protect the Bushton Hawk reputation. I think the light you a shedding on them is good, and people can base their decision on your actual experience, as they also did with Iggy.

Just found it on his YouTube channel a little while ago. Look like pretty simple make. I may try it of these days.

I hear everything you are saying and you are invested in this now so you might as well see how it plays out but if you are still here in May still saying the same things we need to send a doctor to your house to see if you have a pulse.

Maybe I'll take you up on the offer and use the $$ to buy a Hawk.

JT, My thoughts exactly... however I've been trying to stay neutral about my thoughts of the company and just post my experiences as they progress and let others decide what they think.. I don't really want to influence one side or the other.. just putting out there what's happening.. others can decide what they want.. I've been waiting it out more out of curiosity of what the outcome of it will be.. I ain't worried about the money either.. that stuff grows on trees around here anyway and I have jars of it buried under the foot of snow in my driveway.. anybody that wants a jar? just bring your shovel..

I can not add any valuable data on this because I have not used the EX with the tilting head or any saw with a tilting head so can not compare. I have done many projects on both my RBI and Hegner and in fact my Hegner is set up to a tilt that I leave because I like cutting the angles on it. I have no problem using the flat table and yes my angles are not as severe as some are doing and that maybe a reason I find no problem. I use to do a ton of those fold down baskets for many years. Man my Hegner got a work out then and not one was a problem because just like anything you do you get the feel for it and it becomes second nature. The concept seems to be a good one with the tilting head but why has not many other saws gone to that design?? I suggest if you have the opportunity to test drive both ways would be the best way to make that decision. Kevin brings up the point about tables moving by just bumping, well that is a thing with every saw on the market because you are pivoting on one center point. If the carriage has 2 points of contact then you have a better chance of holding that table true. That is why you do not stack weighted items on a scrollsaw table. especially to one side. I have no problem with my RBI saws locking down or returning to 90 degrees after I have cut a tilted project. But I am aware of the top be able to get out of alignment. The same thing with the Dewalt or Hegner.

Yes Kevin has not complained because he has other saws to fall back on. But what about that person wanting his first saw and saved to buy one of these and gets this. What do you think his thoughts are. We do not know what the other 18 are saying and they too maybe as patient. Who knows what they are saying to friends who maybe wanting to try this. This is not a good look for the company. Remember this is not the same people that made the saws back years ago so we are not talking the same product line here and maybe the saw was good years ago the jury may still be out on this group and if this is any indication of what to expect when things go wrong maybe not a good look. They should be keeping the people informed and seems they are not because it is Kevin that says he is doing the calling. I agree about the money thing that is a no-no in my book. They should offer some compensation to these people such as free shipping or something. They are buying a high $$$ saw and that mainly is because they are built one at a time and not because the parts are any better. It is the labor driving the price. To not be able to stock saws or parts for future sales just does not make sense. They will be right back in the same boat if and when they get this cleared up and something else goes down. They should have enough data to know what saws sell the best and what parts need replacing the most and stock these to some degree. I know stock on the shelf does not make you money but it can because you can answer the call when needed but go through this and who knows how many sales you lost. I hope when all said and done the product they ship out has been tested and there is no further recalls or problems and Kevin and everyone else who buys one has many happy hours sawing on it.

I did some bevel cutting years ago on my DeWalt.. even just a few degrees I didn't like doing it.. I've also recently tried bevel cutting on my Excalibur.. IF I were to do much bevel cutting.. I wouldn't be without a Excalibur... Not just because of the tilting head.. but the mechanism to do the angles is very simple and easy to get a angle spot on with the gear drive deal... I've heard that the Seyco saw is lacking the gear mechanism.. and is a pain in the neck to adjust compared to the gear mechanisms the Ex saws have.. I don't know how this setup is on the new Hawks.. But I cannot stand the tilting mechanism on either of my current Hawks.. the design is pretty crappy.. the table doesn't move freely so you bump it and it either goes too far or not far enough.. real clumsy setup to try to get that perfect angle .. and the knob to adjust it doesn't like to tighten down good on the table to hold it well.. I actually do not and would not move my table once it's set... I like to take care of my equipment.. so when i wax the table I don't stop there.. I wax the whole saw including the stands.. I often wondered if this is why it's hard to get the table to stay once it's set.. you don't dare bump or put too much pressure on one side or the other or it'll move the table out of whack.. I fixed mine by roughing up the washer between the knob and the mechanism so it holds pretty well now.. but I'm never moving it again on these saws, LOL

