For someone who is just about to buy a scroll-saw this is absolute gold. Never thought there would be so much to consider. Many thanks from Western Australia
This has to be a classic video in terms of providing valuable information. I didn’t know what I didn’t know, or what really mattered before seeing this. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. The excellent editing and organization/preparation really shows.
I'm glad to hear that you found this video to be useful. This is a much older video on the show but the information contained within is still very relative today. Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to leave your comment. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can.
I am 86, this video is tremendously informative. My new scrollsaw arrived today, I am finding your narrative wonderful, thank you from Cornwall England. I now feel happier with the commissions that are pouring in!! Thank you. VR
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the show. Congratulations on your new scroll saw. I hope you enjoy it and have many more years sitting at it. Thank you for tuning in and if you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can.
Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. I now have so much to learn and decide before making decisions about what scroll saw I want to buy. Appreciate the advice !
You're very welcome Steve. Please feel free to ask any questions you have along the way. I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
At first I thought 30 minutes plus for the video was a bit long, but boy am I glad I watched this. I have been considering the purchase of a scroll saw for a while now and now I feel a lot more confident at what to look for in a scroll saw. And I for one, am glad you kept the technical jargon out of your presentation as you rightfully explain in one of the comment replies it's for layman such as myself looking to enter the world of scroll sawing. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Thanks Chris. I try to keep my video lengths to a reasonable time, but sometimes, there is just too much information to make it a 5 minutes video. My thought is, that the info is there for the taking, and if someone would like that information, then all it costs them, is 30 minutes of your time. I'm glad to hear that it was time well spent for you. Good luck on your scroll saw purchase and feel free to ask any questions if you have them.
Even when this video was around half an hour, it wasn't boring and very, very informative. I wish there were more interesting videos in the web like this. Very exemplary, good job, Thanks.
I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the show Torsten. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave me a comment. It's very appreciated. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
I do know that what I mean does not rock the world but I just want you to know that this video is the best i have found (no matter subject) on TH-cam until this date and properly in a long time in the future! :-)
Thanks for the kind words on the show. I truly appreciate that. I'm glad to hear that you found the show enjoyable and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
Having regretfully bought a cheap scroll saw, which I purchased solely because it accepted pinless blades, I fully appreciate the content of your videos. While the cheap saw did indeed accept pinless blades, it was extremely difficult to fit them into the clamping mechanism. Firstly, a metal cover has to be removed, and then re-fitted every time a new blade is fitted. Secondly, while holding the blade in place, it was necessary to manoeuvre your hand, holding an inbuss wrench in a confined space in order to tighten the clamp. Once you are successful in completing these tasks, the blade has to be threaded through the hole in the workpiece, and then the blade has to be fastened in the top clamp, again using an inbuss wrench. Furthermore, when you again want to change a blade, the clamping mechanism has to be levered apart using e.g. a small screwdriver, so that a new blade can be inserted. The last straw was when the blade slipped out of the clamp, and when I re-inserted and re-tightened it, the screw broke/sheared inside the clamp ! Of course I then returned the machine to the DIY store where I bought it. This experience really took the wind out of my sails for my scrolling hobby ! It is beyond me why manufacturers go to the trouble of designing scroll saws that have catastrophically badly designed clamping mechanisms for pinless blades !!! The exceptions here are e.g. Pégas or Hegner, but these brands are considerably more expensive than the DIY-store brands.
Thanks for your input on the subject Zee. I think, that in a lot of situations, the people designing these tools have never had to work with them because if they did, their designs would not be as flawed as they are. Unfortunately, when it comes to scroll saws, the old adage of "you get what you pay for" is definitely applicable. Cheaper saws are cheap (in most cases) for a reason. Poorly designed mechanisms, cheaper quality parts, badly balanced arms, etc. People who learn on a cheaper quality saw and then graduate to a higher quality one down the road have quite often said to me that they wished they had purchased the better quality one from the start but couldn't justify the money it would cost them, not knowing if they would enjoy the hobby or not. I hope that you will continue your quest to learn scrolling and that this video will help guide you to a more informed purchase. If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show and for taking the time to leave your story. It's appreciated.
Fantastic video. Very informative. I knew nothing about scroll saws, but I now feel confident in what I’m looking for. The video was set out perfectly so people could understand what you where pointing out in an order of importance. I look forward to watching more of your informative videos. Kevin.
Glad that you liked the show Kevin. If you ever have any questions, you can always feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
I have been researching this tool for over a month so I would consider myself more informed than the average. Excellent video/presentation nonetheless!
Glad that you liked the show Sally. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thank you for tuning in to the show.
I'm glad that you found it informative Terry. Good luck with your purchase. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for tuning in.
Great video! I'm in the process of buying a scroll saw and was checking out several videos on different models I'm interested in, when I found this. Learned a lot that will help me with my decision :)
Thanik you for such an informative, down-to-earth, and comprehensive overview of buying a scroll saw. I wrote down just about everything you said. I worked with a scroll saw in the past, but no longer own it. I like that you spoke of personal likes/dislikes of features as it gave me an insight to parts of the saw I would not have considered. I probably would have bought a saw,and then found oiut the hard way that I wanted something different. I would like to see you create step-by-step projects. I feel the videos would be comprehensive, educational, and easy to follow. I am planning to make birdhouses, simple at first, and my goal is to create those pretty victorian one's. Thanks again !!!
+Write2Enthrall A scroll saw would go a long way to making those Victorian bird houses. It would take a lot of practice though before you got the results that you wanted. Not to worry though, the scroll saw is one of the most relaxing forms of woodworking and I hope that you do well. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out.
Very nice and interesting information for all of us beginners who want to deal with this hobby, you have a lot of congratulations from the far but beautiful Crete !!!!
Kenny, This was a very good video , especially for those who are just starting out using a scroll saw. I have been doing scroll saw work for several years now and one thing that you didn't mention was the replacement of worn out parts. For years I used the lower end saws that you would purchase at Lowes or some similar store. After a year or two there seemed to be a part to wear out that I couldn't replace. Finally I bit the bullet and purchased the Excalibur thirty inch like yours. The reason is that there isn't a part on the saw that cant be replaced when worn out. I wish I had purchased this saw years ago. It is well made and has everything that is needed to have fun and do excellent work on. It is made well enough that you don't have to worry about excessive vibration no matter if your running at four hundred or on fifteen fifty speed. Thanks again for the video , I hope people interested in scrolling takes everything you said into consideration.
Good point Daniel. The parts for the Excalibur are easily available which makes it more of an investment and less of a disposable tool like some of the cheaper models. Thanks for the input. It is greatly appreciated.
Kenny, I've been retired for a couple years and have taken up woodworking as a hobby. The more I learn, the more I realize how much more I need to learn. I've watched many of your videos and you've taught me so much. You're super knowledgeable, you don't push particular products, your voice and cadence is calm, slow, and easy to listen to - and you always make me laugh. You've been my main teacher and "go to" master guru. I watched this scroll saw video twice. Once to take it all in and once to take notes. There are so many times I've been in my shop and said to myself, "I wish I had one of those magic genie lamps, Kenny would pop out and I could ask "how do you do this." For example, I'm in the early planning stages of making a floating top hall table that calls for chamfered double through tenons. And, I've been struggling with how do you chamfer these small, close together tenons? Anyway, thanks for taking the time to make these professional, well thought out and demonstrated videos! You're videos and instruction definitely stand out from the pack on TH-cam.
John Mackenzie Wow, you're going to make me blush. These are some seriously kind words and I truly do appreciate them. I have a great time making these videos and most folks don't realize exactly how much time it takes to film, edit and post a weekly show. I could easily make a little extra cash from my show, and I get regular notifications from youtube asking me to monetize my videos. This would place ads in every video and I would get a payment for every person that viewed an ad. At least that's how I think it works. I would also get exposure and grow my audience quickly by getting more and more subscribers. The bottom line, is that I have no desire to make a dime from my show. I have no desire to subject my viewers to advertisements. And as much as I enjoy getting new subscribers, I don't want new subscribers at the price of annoying my viewers. The only way you will see ads on my show, is if youtube forces me to put them in, or they put them in themselves. Bottom line here, is that I do it, because I love to help people and I enjoy producing the show. If my show helps one person, then the show was worth filming and I have no desire to make money from helping people. It's viewers like yourself, and comments like the one that you left, that make this show worth more than youtube and its advertisers could ever pay. Thanks for subscribing and thanks for taking the time to make this woodworker feel good about what he does. You sir, are awesome!!!!!
kennyearrings1 I groan outloud every time I watch a TH-cam video and I'm forced to watch some lame commercial. The fact that you teach because you love sharing your expertise comes across in your videos. Altruistic teachers are indeed rare!
What the hell? This came up in my queue and boom! Kenny has hair! lol Glad to know I am not the only one time has ravaged. hehe I love this channel. The absolute BEST reviews on youtube. I have been giving shout-outs on reddit to let others know about you. But, you know, these days unless it's "I made an automated [insert tool here]", people don't seem interested. What most youtubers don't seem to realize making your own tools costs just as much as purchasing them (if you build them correctly). Keep it up, Kenny. :)
Thanks for the shout outs Ron. I appreciate that. Time is not being kind to me these days. First, it robbed me of my hair and then it took my good looks away. What's next? Making me fat?........oh, wait. LOL. Thanks for tuning in and for the kind words. Glad to hear you're enjoying the channel.
Thank you, just getting into scrolling using a secondhand 16" single speed saw and looking into upgrading. This video provided so much information that I had not considered. Well done and thank you again.
I'm glad to hear that you found the show to be useful Arthur. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thank you for tuning in to the show.
A very well presented and informative video. You just made buying my first scroll a definite possibility. Now to go hunting for ones that meet my needs. Thanks for taking the mystery out of it all.
Glad that I could help and that you enjoyed the show Dave. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask and I would be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Glad to hear that the show was helpful to you. If you think of any questions that the show didn't answer, please don't hesitate to ask and I would be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show and for taking the time to leave me a comment.
Very nicely done. One other thing to think about is service and parts. The more expensive tools seem to have better service and parts are stocked stateside. Seyco supplies some of the wear out parts you might need for the Excalibur tool.
You definitely make a good point Mark. A higher quality tool is less prone to break downs but when they do, there is usually an abundant source for replacements whereas the cheaper tools are pretty much consider as disposable and no one stocks the repair parts. Thanks for chiming in with a great point and thanks also for tuning in to the show.
