Some Thoughts On Buying Your First Scroll Saw

My First Scroll Saw AMT Made In Taiwan Bought New About 1983
My First Scroll Saw AMT Made In Taiwan Bought New About 1983

Shop Front Page:
https://odinstoyfactory.etsy.com

Stay away from anything that uses pin end blades. Why? Because blade selection will be very limited. My first saw had pined blades, but it only took me a few weeks before I upgraded to use pinless blades.

I used this saw for years until I picked up a use RBI Hawk for $100 that needed a little TLC.

I make a lot of toys with this saw. Cutting fretwork was a challenge because the blade changes took so long. I think it cut as good or better than both of my current saws. With the right blade and hardwood, I could get smooth glass cuts. I only got rid of it after I picked up a used Excalibur EX21 because I stumbled across a video describing how easy it was to do interior cuts. Fast blade change was a game-changer for me. I had recently started selling some of my creations, and time is money. I gave the AMT saw to a friend, and it is still in use today. The only problem I ever had with it was the blower that came with it was junk, but an aquarium pump quickly took care of that. It is the only new saw I ever purchased.

I think a used scroll saw the way to go if they are available. Used scroll saws are rare in my area, but I keep searches running all the time on Crags List and Facebook Market Place just in case something interesting pops up nearby. I some areas, used saws are for sale all the time.

Test it as best you can before you buy, and be prepared to spend a little on the saw after you get it. An older scroll saw that has been sitting for a while might need a little TLC. I spent about $100 on upgrades and replacement parts for my RBI Hawk.

If you can't work on the, saw yourself is the only reason I can think of not buying used. Paying someone to upgrade or repair your saw would negate any savings you get from buying used.

 

#odinstoyfactory #handmade #woodtoys #madeinusa #madeinamerica #tools  #woodworking #scrollsaw

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Handmade Wooden Dinosaur Pterodactyl Figurine Handmade and Finished From My Buddies Dinos Collection - 655979018

Image
Buy This Dinosaur Today My Buddies Dinosaur Collection All My Dinosaurs Welcome to my shop, where I handcrafted this unique Pterodactyl dinosaur figurine from carefully selected hardwoods using traditional woodworking tools. Approximate Dimensions: Length: 6-5/8 inches Height: 4 inches I use a custom blend of mineral oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax to give each figurine a smooth, durable, renewable, and natural finish that enhances the beauty of the wood. Because working with natural wood is unique, every dinosaur I create is one-of-a-kind. The item you receive may vary slightly from the one pictured in the photos, but that's the beauty of it. The natural variations in wood grain, color, and knots add to the character and charm of each piece, making it truly special. I take great pride in creating these handmade treasures in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have a specific wood preference or want a custom order. I'll do my best to accommodate yo
Read more

What kind of paint are you using for your Bad Bob's Custom Motors cars?

Image
Bad Bob's Custom Motors I use a variety of paints from various sources. I like the acrylic house paints the best. All of the paints are nontoxic when cured.  I like to use a white primer to seal the wood and make the colors pop. In this case, I am using Zinsser B-I-N shellac based primer.  I prefer to use an airbrush for painting toys but, I have to paint outdoors, and the weather where I live does not cooperate, and I have to wait or use a brush. I used an airbrush for these wooden toy cars. My airbrush is a Badger Anthem 155.  I prefer acrylics over all other paints. They clean up easily, cover well, and are readily available in a vast array of colors. To clean, I flood with water to get rid of the bulk of the paint. The remaining paint is easily removed with ammonia-based cleaners such as window cleaner. I use household$ ammonia to remove dried paint.  I used the following to paint these wooden toy car bodies. Pink - Behr Acrylic House Paint Green - Apple Barrel Gl
Read more

Testing Anita's Acrylic Craft Paint

Image
2017-05-08 18.20.48 - Wooden Toy - Play Pal - Trailer - Truck - Orange - Anita's - Acrylic - Craft - Paint I painted these two trailers with Anita's All Purpose Acrylic Craft Paint. I didn't use a primer or sealer coat of any kind. The paint was applied with a brush just as it came from the bottle. This is the first coat of paint. I was quite surprised at how well it covered the wood. The orange paints I have used in the past did not cover well at all.   Usually requiring multiple coats to get to the point where I could not see through it.  It raises the grain a lot but I expected this. Water based finishes of any kind will raise the grain. Etsy Store: http://OdinsToyFactory.com #WoodenToys #WoodToys #WoodenToyTruck #WoodToyTruck #OdinsToyFactory #Handmade
Read more