Tilted

[Alexam]

I have done very little on our scrollsaw, but looking at various videos, I see that many workers have their table tilted towards them.

Is this the normal way as compared with having the working surface completely level in all directions? If so, why is it best to work that way?

I have been recently tempted with the Excalibur scrollsaw, but the fact that the table is a painted surface and marks badly, is not so attractive. I know it doesn't affect the work, but!

Alex

 

[ChrisR]

Alex.

I run my Hegner, completely level, in all directions, I have tried tilting the saw/table towards me a few degrees, but found it confuses the old brain, it’s the same if I tilt the table right or left to cut angles. My hands want to turn in one direction, but the brain is saying turn the other way. :?

This is where I think the Excalibur has the edge over the Hegner, as the Excalibur blade arms tilts to left or right for angle cuts, leaving the table level. But I have not tried an Excalibur, so only guessing.

Take care.

Chris R.

 

[Chippygeoff]

Hi Alex. I am with Chris on this one. Having the table at an angle is an American thing and a few here in the UK have adopted the practice. Some find it easier to work with the sloping table but for me flat is best, as Chris said, it confuses the old grey matter and I see no advantage in it at all.

 

[Alexam]

Ahhh, that's a relief. I thought it was the professional way and am pleased to hear that it is not the 'norm'.
I do love the way the Excalibur blade arm tilts rather than the table. Pity it's so pricey, but good thngs usually are. One Day, perhaps.

Alex

 

[AES]

Hullo Alex,

If it's any help, when I first got my EX 21 I tried it on the bench with the 2 rear feet jacked up on wooden blocks about 2 inches. I tried a couple of test piece cuts but very soon decided I didn't like it - can't really explain it, but it just "felt funny".

I did try some work with the table tilted on my old scroll saw (an Einhell) and that "felt funny" when tilted to the side too, and in fact I got rather confused and gave up with tilted work. That was one of my reasons for buying the EX 21 - I haven't tried any angled work on the Excali at all yet but the mechanism for tilting the head (rather than the table) does feel lovely.

The table does mark but so far I've found a layer of transparent self-adhesive plastic film works OK and doesn't affect the movement of the job on the table when cutting. It remains to be seen how long it lasts, but easy enough to replace (see my post "EX 21 update one") a few days ago.

The Excali is an expensive tool but if you're lucky like me you've only got to wait for the big seven oh to arrive and then make sad "I wish" eyes at SWMBO and all will be solved (OTOH, perhaps she'll misunderstand you completely, but I can't help you with that!).

HTH
AES

 

[Alexam]

Thanks for that. I had thought that a large perspex, formica or whatever sheet on the top would not go amis if I did get one and a oot switch would be a mst have.

The problem is that SWIMBO and I are almost five years over the hill, so well past our sell by date. Still, it is something that I can still think about and ............ maybe.

Alex

 

[AES]

OK Alex, I'll post details of the foot switch on here within the next day or so.

AES

 

[Alexam]

That's a great help to everyone. There should be a 'where to find it' section in the forum when it's known to be something out of the ordinary.

 

[scrimper]

I have never felt the need to tilt the table forwards., it always seems an odd thing to do.