Kenny, You do such a nice job explaining the scroll saw. After watching your video and others (although yours is by far the best) I have purchased an Excalibur 21 from Marks Machinery in Oklahoma. It should arrive in three days very excited to get started again with scrolling. I taught woodworking for 15 years, but that was 20 years ago and my have scroll saws changed! Thank you for taking the time to produce your video's.
Those are definitely some extremely kind words Mike and I thank you for that. I hope that you will enjoy your new saw and love scrolling on it as much as I enjoy scrolling on my 30" Excalibur. Thanks for tuning in and thanks for your comments. They are definitely appreciated.
Glad that you found it useful Loren. Please feel free to ask any questions that you might have. I would be more than happy to help out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Thanks for your video education. That helps guide me in the right direction, towards learning about scroll saw differences. I looked through various models. And thought there was little difference between the cheap models vs the mid-range ones. But glad you explained it! Thanks, ❤.
Thanks for this video, it really is a gem. I very recently decided that I would probably need a scroll saw for an upcoming project. I was about to head out to Bunnings and grab a real cheap thing before I found this. Sitting through the entire video I realise the one I was about to buy pretty much fails every suggestion here, and so I have essentially upsold myself hundreds of dollars to a much better unit. Whilst it definitely throws the budget out a bit, I really cannot stand the false-economy of buying a cheap item just to be disappointed and end up buying the upgrade later anyway (which you pretty much touch on at the end of the video). So thank you, I am going to be grabbing a blade-tilt, tool-less easily adjusted Scroll Saw. My wallet would like to have some words with you however :P
Give your wallet my number and your wallet and I can chat about it. LOL. Glad to hear that the show was helpful to you. While this video is not the beginning and the end to scroll saw options and what you should get, it does have many years of experience behind it, using different saws of different levels of quality. Purchase the best saw that you can afford without breaking the bank and remember that scrolling is not a natural thing. It takes time and practice and for that reason, you might want to check out the scrolling for beginners lessons on my channel to help you get started. Good luck with your new adventure and if you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. You might also want to check out the blade selection video on the show to ensure that you are using the right blade for the right thickness of material. th-cam.com/video/8b_FWeCcFeg/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/BmHuTuOyFZo/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/UG6S5tqx6bI/w-d-xo.html
Thanks Kenny for your excellent and informative video. I am looking to purchase a scroll saw for the first time and will now commence my research for whats available in Australia. The guidance you have given is extremely helpful and will aid my purchasing decision process. I also found your presentation entertaining, which I enjoyed greatly. Thanks again Kenny.
You're very welcome William. I'm glad to hear that you found the video to be useful. Please feel free to ask any questions you have along the way. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Hello again Kenny, Thank you for inviting me to ask questions and impose on your valuable time. I greatly appreciate your generous spirit. Kenny, one overriding question I have relates to the maximum size of stock one can use with a scroll saw. I am referring specifically to the thickness rather than the overall dimensions of the material I may be using. I guess it would also be helpful to know if the various type materials I use governs the permissible thickness of the material. For example hardwood verse softwood. I would also like to know if it is permissible to use a scroll saw for cutting other materials such as plastics etc. Your advice would be most welcome. I will take this opportunity to thank you again.
There are many manufacturers that will tell you that their machines will cut a maximum of 2" thick material. While this will hold true on most saw and the will technically be able to cut the material, they will not do it well or easily. You can successfully cut up to about 1-1/2" thick material with great success but realistically, you would rarely want to cut anything thicker than 1" for the best accuracy, ease of cut and comfort level. Hardwood, softwood, makes no difference when it comes to cutting thickness on the scroll saw, as it is the blade selection that will ultimately provide you with the right or wrong cut. Whether it be hard or soft wood, I still wouldn't go thicker than 1". Just because a saw CAN cut up to 2" thick, doesn't mean that it should and a scroll saw is a tool that should not cut anything that thick. If you need to cut material as thick as that, use a bandsaw and it will be easier on the machinery. As for materials that the scroll saw can cut, you are unlimited. The only thing I would steer clear of, is any sort of wet cutting as it will not be good for the scroll saw. But metal, wood, plastic...you name it, and you should be good to cut it. I hope this helps William.
Awesome vid... I teach Design and Technology in the UK and would love a Hegner... however these are a little expensive for home use. You have given me some additional tips which I probably wouldn’t have considered. Cheers!
You're very welcome Joanne. I'm glad that you found the show to be useful. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it.
Best video on this topic I have seen and so informative. Like you said who would have thought there was so much to consider ! Off to do my research now. Cheers from the UK.
Good evening Kenny. I bought a cheaper scroll saw a week ago and have been steadily working away on quite a few projects. Of course given the price I paid (£60), I'm not expecting it to last forever. Hence my visiting and watching your video. Anyways, just stopping by to say kudos to the video, very informative and actually held my short attention span throughout. Thanks
+Mechanic1945 Glad to hear that you enjoyed the show. You have definitely entered on a slippery slope now as scrolling can be extremely relaxing and addictive. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask. Just remember, that scrolling is something that doesn't come naturally and practice is the real key to getting the results you want. Be proud of every project and make it your goal to make each project better than the last and you will never go wrong. Thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment. I appreciate it
+groseillegrowa I'm glad that you enjoyed it. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help with your questions. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
This video has aged well. The information is as relative today as it was 10 years ago when first introduced. Thank you for the great information it has been very helpful for me.
I'm glad that you found the video to be helpful Dave. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in
Awesome video, and exactly what I was looking for as I continue my search for my first scroll saw, which I'm narrowing down slowly. So, Thankyou so much for such and well-done video and all your time and effort in putting such an excellent video together. I did subscribe because this is by far the best explanation of features I have seen over the past 200 plus videos. Many blessings to you in all you do.
Welcome aboard Eric. I'm glad to have you here as a subscriber. I hope that you will continue to find other shows on the channel that you enjoy. There is quite a variety of show topics and projects to choose from. Thanks for tuning in to the program and taking the time to leave the kind words. Good luck on your quest for a scroll saw and if you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help if I can.
+Richard Fortin Glad to hear that the video was helpful Richard. Scrolling is a very relaxing hobby and although it can take a while to get used to and learn, if you practice and stick with it, you will find that it is also one of the most rewarding aspects of woodworking that can be done with very little equipment and very little space. Thanks for tuning in to the show and if you have any questions at all, feel free to ask. I'd be more that happy to help you out in any way I can.
I'm looking forward to hearing about it. I remember my first projects and they were pretty rustic but back then there wasn't any such thing as the internet and videos to help me along in my progress. Good luck on the first project and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
You're very welcome. Thanks for the kind words on the show and if you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
there are so many used scroll saws on local sites, it's great to have this video to evaluate them. i think their like treadmills: bought with the best of intentions, and then collect dust for a year until you admit you weren't really into it
There are a lot of people that think that they will be instant experts at scrolling as soon as they try it. Scrolling takes many hours of practice to perfect and I find that there are far too many people who get frustrated and just aren't willing to put the time in to learn. Thanks for tuning in to the show and taking the time to leave your comment. I truly appreciate it Jennifer.
Thank You for providing us with such useful and detailed information! It has really made me more confident on going out and buying my first scroll saw.
Thanks for the kind words Rafael. Unfortunately, the Excalibur is no longer in production but there are still some available new and used on the market. Thanks for tuning in.
Kenny, thank you for your reply . Its nice to know that I have someone that I can contact when I have a problem with my scroll saw. I guess as most people I am self taught when it comes to woodworking and there is much I don't know. Thanks again.
Carmel Gatt You are most certainly welcome Carmel. I'm glad that the video helped you. Good luck on your purchase and if you have any questions at all, feel completely free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out in any way I can.
Kenny. I ordered my saw through Sysco. I contacted them yesterday and spoke with a gentlemen that solved my problem over the phone. When the saw was designed, they added a second air bellows as a counter weight on the bottom arm. It doesn't serve any purpose other than as a counter weight. After listening to my saw run over the phone, he told me that the second bellows was stuck, causing the vibration and rattling. He told me where its located and to trim down a small wooden dowel and push the bottom bellows out because it served no real purpose. I couldn't get it pushed out but I placed a long black plastic wire tie between the bellows and the frame which took care of my problem. There is a video on here by someone, I think its called ex30 rip. The sound that his saw was creating was the same as mine. His problem was caused by a broken arm which was attached to his motor. Anyway, my problem is solved and I am starting a project today. Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it. Its nice knowing that there is someone willing to help with problems. Thank you, Dan in Kentucky
+Daniel Choate Glad to hear that you got it fixed. When you first contacted me, I thought it might be an adjustment issue. Glad to hear that my initial thought was correct and that Sysco was able to help you out so quickly. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Really useful and informative video. So many things that I had not even thought about. It has helped me look for a scroll saw that will better suit my needs. This was also an exceptionally well produced set so thank you for that.
I'm glad that you enjoyed the show and found it useful Rod. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask and I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
kennyearrings1 a question I may have missed the answer to in the video: if the saw I eventually get doesn’t come with a stand (and let’s face it not many do especially here in the UK) could it be bolted to a sturdy work bench to reduce vibration or movement, perhaps with a rubber mat to rest on as well?
@@rodnewman6519 Yes, the saw can be secured to a bench to reduce the vibrations. I ideally, if your saw doesn't come with a stand, you might want to make one for yourself. Having the saw at a comfortable height will go a long way to helping you with your scrolling. Another option (if you are comfortable with the height of the saw on the bench) is to bolt it to a thick piece of plywood and then clamp it to your bench. This way, you can clear the bench space if you need it without having to undo a bunch of bolts. I hope this helps Rod. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Glad to hear that you found the show to be useful John. Thanks for tuning in. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help out if I can.
Peter Haughton Glad you liked it Peter. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Enjoy your new saw but be careful........scrolling can be addictive.
You're very welcome Jack. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
Glad that you found it useful. Thanks for tuning in. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can.
Jim Ellison you're very welcome. Keep your eyes on the channel for today's show which is scroll saw for beginners part one. Part two will be aired next Friday. Thanks for tuning in.
I liked hearing your perspective on scroll saws. The Excalibur in your shop was my focus and I appreciated your references to other kinds of machines within the space. My 2003 Delta, I believe to be a cousin of the buffalo that used to live here.
@@acutabove_woodworkings My scrollsaw from 2003 is my Delta saw. It is most introductory in its being. I can now define needs relavent to skills and saws. Then I knew the difference between a scroll saw and jig saw.
Excellent video, I couldn't even look away, I heard everything! I am looking at buying my first scroll saw to add to the many list of things I create and found your video and will be watching many more, thank you from QLD Aus :)
You are very welcome Tracey. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions that you might have. I will do my best to help out as best I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show and good luck with the new saw.
