Ask the Expert
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Michael Van Pelt is the founder of American Sycamore Woodworker’s Retreat. He has a reputation as the tool guru. Mike has been in woodworking for over thirty years. His knowledge of tools comes from his many years of intertwining experience in the woodworking industry. Mike’s experiences include being active as an Industrial Arts Teacher, professional instructor of power machinery and tool techniques, tool sales, management and owner of woodworking tool retail store, Delta Machinery representative and technical advisory.
If you have a question for Michael, choose the Submit Question button to the right by November 30th. We will send you a reply with Mike's response in mid-December and then post it to this page for other members to view. You never know...someone else may have the same question
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Listed below are questions and answers that have already been submitted.
Questions
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6/24/2009
Best Scroll Saw?
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
As a beginning woodworker, what scroll saw would you recommend I begin with? I want one that uses both pin and plain end blades. I have a Sears Craftsman, and I can't get the plain end blades to stay in place. |
| A. |
I have
sold 100’s of scroll saws in my career…. from the cheapest to the most expensive
German Hegner. I can tell you from experience that you do not want pin in
blades: kind of 1940 technology. The plain end blades work so much better and
you have a wide variety of sizes and specifications available. Buy yourself a
Dewalt scroll saw. In my opinion the best saw for the money on the market. I
have one myself. Changing blades is easy, I hardly ever break a blade, and
inside cuts are a snap! |
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2/1/2008
Scroll Saw Blade Usage
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I
just purchased a Delta Scroll Saw, and seem to be breaking a lot of blades. Am
I trying to work too fast? Or could there be another reason? Please reply and
let me know. I'm using straight and twist blades, and could I be using too
thick material, 3/4 inch. |
| A. |
The finer the
blade - the slower the strokes per minute. So on thick blades like #5 and #7 I
run the saw at the highest setting. On 00 or #2’s I dial the speed down about
30%. I never have liked spiral blades. They drift. Experiment with the speed
control to find the optimal SPM.
Tension the blade to a high “C” tone when
plucked. You might not be putting enough tension on the blade. Naturally, only
do the high “C” tone test with the saw unplugged! |
