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H. Botas pattern 1/4" BBPLY used FD #1 and FD #1 spiral blades.

I just finished these two A big thank you to Mahendra and Joleet for the the great patterns.. Now on to some more cutting.

I got set of Pegas blades with my new scrollsaw (Pegas 16CE), I have never used Pegas blades before, so this is my first try. For this project I used birch plywood 1/4 inch, pattern has smooth lines without sharp corners, so I choose Super Skip #3 blades. It was fast and accurate cutting, back side had some bears, but it is easy to remove by sandpaper. I thik it is quite good blade for such material and such project. I will use it for bowls in future. Scroll saw bowl pattern

And even bend a knee to @jerry1939. Ever since I saw his post on the Forest Wren bowl he made, I loved it and wanted to try making one. Well I finished mine today. These are not easy and Jerry made several of them. I also want to thank him for the notes he sent me with suggestion on how to accomplish the task. They were very helpful. The scrolling on this project is not difficult, it is the angles pieces needed to me cut and the gluing it together that was the challenge.

It's been many many moons since I have been on here, but have to admit that I have missed it so much. Hopefully will try to put in a regular appearance and get back in the saddle. I have been doing quite a bit of work and will surly post some pics in the coming days. Am still using the old style fret saw and never graduated to a scroll saw... Would just like to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year. All the best. Tony

Got some work done this week, perfect weather and great patterns.

While some may say I'm close to being a hoarder, actually I like to consider myself a thrifty pack rat Some advantages to being a thrifty pack rack include helping the environment in some small way. By saving odds and ends obtained from various products and situations, I'm doing my part to help keep the landfills small. Here are a few things I save that I get to re-use in my shop and around the house and yard... Wire ties - Lots of products come with wire ties. All that is needed is a small screw driver to pry the locking end up enough to salvage the tie rather than cutting them and throwing them in the trash. Wire wraps - you know those wirey, plastic coated ties that come around breads and things. I save them, put them in a plastic jar (I don't allow glass in my garage/shop, all containers are clear or see through plastic). I then re-use them to tie up various wires, cords and the like around the shop Plastic Containers - speaking of plastic containers, we save lots of these. The clear ones (like mayo jars) we use in the shop to store screws, nails, bolts, grommets and more... We also use them in the kitchen for storing and freezing food stuffs Brown paper packing paper - I get a lot of this when I order things online. It also comes in very large sheets. I have a roll of this paper I use to cover my main workbench for glue ups, but I also have smaller tables/benches and use the sheets I get for these smaller benches and tables Bubble wrap - I've been saving this stuff for years. Mostly I use it for packing things in containers for storage, but also for shipping things I sell. It also works really well for keeping paintings/framed pictures from getting damaged either when storing them or when shipping them or when undergoing construction/painting to wrap up and protect! Glass Jars - We do a lot of cooking and freezing at our house, and we use quite a bit of low fat oil. Rather than pouring the oil down the sink, we strain the oil with cheesecloth and save it in jars (the only thing we save glass jars for is this). We can get multiple uses out of the oil and when it gets burned we throw away the whole jar. We don't have room for a compost or we would add it to the compost. We use the glass instead of plastic because glass will break down where plastic does not and glass is better in the landfills Plastic Bags - Not only the resealable ones you buy, but also the ones that products are sent in as well. I re-use these in the shop and for selling items, storing items and mixing things Pallet Wood - I know lots of woodworkers cringe at re-using pallet wood for various reasons, but I use it for lots of things. I've made my french cleats out of them, I've glued them together to make clocks and rolling tool carts, I've used them after the hurricane to keep all our valuables off the ground in the yard and covered with tarps so as not to ruin anything, and now we're about to use more as flooring in our new portable garage! They really come in handy. I have a special tool I use to break down a pallet which I can do in 15 mins or less. Hard Drives - So whenever we have a computer fail, I pull out the hard drive, attach a usb connector to it and use it for external storage. While storage drives are very inexpensive at the moment, the pricing does vary periodically so having these connected to working computers is an easy back up solution for all our 'puters (of which we currently have 7 in full time use) Basically, whenever I find something or think of something that I can re-use at some point I try to save it. I post this thinking may others can benefit from my thrifty pack rat ways or perhaps you have things you save or uses for things I haven't mentioned? Thanks as always in advance for reading...

It is your money. The Seyco solution uses a Rikon Grinder without wheels and they added the sanding sleeves. If I were doing it, I would purchase a Rikon Grinder, take off one wheels and add the JGR sanding sleeve. The sleeves are so easy to change that there is no need for different grits on each side. I found a Rikon slow speed at Acme Tool. I have purchased from them at least a dozen times with no issues at all. They have free shipping and no sales tax. $130.00. You can leave on the other wheel for when you want to sharpen a lawn mower blade or something else, or you can take it off to mount a wonder wheel. https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/rikon-80-805 If you don't want to mess around with taking off the wheel and guard, you can go for the easy solution from Seyco. I actually think you are making too much of the 1750 speed. The reason people say to buy a slow speed, is because the other choice is the standard speed which is 3450 RPM which is too fast. I think the variable speed going down to 2000 is close enough. That is what I have. With the choices today, I would go with the Variable speed Delta that you have linked from Amazon above. Matt

For spirals and real small blades I run my finger along the teeth and "feel" which side is up / down.. The teeth will grab you sort of if you're sliding the finger up the blade.. and they won't be grabby sliding down the blade.. Someone mentioned think of it as a fireman sliding down the pole at the firehouse... you can slide down but not up the pole.. LOL Not sure who said that.. but it stuck with me.. So if the finger slides "down" without grabbing the teeth or being scratchy then that's the top of the blade... Be sure to do thin towards the middle of the blade for those blades that have reverse teeth... that can mess with you a bit if you're not careful... do ask how i know that one...