Ken, let me fill you in of some details, I just upgraded to the Excalibur and now I’m just becoming familiar with the saw. I felt that the slowing down of the saw is not normal. If their is a "break-in" time for the Excalibur I would then consider this to be normal. I’m hoping there is not a problem with the saw. The blades seem to have burrs on the back side and when the burrs are removed they cut better on tight curves. Making a straight test cut on a 1” walnut stock, with a #9 blade, at half speed setting, the saw tends to slow down relative to the amount of feed pressure I apply. Thanks again for your much respected expert advice. Joe
I usually file those burrs off the back of the blades Joe. It helps a lot with control and reducing blade drift. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the saw slowing down and I have to wonder if you are just hearing the motor working a little harder while you are applying the extra pressure. From what you are telling me, I don't think you have anything to worry about at all here.
I have to say you did an excellent job on this review. You brought up a lot of good points! Would have been nice, though, if you would have given the cost of your setup in the model. I will be reviewing more of your videos. Well done, Columbus Michigan
I tried to avoid the cost issue with this one due to the fact that it would never be relevant down the road. This is a much older video that was produced on the channel years ago and the prices that were paid back then have certainly increased with inflation etc. That is the main reason I avoided the price factor. It's probably close to 1.5X what it was when the video was produced. Thanks for tuning in and for the kind words.
Glad that you liked it Benny. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
Hello Kennyearrings. I am very new to scroll sawing, and have looked at many videos on TH-cam. Eventually I came across yours, Which I found to be very useful indeed. I've never been a great believer in buying one of the cheaper models, Because they are much too fiddly, you finish up putting them in the cupboard never to be seen again. I have bought the Axminster EX21 Here in the UK, which you know is the Excalibur. Something you said “first get good then get fast” I like that. best wishes.
Thanks for the kind words Edward. Scrolling is a very rewarding hobby and it is one of the most relaxing aspects of woodworking. For years, there was a belief that scrolling was NOT a woodworking skill and that it was nothing more than a sewing machine for men. This theory has been torn down over the years by the amazing projects that has been produced and now, the craft is envied more that it is ridiculed. Good luck on your adventure in learning to scroll. Be patient as it takes some time to learn the control. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask and I would be more than happy to help you out if I can. Merry Christmas to you and your. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave me a comment. I really do appreciate it.
Really enjoyed your video on scroll saws. It is on my list and I hate buying things twice. Not the most needed item in the shop but when you need one a band saw cannot compete. With many items I try to buy a higher quality tool used through Craigslist and your tips give me a lot informative information for making a good buyers decision. So, thank you... I will check out some of you other videos most likely you have a new subscriber I can tell you are an expert.
Thank you for the kind words on the show William. I hope that through this tutorial, you are able to get the scroll saw that is right for you. Good luck with your purchase and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thank you for tuning in to the show.
I know that this video took a great work from your side, so thanks for making it! What I am fishing for is a buyers guide 2:-) where you talk more about accessories like: Saw cover, table surface protection, digital angel guide, speed-meter, stopwatch for used time, used blade holder and much more:-)
Interesting concept for a show idea but aside from your table top surface protection, all of your wants are things that have nothing to do with the scroll saw. A digital angle guide would be nice and there are some that are after market units such as the Tilt Box by Wixey. It's an excellent unit and works flawlessly for almost any tool that you can imagine. I have never, in my years of scrolling, seen a cover for the saw and I wouldn't think that it would be a good idea. Tools and machinery need air circulation to prevent moisture from building up in them, causing them to rust out prematurely. A cover would inhibit air flow and would almost certainly cause problems. A speed meter is something that I could see as being useful for certain applications but the technology just isn't there yet to make these things affordable for a scroll saw accessory. The price for something like that would be astronomical in comparison to the price of the saw. A used blade holder? I use magnets with labels attached to them on the side of the saw. I do have several short ( 1 1/2 minute clips) shows that give a few tips on scrolling and one of these shows demonstrates these blades labels. I'm not so sure that a stop watch is something that would be of use. Unless you were trying to beat a speed record or just wanting to know how much time a certain project took, again, the bells and whistles would just add to the price of the saw and not everyone would have a use for them. If you wish to see the playlist of a few short scrolling videos of mine, you can click here th-cam.com/play/PLF201B8D1319A0948.html Thanks for tuning in and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Thank you for a long and a perfect answer, we think the same, but out on TH-cam, you see some who would put a coffeemaker, a ipad and a blinking light on it:-) Therefor I think that a video, where you tell the new one about these bells and whistles, what they are "good" for. You know that scrolling should be simple relaxing and fun, but for other it's all about gadgets. I know about your great solution on used blades, you did answer me about it for some time ago, and thanks a lot again for that:-)
Thank you for so much information, you covered all the main points that I was looking for I am thinking off upgrading my saw, thank again William from Northern Ireland.
Hi Kenny..Yes,i bought a Draper FS400A-16 inch.. recently,as a starter..I'm hoping it will be ok to get me going with some fret-working..I havn't done any of this work before..But it looks fascinanting,and i love crafts..Thanks for help..
+glass house No problem. I'm not familiar with this particular unit that you bought but I'm sure that you will do fine with it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'd love to see some of your work when you get some cuttings done.
Hi Kenny, thanks for a rewarding video. I don't do much on the Recoord 16" scrollsaw we have, but with your video I am far more aware of how it work. I'm afraid I am a switch it on and work away, Very naughty, but think I will now read the manual and get to know the machine. You make a nice, relaxed video that is easy to watch. Good luck. Malcolm - central UK
Thanks Malcolm. Take the time to learn the machine. Once you learn it, you will be amazed at how relaxing the hobby is. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask. Good luck in your new adventure.
Thank you for the such informative video, I am new to this hobby and looking for buying scroll saw, your video help me a lot to look for the right one thank you
+Amin Arahman You're very welcome. I'm glad that the video was helpful to you. Good luck in your saw purchase and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to offer you my opinion.
Thanks for a great video. I can relate to some of the things you comment on. I have a hegner that is a few years old and the tensioner is on the back which is a pain, also having to use a key to tighten the blade clamps. I think the saw you have has been re branded Axminster in the UK. so i think thats my next saw. Thanks again for the video
You're very welcome. I appreciate you tuning in to the show. The Excalibur here in North America has been reborn under the name Excelsior. The Excalibur is no longer in production. Good luck with your Axminster. I hope it serves you well. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
You're very welcome Augusta. I'm glad to hear that you found it helpful. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask and I will do my best to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
Haven't bought a saw yet THOUGHT I knew what I wanted. Thank you for the experienced information. Now I have a lot better understanding of what to look for. I dig the Fozzie Bear cup Woka Woka my favorite when I was a kid. God bless you and yours
Glad to hear that you found the show useful Joe. Thanks for tuning in. I've always been a fan of the muppets and even to this day, I'm a fan. Good clean fun. If you have any questions at all during your quest for a scroll saw, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can.
I picked up a used Delta SS 350 so far so good. I hope the Quick Set blade change doesn't bite me in the rear. I gave $50 for it. The gentlemen i bought it off of purchased a shiny new expensive Delta. He showed me some of his work he makes custom ping pong paddles. They were pretty amazing as far as ping pong paddles go!!! Thanks again for the vid/info. I appreciate the reply back and might lean on you if i hit any snags.
Thanks for the kind word on the show Harry. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave me a comment. It is very much appreciated.
Best review of any tool i have watched well done kenny also noticed the map of Australia on you wall with fosters logo we don't drink that here in oz again thanks for the info .
Thanks for the kind words on the show. As for the map......years ago, when I used to drink, Fosters was my favourite beer and the beer companies and television commercials pumped it as Australia's beer. It didn't matter to me where it came from, I just liked it. Anyway, someone I knew at the time gave me the map as a gift one year. It's a bar light and I quite like it. I guess you guys drinking Fosters is the same as Canadians living in igloos and having maple syrup on everything. Just a commercial stereotype. LOL. Gotta love the advertisement industry. Just another reason I won't allow ads on my show. Thanks once again for the kind words Phil and for tuning in to the show. Looking forward to future comments from you on the program. Happy New Year sir.
Really excellent presentation and really very helpful thanks - just at the first consideration stage so this is a huge benefit and will stop me finding out the hard way!!! And your style is great - not strident like some! Thanks again
Glad that you found the show to be useful Robert. I appreciate your kind words. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I also have a couple of scroll saw lessons for beginners on the show as well as a scroll saw blade selection episode. There's a lot of good information in those shows and they might help you out along the way. Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to leave your comment. I truly appreciate it. Good luck with your scroll saw purchase. Scrolling for beginners part 1 th-cam.com/video/8b_FWeCcFeg/w-d-xo.html Scrolling for beginners part 2 th-cam.com/video/BmHuTuOyFZo/w-d-xo.html Scroll saw blade selection th-cam.com/video/UG6S5tqx6bI/w-d-xo.html Top 10 scroll saw accessories th-cam.com/video/ZNso4hITeq4/w-d-xo.html
Great video Kenny, one of the best on You Tube I have seen about Scroll Saws. I'm thinking about buying a Scroll Saw as it looks like a very relaxing hobby to do, also I like the things that you can make with it once you get the hang of it. After watching your 30min video I have more of an idea what to look for now when I do eventually buy one, thank you for this very informative video. Take Care. Barry from England.
Glad you liked it Barry. The scroll saw is one of the most relaxing forms of woodworking I know, without the worry of losing a digit. As much as I love all aspects of woodworking, my favourite still remains in sitting at the scroll saw. With a good scroll saw and a little bit of patience, you are only limited to your imagination.
Thanks for your video I’ve watched a lot of videos on different topics you’re video is right a the top extremely well done in all aspects I feel well informed to buy a scroll saw thanks again cheers Curtis
I'm glad that you found it to be informative Curtis. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave your comment. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can.
Glad to hear that you found the show helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Kenny - excellent video and just what I needed. I'm the guy who bought the cheapo entry unit and now needs to upgrade. Mine is a $150 Fox something-or-other that jumps around so much I have to clamp it to the workbench. And don't even talk about lubrication!! Anyway, I have one question about dust: does that little tube on the Excalibur provide enough force to keep the work piece visible? I often cut oily tropical wood where the dust wants to clump and obscure the cut. I finally had to rig up a jakeleg system where my shop vac blower was blowing across the work table to keep the dust cleared off. Thanks, Frank
Thanks for the kind words on the show. I can say, without a doubt, that I have never had a time where the dust tube of the excalibur did not clear the dust away from the project lines. In fact, I've always been pleased with the blower tube on this unit.
