Thread: Advice to help in making a choice of purchase

Mike

Depends how big you make the hole. I usually do a 2mm hole if there is enough room in the cutout section to enable that, with finer work .eg. a puzzle where you just have lines and dont want to see hole marks I use a 1mm bit. Understandably it is harder to get the blade through the 1mm hole, so I normally just do a small counter-sink on the bottom which helps funnel the pin into the hole. This all sands up well and you can harly notice where the hole was made.

This method works best with me, but im still learning the art of scrolling so there may be a better way of doing this

Brett

Hi

I have the Delta V/speed scroller you describe. I like it so far and no
major problems except for the dust blower, which is a little useless at lower speeds.

Othweriwse, no problems and blades can be inserted and released quickly with their Quickset change system thingy

Dean


[This message has been edited by Dean (edited 13 January 2003).]

Oges
Thanks. I am still struggling with this bulletin board. Sorry I wasn't clearer in my message. I am particularly interested in hearing about the degree of ease or difficulty in re-attaching the pinless blade once through the hole. So far I have only used pinned blades on a little Dremel Moto Shop which were pretty simple to re-attach and away I would go.

Dean
Thanks for the info. I was a bit unclear in what I was after (See my reply to Oges). My interest is wooden toys. I use a pinned bladed saw at the moment for tasks like cutting out a window in a plywood toy car. I wanted to upgrade to a more robust/versatile saw. Not knowing much about pinless blade saws I bought "Scroll Saw Basics" (Patrick Spielman). The chapter on Blade Suspension Systems and Making Inside Cutouts had me pondering whether I would be spending a lot of time re-attaching and tensioning the blade just to cut out a hole about 30mm square and then have to repeat the whole process for the next cutout.
Could you give me a rundown on how the Delta Quickset II Blade Chuck operates? Carbatec's catalogue says (it) allows the blade end to be disconnected and reconnected within ten seconds.

Mike,

Sure...Basically, it involves these steps.

1. release blade tension lever - just pull it (takes less than half a second)

2. Undo the quickset II blade clamp lever which releases the blade from the clamp.(this is a lever which opens and closes a small clamp type attachment that holds the actual blade. much like a vise)

3. With blade released, insert in next hole for cuttting.

4. Insert blade back into Quickset II blade clamp and engage the lever to tighten.

5. Re-engage the blade tension lever

6. Done! Start scrolling

So, its really only 2 steps to release the blade and another 2 steps to insert it back in. Both steps involve using small levers that take virtually no time to use.

You will likely spend more time getting the blade into the next hole!

Hope that helps!

I forgot to mention, the Delta will keep the same blade tension once the blade tension lever is re-engaged after changing holes.

The overall tension can be changed if needed via a separate turn-knob on top of the saw.

Dean
Thanks for the information. The Delta seems as though it will suit me just fine.

Originally posted by Dean:
I forgot to mention, the Delta will keep the same blade tension once the blade tension lever is re-engaged after changing holes.

The overall tension can be changed if needed via a separate turn-knob on top of the saw.

Dean
I’m after some more information if you could help.
How difficult is it to attach a pinless blade to the lower arm of the Delta v/speed scroll saw. I note from the Carbatec catalogue that this model of the Delta has the Quickset II Blade Chuck only on the upper arm.

In discussing the merits of different types of scroll saws today, a friend said that a pinless blade can be difficult to attach to the lower arm of a scroll saw due to its location within the base. Could you comment on this aspect please and give me a run down on how the task is performed for when I need to change pinless blades. I assume the Delta cannot take pinned blades at all – am I correct?
I am hoping to buy a Delta this week.

Correct that the delta cannot take pinned blades...but it doesn't really need to

Ok, the bottom clamp is just that...a clamp.
It's position would be hard to get to normally, but the nice folk at Delta provide you with a long tool that can easily tighten and loosen the bottom clamp without having to put your hands anywhere near the actual clamp. The tool is actually like a large allen key, but attached to another 'positioning bar' to ensure you get a nice clean fit on the clamp nut before turning it, which helps stop stripping of the nut.

Don't worry.... Bottom blade changes are simple with the Delta.

Just make sure you have a really solid bench or stand to clamp the scroll saw too...Like all scroll saws, they need to be clamped down solidly to avoid any unwanted vibration

If you are concerned and are buying it from a good woodworking shop, just have them show you the blade holding systems. I got mine from Carbatec in Brisbane...they had a model on display and the sales guy gave me a quick rundown and demonstrated a blade change for me.

If this option is available, just check it out before you lay down the money, but I think you wont have any problems

Dean
Many thanks for your advice from when I first posted my question. I bought the Delta today from Carbatec Sydney. Extremely helpful member of staff - gave quite a thorough run down on a demo machine which included letting me have a go at fitting a blade and doing some practice cutting myself.
I have set my machine up and done my first scroll cut on it. The initial result was very satisfying and I think I will get to like this machine a lot very quickly.
Thanks again!

[This message has been edited by Mike_R (edited 22 January 2003).]

Great to hear!
Enjoy your new machine

Sotto Voce My Dewalt does not vibrate.

I would hope not for that kind of money!