Started a project today that I'm using Spiral blades. Hadn't used them for about 3 years but figured I'd give them a go. Pattern has a lot of veining and small holes so I started out with and FD #1 Spiral Blade. Cutting was going OK but was a little troublesome because the blade wasn't really cutting the lines of the pattern but basically shredding it as I moved the board. I didn't remember them doing that before but this was the first time using a #1 Spiral,maybe just not a big enough cutting area. Finished the small holes and veining,, about 35 cuts, and decided to change to a #3 Spiral for the bigger areas. As I'm pulling my blade out of the stock tube it hit me---I had the darn thing upside down. The #3 was cutting through like butter without a problem. It's amazing how much easier this hobby can be when you do things right. ARRRRGGGGHH!

Framed Ship - cut this last year, just found it - polyed it and framed Another of the same with a backing New cut yesterday - Red Mahagony staind and polyed The wife cut these last year and just found them Thanks for reading as always

Last month I purchased a Rikon variable speed grinder. 2000 RPM is working fine for me. Mounted sanding sleeve on one side and a drill chuck on the other to use my sanding mops.

I used my Delta for years with no problems. Contrary to what a lot of you folks say about warranties, I unpacked mine, made sure it ran & took apart the brand new saw and greased it. Greased it again annually. Only thing I'd add about the switch is that the Delta (& most likely the 788) has a hole in both sides of the switch housing. Insert a zip tie in one side, up & over the "ON" part of the switch & you can thread it out the hole on the other side. Next, swing the tie towards you (holding the switch back) and tighten the zip tie. That locks the switch ON and sawdust isn't any longer a problem. That's why God created foot switches. jerry

I agree the variable slow speed at 2000, should be fine, also I have purchased from Acme tools, great company to deal with, RJ

I don't use a lot of these sprays as 99% of my patterns are printed on self adhesive full sheet shipping labels.. BUT.. what little I do use I still probably go through a couple cans of the spray a year.. I have used several "different" ( I say different meaning other than the 3M77) .. I've found that none of them work as well as the 3M77.. BUT you can get decent results from the others and what I've learned is.. IF I spray the pattern about two times the amount of spray I'd use with the 3M77 they all seem to work well enough.. But with the 3M77.. seems to last 2-3 times longer per can than the others.. The 3M77 does however sometimes spit the spray out in an uneven spray pattern where the others seem to do a nice even spray mist.. I've used the Elmer brand.. That was one of the ones that I had to lay it on quite heavy otherwise I'd get lifting.. My last can was Grizzly glue brand big orange can.. I think it was a little better than the elmer brand but not by a whole lot.. The can I have now is the 3M45... which also has a nice spray mist... does seem to stick well... I've gotten used to the fine spray mist of the other brands I tend to spray a little on the "heavy" side with those type sprays.. so I'm probably using more than I need to with this can.. You do get much better results with ANY of these brands IF you shake the crap out of them to get them mixed well..

Some drill presses are built much tougher than others. Occasionally using one for sanding should not be an issue. I run my sanding mops, Mac mops, sanding drums a lot slower than 1700 rpm. Typically. I run 500-800 rpm. My drill press reads out the rpm. I also use an old Shopsmith Mark V and control the speed.

I hate Spiral Blades.

Drill chucks are not made for lateral pressures and can become dangerous if too much pressure is applied. Just say'n.

it is on facebook marketplace and they want $300 for it. only one picture of it. been on there at least a week with another hawk a RBI 220 it looks like. they want $595 for it. the jr hawk looks neat but only has one side plate and the arms. it bolts down to a table and from the website kevin posted it only weighs about 35 pounds.

Happens, and it will happen again. Try cutting with the back of a flat blade,.. I did about 3 times last month,

If this is a new saw I would not take it apart, not touch it just get it back to the dealer and ask for either a new saw or a back up while they work on this one. Still under warrenty. Now if this is a used saw then say that here and maybe someone will come up with some help. Make an identifying mark on the saw somewhere that you can see that this is your saw when you get it back. I do this all the time when I have any tool repaired. too many shady things happen in the world.

Years ago there was an article of a day care that painted Disney characters on the walls for the kids. Disney found out and immediately made them paint their walls. I think Disney made a mistake. They should have sent some artist to punch up the artwork, add some characters, and show the community its about the kids rather then the money. Wonder if Walt Disney would have done it differently? RJF

He says it shakes bad.. I'm guessing he hadn't adjusted the stand to be planted to the floor really well... My first Hawk was horrible.. I almost didn't buy it. but I figured for $100 I'd give it a try.. once the stand was planted firm on my shop floor.. run really nice...