Glad to hear that the video served its purpose. That's the main reason I film these programs without monetizing for an income. I do them to help others who wish to get into this incredible hobby. It's very rewarding when one of my shows helps someone who needed the help. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a comment. It's very much appreciated.
Thank you for sharing the knowledge thru this video. I am here because I am considering getting a beginner's scroll saw and get into the hobby. Somehow disappointing to learn that some of the important features may not be available on an entry level tool.
There are plenty of entry level scroll saws on the market David that may not have all of the features that I list here in the show. The important thing is to get a saw that suits your needs as a beginner. The options that I mention in this show are strictly suggestions. My first scroll saws had no options at all but I was still able to learn on them. Thank you for tuning in to the show.
Glad you have wide knowledge about this machines. I am frustrated to have a Delta SS350. Delta has as obsolete the quickset(lower) and so are other parts. The machines is useless with a little use. Nobody has the part. Delta says, keep looking to see who has it. I want to know why Delta keep selling this machine when sooner or later is useless.
cirlind There has been many issues with Delta and their parts department. I see the problems all over the internet with folks not being able to get parts for their machines. I hope that you are able to get your part, or that you find a suitable replacement saw to eliminate your Delta. Good luck sir. I wish I could provide you with a parts source for your machine but I don't have that kind of information.
Glad that you found the show useful. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show. It's appreciated.
Hi Kenny, I purchased the same size Excalibur 30-inch as you and I have recently noticed that the bar would not stay fully upright when I was re-inserting the blade (bottom feeder). So following the manufacturer's adjustment recommendations, I loosened up the nut on the left side (as you face the saw) near the back that then lets you adjust the screw just a little bit inward to tighten the bar. I did this per the instructions; e.g., while not having a blade attached and in the horizontal position. However, I noticed that after only slightly tightening up the screw (clockwise) the head would not even move up or down. So I loosened it up just a little bit more and retightened the nut, but now while I could raise the bar again, once it is fully raised, it falls back down just about 2 inches from fully up. In short, while it will now at least stay up, the horizontal bar will not stay fully up, falling just a few inches. Have you ever had that issue? If so, is there any kind of fix to that? Or is it just something we have to live with because of the length and weight of the bar? I didn't want to overtighten it so that it stays up without falling at all because even with minimal tweeking, it will not come down at all. A bit frustrating, but functional. At least it stays up enough for me to do the multiple fret cuts that are sometimes necessary for my projects. Any thoughts? I did take off the round plate on the left side as well thinking that there might be a piece that may have broken off inside, but found nothing.
I have never used this saw as a bottom feeder and in fact, it is a lot more difficult to bottom feed than it is to top feed. For that reason, I have the arm completely loose so that I can lift and lower it at will and mine will never stay up. I have never had a need for it to stay in the upright position as I have always top fed my blades. If the adjustment is that finicky that the smallest adjustment can cause it not to function correctly, I see that you have two choices. One would be to loosen the nut off and all the arm to float free and start top feeding your fretwork OR, continue to adjust and play with it until you get the setting that you like and are happy with. It may take some time but I am sure that you can adjust it to stay in the upright position for you while you bottom feed your fretwork. A little thread locker might help it stay in that position once you finally get it. I hope this helps a little. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
You're very welcome Susann and I'm glad to hear that it was helpful. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
I live in Italy and am about to go and purchase a scroll saw. Your video has helped me greatly as the workers will probably not know English and I will be on my own in choosing which saw to buy. You showed me a lot of things to look for. Now I have to learn tool less and pin less in Italian, ha ha. BTW I think that if you tried marijuana your hand shake would be less. You might think of trying it. Ciao
Good luck with your purchase Dave. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. Although I am not familiar with some brands, general inquiries are easy to answer. Thanks for tuning in and for the advice. I appreciate it.
Very useful info I am season wood working but used a scroll saw looking to get into toy making and the scroll looks like a bit of kit to have to complement my 18" band saw.
The scroll saw is a definite compliment to the band saw. The scroll saw has its limitations in thickness cuts but it really outperforms the band saw when it comes to detail work and fine cuts. I think you will love it.
Thank You for this video! It's really comprehensive yet not at all boring. It's seldom that I have the patience to watch a 30 minute video but yours was quite informative. I own a Dremel 1680 scroll saw. Many of the features you mention exist on this saw. Cast iron table, variable speed, EZ blade change, accessible on/off switch etc. I'm a new scroller and I'm feeling a lot of vibration with this saw... I currently have it sitting on a table. Can this be fixed with perhaps a 2x4 construction stand? Tnx!
If the saw is one that naturally produces vibrations, the chances are slim that you will ever be able to eliminate that. You can reduce it however by mounting it solidly to a solid frame stand. 2x4 construction could possibly work but it would depend on your design. You have to remember that the vibrations of the machine will be transferred to whatever it is mounted to. I have had some success by placing thick rubber mats between the machine and the stand and securely mounting the scroll saw to the stand with the Matt working to absorb the vibrations of the saw. The rubber matts were about 1/2" thick. That is about the best you can do. Some saws just vibrate by design. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Thanks for the kind words on the show. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask them and I would be more than happy to help you out if I can.
You are very welcome Bob. I'm glad to hear that you found the show to be useful. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Thank you for the tips. I have big band saw (King) but no place to use it, so I'm looking for a scroll saw and you highlighted many interesting points. Who knew!? 🙂
Glad to hear that the show was helpful to you Frank. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help out if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
I have bought. Scheppac scroll saw.has variable speed a good flexible light ,a fairly useful hold down foot all good.Takes pinned or plain blades . The blow tube is not good, it has a plastic guard which drops in front of the blade good idea but gets dusty and obscures vision.The worst feature and extremely annoying is access to the lower blade fitment. Access is only thro a circular removable plate really terrible. I have removed the side panel so this helps.This also has a flexi drill for holes when doing fretwork quite useful.plain blades are fitted with an Allen key.You can also fit a pinned blade at 90degrees to the normal angle.
I've never heard of this brand. I hope that it serves you well. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I have posted 2 new scrolling videos over the past two weeks for the beginner at scrolling. Feel free to check them out and see if they will help you get started. Happy scrolling.
Salem Hardan Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you liked the show. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and I'll be more than happy to help you out.
Looking at your tutorial again and noticed your lamp you have attached to your Excalibur scroll saw. Where was this lamp purchased and what brand is it? My aluminum cutting projects is going well, using 1/16" material, still more to learn.... Thank you for your past information concerning the aluminum cutting.
Glad to hear the project is going well Tim. The lamp that I have on my scroll saw was bought from Busy Bee Tools here in Canada. It is a Craftex and is a large lamp with fluorescent illumination and a large magnifier lens. I love this lamp and it has definitely served me well. www.busybeetools.com/products/magnifying-lamp-black-with-lid-craftex.html
Thanks again for the information. I thought the lamp was attached to the Scroll Saw. Believe I'd be able to pick up one here in the states. Thanks again....
Really enjoyed your informative video. Just purchased a Pegas saw, had a Delta years ago and the difference is incomparable cause it required tools to change the blades and was a little cumbersome. I have enjoyed your channel especially because you don’t tout your sponsors and your videos always are professional and low key. Do you have any more scroll saw videos planned on cutting, intarsia, etc.?
Thanks for the kind words on the show John. I truly appreciate that. I have an idea for intarsia coming up but it's quite a ways away from being aired on the program. Maybe I will have to step it up a notch and try and get it produced a little earlier. I do have some other scrolling projects coming up fairly soon though. Thanks for tuning in and for asking your question. I will do my best to add some more scrolling videos very soon.
+Ken Wilde Glad that you enjoyed the video and I hope that it helped you out. Thanks for tuning in to the show and thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment.
For someone who is just about to buy a scroll-saw this is absolute gold. Never thought there would be so much to consider. Many thanks from Western Australia
You're very welcome. I'm glad that you found the show to be useful. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
This has to be a classic video in terms of providing valuable information. I didn’t know what I didn’t know, or what really mattered before seeing this. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. The excellent editing and organization/preparation really shows.
I'm glad to hear that you found this video to be useful. This is a much older video on the show but the information contained within is still very relative today. Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to leave your comment. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can.
I am 86, this video is tremendously informative. My new scrollsaw arrived today, I am finding your narrative wonderful, thank you from Cornwall England.
I now feel happier with the commissions that are pouring in!!
Thank you. VR
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the show. Congratulations on your new scroll saw. I hope you enjoy it and have many more years sitting at it. Thank you for tuning in and if you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can.
Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. I now have so much to learn and decide before making decisions about what scroll saw I want to buy. Appreciate the advice !
You're very welcome Steve. Please feel free to ask any questions you have along the way. I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
At first I thought 30 minutes plus for the video was a bit long, but boy am I glad I watched this. I have been considering the purchase of a scroll saw for a while now and now I feel a lot more confident at what to look for in a scroll saw. And I for one, am glad you kept the technical jargon out of your presentation as you rightfully explain in one of the comment replies it's for layman such as myself looking to enter the world of scroll sawing. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Thanks Chris. I try to keep my video lengths to a reasonable time, but sometimes, there is just too much information to make it a 5 minutes video. My thought is, that the info is there for the taking, and if someone would like that information, then all it costs them, is 30 minutes of your time. I'm glad to hear that it was time well spent for you. Good luck on your scroll saw purchase and feel free to ask any questions if you have them.
Even when this video was around half an hour, it wasn't boring and very, very informative.
I wish there were more interesting videos in the web like this.
Very exemplary, good job, Thanks.
I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the show Torsten. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave me a comment. It's very appreciated. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
I do know that what I mean does not rock the world but I just want you to know that this video is the best i have found (no matter subject) on TH-cam until this date and properly in a long time in the future! :-)
Thanks for the kind words on the show. I truly appreciate that. I'm glad to hear that you found the show enjoyable and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
Having regretfully bought a cheap scroll saw, which I purchased solely because it accepted pinless blades, I fully appreciate the content of your videos. While the cheap saw did indeed accept pinless blades, it was extremely difficult to fit them into the clamping mechanism. Firstly, a metal cover has to be removed, and then re-fitted every time a new blade is fitted. Secondly, while holding the blade in place, it was necessary to manoeuvre your hand, holding an inbuss wrench in a confined space in order to tighten the clamp. Once you are successful in completing these tasks, the blade has to be threaded through the hole in the workpiece, and then the blade has to be fastened in the top clamp, again using an inbuss wrench. Furthermore, when you again want to change a blade, the clamping mechanism has to be levered apart using e.g. a small screwdriver, so that a new blade can be inserted. The last straw was when the blade slipped out of the clamp, and when I re-inserted and re-tightened it, the screw broke/sheared inside the clamp ! Of course I then returned the machine to the DIY store where I bought it. This experience really took the wind out of my sails for my scrolling hobby ! It is beyond me why manufacturers go to the trouble of designing scroll saws that have catastrophically badly designed clamping mechanisms for pinless blades !!! The exceptions here are e.g. Pégas or Hegner, but these brands are considerably more expensive than the DIY-store brands.
