Possible Gloat....New Scroll Saw

[Gill]

The drawback to a C-arm is, of course, the tendency to undercut, which for puzzlers and intarsia work means you must have a wide enough kerf to overcome the undercut or the pieces will not fit properly - in turn, that means you get a theoretically looser fit. Although with 4mm or 6mm ply puzzles it's not a big deal, I think with thicker intarsia work and some compound cuts it would make more of a difference - Gill? You do a lot of this sort of stuff?

I've never used a C-arm so I can't speak from personal experience. Logically, what you say should be true and it is backed up by Zachary Taylor in his Scroll Saw Bench Guide:

• Whether or not it is desirable to have the saw blade reciprocating vertically rather than with a slight backswing is dependent on the type of work to be undertaken. If, for example, mostly straight lines or gentle curves are to be cut, a C-frame scroll saw will perform as well as, and, in fact, more aggressively than a parallel-arm saw. The later is more efficient for the navigation of tight curves or smaller radii and, in general, leaves a better finish in the process. It is possible to work on small radii with a C-frame scroll saw provided the workpiece is relatively thin; otherwise, if thicker material is being cut, there is more strain on the blade, and also the finish suffers.

Gill

 

[Anonymous]

Out of interest, Rick Hutcheson, the well respected american scroller has this to say about 'C' arm saws on his site http://www.scrollsaws.com/

Parallel verses C-Arm Saws:
"There are a lot of myths about the C-Arm saw that I do not believe are correct. Yes, it does undercut the corners slightly, but if you didn't have a magnifying glass, and know what you were looking for, it would not be noticed. That is if the saw is set up right and the operator has learned how to use it properly. That the C-Arm is a more aggressive saw is true. But the speed can be set down to cut just as slow as a parallel arm saw. When you need the speed it is there. In fact it will cut about 30% faster than a Parallel arm saw does. And if you cut 2X lumber the C-Arm will really show it's stuff for being aggressive, because it cuts 2X about as fast as a parallel cuts 3/4. It has the ability to cut small pieces, that will fit 3 on a dime, with the same precision as a parallel arm. It will stack cut the Scroller (Nelson) baskets smaller than a dime, with 1/8" plywood. If there was that much undercut it sure wouldn't do that. And it will cut the "Scroller" type of patterns with ease using the recommended 2/0 blade. Now it may take a little more practice to be able to do this on the C-Arm but it's worth the effort. All of my clocks and 4Fun sculptures have been cut on the c-arm saw."

 

[Chems]

Only joking, carry on.

 

[Anonymous]

Ha ha chems mate.......Sorry about that as we were all getting carried away.

Thread is now back on track.

So my friend, how are you getting on with your Delta and did you make the coaster ?

Please don't hesitate to ask if there is anything you need to know about the Delta as I know those saws inside out.

 

[Chems]

Im working hard on my TV table but as soon as its finished I want to have a good go with the scroll saw since I spent so much time cleaning it up.

 

[Chems]

Just dredging this up.

My original blade lasted for a long time but broke a few months back, I'd quite like to have use of it again as its a hand little tool. Gill said 5 inch standard blades, I'd quite like to pick them up in Focus or B&Q but I bet they don't sell such things do they? 130mm is what I'm looking for?

 

[chrispuzzle]

Just dredging this up.

My original blade lasted for a long time but broke a few months back, I'd quite like to have use of it again as its a hand little tool. Gill said 5 inch standard blades, I'd quite like to pick them up in Focus or B&Q but I bet they don't sell such things do they? 130mm is what I'm looking for?

130mm yes.

Don't think B&Q or Focus do anything worth having.

Hobbies of Dereham now stock Olson blades too, one of the top brands. I believe they do mixed packs as well - they advertise them on eBay anyway.

 

[scroller frank]

Hi Chems,
As Chris says ,Hobbies or Mikes Workshop , usa ,
the Delta clamp system is the best (imo) - i've had no bother in 13 years !!! word of warning however, :lol: keep an eye on the little 4 mm bolt that you tighten the clamp up with, no 37 on the parts list , as it gets bent
if you have it too tight ,and when bent , thats when it gives bother , so replace it and don't over tighten it, also i roughen up the jaws now and again with a little emery cloth .
hope you enjoy it like i do mine !!!!!!!!!
all the best ----Frank-----------