Well, I went the opposite direction. I had a DeWalt and switched to the EX-21. One of the reason's was the tilting head feature of the EX. I've made a few of Carole Rothman's stacked ring bowls, but I didn't really enjoy cutting them on the DeWalt. The EX is soooo much easier for these kind of projects and consequently, my cuts seem to be much more consistent and accurate. I would be loathe to go back to a tilting table saw. Now if one is only tilting the saw a degree or 2, such as for beveled inlay, then I think adapting to a tilting table saw would be relatively easy. However, with stacked ring projects, like Carole Rothman's designs, where the angles can be up to 35 or 40 degrees, cutting on a flat table is a distinct advantage. I would think that if one was accustomed to cutting those kinds of angles on a flat table, it would be very frustrating to cut them on a tilting table.

I agree with Bill and others, some are willing to wait for what they want, others are not, nothing wrong with either position. My only concern, if I had placed an order, is them charging my CC when the order was placed, as opposed to shipped. Not only does this increase the CC balance and associated interest charged (with nothing in hand to show for it), but as I understand it, you only have 60 days to dispute a charge and get a charge back.

I too want to give Kevin credit for being patient. While I agree that it appears Bushton has some work to do on their business model and practices, Kevin has not complained about the delay. To the contrary, he has repeatedly stated that he is not in a hurry for his saw. He's simply relating his experiences with BM for the benefit of the rest of us. Certainly, not everyone would tolerate the delays Kevin is experiencing. As Hotshot accurately stated, that is each person's right. I for one have followed this saga, just out of the interests of a casual bystander. Frankly, if I were in the market for a new saw today, I'm not sure if any of this information would impact a decision on whether to buy an RBI or not. I suspect that if I felt they were the best saw for me and I really wanted one, I would be like Kevin and wait patiently. On the other hand, we each have expectations of the companies we do business with. Things that one person will readily tolerate may be completely unacceptable to another. That is apparent in this thread. Hopefully we can keep the conversation friendly, as we all have something to learn from this. Just my $.02.....and worth every penny you paid for it.

I use the WTB as well,Never a complaint,Looks like your all setup and ready to make some sawdust.Enjoy,and Great to hear from ya

No room to store spare parts, no room to store spare saws, Take the money and sit on it and now you wait for me is all bad business practices and I do not want to hear about small businesses. Don't get into the business. They have other businesses too from what I am reading so not sure about this small farmer thing. I would not have the patience for that mess. I am glad I do not need another saw. Yes the older RBI saw was great but skeptical about this mess now. Kevin I wish you and the other 8 people all the best with their new saws.

Many thanks for your patience Kevin. Growing up in a very small town I understand how a business like Bushton is a huge shot in the arm for the local economy. Even if only one or two jobs are formed it makes a difference. Small towns struggle to stay alive. Again, Kevin, thanks for your patience.

Looks like no one listened to or payed attention to Iggy last year! bb

Thanks so much for having me in this community! My name is Elysia English. I am a wife and mom. I own a handmade business where I create homedecor items. I have newly discovered scroll sawing and have found it to be my fav item in my little shop. I love to paint and create with anything I can get my hands on! I’ve been enjoying combining my love of painting with scrolling. look forward to seeing everyone’s work

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

Every heard of or experimented with using a candle or canning paraffin and waxing the blade. IE running the blade and pushing a little wax into it to coat as a lubricant? RJF

Often, especially when I glue multiple puzzle patterns to a board, I have to cut that board down to manageable sizes A Spiral blade makes that easy! I keep practicing with spirals, but anything resembling a straight line is ... not happening yet. But to separate patterns, I don't need real straight lines.