Thanks for your input on the subject Zee. I think, that in a lot of situations, the people designing these tools have never had to work with them because if they did, their designs would not be as flawed as they are. Unfortunately, when it comes to scroll saws, the old adage of "you get what you pay for" is definitely applicable. Cheaper saws are cheap (in most cases) for a reason. Poorly designed mechanisms, cheaper quality parts, badly balanced arms, etc. People who learn on a cheaper quality saw and then graduate to a higher quality one down the road have quite often said to me that they wished they had purchased the better quality one from the start but couldn't justify the money it would cost them, not knowing if they would enjoy the hobby or not. I hope that you will continue your quest to learn scrolling and that this video will help guide you to a more informed purchase. If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show and for taking the time to leave your story. It's appreciated.
Thank you! You helped me a lot on my search. I think I’m going to have to spend more to get what I need to successfully learn this. Thank you again!
You're very welcome Martha. Please don't hesitate to ask questions that you might have along the way.
Fantastic video. Very informative.
I knew nothing about scroll saws, but I now feel confident in what I’m looking for.
The video was set out perfectly so people could understand what you where pointing out in an order of importance.
I look forward to watching more of your informative videos.
Kevin.
Glad that you liked the show Kevin. If you ever have any questions, you can always feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
I have been researching this tool for over a month so I would consider myself more informed than the average. Excellent video/presentation nonetheless!
Glad that you liked the show Sally. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thank you for tuning in to the show.
Great video. Getting ready to buy a new scroll saw. This was very informative for a first-time buyer. Thanks
I'm glad that you found it informative Terry. Good luck with your purchase. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for tuning in.
Great video! I'm in the process of buying a scroll saw and was checking out several videos on different models I'm interested in, when I found this. Learned a lot that will help me with my decision :)
Really glad to hear that the show was of some help to you Niels. That's the whole reason I post my show. Thanks for tuning in.
Thanik you for such an informative, down-to-earth, and comprehensive overview of buying a scroll saw. I wrote down just about everything you said. I worked with a scroll saw in the past, but no longer own it. I like that you spoke of personal likes/dislikes of features as it gave me an insight to parts of the saw I would not have considered. I probably would have bought a saw,and then found oiut the hard way that I wanted something different. I would like to see you create step-by-step projects. I feel the videos would be comprehensive, educational, and easy to follow. I am planning to make birdhouses, simple at first, and my goal is to create those pretty victorian one's. Thanks again !!!
+Write2Enthrall A scroll saw would go a long way to making those Victorian bird houses. It would take a lot of practice though before you got the results that you wanted. Not to worry though, the scroll saw is one of the most relaxing forms of woodworking and I hope that you do well. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out.
Very nice and interesting information for all of us beginners who want to deal with this hobby, you have a lot of congratulations from the far but beautiful Crete !!!!
Thank you for tuning in to the show and for the kind words, I truly appreciate it. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Kenny, This was a very good video , especially for those who are just starting out using a scroll saw. I have been doing scroll saw work for several years now and one thing that you didn't mention was the replacement of worn out parts. For years I used the lower end saws that you would purchase at Lowes or some similar store. After a year or two there seemed to be a part to wear out that I couldn't replace. Finally I bit the bullet and purchased the Excalibur thirty inch like yours. The reason is that there isn't a part on the saw that cant be replaced when worn out. I wish I had purchased this saw years ago. It is well made and has everything that is needed to have fun and do excellent work on. It is made well enough that you don't have to worry about excessive vibration no matter if your running at four hundred or on fifteen fifty speed. Thanks again for the video , I hope people interested in scrolling takes everything you said into consideration.
Good point Daniel. The parts for the Excalibur are easily available which makes it more of an investment and less of a disposable tool like some of the cheaper models. Thanks for the input. It is greatly appreciated.
Kenny, I've been retired for a couple years and have taken up woodworking as a hobby. The more I learn, the more I realize how much more I need to learn. I've watched many of your videos and you've taught me so much. You're super knowledgeable, you don't push particular products, your voice and cadence is calm, slow, and easy to listen to - and you always make me laugh. You've been my main teacher and "go to" master guru. I watched this scroll saw video twice. Once to take it all in and once to take notes. There are so many times I've been in my shop and said to myself, "I wish I had one of those magic genie lamps, Kenny would pop out and I could ask "how do you do this." For example, I'm in the early planning stages of making a floating top hall table that calls for chamfered double through tenons. And, I've been struggling with how do you chamfer these small, close together tenons? Anyway, thanks for taking the time to make these professional, well thought out and demonstrated videos! You're videos and instruction definitely stand out from the pack on TH-cam.
John Mackenzie Wow, you're going to make me blush. These are some seriously kind words and I truly do appreciate them. I have a great time making these videos and most folks don't realize exactly how much time it takes to film, edit and post a weekly show. I could easily make a little extra cash from my show, and I get regular notifications from youtube asking me to monetize my videos. This would place ads in every video and I would get a payment for every person that viewed an ad. At least that's how I think it works. I would also get exposure and grow my audience quickly by getting more and more subscribers. The bottom line, is that I have no desire to make a dime from my show. I have no desire to subject my viewers to advertisements. And as much as I enjoy getting new subscribers, I don't want new subscribers at the price of annoying my viewers. The only way you will see ads on my show, is if youtube forces me to put them in, or they put them in themselves. Bottom line here, is that I do it, because I love to help people and I enjoy producing the show. If my show helps one person, then the show was worth filming and I have no desire to make money from helping people. It's viewers like yourself, and comments like the one that you left, that make this show worth more than youtube and its advertisers could ever pay. Thanks for subscribing and thanks for taking the time to make this woodworker feel good about what he does. You sir, are awesome!!!!!
kennyearrings1 I groan outloud every time I watch a TH-cam video and I'm forced to watch some lame commercial. The fact that you teach because you love sharing your expertise comes across in your videos. Altruistic teachers are indeed rare!
kennyearrings1 I wish more TH-cam videographers had your frame of mind! As a new scroller, I learned a lot from your video. Thank you for the help!
Every potential scroll saw buyer should watch this. First rate flab free and comprehensive.
Once again, thanks for the kind words on the show Bryan. I appreciate you tuning in and taking the time to leave a comment.
What the hell? This came up in my queue and boom! Kenny has hair! lol Glad to know I am not the only one time has ravaged. hehe I love this channel. The absolute BEST reviews on youtube. I have been giving shout-outs on reddit to let others know about you. But, you know, these days unless it's "I made an automated [insert tool here]", people don't seem interested. What most youtubers don't seem to realize making your own tools costs just as much as purchasing them (if you build them correctly). Keep it up, Kenny. :)
Thanks for the shout outs Ron. I appreciate that. Time is not being kind to me these days. First, it robbed me of my hair and then it took my good looks away. What's next? Making me fat?........oh, wait. LOL. Thanks for tuning in and for the kind words. Glad to hear you're enjoying the channel.
Thank you, just getting into scrolling using a secondhand 16" single speed saw and looking into upgrading. This video provided so much information that I had not considered. Well done and thank you again.
I'm glad to hear that you found the show to be useful Arthur. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thank you for tuning in to the show.
A very well presented and informative video. You just made buying my first scroll a definite possibility. Now to go hunting for ones that meet my needs. Thanks for taking the mystery out of it all.
Glad that I could help and that you enjoyed the show Dave. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask and I would be more than happy to help you out if I can.
Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Excellent video. I am just researching for my first scroll saws and this answered all my questions. Well done Sir.
Glad to hear that the show was helpful to you. If you think of any questions that the show didn't answer, please don't hesitate to ask and I would be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show and for taking the time to leave me a comment.
Very nicely done. One other thing to think about is service and parts. The more expensive tools seem to have better service and parts are stocked stateside. Seyco supplies some of the wear out parts you might need for the Excalibur tool.
You definitely make a good point Mark. A higher quality tool is less prone to break downs but when they do, there is usually an abundant source for replacements whereas the cheaper tools are pretty much consider as disposable and no one stocks the repair parts. Thanks for chiming in with a great point and thanks also for tuning in to the show.
Kenny,
You do such a nice job explaining the scroll saw. After watching your video and others (although yours is by far the best) I have purchased an Excalibur 21 from Marks Machinery in Oklahoma. It should arrive in three days very excited to get started again with scrolling. I taught woodworking for 15 years, but that was 20 years ago and my have scroll saws changed! Thank you for taking the time to produce your video's.
Those are definitely some extremely kind words Mike and I thank you for that. I hope that you will enjoy your new saw and love scrolling on it as much as I enjoy scrolling on my 30" Excalibur. Thanks for tuning in and thanks for your comments. They are definitely appreciated.
Excellent overview of scroll saw features. Learned a lot. Thank you.
Glad that you found it useful Loren. Please feel free to ask any questions that you might have. I would be more than happy to help out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Thanks for your video education. That helps guide me in the right direction, towards learning about scroll saw differences. I looked through various models. And thought there was little difference between the cheap models vs the mid-range ones. But glad you explained it! Thanks, ❤.
I hope you found the information useful. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Thanks for this video, it really is a gem. I very recently decided that I would probably need a scroll saw for an upcoming project. I was about to head out to Bunnings and grab a real cheap thing before I found this. Sitting through the entire video I realise the one I was about to buy pretty much fails every suggestion here, and so I have essentially upsold myself hundreds of dollars to a much better unit.
Whilst it definitely throws the budget out a bit, I really cannot stand the false-economy of buying a cheap item just to be disappointed and end up buying the upgrade later anyway (which you pretty much touch on at the end of the video).
