setting up saw with 4 legged stand - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

ajay · 04-12-2008, 05:20 PM

Hi everyone. I see posts about the importance of setting up your saw so that the weight is evenly distributed on the stand legs. This helps reduce vibration I guess. However, some of the setups I've seen show the saw with a forward dip. In other words the back stand legs are set up longer than the front. I hear this is a good way to do it although I'm not really sure why.

Question, does doing that set the saw up for vibration, more so than if the saw was perfectly level?

I remain somewhat confused about things. Feel free to laugh.

minowevie · 04-12-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajay

Hi everyone. I see posts about the importance of setting up your saw so that the weight is evenly distributed on the stand legs. This helps reduce vibration I guess. However, some of the setups I've seen show the saw with a forward dip. In other words the back stand legs are set up longer than the front. I hear this is a good way to do it although I'm not really sure why.

Question, does doing that set the saw up for vibration, more so than if the saw was perfectly level?

I remain somewhat confused about things. Feel free to laugh.

Hi Ajay, I have tryed the left in the back of the saw. and I can see how it would benafit , but for me.... the wood gets in the way of my belly. and other girly parts. so I like my saw flat. Only thing is I have only 3 legs. 2 in front, and 1 behind. that seems to me, to be more stabale. that fixes the saw on unleavale ground. and saws pretty nice. I got my saw with 3 legs, and I tried the left in the back , I just put a 2x4 under the back leg. I didn't like it at all. so let it back down to level. there is benafits to the left in the back. you can see better where the blade goes. but the spinning of the wood was a pain. so thats what I found out. good luck. try differant things. but don't commit yourself. your friend Evie

ajay · 04-13-2008, 12:33 AM

Thanks Evie. I guess the best way is to try different things to see what works and what doesn't.

Buzz · 04-13-2008, 05:38 AM

Wouldn't think of laughing at you Ajay. That is an excellent question and actually has been asked many times in the past. I even called Hawk to make sure that being off level wouldn't affect the operation of their saws. They assured me that being off level was not a factor. Just distribute the weight on all legs.
For most, if not all, saws don't need to be level. They do have to have equal weight on all legs, whether 3 or 4 legs. Right now my G4 is 1-1/2" higher in the back due to my back problems. I also have raised the overall height of the saw by putting in up on several small pieces of 2 x 4. All I did was to make sure the weight is equal on all 4 legs and I don't have any kind of vibration problems.

ajay · 04-13-2008, 11:21 AM

Thanks for that tid-bit Buzz. I'm doing my level (no pun intended) best to accumulate some knowledge before my new saw arrives so that I might (hopefully) get off to a good start.

I have found there is a vast wealth of knowledge on this particular site. Forum members are extremely given to sharing their know how. All one has to do is ask. That's pretty amazing.

cj1 · 04-13-2008, 04:44 PM

One of the things I have learned , is vibration can be a killer and cause bad cuts, one of the things I have done is cut pieces of rubber from 1/2 to5/8 thick rubber material and mount it between the hold down bolts and the stand itself, and tighten just stug enough to absorb the up and down movement of the arms...May not be very helpful info , but though it was worth the try...hope it helps...............

roger roberts · 04-13-2008, 05:23 PM

This is to ajay withthe 4legged stand. Glad to hear you finally recieved your saw! I too am new to scrolling and find it to be a great way to spend some time in the shop. One of the best practice exercizes I found to improve my skills is a small computer program called "scroll saw pattern printer V1.1 . It can be found at WWW.scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com ,Iused it to cut the names of allthe kids in my neighborhood out of 3/4" walnut. Hope this helps!
Roger (happy cuts)

ajay · 04-13-2008, 09:06 PM

Hi Roger: Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately, I don't believe I can use that particular program as I have a Mac rather than a Windows pc. The program does look interesting.

scottm · 05-22-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajay

Hi Roger: Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately, I don't believe I can use that particular program as I have a Mac rather than a Windows pc. The program does look interesting.

ajay,

I'm also a Mac user and wanted to recommend using Parallels ($79) to run Windows on your Mac (assuming it's an Intel-based machine). Maybe you're already familiar, but, if not, it runs most Windows programs and prints to your normal Mac printers. It's MUCH better than the old Virtual PC. Of course, you have to also buy Windows XP (don't recommend Vista) - but get the Student version for a huge savings.

Scott

Pajaro · 05-22-2008, 07:34 PM

I have my saw on 4 legs (came with it) and the back legs are set up on two 2x6 timbers. I had all my other saw with the back up. But when I got EX-21 i was so excited about using it, I just set it up and started sawing. It went that way for about 3 months and I noticed that my upper back and neck would hurt. Then it dawned on me why. So up it went. I'm feeling much better now. Try it and see what happens.