One adaption I have seen for drill press and table saws are precut base angles with a clamp, then the base is slide around on a flat level surface and the work is angled. Keeps from going back and forth on angling the table. Probably most of the people on the board with complete wood shops have read or heard of this. RJF

Yes Steve did come up with a upgrade to the seyco table tilt.

I too have been following this saga. I think in the grand scheme of things, the two things that I think are WRONG are, one....the total lack of communication on the hold up of shipping your saw. And two....the fact that they bang your credit card at the instant you order the saw. If they know at that point in time that they don't have a saw to ship you, they should inform you of that and then NOT hit your CC until the moment the saw is shipped. I'm really hoping and praying for this small (?) company to survive and prosper. But, they need to get their stuff together and start acting like a real business and not a hobby of some sort.

Hope you're not using used toilet wax rings... Stay away from that scrap-pile

I used some 1/8" masonite. Made my Hegner table a little bigger. I also covered the Seyco table with it so I could have it rigged for zero clearance inserts.

I put a 1/8 MDF overlay on my EX-21 to cover the vacuum holes, fret work kept dropping and hanging, wouldn't take much to make that bigger. That 1/8th does no interfere with the reverse part of the blade.

Seems I remember that Steve Good made a cranking device for tilting the head of his Seyco saw. Has anyone made one or did I dream this...? I haven't tried any bevel cuts yet and one of the reasons is I think I am not going to like the Seyco way of tilting the table verses the Excalibur. I do love the big table on my Seyco though....

Well it would impact me because I want to buy from a company that I feel will be in business for some time. I can not see how they can stay in business this way. I am not a business person, but I know enough about it to know they seem to know less than I do. And, just do not have the patience Kevin has. I think he has gone above and beyond. Service from people I deal with is very important to me. Personally I am somewhat worried about the Seyco. They give stiller service, but look at the competition for that class of saws now in the USA. King, Excalibur, Pegas and Seyco all with basically the same saws in the same price range. I'm not sure there is a big enough audience to support all of them. Scroll saws, I don't think, are a big seller in the wood working world nor is there a lot of repeat buying. Time will tell.

Time is a necessity when working with crafting an Intarsia project for sure. You are doing great and I can see why your wife is finding you more and more projects she wants you to do. I usually end up sanding some part of a finger or a hand along the way it seems. Presently, I have a "sanded" thumb. Keep up the good work - each one you will find you improve your process. Thanks for sharing.

Good to see you John. Just wanted to let you know that you had been missed and wondered what/where you were. Go ahead and share "repeats" - for some of us (at least me) half the time or more I probably will have forgotten I have seen it before anyway!

Good to hear from you John. How are things in the land down under?

Very nice work !

Thanks for bringing that up.. I had forgot about Dave going to tour the plant..

fantastic job

And that is supposed to mean what? Some sort of jab at me? I'm not sure where you're going with that statement but I find it quite rude.. Not to offend anyone here and especially Iggy.. but for someone that admits to not being mechanically inclined or knows how to tune a saw.. How much credibility is his experience really? Or because he bought during harvesting and it took 5 weeks for him to get his saw.. I expected it could be a while to get my saw because of Iggys experience.... so what.. I wasn't in a hurry and am still not.. i have two good working Hawks in the shop right now.. If I remember correctly.. in that 5 week time frame it took to get his saw.. it seems he called several times.. in a hurry to get his saw.. rush a mechanic and have the chance of a wheel falling off.. So he got a bad saw.. was it because they was trying to rush his saw out the door? Either way they sent him a bad saw and shouldn't have whether he was rushing them or not.. I get it.. How many people bad mouth DeWalts? yet people buying new ones every day.. People rave over the Excalibur saws... but my experience with mine was less than satisfactory.. issues with blade chucks.. bad vibration issues.. and now I tune it and it un-tunes itself.. sure easy fixes and I've worked them out.. but would someone not mechanically inclined be able to or would they have trash talked the saw and make others not buy them.. I might be the only one to complain about the Excalibur saws.. But I've only seen one bad review on the Hawks too.. and that was from a person not really mechanically inclined.. I like my other two Hawk saws.. so I ordered another.. I have no doubt my saw will come in time.. I also am proud to have bought a USA made saw.. and proud to support my fellow american company.. Do I think Bushton could use some better business practices.. yes.. but I also think most business's could.. DeWalt could grease their saws before sending them out... Excalibur could put a jam nut on the rear knob adjuster and make a quality clamp.. Especially on the Excalibur where it's only a couple hundred dollars cheaper than a Hawk.. Both could use a real person to answer the phone when contacting them about parts or service.. The point is they all have some flaw and only hearing 1 bad review on a saw isn't stopping me from buying a saw brand I like.. Maybe after I get it I won't like this one.. certainly a chance I am taking..But isn't buying any brand of saw taking a chance?