So thank you, I am going to be grabbing a blade-tilt, tool-less easily adjusted Scroll Saw. My wallet would like to have some words with you however :P
Give your wallet my number and your wallet and I can chat about it. LOL. Glad to hear that the show was helpful to you. While this video is not the beginning and the end to scroll saw options and what you should get, it does have many years of experience behind it, using different saws of different levels of quality. Purchase the best saw that you can afford without breaking the bank and remember that scrolling is not a natural thing. It takes time and practice and for that reason, you might want to check out the scrolling for beginners lessons on my channel to help you get started. Good luck with your new adventure and if you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. You might also want to check out the blade selection video on the show to ensure that you are using the right blade for the right thickness of material.
th-cam.com/video/8b_FWeCcFeg/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/BmHuTuOyFZo/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/UG6S5tqx6bI/w-d-xo.html
Thanks Kenny for your excellent and informative video. I am looking to purchase a scroll saw for the first time and will now commence my research for whats available in Australia. The guidance you have given is extremely helpful and will aid my purchasing decision process. I also found your presentation entertaining, which I enjoyed greatly. Thanks again Kenny.
You're very welcome William. I'm glad to hear that you found the video to be useful. Please feel free to ask any questions you have along the way. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Hello again Kenny,
Thank you for inviting me to ask questions and impose on your valuable time. I greatly appreciate your generous spirit. Kenny, one overriding question I have relates to the maximum size of stock one can use with a scroll saw. I am referring specifically to the thickness rather than the overall dimensions of the material I may be using. I guess it would also be helpful to know if the various type materials I use governs the permissible thickness of the material. For example hardwood verse softwood. I would also like to know if it is permissible to use a scroll saw for cutting other materials such as plastics etc. Your advice would be most welcome. I will take this opportunity to thank you again.
There are many manufacturers that will tell you that their machines will cut a maximum of 2" thick material. While this will hold true on most saw and the will technically be able to cut the material, they will not do it well or easily. You can successfully cut up to about 1-1/2" thick material with great success but realistically, you would rarely want to cut anything thicker than 1" for the best accuracy, ease of cut and comfort level. Hardwood, softwood, makes no difference when it comes to cutting thickness on the scroll saw, as it is the blade selection that will ultimately provide you with the right or wrong cut. Whether it be hard or soft wood, I still wouldn't go thicker than 1". Just because a saw CAN cut up to 2" thick, doesn't mean that it should and a scroll saw is a tool that should not cut anything that thick. If you need to cut material as thick as that, use a bandsaw and it will be easier on the machinery. As for materials that the scroll saw can cut, you are unlimited. The only thing I would steer clear of, is any sort of wet cutting as it will not be good for the scroll saw. But metal, wood, plastic...you name it, and you should be good to cut it. I hope this helps William.
Awesome vid... I teach Design and Technology in the UK and would love a Hegner... however these are a little expensive for home use. You have given me some additional tips which I probably wouldn’t have considered. Cheers!
You're very welcome Joanne. I'm glad that you found the show to be useful. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it.
Best video on this topic I have seen and so informative. Like you said who would have thought there was so much to consider ! Off to do my research now. Cheers from the UK.
Glad that you enjoyed the show. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Good evening Kenny. I bought a cheaper scroll saw a week ago and have been steadily working away on quite a few projects. Of course given the price I paid (£60), I'm not expecting it to last forever. Hence my visiting and watching your video.
Anyways, just stopping by to say kudos to the video, very informative and actually held my short attention span throughout. Thanks
+Mechanic1945
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the show. You have definitely entered on a slippery slope now as scrolling can be extremely relaxing and addictive. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask. Just remember, that scrolling is something that doesn't come naturally and practice is the real key to getting the results you want. Be proud of every project and make it your goal to make each project better than the last and you will never go wrong. Thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment. I appreciate it
I have been thinking about purchasing a scroll saw...this video is so informative and frank...thanking you.
+groseillegrowa I'm glad that you enjoyed it. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help with your questions. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
You brought up some excellent points that I hadn't considered, such as the drive mechanism and the table tilt. Great work, keep it up!
Glad to hear that the video was helpful to you. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them for you.
This video has aged well. The information is as relative today as it was 10 years ago when first introduced. Thank you for the great information it has been very helpful for me.
I'm glad that you found the video to be helpful Dave. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in
Awesome video, and exactly what I was looking for as I continue my search for my first scroll saw, which I'm narrowing down slowly. So, Thankyou so much for such and well-done video and all your time and effort in putting such an excellent video together. I did subscribe because this is by far the best explanation of features I have seen over the past 200 plus videos. Many blessings to you in all you do.
Welcome aboard Eric. I'm glad to have you here as a subscriber. I hope that you will continue to find other shows on the channel that you enjoy. There is quite a variety of show topics and projects to choose from. Thanks for tuning in to the program and taking the time to leave the kind words. Good luck on your quest for a scroll saw and if you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help if I can.
I am absolutely new at this with no experience. Thank you so much for all the great advice. Very anxious to get started.
+Richard Fortin
Glad to hear that the video was helpful Richard. Scrolling is a very relaxing hobby and although it can take a while to get used to and learn, if you practice and stick with it, you will find that it is also one of the most rewarding aspects of woodworking that can be done with very little equipment and very little space. Thanks for tuning in to the show and if you have any questions at all, feel free to ask. I'd be more that happy to help you out in any way I can.
I will be starting my first project soon....I'll let you know how it goes.
I'm looking forward to hearing about it. I remember my first projects and they were pretty rustic but back then there wasn't any such thing as the internet and videos to help me along in my progress. Good luck on the first project and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Really comprehensive video,very easy to listen to and understand. Great help,thanks.
Glad to hear that you found it useful Noel. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave the kind words. It's very much appreciated.
Great video, edited well and covers all the important areas one need to consider before buying. Thank you very much.
You're very welcome. Thanks for the kind words on the show and if you have any questions at all, please feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
there are so many used scroll saws on local sites, it's great to have this video to evaluate them. i think their like treadmills: bought with the best of intentions, and then collect dust for a year until you admit you weren't really into it
There are a lot of people that think that they will be instant experts at scrolling as soon as they try it. Scrolling takes many hours of practice to perfect and I find that there are far too many people who get frustrated and just aren't willing to put the time in to learn. Thanks for tuning in to the show and taking the time to leave your comment. I truly appreciate it Jennifer.
Thank You for providing us with such useful and detailed information! It has really made me more confident on going out and buying my first scroll saw.
You're very welcome Elida. I'm glad that the show was helpful to you. Please don't hesitate with any questions that you might have.
Another great video, thanks. I love your Excalibur Scroll Saw.
Thanks for the kind words Rafael. Unfortunately, the Excalibur is no longer in production but there are still some available new and used on the market. Thanks for tuning in.
Kenny, thank you for your reply . Its nice to know that I have someone that I can contact when I have a problem with my scroll saw. I guess as most people I am self taught when it comes to woodworking and there is much I don't know. Thanks again.
+Daniel Choate Well if you should have any questions, feel free to ask. If I can help, I will. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Very informative and useful, as I'm hoping to buy a scroll saw in the near future. Thanks for the information provided.
Carmel Gatt You are most certainly welcome Carmel. I'm glad that the video helped you. Good luck on your purchase and if you have any questions at all, feel completely free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out in any way I can.
All beginner knowledge about scroll saw in THIS VIDEO.
thank you very much.
You're very welcome. Thank you for tuning in to the show.
Kenny. I ordered my saw through Sysco. I contacted them yesterday and spoke with a gentlemen that solved my problem over the phone. When the saw was designed, they added a second air bellows as a counter weight on the bottom arm. It doesn't serve any purpose other than as a counter weight. After listening to my saw run over the phone, he told me that the second bellows was stuck, causing the vibration and rattling. He told me where its located and to trim down a small wooden dowel and push the bottom bellows out because it served no real purpose. I couldn't get it pushed out but I placed a long black plastic wire tie between the bellows and the frame which took care of my problem. There is a video on here by someone, I think its called ex30 rip. The sound that his saw was creating was the same as mine. His problem was caused by a broken arm which was attached to his motor. Anyway, my problem is solved and I am starting a project today. Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it. Its nice knowing that there is someone willing to help with problems. Thank you, Dan in Kentucky
+Daniel Choate Glad to hear that you got it fixed. When you first contacted me, I thought it might be an adjustment issue. Glad to hear that my initial thought was correct and that Sysco was able to help you out so quickly. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Really useful and informative video. So many things that I had not even thought about. It has helped me look for a scroll saw that will better suit my needs. This was also an exceptionally well produced set so thank you for that.
I'm glad that you enjoyed the show and found it useful Rod. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask and I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
kennyearrings1 a question I may have missed the answer to in the video: if the saw I eventually get doesn’t come with a stand (and let’s face it not many do especially here in the UK) could it be bolted to a sturdy work bench to reduce vibration or movement, perhaps with a rubber mat to rest on as well?
@@rodnewman6519 Yes, the saw can be secured to a bench to reduce the vibrations. I ideally, if your saw doesn't come with a stand, you might want to make one for yourself. Having the saw at a comfortable height will go a long way to helping you with your scrolling. Another option (if you are comfortable with the height of the saw on the bench) is to bolt it to a thick piece of plywood and then clamp it to your bench. This way, you can clear the bench space if you need it without having to undo a bunch of bolts. I hope this helps Rod. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
kennyearrings1 brilliant advice, thank you. Still building the workshop at the moment, but the benches, saw etc won’t be long now.
@@rodnewman6519 You're very welcome. Good luck with your shop progress.
Your video was very helpful to someone who just heard of a scroll saw.
Glad to hear it was helpful. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Hi. Thanks for the information. Currently looking at getting a scroll saw and this video has helped no end! Thanks again.
Glad to hear that you found the show to be useful John. Thanks for tuning in. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help out if I can.
Just got a scroll saw so all your feed on it was very helpful thanks peter from Scotland UK
Peter Haughton Glad you liked it Peter. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Enjoy your new saw but be careful........scrolling can be addictive.
Thank you for the very thorough video on characteristics of scroll saws... I am much better prepared to decide and acquire a scroll saw now!
You're very welcome Jack. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
I agree with Steve. Kenny has a real talent and his advice and humour is much enjoyed and very informative. Thanks a lot Kenny. You da man!
Thanks for the kind words Ian. I truly appreciate it. Glad that you enjoy the show and I'm glad to have you as a viewer. Thanks for tuning in.
Very informative, your TH-cam video will assist a lot of people. Thanks again
R HIcks Glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks for tuning in.
Thank you for this video. It has truly given me an insight.
Glad that you found it useful. Thanks for tuning in. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can.
was on the way out the door to get one of these.... THANK YOU !!!!! now i know what im buying ....
Jim Ellison you're very welcome. Keep your eyes on the channel for today's show which is scroll saw for beginners part one. Part two will be aired next Friday. Thanks for tuning in.
