Stripping an old yellow 'CCFS' scrollsaw for a clean - Holy Moly!

[Homerjh]

Just thought i would share a tiny bit of info on these.

I have a really old yellow CCFS scrollsaw, bought it years ago dirt cheap and was looking to buy a new saw, but the equivilent for sale today is around £120ish (seems to be the design of choice for entry level) so thought i would give it a good strip, clean and check over as thats cheaper than either buying a like for like (not worth it!) or paying more for a slightly more fancy one.

In use it worked but was quite noisy with a lot of vibration, not ideal (ie i had to bolt it to the bench to use it for anything).

So on stripping the first point was the motor had a distinct repeating noise, so removed the cover and whilst the bearings felt ok, they could be better so got some on order. they appear to be the same as skateboard wheels (and loads of others) so easy enough to find. the bearings didnt run perfectly smooth, but possibly just age and wear.

Removing everything else there were 2 bearings that sat between the motor and the bottom arm on a plate (#33). Both of these were well past it, one had an obvious failure and was rough as anything and the other moved but needed a lot of effort to spin. So 2 of these bought. Just having issues removing them from their home, so currently soaking in oil to see if it helps. It doesnt help that i cannot see if they fit a specific way or not or if they are just 'in' the hole.

The air bag was split (it had stopped blowing ages ago), had a quick search but google brings nothing of value up so may need to look at other ways to sort - any suggestions anyone?

So I expect the bearings would cause the vibration and the noise as the motor was making some noise but the 2 that had failed would be the biggest noise makers, so hopefully once all put back together it will be a quiet thing again and have many years of use.

Also if anyone else has the similar model the instructions and diagram is https://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manuals/woodworker/CSS400B_Scroll_Saw.pdf

 

[Old.bodger]

A couple of thoughts, if the bearings are in a blind hole then I understand that they can be moved by packing with grease and driving a tight fitting rod into the centre hole, effectively using hydraulic ‘shock’ to shift them.
for the air bag, would you be able to adapt a door lifting air bag?

https://www.axminstertools.com/ujk-technology-air-wedge-wide-260mm-104998
I’m sure cheaper ones can be located.
I have just looked at the exploded diagram - possibly much too large unless it could be re- located in the base and some method found to drive it - sorry!


I have just spent a couple of minutes searching ebay for ‘air bulbs’ it yields a few ideas, including the fuel priming ‘bulbs’ used on small two stroke engines………they might fit / work.

 

[Homerjh]

Thanks for looking, I expect there will be others that fit, and to be honest not asked axminster as it may be still in use nowadays! As for the bearings, all done. Found soem big coach bolts that were a similar size and a few whacks with the hammer loosened them. Roll on next week when the new ones arrive.

 

[bourbon]

can you use a fish tank pump as a blower?

 

[scrimper]

can you use a fish tank pump as a blower?

That is what I was just going too suggest, my Diamond fretsaw has one fitted as standard on the back of the saw. You can see it in my video here

 

[AES]

I too was going to suggest a fish tank pump (smallest model, about a tenner equivalent here). I used one on my last cheapo scroll saw (now given away) and it a great improvement on the rubber bulb thingy.

And BTW, without sounding patronising I hope, v well done for having a go at fixing it. Should all be possible judging by the diagram you posted, and IMO, far too many people just chuck stuff away and buy new when existing kit gets cronky/stops working.

 

[Homerjh]

Thanks all, i will look into the fish pump if my fix doesnt work. The fix being slathering some flexible adhesive/silicone all over it and the splits and leaving it to dry off. A quick test last night seems to show air is pushed out, but only time will tell and need to get the bearings fitted before it can be properly used.

Luckily i dont appear to have any screws left over and its all fitted back ok, just need the bearings for the Motor arriving and fitting and the arm, but should be silky smooth after that (and hopefully quiet!)

 

[TomGW]

This looks to be very similar to mine, which is branded Rexon. It was bought about 16/17 years ago when my daughter was doing A level technology at school. It doesn’t get much use now but it always did perform much better than I had expected.

 

[Homerjh]

So then....

the bearings were 'troublesome' to refit, managed it though but for the 2 in the crossbar (as mentioned) took a long time to fit.

all rebuilt and cleaned and still rattled like a bugger, but slightly smoother than before

The rattle ended up being the knob at the back to tension was loose, so once i found that and sorted it the main rattle had gone.

So was it worth it all? who knows but at least (for now) its cleaner and had new bearings.

Would i do it again...probably not without some specialised tool to fit bearings into a gap with no tolerance!