Thread: Makita SJ401

Yes, I have had a few problems with them in the past with how slow they are sending stuff. I order from a place in perth on a Monday and my order is usually here by Thursday at the latest.

well now who is a speed daemon? lol
We get things from Perth too..... usually in a few days.... but then maybe carbatec is not having things in stock and has to get them from overseas? Would be good if they'd tell customers that tho.... plus even better if they'd have things send by overnight mail form there instead of going by sea. Sea is cheaper.... but a parcel from my brother ..... send early October didn't arrive until two days ago!!!!!!!

That explains the delay on big items, but little stuff like the blade holders and springs really need to be shipped by air.

Juvy

lol ME a speed demon. thats what my wife says....but I think she's talking about my mouth (sitting here behind me).
Yes we know about the overseas wait as we get stuff shipped directly from the States and it gets here in a quicker time than the gear ordered in the same state in Qld. We've ordered direct from WoodCraft in Eugene Oregon and it gets here faster.

jenno

Yep... that wait's a killer..... add to that the sky high postage and it's just not worth it.
The few times I really couldn't get something here, like a couple accessories for the dremel, I barter with people overseas.
I send them something I made ... so far we've all come out happy and no money had to be exchanged.

So...... if your wife calls you speed daemon..... does she mean you are quick getting all those those "honey-do" projects done ?

Juvy

yes I finish them....sometimes.lol

I didn't ask IF you finish them....... I asked if you do it QUICK! lol
Ken eventually finishes stuff too.
Like his brother... his wife is making him refinish a caravan.. it was supposed to be finished x-mas..... so he says.... she didn't say WHICH x-mas!!!!!! lol
Juvy

we went in to town today-oh yay. I went to two local tool suppliers and they suprised me alot. One had a makita still there and the other one just sold two last week to two mates.lol remains to be seen if they stay mates if they don't get parts for backup. I mentioned that I had heard no more were being made or imported ad that parts may be hard to come by. The one guy I have known for 10 years or more said the reps hadn't told them about that and he can still get em for $390. Now I am in a quandry again...


jenno

Oh come on Jenno.... trust these experts here.... and give your wife a saw that'll make both of you happy..... after all... you'll have to live with it if the saw's no good and she'll start griping ( the way I would lol)

Juvy

LOL.... darn it, I am just the impatient type I spose. It's for her but I want to buy one. In the end it's her decision tho (with me leaning towards...you know..TRUPRO!!!!) lol

Jenno

lol you need to change your nick to speedy gonzales!

I really think you should go with a saw you KNOW will be around and supported for a while even if it is a bit more costly.... everyone I talked to likes it...... I personally don't like the Hegner blade change holders, but looks like even the Excalibur has them almost like it....
from what I've been told it's a matter of what you get used to at the beginning.

So come on.... just get the darn thing so she can start scrolling and join us here!

What do you think she'll be interested in the most? Toys for the kids/grandkids, useable stuff, just pretty stuff?

Juvy

We are deciding on the trupro. Although I am not experienced in scrolling, I have done hand carving before. I am not quite sure what I will start with, although I think a few larger projects will be in order before I get to in tense with the little fiddly stuff. Any tips on starting are highly appreciated?

Mrs Jenno..the patient one.
(zoooom)

Hello there patient one good to have another woman in here.... the guys get a bit overwhelming at times

What to start out with.... well... when I started a couple of years ago... well that's actually not true.. my father started me as a 6 year old with one of those hand held saws..... lol
Anyway when I started with the scroll saw this time I did simple puzzles in 3/4" pine. There are oodles of free patterns , but what's even better is making them from drawings from the kids you make them for.. they love that. Also.... with those patterns there's no worries about staying on the line... nobody will ever be the wiser once you're done. They are quick too!

I'm not at all into the little bitty fiddly fretsaw work... not into making clocks like that... just dustcollectors.... some people love them and I do admire the patience ( oops you're patient... you might like doing those) and skill, but I just like different things.... specially toys ( former kindergarden teacher) but anything a bit more modern or useful ... also x-mas ornaments .... great little gifts to stick into cards when you feel you need to give a bit more then a plain card, but don't want to start real gift giving.
Later on if you need a bit more of a challenge and if you're handy on the computer you can make your own portraits from photos, animals/people/flowers/landscapes.... everything you can imagine!

Anytime you need help.... just holler.
At the moment I'm teaching an 84 year old lady... we're having a ball!

Oh your carving experience will come in handy and you can convert some of those patterns.... better yet.. you can combine the two .... rough cut out with the scroll saw and finish by carving!
Also if you use a sewing machine you're already 3/4 on your way.. most newbies have to learn to stay on the line... you already know how to do that!

Juvy

Thanks for your advisement ..I havent had any large electicial tools in my hands for about ten years now. I do the same dust collector type carving. The reason I am getting into the scroll saw bit is because I have ideas on making things like window pelments with fret work in them and I really love working on european / ornamental type scrolling (like what you all use here for doorways and patio post ,,ect..) My facination with architecture is what drives me and I like the idea of frames as you had suggested. I've also had some ideas on panels for furniture designs. We want to work together to compliment eachothers work. So there are a few things we've already had in mind but I'll have to start somewhere I think its wonderful that people can talk about all of this over the internet it makes things so much easier. And amuses my husband for hours. THANKS EVERYONE Mrs Jenno

Oh....... so you're talking cutting THICK wood.... you really need a good saw..... my Delta is good..... but it huffs and puffs at things over 3/4".... it can be done but it has to be done VERY slow and I can't handle that...

I caught your " what you all use here" ...... so I'm assuming you're , like me... not born Australian? I always did like the the "gingerbread" on the old homes here, and living in one that doesn't have them have thought about it often, just one of those things I never got around to and also...like I said... that slow cutting....... then if I'd get it done I'd have to convince someone to install it..... and the posts on the porch are round metal ones.... not nice wooden..... see? I talk myself out of WORK.... lol

I do think just to get the feel of the saw and what is can and cannot do simple things that give you that almost instant " I can do this" feeling are the way to go. when I bought books on it ( before joining a club) they had test pieces.. just cutting different type lines on a test board...... BORING... much more fun to jump in and do a puzzle and in the end have something to show and give away. I throw my pupils right into the deep end with a 3D tree.... I pre cut all but a handful of cuts they have to do and they always come out ok and makes them want to cut more straight away.

Just had a thought.... why don't you start small.... make all those ornamental things for doll houses?
Or try different styles out and glue them to boxes.

Juvy