I liked hearing your perspective on scroll saws. The Excalibur in your shop was my focus and I appreciated your references to other kinds of machines within the space. My 2003 Delta, I believe to be a cousin of the buffalo that used to live here.
I'm not quite sure what you're getting at, but thanks for tuning in.
@@acutabove_woodworkings My scrollsaw from 2003 is my Delta saw. It is most introductory in its being. I can now define needs relavent to skills and saws. Then I knew the difference between a scroll saw and jig saw.
@@rogerdudra178 Well, I'm glad that the show was helpful to you Roger. I truly appreciate you tuning in and taking the time to leave me a comment.
Excellent video, I couldn't even look away, I heard everything! I am looking at buying my first scroll saw to add to the many list of things I create and found your video and will be watching many more, thank you from QLD Aus :)
You are very welcome Tracey. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions that you might have. I will do my best to help out as best I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show and good luck with the new saw.
Ken, let me fill you in of some details, I just upgraded to the Excalibur and now I’m just becoming familiar with the saw. I felt that the slowing down of the saw is not normal. If their is a "break-in" time for the Excalibur I would then consider this to be normal. I’m hoping there is not a problem with the saw.
The blades seem to have burrs on the back side and when the burrs are removed they cut better on tight curves.
Making a straight test cut on a 1” walnut stock, with a #9 blade, at half speed setting, the saw tends to slow down relative to the amount of feed pressure I apply.
Thanks again for your much respected expert advice.
Joe
I usually file those burrs off the back of the blades Joe. It helps a lot with control and reducing blade drift. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the saw slowing down and I have to wonder if you are just hearing the motor working a little harder while you are applying the extra pressure. From what you are telling me, I don't think you have anything to worry about at all here.
I have to say you did an excellent job on this review. You brought up a lot of good points! Would have been nice, though, if you would have given the cost of your setup in the model. I will be reviewing more of your videos. Well done, Columbus Michigan
I tried to avoid the cost issue with this one due to the fact that it would never be relevant down the road. This is a much older video that was produced on the channel years ago and the prices that were paid back then have certainly increased with inflation etc. That is the main reason I avoided the price factor. It's probably close to 1.5X what it was when the video was produced. Thanks for tuning in and for the kind words.
Very comprehensive guide, great video!
Glad that you liked it Benny. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
Hello Kennyearrings. I am very new to scroll sawing, and have looked at many videos on TH-cam. Eventually I came across yours, Which I found to be very useful indeed. I've never been a great believer in buying one of the cheaper models, Because they are much too fiddly, you finish up putting them in the cupboard never to be seen again. I have bought the Axminster EX21 Here in the UK, which you know is the Excalibur. Something you said “first get good then get fast” I like that. best wishes.
Thanks for the kind words Edward. Scrolling is a very rewarding hobby and it is one of the most relaxing aspects of woodworking. For years, there was a belief that scrolling was NOT a woodworking skill and that it was nothing more than a sewing machine for men. This theory has been torn down over the years by the amazing projects that has been produced and now, the craft is envied more that it is ridiculed. Good luck on your adventure in learning to scroll. Be patient as it takes some time to learn the control. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask and I would be more than happy to help you out if I can. Merry Christmas to you and your. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave me a comment. I really do appreciate it.
Really enjoyed your video on scroll saws. It is on my list and I hate buying things twice. Not the most needed item in the shop but when you need one a band saw cannot compete. With many items I try to buy a higher quality tool used through Craigslist and your tips give me a lot informative information for making a good buyers decision.
So, thank you... I will check out some of you other videos most likely you have a new subscriber I can tell you are an expert.
Thank you for the kind words on the show William. I hope that through this tutorial, you are able to get the scroll saw that is right for you. Good luck with your purchase and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thank you for tuning in to the show.
I know that this video took a great work from your side, so thanks for making it! What I am fishing for is a buyers guide 2:-) where you talk more about accessories like: Saw cover, table surface protection, digital angel guide, speed-meter, stopwatch for used time, used blade holder and much more:-)
Interesting concept for a show idea but aside from your table top surface protection, all of your wants are things that have nothing to do with the scroll saw. A digital angle guide would be nice and there are some that are after market units such as the Tilt Box by Wixey. It's an excellent unit and works flawlessly for almost any tool that you can imagine. I have never, in my years of scrolling, seen a cover for the saw and I wouldn't think that it would be a good idea. Tools and machinery need air circulation to prevent moisture from building up in them, causing them to rust out prematurely. A cover would inhibit air flow and would almost certainly cause problems. A speed meter is something that I could see as being useful for certain applications but the technology just isn't there yet to make these things affordable for a scroll saw accessory. The price for something like that would be astronomical in comparison to the price of the saw. A used blade holder? I use magnets with labels attached to them on the side of the saw. I do have several short ( 1 1/2 minute clips) shows that give a few tips on scrolling and one of these shows demonstrates these blades labels. I'm not so sure that a stop watch is something that would be of use. Unless you were trying to beat a speed record or just wanting to know how much time a certain project took, again, the bells and whistles would just add to the price of the saw and not everyone would have a use for them.
If you wish to see the playlist of a few short scrolling videos of mine, you can click here th-cam.com/play/PLF201B8D1319A0948.html
Thanks for tuning in and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Thank you for a long and a perfect answer, we think the same, but out on TH-cam, you see some who would put a coffeemaker, a ipad and a blinking light on it:-) Therefor I think that a video, where you tell the new one about these bells and whistles, what they are "good" for. You know that scrolling should be simple relaxing and fun, but for other it's all about gadgets. I know about your great solution on used blades, you did answer me about it for some time ago, and thanks a lot again for that:-)
You're very welcome. I answer so many people that I sometimes forget who I have spoken to and who I haven't. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Thank you for so much information, you covered all the main points that I was looking for I am thinking off upgrading my saw, thank again William from Northern Ireland.
William Donnelly You're very welcome William. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask.
Hi Kenny..Yes,i bought a Draper FS400A-16 inch.. recently,as a starter..I'm hoping it will be ok to get me going with some fret-working..I havn't done any of this work before..But it looks fascinanting,and i love crafts..Thanks for help..
+glass house
No problem. I'm not familiar with this particular unit that you bought but I'm sure that you will do fine with it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'd love to see some of your work when you get some cuttings done.
Hi Kenny, thanks for a rewarding video. I don't do much on the Recoord 16" scrollsaw we have, but with your video I am far more aware of how it work. I'm afraid I am a switch it on and work away, Very naughty, but think I will now read the manual and get to know the machine. You make a nice, relaxed video that is easy to watch. Good luck.
Malcolm - central UK
Thanks Malcolm. Take the time to learn the machine. Once you learn it, you will be amazed at how relaxing the hobby is. If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask.
Good luck in your new adventure.
Thank you for the such informative video, I am new to this hobby and looking for buying scroll saw, your video help me a lot to look for the right one thank you
+Amin Arahman You're very welcome. I'm glad that the video was helpful to you. Good luck in your saw purchase and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to offer you my opinion.
Thanks for a great video. I can relate to some of the things you comment on. I have a hegner that is a few years old and the tensioner is on the back which is a pain, also having to use a key to tighten the blade clamps. I think the saw you have has been re branded Axminster in the UK. so i think thats my next saw. Thanks again for the video
You're very welcome. I appreciate you tuning in to the show. The Excalibur here in North America has been reborn under the name Excelsior. The Excalibur is no longer in production. Good luck with your Axminster. I hope it serves you well. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Very helpful. Thank you for taking the time to make it and share your expertise.
You're very welcome Augusta. I'm glad to hear that you found it helpful. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask and I will do my best to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
Haven't bought a saw yet THOUGHT I knew what I wanted. Thank you for the experienced information. Now I have a lot better understanding of what to look for. I dig the Fozzie Bear cup Woka Woka my favorite when I was a kid. God bless you and yours
Glad to hear that you found the show useful Joe. Thanks for tuning in. I've always been a fan of the muppets and even to this day, I'm a fan. Good clean fun. If you have any questions at all during your quest for a scroll saw, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can.
I picked up a used Delta SS 350 so far so good. I hope the Quick Set blade change doesn't bite me in the rear. I gave $50 for it. The gentlemen i bought it off of purchased a shiny new expensive Delta. He showed me some of his work he makes custom ping pong paddles. They were pretty amazing as far as ping pong paddles go!!! Thanks again for the vid/info. I appreciate the reply back and might lean on you if i hit any snags.
You can lean on me all you want Joe. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can.
hi, thanks for a really informative video, very clearly explained, I appreciate your time,,,
The pleasure is all mine. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Well done. The best coverage of a scroll saw features I've seen.
Thanks for the kind word on the show Harry. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave me a comment. It is very much appreciated.
Best review of any tool i have watched well done kenny also noticed the map of Australia on you wall with fosters logo we don't drink that here in oz again thanks for the info .
Thanks for the kind words on the show. As for the map......years ago, when I used to drink, Fosters was my favourite beer and the beer companies and television commercials pumped it as Australia's beer. It didn't matter to me where it came from, I just liked it. Anyway, someone I knew at the time gave me the map as a gift one year. It's a bar light and I quite like it. I guess you guys drinking Fosters is the same as Canadians living in igloos and having maple syrup on everything. Just a commercial stereotype. LOL. Gotta love the advertisement industry. Just another reason I won't allow ads on my show. Thanks once again for the kind words Phil and for tuning in to the show. Looking forward to future comments from you on the program. Happy New Year sir.
Really excellent presentation and really very helpful thanks - just at the first consideration stage so this is a huge benefit and will stop me finding out the hard way!!! And your style is great - not strident like some! Thanks again
Glad that you found the show to be useful Robert. I appreciate your kind words. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I also have a couple of scroll saw lessons for beginners on the show as well as a scroll saw blade selection episode. There's a lot of good information in those shows and they might help you out along the way. Thanks for tuning in and taking the time to leave your comment. I truly appreciate it. Good luck with your scroll saw purchase.
Scrolling for beginners part 1
th-cam.com/video/8b_FWeCcFeg/w-d-xo.html
Scrolling for beginners part 2
th-cam.com/video/BmHuTuOyFZo/w-d-xo.html
Scroll saw blade selection
th-cam.com/video/UG6S5tqx6bI/w-d-xo.html
Top 10 scroll saw accessories
th-cam.com/video/ZNso4hITeq4/w-d-xo.html
Great video Kenny, one of the best on You Tube I have seen about Scroll Saws.
I'm thinking about buying a Scroll Saw as it looks like a very relaxing hobby to do, also I like the things that you can make with it once you get the hang of it.
