Wish me luck!

[martinka]

Mark, I don't know if the slower speed of the treadle saw causes less dust, but it certainly appears that way, unless the one in York occasionally sweeps up the dust, which I doubt. Maybe you could be partially hidden by a display table and any dust swept up later, or like my friend in Whitby, have a vac hidden below the table and only use it when necessary.

To address one of your earlier questions, all the pic's I have seen of the Hobbies Gem show a flat plate foot treadle and none of the decorative castings such as the A1 has, no doubt to cut down on cost.

Martin.

 

[powertools]

if hopefully I have some thank credit left I will ask another question the saw I am buying is I think a hobbies gem that has been fully restored I have compared it to some images on the internet one difference I did notice was that it hasn't got the cast iron foot plates like I seen on other models but then again I seen some pictures of models on internet without the cast iron patterned ones and just have plain foot pedals ? a later model perhaps or replacement feet ?

the machine looks in good fettle and has all the clamps belt etc , I like the fact you can use standard 5 inch scroll blades , I have a hegner and I don't really need this but always fancied having a go with one and cutting things under my own steam

the idea was probably taking to craft fairs to demonstrate and give my work a traditional rustic feel but I can see from videos they probably make a bit of noise which some people might find annoying so it probably would only be suited to kind of proper demonstration craft fairs

another idea I had is setting a gazebo on my patio , when weather not great and being able to sit outside and cut things you know being one with nature and all that , I can see it now me on a little stool pedalling away overlooking my big lawn , classical music on and my cat giving me a look that says he has finally lost the plot.

mark

I think that Martin has answered your questions and there is little to add.
Hobbies produced both the A1 saw and the Gem for many years The Gem was the cheaper of the 2 and used more pressed steel and less castings than the A1.

I think that if you do 6 inches of cutting with either a powered saw or a treadle saw you will produce the same amount of dust but with the treadle it takes 3 times as long and has less impact.

When you get yours it would be interesting to see pictures.