You won't have any problem at all . With pieces that small and that thin it will be minimal and never show up.

If you get stopped for a copyright reason just tell them you will not charge them for advertising fees and did not before either.

Sometimes you have to know when to say enough is enough and fold the hand of cards you were dealt. There are lemons in anything we buy. Happy Scrolling.

Lovely. Well done. Tony

I had a dewalt 788 and I hac everything go rong with it I took it into the repair station and they kept it for 1 month I contacted dewalt they came out and fixed it at no charge ( The saw was 4 years old0 It ran good fro about a month so I took it back and they fixed again but charger me It lasted about 2 months and broke down. i junked it and bought a Dewalt and i have had no lproblems yet and it is under 5 years warentee. I am on the 3rd year of use with it.I like it much better than the Dewalt 788 basicly tlhe same design It's not as agressive as the 788 and is reliable. I am on a fixed income and don't have enough money for the high end saw.I did make enough money ;on the saw to buy one this year but I think I will stick to the Deltya. IKE

Those grinders are all basicly the same made in china with dfferent names on them. I bought one from Harbor freight when they were just mail orders back in the 70s and I use it once in a while . When you get one be sure you get a stone to clean up the wheel . Check out Harbor freight , I don't know what you are going to use one for so if it's not an every day thing I would go for cheep Harbor Freight. as for the drum sanders I have been doing this for 40-50 years and I prefler the sanding mop. IKE

Excellent cutting skills with the infamous spirals! Your are now an expert!!!!

Yeah, I’m fairly convinced I received a lemon from the beginning since the reviews are pretty decent for the price point. At this point I’m going to fight for a replacement.

i have never heard of a 14 inch hawk. seen the pictures of the 216 220 226 series of saws but never a 14 inch. was that from the 1980s or so?

The best one I've found so far is the Seyco at $194.95 with 2 sanding sleeves. so far my front runner. It's either that or a Wood Lathe, or....Plan "C" would be to buy a bench top drill press and mount it on it's side. Chris

My only concern with the Wen is the low speed is 2000 RPM's. From everything I've seen 1750 is the magic number to shoot for? Am I wrong on this? Chris

Very nice work!

i was thinking about buying it but i dont really need it. i would like to sell my type 1 dewalt and buy another hawk. the dewalt motor is almost 300 dollars if it goes out! it has been a great saw but it is 19 years old now. tore it down and repacked all the bearing and got new sleeves for it 3-4 years ago. they dont last forever.my other saw if i ever get it done as it is a work in progress i dont have to worry about the motor going out as it is pedal power.not an antique but a reproduction one.

I use my shirt pocket magnet for those tiny blades. I look at them under the magnifier, get them the right way and stick them to the magnet. A lot easier for me.

I am in the same boat, I've been searching grinders, and even just electric motors and haven't been able to find anything under 2K RPM. My solution is a bench lathe. I get the variable speed I need and kinda like 2 tools in one., at least I'm 99% sure this will work. Still researching it. Chris

Yes i would go for the variable speed grinder, RJ

I looked around online. It seems that all the variable speed bench grinders have the same speed range, 2000 to 3400. Went to my shop to see what I have. I have the Porter Cable version. It looks the same as the Delta. It works fine. I have a Judy Gale Roberts sander on one side and her wonder wheel on the other side. I also have a Grizzly sander. I use this one more than the Porter Cable with the JGR sander as it is much smoother in operation. However, it is three times the price. https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-Drum-Flap-Sander/G8749 Matt

They are from Steve Good site just search for golf items.

I've made a lot of these and sell some. I shipped this one to Michigan a few days ago.

That is the wheel size I use.

Two things I have learned about using 3M-77, keep the nozzle clean (I keep mine in a little container of MS) and shake the can well before spraying...

It’s so easy to wipe off the nozzle after each spray!

We are thinking about you and keeping you in our prayers. IKE

in 14 years ive never made a pattern. about a month ago some friends of mine had to put one of their dogs down. della had cancer. im so glad della had the humans she had. they took great care of her.

You did very well on both. I know how much that will mean to them. I did similar for a guy. Never meant him but we were forum friends on a wood working forum. Had to put is dog down and I knew how much it meant to him and his wife. A picture of their dog was his avatar picture. I took the picture and made the only pattern I have made from it, cut the pattern ans sent it them. The response was very rewarding. It sits on their fireplace mantel.

it is lovely great work~ Tammi

If I tell you that my scroll saw was under 50 Eur everybody will laugh.But,you have to know that is not only about the tool,it is more about your skills with that tool.Of course I would like an Excalibur or a Hegner but... I work with this scroll saw from more than 10 years,I did cut metal,plexiglass,plywood,hard wood soft wood,vinyl disc ...my fingers I changed the clamps in the first days after I buy it,pin blade is not an option for me. A photo with a scroll saw like mine;