After watching your 30min video I have more of an idea what to look for now when I do eventually buy one, thank you for this very informative video.
Take Care.
Barry from England.
Glad you liked it Barry. The scroll saw is one of the most relaxing forms of woodworking I know, without the worry of losing a digit. As much as I love all aspects of woodworking, my favourite still remains in sitting at the scroll saw. With a good scroll saw and a little bit of patience, you are only limited to your imagination.
Thanks for your video I’ve watched a lot of videos on different topics you’re video is right a the top extremely well done in all aspects I feel well informed to buy a scroll saw thanks again cheers Curtis
I'm glad that you found it to be informative Curtis. Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to leave your comment. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can.
Thanks for the video, it was really helpful for a new buyer. Youre a real engaging speaker!
Glad to hear that you found the show helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out.
Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Kenny - excellent video and just what I needed. I'm the guy who bought the cheapo entry unit and now needs to upgrade. Mine is a $150 Fox something-or-other that jumps around so much I have to clamp it to the workbench. And don't even talk about lubrication!!
Anyway, I have one question about dust: does that little tube on the Excalibur provide enough force to keep the work piece visible? I often cut oily tropical wood where the dust wants to clump and obscure the cut. I finally had to rig up a jakeleg system where my shop vac blower was blowing across the work table to keep the dust cleared off.
Thanks,
Frank
Thanks for the kind words on the show. I can say, without a doubt, that I have never had a time where the dust tube of the excalibur did not clear the dust away from the project lines. In fact, I've always been pleased with the blower tube on this unit.
Very informative. I learned a lot before purchasing a more expensive scroll saw.
Glad to hear that the video served its purpose. That's the main reason I film these programs without monetizing for an income. I do them to help others who wish to get into this incredible hobby. It's very rewarding when one of my shows helps someone who needed the help. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a comment. It's very much appreciated.
Thank you for sharing the knowledge thru this video. I am here because I am considering getting a beginner's scroll saw and get into the hobby. Somehow disappointing to learn that some of the important features may not be available on an entry level tool.
There are plenty of entry level scroll saws on the market David that may not have all of the features that I list here in the show. The important thing is to get a saw that suits your needs as a beginner. The options that I mention in this show are strictly suggestions. My first scroll saws had no options at all but I was still able to learn on them. Thank you for tuning in to the show.
Glad you have wide knowledge about this machines. I am frustrated to have a Delta SS350. Delta has as obsolete the quickset(lower) and so are other parts. The machines is useless with a little use. Nobody has the part. Delta says, keep looking to see who has it. I want to know why Delta keep selling this machine when sooner or later is useless.
cirlind There has been many issues with Delta and their parts department. I see the problems all over the internet with folks not being able to get parts for their machines. I hope that you are able to get your part, or that you find a suitable replacement saw to eliminate your Delta. Good luck sir. I wish I could provide you with a parts source for your machine but I don't have that kind of information.
thank you for being generous. really informative.
You're very welcome Noel. I'm glad that you liked it. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Fantastic video, very thorough and informative. Thank you
Steven Mason Glad you enjoyed it Steven. I hope that it helped you. Thanks for tuning in.
Really well explained. You had my attention for the full 30min. Thanks!
Glad that you found the show useful. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show. It's appreciated.
excellent info to think about before making an expensive decision. thanx for taking the time to do this for beginners. best wishes to you and yours
Thanks Glen. Glad you enjoyed the video. Looking forward to your comments on my videos in the future.
Hi Kenny, I purchased the same size Excalibur 30-inch as you and I have recently noticed that the bar would not stay fully upright when I was re-inserting the blade (bottom feeder). So following the manufacturer's adjustment recommendations, I loosened up the nut on the left side (as you face the saw) near the back that then lets you adjust the screw just a little bit inward to tighten the bar. I did this per the instructions; e.g., while not having a blade attached and in the horizontal position. However, I noticed that after only slightly tightening up the screw (clockwise) the head would not even move up or down. So I loosened it up just a little bit more and retightened the nut, but now while I could raise the bar again, once it is fully raised, it falls back down just about 2 inches from fully up. In short, while it will now at least stay up, the horizontal bar will not stay fully up, falling just a few inches. Have you ever had that issue? If so, is there any kind of fix to that? Or is it just something we have to live with because of the length and weight of the bar? I didn't want to overtighten it so that it stays up without falling at all because even with minimal tweeking, it will not come down at all. A bit frustrating, but functional. At least it stays up enough for me to do the multiple fret cuts that are sometimes necessary for my projects. Any thoughts? I did take off the round plate on the left side as well thinking that there might be a piece that may have broken off inside, but found nothing.
I have never used this saw as a bottom feeder and in fact, it is a lot more difficult to bottom feed than it is to top feed. For that reason, I have the arm completely loose so that I can lift and lower it at will and mine will never stay up. I have never had a need for it to stay in the upright position as I have always top fed my blades. If the adjustment is that finicky that the smallest adjustment can cause it not to function correctly, I see that you have two choices. One would be to loosen the nut off and all the arm to float free and start top feeding your fretwork OR, continue to adjust and play with it until you get the setting that you like and are happy with. It may take some time but I am sure that you can adjust it to stay in the upright position for you while you bottom feed your fretwork. A little thread locker might help it stay in that position once you finally get it. I hope this helps a little. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Thank you for putting out this video. It was very informative and helped me greatly.
You're very welcome Susann and I'm glad to hear that it was helpful. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help you out if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
I live in Italy and am about to go and purchase a scroll saw. Your video has helped me greatly as the workers will probably not know English and I will be on my own in choosing which saw to buy. You showed me a lot of things to look for. Now I have to learn tool less and pin less in Italian, ha ha. BTW I think that if you tried marijuana your hand shake would be less. You might think of trying it. Ciao
Good luck with your purchase Dave. If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to ask. Although I am not familiar with some brands, general inquiries are easy to answer. Thanks for tuning in and for the advice. I appreciate it.
Very useful info I am season wood working but used a scroll saw looking to get into toy making and the scroll looks like a bit of kit to have to complement my 18" band saw.
The scroll saw is a definite compliment to the band saw. The scroll saw has its limitations in thickness cuts but it really outperforms the band saw when it comes to detail work and fine cuts. I think you will love it.
Thank You for this video!
It's really comprehensive yet not at all boring. It's seldom that I have the patience to watch a 30 minute video but yours was quite informative.
I own a Dremel 1680 scroll saw. Many of the features you mention exist on this saw. Cast iron table, variable speed, EZ blade change, accessible on/off switch etc.
I'm a new scroller and I'm feeling a lot of vibration with this saw... I currently have it sitting on a table. Can this be fixed with perhaps a 2x4 construction stand?
Tnx!
If the saw is one that naturally produces vibrations, the chances are slim that you will ever be able to eliminate that. You can reduce it however by mounting it solidly to a solid frame stand. 2x4 construction could possibly work but it would depend on your design. You have to remember that the vibrations of the machine will be transferred to whatever it is mounted to. I have had some success by placing thick rubber mats between the machine and the stand and securely mounting the scroll saw to the stand with the Matt working to absorb the vibrations of the saw. The rubber matts were about 1/2" thick. That is about the best you can do. Some saws just vibrate by design. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Great vid. Thanks for posting. I am researching to buy my 1st scroll saw
Thanks for the kind words on the show. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask them and I would be more than happy to help you out if I can.
This helped me tremendously, thank you very much for making this vid. Covered all the basics!
You are very welcome Bob. I'm glad to hear that you found the show to be useful. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help if I can. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Very informative by someone organized and informative.
Thanks for the kind words and for tuning in to the show Ken. It's very much appreciated.
Thank you for the tips. I have big band saw (King) but no place to use it, so I'm looking for a scroll saw and you highlighted many interesting points. Who knew!? 🙂
I'm glad that you found the video to be useful. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for tuning in to the show.
Thanks for putting the time and effort into this. Very helpful !
Glad to hear that the show was helpful to you Frank. If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to help out if I can. Thanks for tuning in.
I have bought. Scheppac scroll saw.has variable speed a good flexible light ,a fairly useful hold down foot all good.Takes pinned or plain blades . The blow tube is not good, it has a plastic guard which drops in front of the blade good idea but gets dusty and obscures vision.The worst feature and extremely annoying is access to the lower blade fitment. Access is only thro a circular removable plate really terrible. I have removed the side panel so this helps.This also has a flexi drill for holes when doing fretwork quite useful.plain blades are fitted with an Allen key.You can also fit a pinned blade at 90degrees to the normal angle.
I've never heard of this brand. I hope that it serves you well. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I have posted 2 new scrolling videos over the past two weeks for the beginner at scrolling. Feel free to check them out and see if they will help you get started. Happy scrolling.
Just a great film with loads of greatfull information. Thumbs up gentleman
Salem Hardan Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you liked the show. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and I'll be more than happy to help you out.
Looking at your tutorial again and noticed your lamp you have attached to your Excalibur scroll saw. Where was this lamp purchased and what brand is it? My aluminum cutting projects is going well, using 1/16" material, still more to learn.... Thank you for your past information concerning the aluminum cutting.
Glad to hear the project is going well Tim. The lamp that I have on my scroll saw was bought from Busy Bee Tools here in Canada. It is a Craftex and is a large lamp with fluorescent illumination and a large magnifier lens. I love this lamp and it has definitely served me well.
www.busybeetools.com/products/magnifying-lamp-black-with-lid-craftex.html
Thanks again for the information. I thought the lamp was attached to the Scroll Saw. Believe I'd be able to pick up one here in the states. Thanks again....
Really enjoyed your informative video. Just purchased a Pegas saw, had a Delta years ago and the difference is incomparable cause it required tools to change the blades and was a little cumbersome. I have enjoyed your channel especially because you don’t tout your sponsors and your videos always are professional and low key. Do you have any more scroll saw videos planned on cutting, intarsia, etc.?
Thanks for the kind words on the show John. I truly appreciate that. I have an idea for intarsia coming up but it's quite a ways away from being aired on the program. Maybe I will have to step it up a notch and try and get it produced a little earlier. I do have some other scrolling projects coming up fairly soon though. Thanks for tuning in and for asking your question. I will do my best to add some more scrolling videos very soon.
Great video. Thank you from Jersey (not New Jersey but the original just off France) Have a good day
+Ken Wilde Glad that you enjoyed the video and I hope that it helped you out. Thanks for tuning in to the show and thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment.
excellent video. very professional and very helpful. thank you.
Glad you liked it rEVOLVEr. Thanks for tuning in.