Jim, I was told way back when that all the saws are built other than waiting on the one part that’s needed to finish them. She said they have saws scattered throughout her office and hardly room to move. So I think once the machine is up and running or the outsourced company can make the part it’ll be pretty quick to get all 18 of them out the door.

Kevin I feel for ya,Keeping my fingers and toes crossed,and lighting a candle of hope for ya. You'll get it it soon.

Their background is farming. Have no idea about their machining ability. One can make one-ups on manual machinery, mill or lathe but not production work. Doing one-up at a time would make the saw impossibly expensive.

Great looking project! Sanding is why I could never do intarsia. I hate it!

Did anyone think these guys "were a machine shop." I thought that was their background. I figured they would go to their own standard mill/lathe and not rely on another machine shop to do something they could do themselves. I know the history of Prewitt/RBI was as a machine shop, but maybe I'm wrong about Bushton. It just seem fascinating to me that they would own a CNC, but not any old school mills.

Kevin, That really sucks, you are a better man than me, i would want my cc refunded until they are ready to ship, or pay you the interest while they hold your funds, they probaby have your funds in an interest bearing account until it goes out the door, good luck, RJ

Now that is just Down Right Awesome!!!

Yes Sir.. Awesome quality saws.. at least I hope.. I don't know much about the "new" ones.. but many many comments about how nice a saw they are on many of the forums.. My older saws I have are awesome. which is why I went with Hawk in the first place.. also like supporting small business.. especially American business's.. especially during tough times like they are having right now.. I've been there myself back in my autobody business.. Was in the middle of a total restoration of a 1963 Ford Gallaxy 500 and my big ol 80 gallon 2 stage air compressor bit the dust while sandblasting.. as well as a high end air sander.. That car restoration cost me a bunch of money.. because a lot of things bit the dust doing that car.. my buffer machine, DA sander, and the air compressor all bit the dust on that one job.. dropped $2000 on a new compressor, $500 for a new buffer, and a couple hundred for a new DA.. I charged $4500 for that job but by the time I was done I made $47 with about 112 hours, LOL.. I did get some new equipment though, LOL.. I look back on it and think about how funny it was.. but at the time.. stressing about it and trying to put food on the table.. was a tough time.. nothing went right on that car.. other than a completely satisfied customer and that car won some trophies at the shows.. word of mouth got me several other jobs.. but like I said.. was a tough time in those moments..

Sorry about still having to wait but if the newer ones are anything like the old RBI ones it will be worth the wait. I finally had to replace a part on mine after 23 years of hard use. The spring that holds the arm up finally wore out. I also took it apart and cleaned everything and put some grease in the bearings.. First real maintence I've done to it in 23 years. They are trouble free in my book.

They are lucky that you aren't in a hurry Kevin. I wonder how many orders have been cancelled because of their poor delivery status. I would not be quite as patient as you. Or at least I'd be asking for something in return for my patience. Maybe an extended warranty or something. Just saying. When you get to my age, time is the most valuable commodity I have.

We have a railroad bridge over here they are tearing down. Anyone want to buy it??